Program
The full program of ABOAGORA 2025 will be published on this page in spring 2025. Below you can find the program of Aboagora 2024.
28 August 2024
Wednesday
Riitta Pyykkö, Professor Emerita
Chris Cope, president, Holst Society
Nana Blomqvist, project manager
Paul Krispijn, artist
Timo Vuorisalo, PhD, Senior Lecturer of Environmental Science, University of Turku
Emma Hakala, leading researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs / Researcher at BIOS Research Unit
Ruslan Gunko, PhD in Environmental Science, Novia University of Applied Sciences & Åbo Akademi University
Tuuli Lempa, piano & live electronics
Karstein Djupdal, Lumatone, composition
Janne Holopainen, PhD, astronomer, visualisations
Rubina Kotak, PhD, astronomer & researcher, University of Turku, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Susanna Hast, author, researcher, singer
Noora Kotilainen, senior research fellow, University of Helsinki
Images: Paul Krispijn
Exhibition conceptualisation and texts: Nana Blomqvist
Technical execution: Nana Blomqvist & Paul Krispijn
Frame design and execution: Hasan Al-Rubaye
29 August 2024
Thursday
Aboagora Retreat participants
Koen De Feyter, Professor of Public International Law, University of Antwerp
Love Antell, artist
Anne Heimo, Professor, University of Turku
Silja Laine, PhD, Docent, University of Turku
Love Antell, artist
Syksy Räsänen, cosmologist
Kolmas Tila – Third Space
30 August 2024
Friday
Helena Hildur W., visual artist
Riikka Armanto, doctoral researcher, Finland Futures Research Centre
Osku Haapasaari, project specialist, Finland Futures Research Centre
Jasmine Westerlund, PhD, literary arts educator and author
Jenni Turunlahti, author, literary arts educator
Thella Johnson, journalist, author, musician
Sampo Lassila, double bass, compositions
Aleksi Trygg, viola pomposa
Markku Lepistö, accordion
Janne Tuomi, percussion, regular visitor
Installations
The Aboagora 2024 program includes two installations that are free and open for all at any time.
A new thematic series
The Planets
In 2024, ABOAGORA kicked off a new thematic series, The Planets. The theme is based on the orchestral suite of the same name by the composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934), composed between 1914 and 1917. Each of the composition’s seven movements famously represents a planet in our solar system, bringing forth various ideas, myths and dreams connected to the celestial bodies and the astrological characters associated with them. The series will continue all the way to 2030.
The annual themes of the Planets-thematic series are based on the seven movements of the suite, providing inspiration and a thematic starting point for each year’s events:
- 2024: Mars, the Bringer of War
- 2025: Venus, the Bringer of Peace
- 2026: Mercury, the Winged Messenger
- 2027: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
- 2028: Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
- 2029: Uranus, the Magician
- 2030: Neptune, the Mystic
In 2025, Aboagora will focus in Venus, the Bringer of Peace. As a continuation of the previous year’s war theme, Mars, the main event at Sibelius Museum on 10th–12th September deals with peace, détente, conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence between peoples and different species, as well as inner peace and well-being. In addition to peace, Venus has been linked to beauty, love, and fertility, to name a few associations, as well as the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)! ABOAGORA program will consist of interdisciplinary dialogues, keynotes, presentations, and panels, artistic performances and sessions, as well as workshops, all presenting different scientific and artistic perspectives on peace.
September 10–12, 2025
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Next in the series we have Venus, the Bringer of Peace, on September 10–12, 2025, and now is the time to apply to be a part of the program!
Submit your session proposal via Webropol latest by January 19.
Registration for Aboagora 2025 “Venus, the Bringer of Peace” will open in spring 2025.
Registration
Registration for Aboagora 2024 “Mars, the Bringer of War” was open until 20 August 2024.
For possible late registrations or any other questions, you can be in touch with us directly via aboagora@utu.fi
Participation fees
The participation fee to ABOAGORA 2024 was 50 €. A reduced fee of 20 € applies for students, doctoral researchers and professional artists. The participation fee covers all program and catering during the coffee breaks.
The workshops have limited capacity and are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Post-registration is available during the event at the event info desk, if spaces are available.
Some of the sessions, including the keynote AGORA sessions, are free and open for all.