Sonkajärvi offers a wide selection of cultural and outdoor activities. Dive into the history of Sonkajärvi at the historical ironworks of Jyrkkä or hike through the nature trail Volokinpolku. Nurmijoki is a nearly ideal place for trout fishing and the rapids of the river are very much suitable for canoeing. The International Bottle Museum gives an interesting point of view into the cultural history of Finland and the world. Do not forget the two big summer events of Sonkajärvi: the Wife Carrying World Championships and the chamber music festival Sonkajärvi Soi.

The world championships in wife carrying have been arranged in Sonkajärvi since the year 1992. The humoristic sport event has gathered wide domestic and international attention during the years, and the number of contestants from abroad has increased year after year. The importance the event has for the public image and recognisability of Sonkajärvi is considerable.

A market fair with an annually changing theme is organised every year in tandem with the championship event.

www.eukonkanto.fi

Sonkajärvi Soi is an annual chamber music festival that has been organised since 1992. Since its beginning, the driving force behind the festival has been Ismo Eskelinen, a renowned guitarist who grew up in Sonkajärvi. The trump card of the festival is its intimacy: the homelike atmosphere and the Savonian hospitality combined with a high artistic standard have given the festival a good reputation among the musicians and public alike.

Many of the musician in the forefront of the Finnish music have performed at the festival during its over 20 years long course of the enrichment of the cultural life of Sonkajärv. The list of the performers includes e.g. Pekka Kuusisto, Jorma Hynninen, Olli Mustonen and John Storgårds.

The festival aims at a high artistic standard and unprejudiced selection of concerts. The festival advocates classical music and promotes general interest in music. Its concerts have an important role in the cultural life of the region.

www.sonkajarvisoi.fi