After a successful debut in 2025, Formosa : Finland : Fest. is set to return to Helsinki’s Narinkkatori on July 11, bringing together music, food and cultural exchange in the heart of the Finnish capital.

The free event is once again part of Taiwan’s Taiwan Culture in Europe 2026 initiative and is organized by the National Cultural Association of Taiwan (NCAT). While last year’s edition focused heavily on metal music, this year’s festival broadens its horizons with an impressive lineup of Taiwanese and Finnish rock artists.

Representing Taiwan are cyber-taike innovators Amazing Show, award-winning rock band Lilium, whose album earned recognition at the prestigious Golden Melody Awards, and producer and DJ Dungi Sapor, who represented Taiwan at the Cultural Olympiad during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Finland’s contribution comes in the form of internationally acclaimed hard rock outfit Shiraz Lane and legendary Jussi69, known from The 69 Eyes, who will close the evening with a special DJ set.

Beyond the music, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Taiwanese culture through authentic street food, market stalls and traditional night market games. Festival-goers can try activities such as mahjong bingo and Shibazai dice games while exploring Taiwanese products and cuisine rarely available in Finland.

A key figure behind the event is Taiwan’s representative to Finland, Freddy Lim, who is also known internationally as the frontman of ChthoniC.

“I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growing relationship between Taiwan and Finland during my time here,” Lim says. “This year we are bringing Finland its first-ever Taiwanese open-air market. It may not be huge, but it will be warm, vibrant and full of atmosphere. Come enjoy Taiwanese street food, cultural products and great music with us.”

The festival’s visual identity further reflects the spirit of cultural exchange. Illustrator D3C has created two mascots inspired by Finnish forest spirits and Taiwan’s mischievous mó-sîn-á folk characters. Equipped with guitars and traditional Taiwanese shopping bags known as Gia-ji bags, the mascots symbolize the meeting point between the two cultures.

According to NCAT Secretary-General Lee Hou-Ching, the festival demonstrates the growing possibilities for cultural collaboration between Finland and Taiwan.

“We wanted to organize this year’s festival as an outdoor summer event so that even more people could discover Taiwan through cultural exchange during Finland’s bright July season.”

With free admission, live music, unique cultural experiences and Taiwanese flavors, Formosa : Finland : Fest. promises to offer one of Helsinki’s most distinctive summer events when it returns to Narinkkatori on July 11.