For July’s staff’s choice, the Institute’s staff have put their minds together for a shared summer send off! Two unique cultural events are taking place in London and Helsinki over the summer: a Moomintrail in Walthamstow and Helsinki Biennial hosted on Vallisaari, an island outside Helsinki. Helsinki Biennial brings a fascinating international programme of contemporary art to a unique setting in the archipelago only a brief ferry ride away from the centre of Helsinki. Meanwhile in London, Walthamstow Wetlands (another unique site) hosts a refreshing look into the life and work of Moomin creator Tove Jansson and her close connection to Klovharun, her island, and its environment. Whether you find yourself in Helsinki or London over the summer months, these two outdoor experiences should be top of your list for an outing on a warm summer’s day. 

Moomintrail, Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London, N17 9NH, 18.6.–26.9., free entry, find out more about the year-long celebration here. 

Helsinki Biennial, Vallisaari, 2.6.–26.9., free entry, read about the biennial here.

Image: Kirsi Halkola