Vapriikki’s Radio Waves exhibition closes on 15 November

The Radio Waves exhibition at Vapriikki closes on 15 November.

The show brought together a large trove of unique radio history material loaned by radio amateurs and former pirate radio operators. It illustrated radio’s continuing role in modern life. Organisers say radio amateurs’ skills remain important for maintaining communications during network disruptions, and visitor feedback underlined that radio is still a valued medium for many. The display also served as a testbed for improving accessibility at Vapriikki. Visitors could use an audio-described guided tour, follow a floor guidance strip and handle tactile objects designed to support visually impaired guests.

It follows earlier communications-focused activity at Vapriikki this year's Postia ja bittejä display. The museums have also arranged to preserve nationally significant communications material in cooperation with Telia for research and exhibition use.

Tampere’s historical museums will retain extensive archival holdings after the exhibition closes, including hundreds of radio receivers, documents and photographs. The collections were recently expanded with the Radio 957 transmitter that relayed the popular local station’s programmes from Pyynikki observation tower and later from Näsinneula between 1985 and 2000. The exhibition is located on Vapriikki’s second floor.