Arctic Wool Experience Center
Sodankylä
Welcome to a day of wool, natural materials, and hands-on crafts!
Location: Isojängäntie 71, 99560 Orakylä.
The Villafestival brings together people who share an interest in wool, crafts, natural materials, and creative making. During the day, you can find inspiration for your own projects, network with other hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and creators, and explore different techniques, materials, and perspectives. It doesn’t matter if you felt, knit, spin, raise sheep, or are simply interested in wool and natural materials. You are warmly welcome to join us.
Programme
The festival programme includes demonstrations, presentations, exhibitions, sales stands, and opportunities to chat and share experiences with other wool enthusiasts. A more detailed programme will be added closer to the event.
During the day, it is also possible to visit the Arctic Wool Experience Centre. The centre is built on the idea that wool is not just a material, but part of the story of northern nature, craftsmanship and creativity. Here, visitors can see wool art, learn about different wool-related techniques, and meet people for whom working with their hands is an important part of life.
During the event, coffee and some snacks will be available, along with time for informal socialising. Often, the best ideas, collaborations, and new friendships arise from conversations held during the breaks in the programme.
PROGRAMME 8.8.2026
10:00
The event area opens to the public.
10:00 – 16:00
An opportunity to meet people working with wool and discuss wool, craftsmanship, and creativity.
11:00 – 14:00
Café. We are offering coffee, juice, savoury pies and buns.
Sodankylä Martta Association
11:00
Virve and Pertti / Feelis Services, Seipäjärvi
World premiere of the Arctic Wool Experience Centre's anthem
11:15
Arctic Wool Experience Centre's official opening ceremony.
11:30 – 16:00
Visiting the Arctic Wool Experience Centre on opening day.
11:30 – 16:00
Exhibition of wool works. Featuring, among other things,. Pirkko Siekkinen, Riitta Kujansuu and Teija Väisänen Ellunhuova Online Courses.
11:30 – 16:00
A themed shop, with carefully selected products related to wool, sheep, and Lapland.
12:00 – 14:00
Elena Bondar Taitailija, kouluttaja ja Arctic Wool Experience Centerin perustaja johdattaa kävijät ensikosketukseen villapiirtämisen kanssa.
12:00 – 14:00
Kristiina Eira Alpakan kasvattaja esittelee alpakanvillaa, kertoo sen ominaisuuksista ja tarjoaa mahdollisuuden osallistua lyhyeen kehräystyöpajaan, jossa kävijät voivat kokeilla kehräämistä itse.
14:00
Lottery
Three wool artworks made by Elena Bondar will be raffled among the event participants.
Note!
The opening day offers a unique opportunity to explore the Arctic Wool Experience Centre as it opens to the public for the first time. Following the event, the centre's facilities will be finalised into an immersive exhibition, which will be opened later for exhibition visits.
The programme is constantly being updated.
New performers, work demonstrations, exhibitors and other programme will be published as they are confirmed.
The Villafestival 2026 is also special for me because, at the same time, we are celebrating the open day of the Arctic Wool Experience Center.
I've been building this place step by step for a long time. Throughout the construction, there have been many phases, challenges, and a lot of hard work, but gradually the vision has begun to turn into reality. Now I want to open the doors and invite people to discover what has been created here.
Festival organiser
I am Elena Bondar An art master and the founder of the Arctic Wool Experience Centre. I moved to Lapland in 2025 and started building the Arctic Wool Experience Centre as a place where people interested in wool can meet. Over the years, I have noticed how much knowledge, experience, and creativity has emerged around wool. Yet, many people work on their craft or hobby alone.
Villafest was born from the desire to bring these people together. I want to create an event where you can learn new things, find useful contacts, share experiences, and spend a pleasant day in like-minded company.
Would you like to participate in the Villafestival?
If you wish to sell your own products, demonstrate your expertise, hold a workshop, talk about your business, or have a wool-related idea that could fit the event, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I am looking for felters, knitters, spinners, sheep farmers, wool entrepreneurs, and other people working with wool.
If you're not sure whether your idea is suitable for the event, please ask anyway. Let's build an event together that inspires and brings people interested in wool together.
I hope this event grows into a tradition that brings wool lovers together year after year.
A very warm welcome!
Let us know your thoughts and wishes: