Over 13,000 attend Christian festival in Finland

“You are not alone” (Deuteronomy 31:8) was the theme of this year's Maata Näkyvissä, a festival for young people and families first organised in 1984.

Evangelical Focus

TURKU · 21 NOVEMBER 2023 · 16:26 CET

Ilta, one of the artists singing at the 2023 Maata Näkyvissä festival, in Turku, Finland. / All photos: <a target="_blank" href="https://maatanakyvissa.fi">Maata Näkyvissä festival</a>.,
Ilta, one of the artists singing at the 2023 Maata Näkyvissä festival, in Turku, Finland. / All photos: Maata Näkyvissä festival.

One of the largest Christian festivals in the North of Europe had its newest edition in Finland.

The Gatorade Centre in the city of Turku, saw the participation of over 13,000 visitors in what the organisers of the Maata Näkyvissä (Land In Sight) festival described as a “safe and hopeful atmosphere”.

Over 13,000 attend Christian festival in Finland

  An image of Maata Näkyvissä 2023, in Finland. 
 

After years of financial difficulties, the 2023 edition aimed to renew the whole festival, a “new start” without losing its traditional identity. The event, focused on young people, was created in 1984 and has developed under The Lutheran Evangelical Association.

Over 13,000 attend Christian festival in Finland

  An image of Maata Näkyvissä 2023, in Finland. 
 

“A total of 127 churches were involved”, said Miika Luomaranta, of the production team, and “almost 1,000 volunteers” worked on the ground during the three days of the event.

 

 

A part from the main stage, there were two other spaces, in which all kind of live music, from worship and pop to metal and rap, could be enjoyed. Among the over 30 bands performing at the festival, all of them from Finland, were Maksetut Viulut, KLS, Papipike, and Ilta.

Over 13,000 attend Christian festival in Finland

  An image of Maata Näkyvissä 2023, in Finland. 
 

The festival also included workshops and talks. The aim was not to reach the youth but also whole families.

The theme this year was “You are not alone” (Deuteronomy 31:8), and next year’s festival (22-24 November 2024) will be “You are safe”.

Over 13,000 attend Christian festival in Finland

  An image of Maata Näkyvissä 2023, in Finland. 
 

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