2.6.2026

Registration for ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger, 23–25 September, is open!

This year’s ABOAGORA – the meeting place for science and art creators and the public – examines ‘winged words’ and metaphors in science, art, and society, their effects on communication and public discourse, and the impacts of climate change on the animal world, such as the migratory routes of birds. The three-day event will be held for the 16th time at the Sibelius Museum in Turku, from 23 to 25 September 2026.

The event consists of keynote lectures (AGORAs) and performative sessions that combine scholarly and artistic viewpoints. This year’s sessions, concerts and workshops will examine communication and dialogue, human decision-making and hesitation, choice, and direction, and messages and networks across time and space. The event will also feature echoes from the old forests and an exploration of the messages conveyed by microorganisms.

The Agora sessions are open to everyone and free of charge, and they are:

23.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: How to Navigate an Information War?
Timo R. Stewart, researcher and author (Centre for European Studies, University of Helsinki)

24.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: Death in Kaija Saariaho’s Last Composition
Susanna Välimäki, Professor of Musicology (University of Helsinki)

25.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: Migration on Swift Wings
Susanne Åkesson, Professor (Animal Navigation Lab, Lund University)

The full program of concerts, workshops, performative sessions and more is available online: https://aboagora.fi/program/

REGISTRATION

With the exception of Agora keynote sessions the event will require registration – the deadline is September 16th.

The basic participation fee for ABOAGORA 2026 is 50 €
A reduced fee of 20 € applies for students, doctoral researchers, professional artists or other unwaged participants
There is also a one-day ticket (20€) for those who can participate only on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday
Concert tickets to the Wednesday and Friday evening concerts can be purchased at the Sibelius Museums ticket office: https://sibeliusmuseum.fi/en/events/

The participation fee and one-day tickets cover all sessions as well as refreshments served during coffee breaks.

Students have free access to the programme, apart from workshops and concerts, but student registration does not include catering, a program booklet, or a name tag. We recommend paying the reduced participation fee if you want to enjoy the full ABOAGORA experience!

Students can also take part as event assistants. The tasks include e.g. preparations at the venue, technical assistance, manning the info desk, guiding the audience and helping with other practicalities. The assistants will receive training for their tasks and no prior experience is needed – an interest in the themes of the event and/or event production and is all that’s needed! Lunch and coffee are provided for the days you attend. Assistants will receive a work certificate, and study credits may also be available (please consult your department directly).