Kuhasalo, one of Joensuu’s most popular outdoor areas, has been renovated.
The city of Joensuu invites residents and guests to come and see the area during Kuhasalo’s opening ceremony on Monday, Nov. 29 at 2–6 PM. The opening ceremony is a part of Joensuu’s birthday, a.k.a. Joensuu Day celebrations.
Among other things, the network of trails in Kuhasalo has been developed; it has been made wheelchair accessible, official campfire and rest stops have been made, and a maintenance shelter, toilet and bicycle racks have been built.
The program begins at 2 PM with a tour of the wheelchair-accessible routes. The tour will go around a new 3-kilometre route led by gardener Heidi Keskitalo.
The campfires at Kuhasalo will be kept going throughout the event, and they can be used for warming up and enjoying your own snacks. Members of Joensuu’s committee for urban structure and committee for participation and attraction will guard the fires. You are welcome to talk with them about common subjects at the same time.
There will also be poetry and fire art. Lea Tajakka will recite the poem Metsärunonlaulu (forest poem song) twice and Karjalainen muistoitku (Karelian memory cry) once. Karjalainen muistoitku was inspired by the memorial of the Kuhasalo monastery.
Fire art group Kuuma kollektiivi will dance with fire fans and torches and warm the darkening evening. The show can be seen at 4 PM and 5 PM.
The area will have guided parking during the event. Cycling to the place is also recommended. It is a good idea to bring your own flashlight or headlamp.
Kuhasalo opening ceremony program:
2:00 PM Wheelchair-accessible trail tour led by gardener Heidi Keskitalo, departure from the trailhead at the parking lot
3:30 PM Lea Tajakka: Metsärunonlaulu (at the start of the forest trail, about 20 min)
4:00 PM Kuuma kollektiivi’s fire show (near the parking lot, about 15 min)
4:30 PM Lea Tajakka: Karjalainen muistoitku (at the memorial of the monastery, about 15 min)
5:00 PM Kuuma kollektiivi’s fire show (near the parking lot, about 15 min)
5:30 PM Lea Tajakka: Metsärunonlaulu (at the Kalmoniemi campfire, about 20 min)
6:00 PM End of the event
Kuhasalo is located on Kukkosensaari 5.
