By Peter Marten, July 2010
Ruisrock, one of Europe's longest-standing rock fests, celebrated 40 years of success in 2010 – and in 2011 its home city, Turku, is European Capital of Culture. The spirit of the sunny festival weekend shines through in our slideshow.
What a scene! Just outside of Turku, southwestern Finland, surrounded by lush forests and fields on the island of Ruissalo (Rye Woodland), bungee jumpers dangle and scream. Their cries are lost, however, in the rock music issuing from a stage about 100 metres away.
Between the bungee and the band, the audience sits, stands, dances, claps, shouts and – swims. This is the Beach Stage, one of five at the Ruisrock Festival, and true to its name, it’s located on a large beach – a definite plus when you want to cool off in the hot weather without disrupting your concert experience.
The festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010, tallied 71,000 visitors over three warm days in mid-July. The oldest rock fest in Finland and the second-oldest in Europe, Ruisrock 2010 hosted 60 acts, including Ozzy Osbourne on opening night and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash on the final evening.
Slash had some competition from South Africa, Holland and Spain: On the other side of the festival, in front of a giant outdoor screen, hundreds of festival-goers joined the millions of people watching the World Cup final.
For more information see: Ruisrock
