Mercury, the Winged Messenger

This year’s ABOAGORA – the meeting place for science and art creators and the public – examines ‘winged words’ and metaphors in science, art, and society, their effects on communication and public discourse, and the impacts of climate change on the animal world, such as the migratory routes of birds.

The three-day event will be held for the 16th time at the Sibelius Museum in Turku, from 23 to 25 September 2026.

The event consists of keynote lectures (AGORAs) and performative sessions that combine scholarly and artistic viewpoints.

This year’s sessions, concerts and workshops will examine communication and dialogue, human decision-making and hesitation, choice, and direction, and messages and networks across time and space.

The event will also feature echoes from the old forests and an exploration of the messages conveyed by microorganisms.

The Agora sessions are open to everyone and free of charge, and they are: 23.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: How to Navigate an Information War? Timo R.

Stewart, researcher and author (Centre for European Studies, University of Helsinki) 24.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: Death in Kaija Saariaho's Last Composition, Susanna Välimäki , Professor of Musicology (University of Helsinki) 25.9.2026 | 16:30–17:30: Migration on Swift Wings, Susanne Åkesson , Professor (Animal Navigation Lab, Lund University) The full program of concerts, workshops, performative sessions and more is available online: https://aboagora.fi/program/