Korundi House of Culture Rovaniemi Art Museum Lapland Chamber Orchestra 1/30/2026
Record Visitor Numbers at Korundi in 2025
The popularity of art exhibitions and events at Korundi House of Culture in Rovaniemi has increased significantly. The total number of visitors jumped by 25% compared to the previous year. Over the past ten years, visitor numbers have more than doubled. However, the strong demand has come primarily from domestic audiences rather than foreign visitors.
In 2025, visitor numbers for exhibitions, concerts, and other events at Korundi increased clearly. The largest growth was seen in the exhibitions of the Rovaniemi Art Museum, where visitor numbers rose by more than 70%. Audiences were especially drawn to the exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Reidar Särestöniemi, one of the most well-known Lappish artists, which also received widespread national attention.
The exhibition attracted more than 25,000 visitors, doubling the museum’s visitors compared to the previous spring. The media attention surrounding the anniversary exhibition and the fact that visitors traveled from far away came as a surprise to the art museum staff:
“Reidar’s exhibition managed to reach audiences broadly, even from outside Lapland. We had people coming from Helsinki just for day trips,” says Riitta Kuusikko, Director of the Rovaniemi Art Museum.
The feedback the museum has received on the exhibition has been glowing. Kuusikko reflects that Särestöniemi embodied many themes that resonate strongly today: the relationship with nature and environmental protection, identity, and individuality.
“People have felt Reidar’s art to be very close to them, full of powerful energy that gives strength. In some cases, the experience has even been healing. Reidar was an environmentalist, a researcher, and a homosexual. I believe many people wanted to see these sides of him now.”
According to Kuusikko, the doubling of Korundi’s visitor numbers over the past decade shows how deeply the people of Rovaniemi have embraced the cultural centre as their own.
“Imagine life as a local without Korundi. It would feel quite empty,” she sums up.
Kuusikko also sees culture as having much to offer tourism:
“Although visitors usually come to Rovaniemi for nature and Santa Claus, it’s important that the experience doesn’t remain only at that level. Korundi offers an opportunity for a deeper encounter with what northern culture here truly is.”
Rovaniemi Art Museum currently features two fascinating exhibitions: Eemil Karila - I see the places of the sagas (5.12.2025–22.4.2026) and Pulling the Threads - Works from the Collection of Rovaniemi City and Wihuri Foundation Collection (14.11.2025–8.3.2026). Exhibitions are open Tue-Sun 11-18.