Join the Whale Farmer event week and take part in a community dance art performance!
Whale Farmer is a week-long multi-arts event held in Turku’s Old Great Square from June 8 to 14, 2026. People from all backgrounds are invited to participate in a dance performance organized by professional artists from the Fern Orchestra collective as the culmination of the event.
A three-dimensional textile sculpture called Keijusto will be created from algae yarn at the market square, where everyone is welcome to come and crochet it. The Whale Farmer week will culminate in a community dance performance called Keijunta, which will take place around the textile sculpture. The event will feature research data and an opportunity to discuss the seas of the future with scientists and artists.
Whether you are a work team, a board game club, a student rowing club, or any other group, we offer you the opportunity to participate in the culmination of this week-long art event!
Together, you and the science and art collective Fern Orchestra will create a work of art in which ten groups can participate with a 3-10 minute dance performance. Based on Keijunta‘s activities, the choreography will be prepared under the guidance of professional dancers. With the dance instructor you can agree on a rehearsal schedule that suits your group (e.g., once a week). Participation does not require any prior skills in dancing or knowledge in Finnish language.
The event is organized by professional artists from Fern Orchestra. They will provide the framework for the performance: music composed for the work, costume design, visuals, event marketing, and arrangements.
Performances:
- Joint general rehearsal on Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m.
- Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. premiere
- Sat, June 13, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
You can register to participate, express your interest, or request additional information at: tuottaja@fernorchestra.com
Whale Farmer is a science and art research project by Åbo Akademi University, Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science (SOS) and Fern Orchestra that compares evolutionary data obtained from microalgae and models the future based on it. It does not look good. In all climate scenarios, the amount of phytoplankton will collapse across the globe within a hundred years as the climate warms. A Whale Farmer is a person who, despite their environmental concerns, is an active protector of the marine environment.
Fern Orchestra is a science and art collective that works with plants and microalgae in an environmentally conscious way.
More information about Whale Farmer is available on the Fern Orchestra website.
