Hamina is much more than just a historic circular town. It is a vibrant and versatile place where baseball, international military music, and orienteering all come together. This summer, Hamina is fully embracing the atmosphere of the Jukola Relay and warmly invites everyone to enjoy the joy of exercise and a strong sense of community.
Hamina’s Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing, Rita Maasilta, and Marketing Planner Aija Kurko know the city’s strengths well and are eager to highlight its diversity. Orienteering and the Jukola Relay are familiar to both of them through personal interest and firsthand experience. They both hope as many people as possible will discover the event. Aija has previously attended as a visitor, while Rita has been running relay legs with her family team since 2016.
Strength in Working Together
Viewed from the City of Hamina’s perspective, the Jukola Relay represents many important values. At the heart of the event are volunteer work, teamwork, and crossing boundaries together. Rita believes one of the greatest strengths of this year’s Kotka Jukola has been the collaboration that has crossed both club and municipal borders. The best thing about Jukola is that it brings together all kinds of orienteers — from elite athletes to recreational participants.
– What makes Jukola so special is that everyone works toward the same goal, whether they are competing as part of a team or volunteering, Rita says.
Enjoying Nature Through Movement
According to Rita, orienteering is a unique endurance sport that combines being active in nature with continuous decision-making and thinking. At the same time, it teaches humility, as even the most experienced competitors can occasionally make mistakes and lose their way. Surprises can arise even in familiar terrain.
The region offers excellent opportunities for the sport thanks to its close connection to nature and active sports clubs. Rita herself practices orienteering in the area’s varied terrains. Rita and Aija also praise Hamina’s many other opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city features extensive hiking and recreational trail networks suitable for all ages, as well as outdoor gyms and fitness stairways throughout Hamina.
Hobbies Bring Wellbeing and Community
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Hobbies play a key role in maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing. The most important thing is simply to get outside and get moving, either alone or with others, and find something enjoyable to do, Rita says.
First Nature, Then Tattoo
Aija hopes that Jukola will also attract people who are not yet active orienteering enthusiasts — just as she herself once attended Salpa-Jukola in Virolahti simply to enjoy the atmosphere as a visitor. If Jukola becomes someone’s first introduction to the region, she encourages them to return later in the summer as well.
The perfect opportunity for this is Hamina Tattoo, taking place from July 27 to August 1. Tiina Salonen, Executive Director of Hamina Tattoo, says the festival offers a diverse program of military music throughout the week, and as much as 80 percent of the program is completely free of charge.
Tiina’s Three Tips for Hamina Tattoo
- Marching Shows: The core attraction of the event, performed a total of seven times. The marching shows are ticketed, but tickets are still available. Here you can buy tickets!
- Mini Tattoo: A new family-friendly event featuring activities and entertainment for children during the weekend of July 31–August 1.
- Community Sing-Along Event: On Friday, July 31 at 11 a.m., visitors can fulfill their dream of singing along with a live military band, accompanied by the Dragoon Band and lead singers.
Whether your destination is the Kotka Jukola event, the internationally renowned Hamina Tattoo military music festival, or the city’s diverse nature trails, Hamina warmly welcomes all visitors.
