The Silence Festival

The Silence Festival is the most prominent and long-standing operation of the Art Organisation Silence. Held annually since 2010, this multidisciplinary, site-specific festival has established a distinct presence within both the Finnish and international art scenes. From the beginning, its core artistic forms have been contemporary circus and new music, which have become deeply rooted at the center of the organization’s identity.

The festival’s exceptional format embedded in the small village community of Kaukonen, along with its focus on bringing artists together to share space and practice, makes it truly unique. Over the years, the festival has served as a launchpad for numerous premieres, debut performances, and novel performance concepts. Priority is always given to upholding the intrinsic value of art and enabling the creative visions of artists. The festival's impact has been recognized with the State Prize for Circus Art (2017) and the Pohjolan Osuuspankki Helmi Award.

The Silence Summer Residency

The Silence Summer Residency is an international, multidisciplinary residency focused on the performing arts. A core focus of the residency is new art - bold, contemporary creation that explores emergent artistic practices and forms.

While open to all art forms, the residency primarily supports innovative cross-disciplinary projects operating at the intersections of the performing arts, contemporary circus, and collaborative initiatives among Northern artists.

Residency artists are selected through an open call. Selection criteria emphasize artistic quality, suitability for the residency facilities, interdisciplinary approaches, and an interest in audience engagement during the stay. We strive for a balanced representation of both early-career professionals and experienced artists. The Summer Residency is supported by the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) and the Municipality of Kittilä.

Year-Round Performing Arts & Concerts

Outside the annual Silence Festival, Art Organisation Silence maintains an active year-round program of performing arts and music in Kittilä through three distinct concepts. Located in the village center of Kittilä, Circus Stage Yläri (Sirkusnäyttämö Yläri) regularly presents contemporary circus visits for all ages in collaboration with local cultural services. Launched in 2023, the "Guest of Silence" Concerts (Hiljaisuuden Vieraana) offer intimate chamber music experiences at the Särestöniemi Museum and in Kaukonen accompanied by tailored lighting design and micro-tours across Arctic villages. First piloted in autumn 2025, Glowing at the Peak (Huipulla hehkuu!) pairs top-tier music with fell views, gastronomy, and wine at the Levi Summit Event Center during the autumn foliage season, engaging new audiences and cultural tourists. Looking ahead, our goal is to expand these performance and concert concepts beyond Kittilä across Lapland through sustainably structured touring models, reinforcing our commitment to ecological and structural development in the Arctic region.

The Silence Winter Residency

The Silence Winter Residency is primarily designed for music professionals who lack the opportunity in their daily lives to focus on their creative work amidst Lapland’s snowy winter environment. Launched in 2024, the highly positive experiences of participating artists have driven us to continue developing this residency model.

The residency welcomes both domestic and international artists whose creative work is suited for a room-based residency that does not require a dedicated rehearsal or performance hall. It offers an inspiring setting for composing, writing, or practicing portable instruments. Granted based on an open application process in one-week increments, the residency takes place during the snowiest winter season, allowing artists to enjoy the Northern nature alongside their work.