On Sunday, 3rd of August 2025, in Annala Garden, Helsinki

We warmly invite you to spend a summer day immersed in the atmosphere of the Biedermeier period in the garden of Annala. The setting includes Helsinki’s oldest wooden villa, Villa Anneberg, completed in 1832, making it a perfect backdrop for our gathering. The garden itself has been lovingly restored to reflect the spirit of the era, offering a unique opportunity to step into the aesthetic of the late Empire period. The grounds and villa are maintained by the Hyötykasviyhdistys garden association and the Friends of Villa Annala (Annalan huvilan ystävät ry). https://annalanhuvila.fi & https://hyotykasviyhdistys.fi/annala/

The event will include promenading in the idyllic garden surroundings of Annala, a shared picnic, and informal socializing. You're welcome to bring along other historically inspired pastimes if you wish!

The event is organized in collaboration with Hyötykasviyhdistys. By visiting the Annala garden, we bring an atmosphere that complements the surroundings and support the upkeep of a culturally and historically significant building as well as the ongoing work for the beautiful garden.

We'll gather in front of Villa Annala at 1:00 PM.

THEME

The dress code is daywear according to the Biedermeier era from the 1820s to 1840s.

Everyone dressed in accordance with the theme is welcome to join us!

FOOD & SUPPLIES

Please bring your own picnic food, blanket, and any supplies you may need. We kindly ask that guests avoid using disposable tableware. Instead of plastic, we encourage you to use items that evoke the spirit of the time period. If you'd rather not pack your own food, you may purchase refreshments from the charming Café Anneberg located in the villa in which case your support also helps maintain the site via the Hyötykasvi Association.

REGISTRATION

We kindly ask that you register in advance so we know how many participants to expect. Registration is open to everyone, including families with children and pets. However, we ask that participants follow the historical dress code.

Registration opens on June 15th, 2025, via the following link:

Register here (If the form opens in Finnish, you can switch the language into English at the top right of the page!)

The registration deadline is July 31st, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE

The upstairs area of Villa Annala has been reserved for changing clothes, and the villa’s restrooms are available while the café is open. You are welcome to arrive starting at 12:00 noon to prepare.

The picnic will take place weather permitting. In case of rain, you're welcome to enjoy refreshments at Café Anneberg inside the villa at your own expense. Let’s not allow the weather to dampen our spirits!

Please note that the park is a public space, so we may encounter passersby. We’ll do our best to choose a peaceful spot within the garden—there’s plenty of space!

LOCATION & ARRIVAL

Villa Annala is located at:

Waseniuksen puistotie 1 / Hämeentie 154, Helsinki

The area is easily reached by public transport. Due to limited parking, we recommend arriving by tram or bus.

Nearby bus stops include Annalantie on Hämeentie and Koskelan varikko, about a 5-minute walk through the oak woods. Trams 6 and 8 stop near the Arabia shopping center, also about a 5-minute walk away.

COMMUNICATION

For any important updates or changes, we will contact registered participants via email.

Members of the society are welcome to make informal plans (e.g., food, travel, activities) in the society’s WhatsApp group. If you’re interested in joining as a member, you'll find more information and instructions here. New members will receive the WhatsApp link by email once their membership payment has been processed. If you’ve lost the link and would like to join the group, feel free to contact us. Please note that this group is not the official communication channel for the event.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us via Facebook Messenger or by email at info[at]societehelsinki.fi.