WOW Finland took place on 11 March 2017 at Tampere Hall, as part of Finland’s centenary celebrations.

With over 3800 festival goers, 250 performers, 85 different productions or discussions, 139 volunteers and 40 organisations – from 24 different countries, the programme included, among other things: Women on the Move Awards, two special concerts, exhibits, panel discussions, comedy, theatre, music and workshops. The festival featured appearances from former president Tarja Halonen, business leader Lenita Airisto, musicians Erin and Maija Vilkkumaa, actress Anna Paavilainen, French lawyer Jeanette Bougraib, Zambian activist Beauty Katebe and former Prime Minister of Iceland Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir.

Notably, WOW Finland had a strong impact on Finland’s PM launching the 1st International Gender Equality Prize to be awarded biannually ”to a distinguished advocate and defender of equality”

The festival programme was planned in eleven WOW Think Ins all over Finland, where nearly 700 people engaged in producing the content by proposing subjects and speakers for the festival. These events brought together a programme of over 250 performers, supported by 70 people in the active working group.

WOW Finland, in cooperation with Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, produced a 9 min documentary in English on the history and significance of gender equality, The History of Equality, Directed and written by Maarit Tastula:

WOW Finland was led by Tampere Hall, and co-produced by feminist think tank Hattu in association with the Finnish Institute in London.

WOW Finland was part of the centenary celebrations of Finland 100 and was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Education and the Prime Minister’s Office.