25 years of culture and connections in Espoo: Autumn Beat brings together our senior residents once more
The Espoo Elderly Council holds the 25th anniversary of its Autumn Beat festival in October. The event has brought together 800 guests and is expected to fill Tapiola hall this year, as well. Autumn Beat is not just a cultural experience, but also a community event for senior residents.
Autumn Beat is a cultural event for senior residents that has already formed into a tradition: a festival that you can’t miss. In 25 years, it has carved out a place among the other cultural events in Espoo. Its organiser, the Espoo Elderly Council, considers it a flagship event.
“The festival has boosted awareness of the Espoo Elderly Council and is a regular reason to contact us,” says Hannu Viitanen, chair of the festival committee.
This was always the point. When the Elderly Council was established, it came up with an event that could bring senior residents together and build awareness of the Council’s activities.
The Elderly Council aims to provide extensive services to the senior population in Espoo. It has been a resounding success, of which Autumn Beat is the proof.
“Autumn Beat brings the local residents together. The feedback has always been very positive, and since the event is free of charge with a free bus, we get a lot of people from the target group who don't otherwise use the cultural centre,” says Hannu Viitanen.
The event plays an important role in Espoo, as it strengthens the sense of community among the senior residents. It provides cultural experiences to pensioners and encourages them to volunteer for an association.
The third sector is very visible at the event: it opens with introductions for senior services of Espoo and the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. Pensioner associations are the prime movers of the official programme.
This year’s Sykettä syksyyn relies on familiar performers and new highlights. The programme features the Espoo Veteran Choir and the Furorna Choir, as in previous years. This time, young people send their greeting through Cantiamo, the youth choir of Musikinstitutet Kungsvägen.
The opening speech is, once again, by Espoo Elderly Council chair Olli Männikkö and the ceremonial address will be held by Espoo City Board chair, Mervi Katainen. One of the afternoon’s highlights is the award ceremony of the Espoo Pensioner of the Year for 2025.
Highlights of the programme include two top-tier musicians: piano virtuoso Seppo Hovi and saxophonist-vocalist Hannu Lehtonen, who is often heard in theatres, concerts and barn dances. The two pair up with the Espoo Veteran Choir to perform music and tell stories, evoking nostalgia from the audience.
Autumn Beat 5 October 2025 at 14:00–17:00, Espoo Cultural Centre, Tapiola hall. Welcome!