Nature-themed Projio light festival returns to Finlayson with 15 installations

Projio returns to Tampere's Finlayson area from 12–17 November with 15 free indoor and outdoor light and media art installations. Entry is free.

Now in its seventh year, the festival stages works from Finland, France, the United States and Taiwan across sites including courtyards, Terde, Vooninki and Media 54. The 2026 programme centres on nature, with pieces that probe the boundary between the natural and the artificial. One highlight is Jussi Kamunen's Silent Rise, a climate-focused light and glass work produced for the international CLAP project.

Organiser Stereo ID, a production and AV company founded in 2008, says Projio has drawn about 10,000 visitors annually since 2020. Ani Riikonen, the festival's communications lead, described the theme: "The boundary between natural and artificial is not straightforward. This year's works examine nature from different perspectives and invite reflection on how our experiences and relationships with the environment affect what we consider natural." Kai Niinimäki, asset manager at Varman, said supporting free cultural experiences and showcasing the historic factory district remain priorities.

The festival follows a busy autumn of light art in Tampere, with Hiedanranta's façade lighting and new works at Hiedanranta and Hervanta's inaugural Light Weeks in late October. Earlier this summer, Finlayson's Weaver Halls hosted city-wide art projects as part of Taidevaltakunta '26.