Janakkala 160 years
In 2026 we celebrate Janakkala’s 160th anniversary. We will mark the anniversary year under the theme Vitality through cooperation and the tag #Janakkala160v.
The celebration week will be held Oct 3-11, 2026 and the birthday especially on Oct 10, 2026, but the anniversary year will be visible and audible throughout the year.
Become a contributor to the anniversary year
Would you organize an action or an event to celebrate the anniversary year? It can be a lecture, a community project or a concert — anything you can invite other residents to join. Where possible, taking previous bookings into account, we offer the venue free of charge for an anniversary event. (Tervakoski Seuratalo, main library lobby and classroom, Yellow House, Municipal hall’s Council hall)
By the end of April we will compile a brochure of the agreed events for distribution for the rest of the year.
You can register a planned event or submit an idea via the form (in Finnish).
Celebration offer: Pääradan ja kolmostien kunta – Janakkala’s history 1866–2014 10€
Jarmo Peltola’s superb illustrated history, completed about 10 years ago, is now available for your home library for ten euros. The book is on sale at the service office Lyyli in the municipal hall and at the municipal libraries from Feb 23 to May 31, 2026.
Glimpses into Janakkala’s history – photo series
During the year the “Glimpses into Janakkala’s history” photo series will be implemented in cooperation with the Janakkala Heritage Society. Once a month we will publish an old photo along with its context on the municipality’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).
Leppäkoski was once well known for its brick industry. At its peak, the village was home to three fairly large brickworks: Leppäkoski Tegelslageri, Sipilä Brickworks and Rauhaniemi. Their success was made possible by excellent raw materials, rich clay soils and good railway connections.
The first of the factories was established around 1860. One after another, the factories ceased operation in 1971, 1982 and 1987. This era, which lasted for well over a hundred years and shaped the life of the entire village, is still remembered through the beautiful and decorative Rauhaniemi chimney reaching toward the sky, as well as the brickmakers’ memorial — a brick press located near Leppäkoski School.
The photo shows the view over the village from Haukankallio.
Photo: Foto Hevonoja / Janakkala Heritage Society Archives
Anniversary year events
Stories from Tarinmaa
The Tarinmaa Region Village Association (Tarinmaan seudun kyläyhdistys ry) organizes the Stories from Tarinmaa discussion at Tarinmaa VPK house (Hakoistentie 279) on Sunday April 19, 2026 from 1–4 PM.
Guests will include people who lived in the villages in the 1950s–70s and have since moved away. Also present will be people who have lived in Tarinmaa their whole lives to tell stories and share experiences. During the afternoon tales about houses and life in the village will come to life. Everyone who has ever lived in the villages, who currently lives there, or who is interested in village stories is welcome!
The village association will provide coffee and pastries for a small fee. The event is completely free. Welcome!
Edith Piaf concert
Theatre Club Tribuna organizes a free concert open to all on Monday April 20, at 7:00 PM at the Janakkala main library in Turenki, Ida Lobby. In the concert the wonderful-voiced Anniina Polakovski (formerly Tapioharju) will perform some of the beloved songs of Paris’s chanteuse Edith Piaf.
The concert lasts approx. 2 hours and includes an interval. Café Kirjaston kulma will be open during the interval. Welcome!