A Legacy for Our Children? is a painterly projection reflecting on the state and future of Finland’s aquatic ecosystems. Alexander Salvesen’s work highlights the significance of bodies of water — as life-sustaining as well as spiritually and culturally vital elements. What do we leave behind when we are gone? 

Participation: Swedish-speaking pupils from Seminaari School and Salvesen explored the theme together in Swedish-language Cultural Path workshops. Under the artist’s guidance, the children familiarized themselves with the tools and techniques and created their own contributions to the work. In the final installation, Salvesen worked on the church façade, while the children’s pieces were displayed inside, all connected by the shared theme. 

The Wellsping of Everything was created together with the Swedish-speaking pupils of Seminaari School under the guidance of Alexander Salvesen and ARX’s art educators. The pupils discussed and brainstormed an impressive range of everyday things made possible by water – from quenching thirst and life-giving rain to ice hockey and swimming beaches. The projection artwork inside the church was created using overhead projectors, colored filters, and glass. 

Participation: The Swedish-speaking students of Seminaari School and Salvesen developed the theme of the artwork together in the Swedish-language workshops of The Culture Path program. Under the artist’s guidance, the children familiarized themselves with the tools and techniques and created their own contributions to the piece. In the overall church installation, Salvesen worked on the church’s exterior while the children worked indoors, all united by the shared theme. 

Submergence by the British light art collective Squidsoup is a large-scale, immersive light installation composed of thousands of suspended light points. These lights transform the space into an interface between the virtual and physical worlds, allowing visitors to move through and interact with their surroundings. The light program runs in 12-minute cycles. The true magic of the piece is revealed when you find yourself surrounded by the glowing points of light. Submergence is fully accessible and can be entered even with a stroller. 

Please note that the installation includes flashing lights and strobes. 

Participation: The artwork is experienced by stepping inside it. 

Spot On,a projection artwork by Dutch light artist Marieke Van der Burg, invites the audience into the world of a fly. This interactive piece follows the fly’s journey along a wall, highlighting the building’s architectural details through a playful interplay of light and shadow. Grab the spotlight and help the fly overcome its shadow! 

Participation: Visitors can follow the fly’s path on the wall of the Regional Government building using a beam of light. 

In Aapo Repo’s artwork, typically small marionettes have grown into giants. The wooden puppet figures dance within their frames, obeying the commands of the puppeteer. As the characters move, a fascinating shadow theatre unfolds on the wall. Grab the ropes and try moving the puppet yourself — or watch how it responds to Aapo Repo’s skilled hands. 

Participation: The artwork can be puppeteered during the event under the guidance of the artist. 

We are a tree is a lantern installation composed of fleeting images in which participants merge with nature and empathize with the emotions of other species. Students from the Aimo School Of Visual Arts have explored questions such as: What does it feel like to be part of a tree’s canopy or to carry a squirrel on a branch? What kind of relationship do trees have with birds? What is it like to watch people passing by from behind the shelter of the branches? The artwork invites viewers to shift their perspective and reflect on emotions from the viewpoint of other living beings. What might surprise a tree? What could cause it fear or joy? 

Participation: The lanterns in Me olemme puu were created by visual arts and crafts students from Aimo School. 

Lovely Rose Window by Hämeenlinna-based artist Olli Larjo is a Machine of Good inspired by stained-glass art. It creates a space of color within the gallery, spreading beauty and hope. The installation is part of the artist’s series of five Machines of Good and Evil.  

Participation: Window flowers, displayed in the neighboring windows of the Paperihuone, is a companion piece inspired by Ihana ruusuikkuna. It was created by a group of schoolchildren under the guidance of Olli Larjo. 

Window flowers was created in a workshop led by artist Olli Larjo, inspired by his piece Ihana ruusuikkuna. 

Participation: Schoolchildren got to know Olli Larjo’s artistic practice and, inspired by this introduction, took part in a workshop led by the artist himself. 

The Celebration is an invitation to gather around a shared table for a feast of light, creativity, and togetherness. The artwork is made from recycled plastic elements that form a vibrant banquet table overflowing with color and light. It celebrates the collective handiwork of children and young people from Hämeenlinna, bringing the magical atmosphere of a summer garden party into the midst of autumn’s gloom. 

Participation: Juhlat is the largest participatory artwork of the Valoilmiö 2025 festival, created by nearly a thousand pairs of hands. The piece has been prepared throughout the autumn at Cultural Centre ARX, in schools, and in hobby groups. All preschool groups from Hämeenlinna have taken part in creating it together with their educators as part of the Culture Path program. Also involved were HIL hobby groups, ARX visitors and their families, as well as upper secondary students from Tavastia. 

The Verkatehdas area is rich with the history of textile manufacturing, filled with intriguing stories. Whispers circulate about a young woman in white in the Pinella area, but who has really seen her, and what is her story? Could she be the restless spirit of a young woman who once worked at the looms of Verkatehdas? Come and call forth Loom Maiden (Loimitar).

Participation: Loimitar appears only when summoned by visitors.

Migrant birds is a playful and lively artwork created by children in family daycare groups. Together with art educators, the young artists have explored the autumn migration of birds through movement, rhythm, imagination, and hands-on creativity. What does flying feel like? How do wings move? Where do migratory birds go? 

Participation: Children and adults from Hämeenlinna’s family daycare groups have taken part in the Culture Path workshops led by art educators Saana Siivonen and Dubravka Subotic at Cultural Centre ARX during the autumn, and have created bird-themed artworks in their daycare units. 

The magical visual world of Pauliina Mäkelä’s artworks Parallel Pool ja Metamorfosis II is a fusion of human and animal body parts, objects, and vegetation. Her delicate and dark-toned imagery is full of layered meanings and imaginative blending. The enchantment of the works projected onto the church walls is created using familiar tools: overhead projectors, motors, and water. 

Participation: Pupils from grades 7–9 at Hauho Comprehensive School took part in a workshop where they learned about Pauliina Mäkelä’s artistic process and created drawings under her guidance. The pupils’ drawings are displayed in a lantern chain in the yard of Hauho Church. All Hauho Comprehensive School pupils participated in workshops designed by Mäkelä and led by ARX art educators Auni Tuovinen and Viljami Tabell. The final artwork, compiled from the workshop materials, is projected inside Hauho Church.