Eliel Evening Shift: Karelian Festive Traditions 21 October at 5 pm

Karelian festive traditions and the major celebrations of the year are the theme of October’s Eliel Evening Shift!

This lecture introduces the key celebrations of the calendar year and explores their historical and cultural background. In Karelian festive traditions, elements of folk belief and Christian influences have existed side by side, shaping the customs, symbols, and meanings associated with annual celebrations.

The lecture covers the most important festive periods of the year, from autumn to winter and from spring to midsummer. It examines how these celebrations are connected to the rhythm of the annual cycle, everyday life, and community traditions.

The customs associated with annual celebrations are presented as part of a broader cultural continuum, in which seasonal celebrations reflect both historical traditions and the ways they have evolved over time.

The lecturer is Annamari Liuha, a special education teacher and teacher of Orthodox religion, whose areas of expertise include Karelian folk traditions, folk beliefs, and folklore.

Liuha graduated with a Master of Theology (Orthodox Theology) in 2022 and is currently continuing her studies in folklore studies. She has given lectures on topics including Karelian folk traditions, folk religion, traditional folk healing, and the stories of Karelian evacuees. In her lectures, Liuha combines academic research, cultural history, and fascinating details of traditional culture.

Please note that the programme will be presented in Finnish.

Date and time: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at 5.00 pm
Location: Eliel & Loja, Rantakatu 20, Joensuu
Admission: The Evening Shift programme is included in the museum admission fee (€12 / €5 / Museum Card).