Pori Celebrates

This year the city of Pori is celebrating its 450^th anniversary. The city was founded in 1558 by John the Duke of Finland, later John III King of Sweden. Originally a harbour city, Pori has evolved into a cultural, industrial and tourist attracting capital of the Satakunta region. Pori is the 9^th oldest city in Finland and today it is the 10^th largest with a population of 76,000 inhabitants. The biggest industries are machinery, offshore technologies, industrial automation and energy technologies. The city is known worldwide for the Pori International Jazz festival, the Yyteri beaches and the Pori Dance Company.

There are four main themes of the celebration focusing on the past, present and future of Pori. Respecting its history as a trading center promoting economic development is one of the central themes. Cultural life also has a special emphasis; there is a large variety of cultural events all through the year. Pori aims to be Finland's most child-friendly city by 2009 and therefore children and youth are also taken in to notice. The last - but not least - theme is nature. The city is surrounded by the plains of the Kokemäki river delta. The Kirjurinluoto Island is an important tourist and refreshment area in the city center. In 2002 the national urban park was established where parkland and a nationally significant historical environment have been preserved as a whole.

The anniversary year has brought flocks of tourists into the city. Along with annual International Pori Jazz festival, the midsummer festival RMJ, discussion forum SuomiAreena, National Holiday Housing Fair and the Grand Entertainment Concert have filled the city with travellers and concert-goers. Especially the Grand Entertainment Concert was a success. There are many events left for the rest of the year. The 9th annual Pori Folk Festival gathers folk musicians and other artists from around the world. Pori Fiesta Wine festival offers unforgettable experience for culinary lovers. Later in the autumn there is more culture to offer during the Lainsuojattomat (Outlaws) independent professional theatre festival.