In addition to being the biggest, most impressive, and most expressive masquerade of our nation, Maskerad is also TOKYO’s birthday. The party is held once a year around October and November. Fun themes and magnificent costumes guarantee a party of a year!
Maskerad was already around in the beginning of 1900s. Back then the costume party was named Ateneum Maskerad and it was meant for both students and teachers. Celebration was held in the restaurants of city center. After all the tradition faded away (rumour says this is because the party people of those days were banned from every single restaurant of Helsinki) and was dead until 2001, when the students decided that it was time for Maskerad’s second coming. Since then Maskerad has been organized annually, as Arabia Maskerad while the school was based in its Arabianranta campus and simply as Maskerad after the move to Otaniemi.
The theme became of Maskerad changes yearly, so that the atmosphere would stay fresh. The theme is decided by TOKYO’s Board. The following themes have been seen in Maskerads since the celebration’s revival:
2001 – (no specific theme)
2002 – (no specific theme)
2003 – Galactic Space Future
2004 – iBuenas noches de Arabia mucho calientes!
2005 – Childhood Heroes
2006 – Arabian Nights
2007 – Horror Circus
2008 – Underwater World
2009 – Vive l’Art – Eläköön taide!
2010 – Voodoo
2011 – Retro Sci-fi (pictures here)
2012 – Nature Calls (pictures here and here)
2013 – From Tšernobyl with Love (pictures here and here)
2014 – The Bollywood Hospital (pictures here)
2015 – The Grand Illusion – Suuri Illuusio (the event is here)
2016 – Knights of Hearts
2017 – Mutation
2018 – Fairytale Forest Fire
2019 – Acid Versailles
2020 – Cancelled due to covid
2021 – DIY Space Dream