When the first small drop of water falls over the edge of the dam, its foaming journey towards more spacious waters, towards the great lake of Ladoga begins. It first foams in the Imatrankoski Rapids and tries to escape the great water masses that follow. The drop swims under the old lanterns at Koskisilta Bridge. It spins past the idyllic Pavillion. It passes the venerable Valtionhotelli hotel and a rock cliff that in the past held a squeaky ropeway. It sprays some moisture on the guests standing at the viewing terrace and surges towards the centuries old rock engravings, the royal graffiti.
And this is how the water masses accumulate. They fill the rugged channel; they spin, agitate, thunder.
Visitor to Imatrankoski: If you have never heard the thunder of the rapids, experienced its magnificent force, now is the time. For a moment, you feel you are held tightly in the violent embrace of nature. For a moment, you feel you are one with history, with the ancient river bed.
That experience is just as large as the smallest drop of the foaming rapids.
The Rapids shows in 2024:
- May 25th at 6 PM Rapids show without music.
- June 1st, 8th and 15th at 6 PM Rapids show without music.
- June 26th and 27th at 6 PM Rapids show featuring music of Jean Sibelius.
- June 28th at 6:55 PM, the Saimaa Cycle Tour -event. Rapids show without music.
- June 29th at 6 PM Rapids show featuring music of Jean Sibelius.
- June 30th at 6 PM Music by Osmo's Cosmos the Whitewater Symphony.
- 3th July to 31th August a Rapids show from Wednesday to Sunday at 6 PM. In the Saturday shows the music will be the Whitewater Symphony. In the other shows the music will be by Jean Sibelius.
- August 24th at 9:30 PM, the Imatra Day -event
- From October 18th to 19th and 25th to 26th at 6 PM, an Autumn break of schools. Rapids show without music.
- December 6th at 4 PM Finnish Independence Day
The Rapids show lasts approx. 16 minutes. Eight minutes after the flood gates are opened, the foams reach their peak with an average of 400 cubic metres of water per second flowing in the stream. In the summer surge of the rapids will be accompanied by music of Jean Sibelius or the Whitewater Symphony by the Osmo's Cosmos band.
The best places to watch the Rapids shows are Koskisilta Bridge and Koskipuisto Park.
During the summer season, guided tours are organized in the Kruununpuisto (the park surrounding Imatrankoski). You can inquire about your own guide for groups from Imatra Tours.
Last updated: March 23rd, 2024
