The third edition of the Helsinki Biennial attracted around 568,000 visitors between 8 June and 21 September, organisers announced on Tuesday.
The international contemporary art event took place on Vallisaari Island, in Esplanade Park and at HAM Helsinki Art Museum. This year’s theme, Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging, addressed humanity’s relationship with nature through 57 artworks by 37 artists and collectives. About half of the works premiered in Helsinki.
Visitor numbers were highest in Esplanade Park, where an estimated 409,000 people viewed the installations. Vallisaari Island welcomed about 113,000 visitors, while HAM Helsinki Art Museum recorded nearly 46,000.
“This summer’s biennial has secured its place in the hearts of Helsinki residents, while also attracting international attention,” said Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki.
Organisers said the event was attended by more than 90 international media representatives, with some 150 media mentions so far. About 850 professionals took part in the biennial’s professional programme.
Arja Miller, Director of HAM and the biennial, said the 2025 edition had been designed to reach a wide audience. “The Esplanade Park enabled an engaging and accessible contemporary art experience for everyone. We also invested in professional collaboration with other art operators. The biennial advanced our vision of making Helsinki the most attractive art city in Northern Europe.”
Head Curators Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen said Vallisaari’s history and natural environment shaped the concept of shelter as a space for coexistence. “We wanted to encourage dialogue about living alongside other species in a world that needs more empathy.”
Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure Paavo Arhinmäki highlighted that 8,000 school pupils visited Vallisaari thanks to free ferry journeys offered by the City of Helsinki. Ticket prices were lower than in previous years, and three days of free ferry rides were open to all.
The event also produced lasting additions to Helsinki’s art scene. Two works will remain permanently: Stranding by Sara Bjarland and From the Dark into the Great Blue Yonder by Gunzi Holmström.
The next Helsinki Biennial will be held in 2027. Its head curators will be Japanese curator Mami Kataoka and Finnish museum director Arja Miller.
HT
