Editing Turku (section)

==Culture==

[[File:Turku medieval festival.jpg|thumb|right|Traditional [[Medieval Market of Turku]] in summer 2006]]
[[Culture of Finland|Cultural venues]] in Turku include several museums, theatres, cinemas, [[art gallery|art galleries]], and music. Turku offers a variety of cultural events. The most important one is the declaration of [[Christmas Peace]] on 24 December in the [[Old Great Square (Turku)|Old Great Square]].<ref name="christmas-peace-turku">{{cite web |url=https://www.joulukaupunkiturku.fi/en/christmas-city/declaration-christmas-peace |title=The Declaration of Christmas Peace |publisher=City of Turku |language=en |access-date=17 October 2023 }}</ref> The tradition is about 700 years old. Other notable events include the [[Medieval Market of Turku|Medieval Market]], the [[Turku music festival|Music Festival]], the [[Turku Book Fair|Book Fair]], the [[Turku Film Day|Film Day]], the [[Turku Animated Film Festival|Animated Film Festival]] TAFF, the [[Turku Jazz|Jazz Festival]], the [[Paavo Nurmi Games]] of athletics, the [[Ruisrock]] rock festival, the [[Down by the Laituri]] music festival and the [[New Performance Turku Biennale]].<ref name="turku-tapahtumvuosi-turku">{{cite web |url=https://www.turku.fi/tapahtumavuosi2023 |title=Turun tapahtumavuosi 2023 |publisher=City of Turku |language=fi |access-date=22 October 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Turku was the [[European Capital of Culture]] in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 smaller European Capitals of Culture you may not have heard of |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/05/10-smaller-european-capitals-of-culture-you-may-not-have-heard-of |website=the Guardian |access-date=30 April 2021 |language=en |date=5 March 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027160835/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/05/10-smaller-european-capitals-of-culture-you-may-not-have-heard-of |url-status=live }}</ref> and the city council has approved numerous projects to boost the city's image in preparation for that status.

=== Medieval buildings ===

[[File:Turun tuomiokirkon Kellotaulu.jpg|thumb|Medieval [[Turku Cathedral]] clock face]]
According to archaeological evidence, Turku started to get built in the late 13th Century.<ref name="keskiaikainen-turku-yle">{{cite web |title=Keskiaikainen Turku |url=https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2013/02/21/keskiaikainen-turku |first=Rita |last=Trötsckes |publisher=YLE |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028220037/https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2013/02/21/keskiaikainen-turku |url-status=live }}</ref> However, only a few of its medieval buildings have survived to the present day. The primary factor was the [[Great Fire of Turku|Great Fire]] in 1827, which decimated three quarters of the city.<ref name="turku-paloi-poroksi-yle">{{cite web |title=Turku paloi poroksi päivälleen 195 vuotta sitten – syyllinen ei ollut mikään piika, vaan paloturvallisuudesta piittaamaton byrokratia |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-12606282 |first=Päivi |last=Leppänen |publisher=YLE |date=4 September 2022 |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi }}</ref> [[Turku Cathedral]], constructed in the 13th century, is one of the oldest still-functioning buildings. It is also Finland's only medieval basilica church.<ref name="turun-tuomiokirkko-1800-luku">{{cite web |title=1800-luku – tulipalosta jälleenrakennukseen |url=https://www.turuntuomiokirkko.fi/etusivu/tutustu-historiaan/tuomiokirkon-7-vuosisataa/1800-lukut |publisher=Turun Tuomiokirkko - Turku Cathedral |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Another surviving edifice from the medieval era is [[Turku Castle]], which was established in the 1280s and underwent several expansions in the 15th century. Only the ruins remain of the bishop's church in Koroistenniemi, [[Koroinen]], but the white cross serves as a reminder of the bishop's castle that existed centuries ago. [[Qwensel House]], the oldest wooden house in Turku dating back to the 18th century, has been converted into a museum. No other medieval buildings have survived to the present day.<ref name="history-of-the-qwensel-house-turku">{{cite web |title=History of the Qwensel House |url=https://www.turku.fi/en/pharmacy-museum-and-qwensel-house/history/history-qwensel-house |publisher=City of Turku |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606103112/https://www.turku.fi/en/pharmacy-museum-and-qwensel-house/history/history-qwensel-house |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Museums ===

[[File:Aurajoki, Apteekkimuseo.jpg|thumb|Qwensel House (left) and the old town hall. A small ferry runs in the river.]]
Most of Turku's museums are situated beside the [[Aura River (Finland)|Aura River]]. The [[Turku Art Museum]] is housed in a granite castle, with exhibits of both classical and contemporary art. Turku Cathedral and its museum, located on the banks of the Aura River, provide information about the history and artifacts of the church. Adjacent to the cathedral, [[Ett Hem]], a 19th-century bourgeois residence, and the [[Sibelius Museum]], which displays a collection of musical instruments, can be found. [[Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova]] presents a fusion of medieval ruins and modern art. On [[Vartiovuori]], lies the [[Luostarinmäki]] Craftsman Museum, which represents a wooden housing locality dating back to the 18th century.<ref name="turku-on-monipuolinen-museokaupunki-museokortti">{{cite web |title=Turku on monipuolinen museokaupunki – Museokortilla pääsee 15 kohteeseen |url=https://museot.fi/turun-museot |website=Museot.fi |publisher=Suomen Museoliitto - The Finnish Museums Association |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002085929/https://museot.fi/turun-museot |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Qwensel House|Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House]] hold the distinction of being Turku's earliest wooden abode, offering a glimpse into the bourgeois life of the 18th century and a 19th-century drugstore. The [[Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art|contemporary art museum, WAM]], is named after Turku's sculptor, [[Wäinö Aaltonen]]. Additionally, the [[Biological Museum of Turku|Biological Museum]] serves as a diorama museum covering Finnish wildlife and fauna. [[Forum Marinum]] is a maritime museum of exhibits and museum vessels, including the frigate ''[[Suomen Joutsen]]'' and the last commercial steam ship in Scandinavia ''[[MS Bore]]''. Turku Castle is an attraction with over 700 years of history.<ref name="turku-on-monipuolinen-museokaupunki-museokortti"/>

=== Theatres ===

[[File:Turku City Theatre 2022-05-15 d.jpg|thumb|Turku City Theatre]]
There are half a dozen theatres situated in Turku, with the largest being the [[Turku City Theatre]]. Located in the city centre on the banks of the River Aura, it offers a varied programme of classical and contemporary drama. Other theatres in Turku include {{ill|Linnateatteri|fi}}, [[Åbo Svenska Teater]], [[TEHDAS]] and [[Turun Nuori Teatteri]], in addition to smaller establishments such as the puppet theatre, [[Aura of Puppets]], and the summer theatres, Samppalinna and Vartiovuori.<ref name="turku-teatteri">{{cite web |title=Teatteri |date=19 January 2015 |url=https://www.turku.fi/kulttuuri-ja-liikunta/teatteri-ja-musiikki/teatteri |publisher=City of Turku |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124084622/https://www.turku.fi/kulttuuri-ja-liikunta/teatteri-ja-musiikki/teatteri |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music ===

Turku is a music hub that provides a variety of musical experiences. The [[Turku Philharmonic Orchestra]] is the oldest ensemble in Finland, tracing its origins to the establishment of the ''Turun Soitannollinen Seura'' in 1790. The orchestra has a reputation for its classical repertoire and frequently conducts concerts throughout Finland.<ref name="turku-musiikki">{{cite web |title=Musiikki |date=3 December 2014 |url=https://www.turku.fi/kulttuuri-ja-liikunta/teatteri-ja-musiikki/musiikki |publisher=City of Turku |access-date=22 October 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124084620/https://www.turku.fi/kulttuuri-ja-liikunta/teatteri-ja-musiikki/musiikki |url-status=live }}</ref>

Turku boasts a selection of music festivals, catering to diverse tastes and moods. The longest running rock festival in Finland, [[Ruisrock]], is held on the island of Ruissalo. [[Aura Fest]] is a new city-based festival, set to debut in the summer of 2022. [[Down by the Laituri|DBTL]] is another city festival, situated along the banks of the Aura River. [[Turku Jazz]] is an annual festival in July. August sees the [[Turku Music Festival]], dedicated to classical music.<ref name="turku-musiikki"/>

=== Association and city rivalry ===

The Finnish people associate Turku with its "old and historic" charm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.turkulainen.fi/artikkeli/34479-vanha-ja-historiallinen-imago-turulle-vain-etu |title=Vanha ja historiallinen imago Turulle vain etu |date=25 February 2011 |work=Turkulainen |access-date=8 April 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327144913/https://www.turkulainen.fi/artikkeli/34479-vanha-ja-historiallinen-imago-turulle-vain-etu |url-status=dead }}</ref> Established in 1957, ''Turkuseura-Åbosamfundet ry'' is a bilingual, politically neutral historical society with 2,200 members. Its main focus is to cherish Turku's culture and [[Southwest Finnish dialects|dialect]], and to preserve local history and traditions. The society strives to promote and enhance Turku's positive image.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.turkuseura.fi/ |title=Etusivu |website=Turkuseura.fi |access-date=8 April 2023 |language=fi |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408142500/https://www.turkuseura.fi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Turku and [[Tampere]] are two cities in Finland that exhibit a cordial rivalry through humorous banter.<ref>[https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9694432 YLE: Kumpi on kovempi, Turku vai Tampere? Testaa tietosi ikuisista tappelupukareista] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208093300/https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9694432 |date=8 February 2021 }} (in Finnish)</ref> Humorous topics include Tampere's traditional dish, ''[[mustamakkara]]'', Turku's Aura River, and distinct regional accents. Both cities boast excellent culinary scenes, which attract food lovers. Since 1997, students from Tampere have annually visited Turku to participate in the custom of leaping on the market square. This lively event is thought to nudge the city towards the Baltic Sea and counteract [[post-glacial rebound]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.students.tut.fi/~eto/turunsanomat06.pdf |title=Data |publisher=www.students.tut.fi |access-date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003214742/http://www.students.tut.fi/~eto/turunsanomat06.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="everwas">{{Cite web |url=https://everwas.com/2010/07/finnish-rivalry/ |title=Finnish Town Rivalries |first=Ian |last=Kennedy |date=2 July 2010 |website=everwas |access-date=27 August 2022 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926091333/https://everwas.com/2010/07/finnish-rivalry/ |url-status=live }}</ref>