Summer Theatre Experiences at Törnävä Manor
This summer, Törnävä Manor comes to life with Theatre Arina. In addition to performances at Törnävä Manor, Theatre Arina offers historical tours for children in the Liinamaa area. The premiere of the museum drama “The Nightingale of the Manor” is on July 6, 2024. The play tells the story of Mathilda Wasastjerna, the wife of the last patron of Östermyra Manor, Gustav August Wasastjerna. This museum drama tour takes the audience on a timeless journey through the life of a talented and strong-willed woman, from youthful dreams to motherhood, and finally to the last paths of life.
In the play, the elderly Mathilda guides the audience through her memories and the beloved rooms of her manor. The museum drama at Törnävä Manor offers an unforgettable experience in a historical setting. Please note that the museum drama tour is not accessible and the performance is in Finnish. Check the showtimes on Theatre Arina’s website.
Törnävä museum, Törnäväntie 23
The summer at Törnävän Museum Area is filled with echoes of history. This summer, the highlight at Törnävän is the offerings of the museum area and the Törnävän Manor’s summer café. As you arrive at the Törnävän Museum Area, you’ll step into the atmosphere of the 1800s. The beautiful park-like museum area of Törnävän, with its numerous buildings, invites everyone to explore the history of Seinäjoki.
You can find the cultural experiences of Törnävän Kartano and the museum area all gathered here – https://www.seinajoki.fi/etusivu/tornavan-kartano/
The café housed within the magnificent estate provides a splendid opportunity to immerse oneself in the aristocratic ambiance of Törnävä while indulging in delicacies. The doors of the manor café open on from Wednesday to Saturday. Weekdays from 12 PM to 6 PM and Saturdays from 12 PM to 5 PM. The Manor café will be closed during Midsummer and the Provinssi festival. The café is run by Lotta Sokero, who crafts the delectable pastries in the manor’s renovated kitchen.
How about a delightfully delicious strawberry cake, chocolate pastry, sugared doughnut, or creamy ice cream drizzled with special spruce shoot syrup? The manor café’s offerings comprise traditional flavors that would have also pleased the manor’s former aristocratic residents. The splendid ambiance of the manor is evident in its gilded decorations and once opulent, colorfully patterned wallpapers. On the benches in the manor’s backyard, savory and sweet delicacies are enjoyed while admiring the garden’s roses and other meticulously tended plantings.
Among the beautiful buildings of the museum area, one is the Kivinavetta, known as the South Ostrobothnia Museum, which is housed in the original barn of the manor. The South Ostrobothnia Museum presents the history of the region and Seinäjoki in its ‘Mihinä me ollahan?’ (Where Are We?) core exhibition. On the second floor of the building, you’ll find the space for temporary exhibitions, known as the Vinttigalleria.
The manor’s old dairy, Keidas, has been renovated as part of the museum experience, offering a nature and geology exhibition. The bright pink Punatulkku buildings in Törnävän Kartano’s courtyard include the overseer’s cottage, artisan workshops, and a rural pharmacy. The museum area is divided by a road, on one side of which stands the Liinamaantupa with its outbuildings. The best way to explore the museum’s buildings is through guided tours led by knowledgeable museum staff.
For larger groups, you can arrange guided tours here – https://www.seinajoki.fi/kulttuuri-ja-liikunta/museo/tervetuloa-museoon/opastukset-ja-mobiilioppaat/
Historical Tours for Children at Liinamaa Cottage
The large red Liinamaa Cottage is filled with 19th-century artifacts that depict that time’s ordinary life. Beautifully decorated furniture, rye bread hanging from the ceiling, and handcrafted items are arranged as if the cottage’s inhabitants had never left. The cottage, outbuildings, and a magnificent windmill have been relocated to the museum area from nearby regions.
Each building in the museum area holds its own significance and tells stories of the everyday life of past residents. Four historical tours specifically designed for children will be performed at Liinamaa Cottage, where they will learn about old-time “Finnish gnome” traditions. Reserve your spot early for the most enjoyable historical tours of the summer. The tours will be held on June 12, June 19, July 3, and July 10. The summer events at Törnävä Manor and the Liinamaa area offer wonderful cultural experiences for both adults and children.
Updated June 2024 Theatre photographs by Teatteri Arina