Our Story & Vision

The second edition of Kuula Days will be held in Vaasa on November 5–8, 2026, following its inception in 2023.

Toivo Kuula Days offer a diverse program where classical music is complemented by new and surprising crossover elements. The festival finds a natural home in Vaasa—Kuula’s official birthplace, where he also spent a significant part of his youth.

The idea for Kuula Days came from Maano Männi, who is known as a versatile musician, concert organizer, and concertmaster of the Vaasa City Orchestra: "For years, I've felt that the composer Toivo Kuula deserves more in Vaasa than a monument and a music institute named after him. Perhaps a regularly held music event?" Männi contacted experienced event producer Milla Virta, and together they founded the Kuula Days.

After the 1908 premiere of Kuula's piano trio, critics wrote: "Only Sibelius stands ahead of Kuula." Now, this masterpiece will resonate once again at the Tikanoja Art Museum.

Toivo Kuula's musical legacy is rich and nuanced. It carries Ostrobothnian depth and folk-inspired lightness, along with shades of French Impressionism.

In November, during the darkest time of the year, Kuula Days bring light, hope, grand emotions, and unexpected encounters between different musical styles.

Our Mission & Goal

The goal of Kuula Days is to bring people together through music and to highlight the music of composer Toivo Kuula (1883–1918) and make it known to new audiences.

A diverse program, various venue locations, and versatile concert formats make the event engaging for audiences of all ages. We want to make the concerts easily accessible without compromising their artistic quality. At the same time, Kuula Days enriches the cultural scene in November and strengthens Vaasa's status as an active city of culture and events.