Lahti City Library's autumn events kick off in August. The library's event autumn is full of Lahti love, featuring small local environmental actions, memories, and globally touching themes, guaranteed musical joy, and as a new event category, free film screenings.
The theme for Lahti libraries' autumn 2025 events is Lahti 120 Years. Through this theme, the events will delve into the city of Lahti and the essence of being from Lahti, explored through beautiful memories, poetry, and compelling author visits.
In September, the featured author guest will be Timo Sandberg from Nastola, whose writing brings thrilling history to life in a captivating way. Sandberg is a prolific author and crime novelist, known especially for his award-winning Otso Kekki mystery novels set in Lahti.
– Our goal is to create an annual program that is as up-to-date as possible, while also being thematically engaging, widely beneficial to residents, and uplifting, says Suvi Haikola, the Head of Library Services responsible for events.
– In this autumn’s events, we’ve thoroughly incorporated Lahti’s 120th anniversary, for example through local author guests, Haikola continues.
Love for Lahti is also reflected in small, everyday environmental actions. During Finland’s Nature Week, a Mini Trash Workshop will be held to encourage everyone to take care of their surroundings.
Syksyn tapahtumat tulvivat Lahti 120 -teemaisia tapahtumia, saadaan nauttia niin Lahtelaisesta runoillasta kuin Lahti-
The autumn program is overflowing with Lahti 120-themed events, offering moments to enjoy a Lahti-themed poetry evening and a Lahti-themed music quiz. In November’s Erätauko dialogue, a variety of library memories from Laune Library will be shared, and the role of local libraries will be discussed.
– It’s especially wonderful to celebrate Lahti’s anniversary together with residents through a diverse range of events that highlight Lahti and Lahti identity, Haikola summarizes.
In September, fantasy author Magdalena Hai will visit Lahti Main Library. Hai won the Finlandia Prize for children’s and youth literature in 2023 with her book Sarvijumala. In October, the guest will be Yle journalist Maxim Fedorov, who has closely followed Russia’s war of in Ukraine for over three years. Based on this, he has written My Ukraine and The Stages of War. His third book, to be published this year, explores Finnish-Ukrainian relations during the Soviet era and his personal search for Ukrainian roots. In November, as part of Nordic Author Week, Kaj Korkea-Aho will visit. His novel The Red Room (2021) was nominated for both the Nordic Council Literature Prize and the Runeberg Prize.
High-quality children's events are also part of the autumn program. In Liipola and Mukkula libraries, a Illustration Workshop will be held in September for primary school children, introducing expressive human and animal character design using simple basic shapes. In December, Linnateatteri will perform the hilarious play Tatu and Patu’s Strange Dream Show in the main library’s auditorium.
Musical events begin in August with Preludios Americanos, a concert of skilled guitar music from four South American countries, performed by classical guitarist Janne Lehtinen in the main library’s music area. In October, enjoy enchanting film music in a concert by internationally acclaimed local cellist and mezzo-soprano Seeli Toivio.
Due to its popularity, the Library Open Stage will continue in the autumn program. The stage is open to everyone—any musician, singer, spoken word artist, duo, or group is welcome to perform. The open stage is hosted by Ville Kujala, a singer-songwriter known for leading the long-running Acoustic Club at Lahti’s legendary Restaurant Torvi.
A new addition this autumn is the launch of Library Film Screenings. Free screenings will be held at the main library, catering to various audiences. Baby Cinema is aimed at parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers, while the Film Club features comedy, drama, and horror films. All Film Club screenings follow current age rating guidelines.
In December, the Film Club will host a delightful Christmas Movie Marathon, with films starting already during the day.
The November gaming event "Game Över" invites absolutely everyone to play. This joyful Game Week event is designed for people of all ages who are interested in games and gaming culture.
Throughout the autumn, the Lahti City Library offers a wide variety of events, all with free admission. There are familiar reading, crafting, and writing groups, as well as digital guidance. Children and families can enjoy recurring events such as story times.
You can pick up the library’s event brochure at any library location, and explore the events online via the Event Calendar at lastu.finna.fi (in finnish, link opens in a new window). The brochure includes events at the main library and branch libraries from August to December.
The event brochure is meant to serve as a kind of map, helping everyone confidently find joy and activities for the autumn, says Nora Nordman, Library Services Coordinator responsible for communications at Lahti libraries.
Participation is easy and accessible, as library events are always free of charge and open to everyone. We also follow safer space principles in library facilities and events to ensure a safe experience for all, Nordman adds.
The brochure can be picked up for personal use and shared with family and friends.
Everyone can mark and plan how they want to enjoy the library’s wonderful event offerings throughout the season. Behind the brochure’s production is a tremendous amount of staff expertise and work hours, so of course we hope as many people as possible will pick up this free brochure as their personal treasure map for the autumn,” Nordman emphasizes.
Library events are designed to be accessible and inclusive. Some events are livestreamed, allowing participation from home.
This autumn, we’ve marked livestreamed events in the brochure with a dedicated logo, making them easy to find. It’s important to highlight the possibility of accessible and inclusive participation—and to make that clearly visible, Nordman says with enthusiasm.
Library events offer equal opportunities for everyone to participate. Library provide access to reliable information and culture, and are organized to promote literacy, active citizenship, and the vitality of the municipality.
Additional information:
Lahti City Library, Service Manager, Suvi Haikola,
p. 044 416 3239, suvi.haikola@lahti.fi
Lahti City Library, Library service coordinator, communication, Nora Nordman,
p. 044 416 4103, nora.nordman@lahti.fi
