The Board of the Naantali Music Festival Foundation has appointed Emma Anttila as the new CEO of the music festival. She will succeed Suvi Innilä, who will begin leading the 800th anniversary project of Turku in November.

Master of Music Emma Anttila is moving to the position from Jyväskylä, where she has worked as the managing director of the Jyväskylä Sinfonia since 2013.

“The Naantali Music Festival is a nationally and internationally respected and significant classical music festival, which has had an exceptionally large impact on the growth of Finnish music culture throughout its existence and has made Naantali internationally known. For this reason, it is an honor to begin working as the CEO of the Naantali Music Festival”, says Emma Anttila.

“I am especially excited about the collaboration with the festival’s artistic director Elina Vähälä, whom I know as a fantastic artist and an incredibly inspiring curator of the festival programs. I look forward to getting to know Naantali, the wonderful community of the Music Festival – the audience, the artists, and all the partners,” Anttila continues.

Eight applications were received by the deadline for the position of CEO of the Naantali Music Festival.

“The applications were of very high quality, and we would like to thank everyone who participated in the application process. I am pleased and satisfied that the future CEO has not only a background in classical music but also expertise in financial management and experience in fundraising. In order to offer high-quality experiences to the festival visitors, we must also ensure that the finances of the Music Festival Foundation remain in good shape,” says Jan Lindström, chairman of the Music Festival Foundation’s board.

The CEO of the Naantali Music Festival works closely with the festival’s artistic director, violinist Elina Vähälä. Vähälä began her role in 2022.

“I am truly happy that Emma Anttila is starting as the new CEO of the Naantali Music Festival. I have known Emma for several years from her role as the managing director of the Jyväskylä Sinfonia. She is an extremely experienced, well-connected, and stylish top professional, as well as a positive and warm personality,” says Elina Vähälä.

“I want to thank Suvi Innilä from the bottom of my heart for the excellent collaboration, for developing the festival further, and for all the support I have received from her as my partner. I wish Suvi great success in her new role,” Vähälä continues.

Emma Anttila’s work as the CEO of the Naantali Music Festival will begin on November 15, 2024.