(Finland) – The inaugural edition of Design Helsinki, a brand new design festival, will take place from 24-25 August.

Finland’s capital city, which this year celebrates 10 years since it was named World Design Capital in 2012, is renowned for its functional and minimalistic Nordic architecture, and boasts the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Northern Europe, making it a key destination for architecture aficionados.

Marking a decade since it was named World Design Capital, Helsinki will celebrate the occasion wit a series of events and city-wide activities. Design Helsinki, the city’s first dedicated B2B contemporary design event, will be at the heart of the celebrations.

Design Helsinki will seek to highlight the profound influence that Nordic design, and its long-held commitment to sustainability, has on the architecture and design industries, as well as providing a platform for international design professionals to meet with sought-after, world renowned brands. The show will also work with two major partners in Finland – Habitare and the Alvare Aalto Foundation – to provide exciting and relevant content for visitors. Habitare and Design Helsinki will both feature in each other’s programmes; the creative director of Habitare, Laura Sarvilinna, will be interviewed as part of the Design Helsinki programme on “Regenerate”, while Design Helsinki will participate in Habitare’s programme as part of the theme “Blending Spaces”.

Design Helsinki will take place in various locations in and around the city, including an international pavilion in Kasarmitori, a topical Talks programme in the Design Museum, installations in Esplanadi Park, as well as within multiple resident design showrooms. The fair will also celebrate the area’s local design showrooms, who will welcome architects, designers, dealers, retailers and more to experience the best of Nordic and Scandinavian design.

www.designhelsinki.com