Greetings from Riihimäki Theatre Hotel

This year, the first rays of summer sunshine and the blossoming fruit trees have felt, smelled and looked exceptionally wonderful here in Riihimäki.

Perhaps someone who moved to the city at a later age is finally starting to feel like they belong and have a home.

I have been working at a local hotel since August and my role has forced me to look at my beloved hometown from a whole new perspective. In addition to the fact that Riihimäki has everything close by, our city also has an absolutely wonderful cultural and historical offering and nature, which is an experience in itself for a tourist arriving in the city. For many locals, these things are probably familiar and self-evident, but for the undersigned, all the magnificence of this city was lost in the hustle and bustle of the peak years.

So at the beginning of summer, I want to remind both locals and tourists visiting the city of a few amazing things that you can only experience here in Riihimäki or the surrounding area!

Hyttikortteli city block

The over a hundred year old glass factory workers' residential area is a wonderful place in the summer, where you can wander around observing the old buildings and beautiful gardens and forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a while. The more curious can stop by during their walk and pull the door handle of either Lasistudio Mafka & Alakoski or Lasistudio Lasismi and hope to get a chance to get acquainted with UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, i.e. the know-how of handmade glass.

Read more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site on UNESCO's official website (ich.unesco.org).

Glass Museum

Once you have already navigated to the cabin block, why not continue your journey straight to the Finnish Glass Museum – the only national glass museum in the whole of Finland. In addition to offering a comprehensive information package on the history of glass dating back up to 4000 years, the Finnish Glass Museum is offering two wonderful exhibitions this summer – KUPLA – Imprisoned in Glass celebrates the 100th anniversary of Timo Sarpaneva’s birth and Murano – Traditions and Innovations presents Murano glass from 1945–1970. True glass fans should contact the Glass Museum in advance to familiarize themselves with the Finnish Glass Museum’s reference library, which is the largest glass specialist library in Finland with approximately 10,000 titles.

Learn more about the Finnish Glass Museum on the glass museum's website (suomenlasimuseo.fi).

Riihimäki's Summer Theater

Riihimäki offers a first-class quality theatre offering and this year's summer programme is fantastic! During the summer, the stage will feature the family musical adventure Ella and Paterock, produced by Riihimäki Youth Theatre, as well as two plays by Riihimäki Theatre.

comedy plays – the unbridledly funny karaoke show Kuumia aaltoja and Opehuone, which previously achieved great popularity at the Riihimäki Theatre. These are worth coming to see even from afar! Book your tickets in advance, because if you leave at the last minute, you risk being left without a ticket!

See more detailed information about the summer program on the Riihimäki Summer Theatre website (riihimaenkesateatteri.fi).

While you're visiting the summer theater, also check out the magnificent Allin Castle, also known as Allinna, built in 1919, located next door, which once housed a hotel restaurant and the city's first outdoor terrace. Today, the building, which is of cultural and historical value, is a private home, so please remember to respect the privacy of the family living there when admiring the building!

Atsaleapuisto park

As a reminder to myself and everyone else spending time in the area:

Azaleas bloom for about three weeks from the beginning of June and are usually finished blooming by Midsummer!

Almost every year I miss the chance to see the most beautiful phase of the blooms because I can't remember when the park is at its most beautiful. This year I won't forget, and I hope you won't either.

The Azalea Park is a great nature destination for families with children and the elderly, as the park has been partially built to be barrier-free. In addition to the fact that barrier-free paths allow more people to enjoy the park, the constructed paths protect the root system of the azalea bushes! This way, this wonderful nature destination is also taken care of for future generations.

You can find the location of the azalea park and additional information on the Riihimäki City website (riihimaki.fi).

Events

The city of Riihimäki's summer of events really begins with the Wilderness Fair and the Open-Air event in early June. Of course, there's a lot happening in the city already in May – the newly renovated dance stage Riutta is celebrating its opening and the Riihimäki Music Institute is giving a concert to celebrate its 65th anniversary.

I definitely recommend following current events and cultural highlights of the week on the Riihimäki City events website (riihimaki.fi).

Restaurant and terrace services at Riihimäki Theatre Hotel

Now there is reason to be proud of your own workplace! We have been working hard all spring to get two of the city's sunniest summer terraces open for the summer season, the roof terrace Lanson Lounge and the Open-Air Terrace Mimosa, and finally the work is paying off - both terraces are now open and based on the feedback we have received, we have succeeded in creating a real summer oasis in Hämeenaukio for both city residents and visitors!

Both of our terraces are stylishly decorated and offer, among other things, the freshest new drinks of the summer and artisanal ice creams.

During the Wilderness Fair, we will be serving an á la carte menu specially designed for the Wilderness Fair on the roof terrace Lanson Lounge and in our restaurant hall. The following weekend, we will publish the menu valid for the summer, which will be available whenever the roof terrace is open.

Here are just a few mentions of Riihimäki's wonderful summer offerings – perhaps as the summer progresses, it's worth writing another part about Riihimäki's summer essentials!

Enjoy the summery vibe, fall in love with Riksuu even more deeply and introduce Rakasta Riksuu to your friends and relatives! See you on the summer terraces of Teatterihotelli!

 

Summer greetings
Janni Valtonen
Riihimäki Theatre Hotel, sales service