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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Colin Nicholson

Salmon, saunas and sopranos: Finland’s opera festival with a difference

Aerial view of Savonlinna, in Finland, with its 15th-century Olavinlinna fortress and opera festival venue in the foreground
Savonlinna with its 15th-century Olavinlinna fortress – and opera festival venue – in the foreground. Photograph: PR IMAGE

Approaching the castle, we felt as if we were joining a medieval procession. Ushers were guiding opera-goers down the cobbled streets and over the bridge which earlier that afternoon had swung open to allow us to sail into Savonlinna.

This is one of the world’s most unusual music festivals. It takes place every July in the 15th-century Olavinlinna fortress on an island in Finland’s south-eastern lake district.

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