Information | Dialogia! -festivaali ry

INFORMATION ABOUT DIALOGIA! ASSOCIATION

Dialogia! Festival Association opens doors between music, literature, visual arts, dance, and theatre.
At the heart of its activities is the creation of meaningful encounters, including direct and personal connections between artists, audiences, and participants.
The association promotes humanistic values and believes in the power of art to foster understanding, empathy, and dialogue.
Dialogia! actively collaborates with cultural organizations, artists, and institutions both in Finland and internationally.
The association is committed to supporting employment opportunities for freelance cultural professionals and artists.

The artistic direction of Dialogia! Festival is led by artist Pia Freund.

"All art forms ultimately speak the same language. In these turbulent times, people long for genuine human connection and live interaction. My hope is that Dialogia! events will surprise, inspire, and draw audiences into the breathtaking world of art. Sometimes, one must open a door and walk through it in order to discover what lies on the other side. And how great the joy can be when you realize you have been guided to a door you never knew existed. Together with the Dialogia! team, my passionate goal is to create events that invite people to open that door."
- Pia Freund

Dialogia! events naturally encourage audience participation and interaction. However, there is no obligation or pressure to take part – performances can be enjoyed just as fully through listening, watching, and experiencing them in your own way.

HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION

Dialogia! Festival Association was founded in Hämeenlinna in June 2023. Prior to the establishment of the association, a series of three multidisciplinary events under the title Dialogia! had been presented at Hämeenlinna Town Hall in autumn 2022. The series was conceived and curated by opera singer Pia Freund. Originally planned for an earlier date, the events were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately realized in autumn 2022. The project was supported by the Häme Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Alfred Kordelin Foundation.

Pia Freund developed the Dialogia! concept in response to a desire to bring together different art forms, create opportunities for artists to perform and collaborate across disciplines, and foster dialogue both among artists and between artists and audiences.

Another key aim was to encourage audiences to participate in the events in a gentle and accessible way, while enriching the cultural life of the Hämeenlinna region.

The first Dialogia! events brought together more than thirty artists working in dance, poetry, literature, theatre, visual arts, photography, and music. Through artistic and participatory methods, the events attracted attention in local media and all performances sold out. The enthusiastic response inspired the creation of Dialogia! Festival Association, providing a sustainable organizational framework for future productions and artistic initiatives.

Events produced by the association since its founding

17 September 2023 – Dialogia! – By the Body
11 February 2024 – Hajatelmiarakkaudesta
14 April 2024 – Children’s Dialogia! Hampampam!
2024 & 2025 – Edith!
Summers 2023 & 2024 – Ihan Pihalla!
10 May 2025 – Children’s Dialogia! 2025
June 2025 – Émilie
September 2025 – Journey to Hampampam – Tour
16 November 2025 – A Winter Journey
16 April 2026 – Turning of the tide (Tampere Biennale)

ARTISTS AND COLLABORATORS

Aalto Terho, Attila Kristian, Attila Ilta, Blick Suvi, Célap Helena, Consiglio Chiara (IT), Fred Pauliina, Freund Ada, Freund Pia, Erämaja Anja, Hanhikoski Joanna, Heikkinen Mirjami, Hosia Louna, Hotti Antti, Huotarinen Vilja-Tuulia, Hytönen Ville, Kinnunen Hanna, Korhonen Johanna, Krohn Aino, Kuusisto Kristina, Kähkönen Sirpa, Laakso Anna, Laakso Ilari, Lehtonen Anita, Nicatore Lisa (IT,) Outinen Kati, Paukkunen Kari, Pohjola Anders, Plats Marja-Liisa (EST), Poikonen Hanna, Pitkänen Kukka, Pitko Petteri, Rautasuo Taina-Maaria, Salt Chrys (UK), Sella Seela, Spies Johanna, Suolahti Linda, Tervamäki Minna, Pollet Julie, Aguado Martin Andrea, Hyvärinen Mari-Helen, Maskens Francis, Marini Anthony, Sandås Henrik, Livorsi Paola, Kivivuori Sereno Gabriel, Pöllänen Minna.

Hämeenlinnan Myllymäen Koulu/opettaja Maarit Mäkimarttunen, Siina&Taikaradio-orkesteri, Kulttuurikeskus Arx Hämeenlinna, Visuaalisten taiteiden koulu AIMO, Tanssiteatteri Tanssivarpaat, cie.acompagniada, In Contra kollektiivi, Defunensemble, Hämeenlinnan seudun taideyhdistys, Hämeenlinnan Kameraseura, Hämeenlinnan Taidemuseo, Hämeenlinnan kaupunki, Kokonainen ry, Avanti!.