President
Matti Korhonen
A passionate advocate for local arts with decades of experience in event management and community organizing in Tampere.
About us · Meistä
Rooted in Tampere, built by its people.
Our history
Jaara-festivaali ry grew out of a circle of Tampere artists, musicians, teachers and neighbours who had for many years gathered informally each summer to share music, food and craft by the lakes of Pirkanmaa. What began as a handful of backyard concerts and folk-dance evenings steadily drew larger crowds, until the community asked for something more lasting.
In May 2025 that circle formally registered as a non-profit association under the Finnish Associations Act, adopting the name Jaara-festivaali ry and the registration number PRO: 3533848-2. Registration gave the work a clear legal structure, democratic membership, audited accounts and an elected board accountable to members.
The association carries forward the spirit of those early gatherings: low thresholds, open stages and genuine hospitality. Today our festival, workshops and youth programmes bring together heritage tradition-bearers, emerging artists, long-time Tampere families and newcomers to Finland — all on equal footing.
We remain proudly volunteer-led. No board member receives a salary, and every euro raised is reinvested in cultural activity for the community.
Board of Directors
Elected annually by the members' general meeting. All board positions are unpaid and voluntary.
Secretary
Anna Virtanen
Ensures our association's compliance with Finnish NGO regulations and manages administrative transparency.
Treasurer
Kari Mäkinen
Oversees financial governance, ensuring all funding and donations are directly channeled into our cultural projects.
Event Coordinator
Elina Laine
The creative force behind the Jaara festival, coordinating volunteers, artists, and logistics.
Democratic membership
Any person who supports our purpose may join. Members elect the board and approve the annual plan and accounts.
Financial transparency
Accounts are reviewed by an independent auditor each year, and annual reports are available to members and partners on request.
Legal compliance
We operate under the Finnish Associations Act and our registered by-laws, and follow GDPR in all data handling.