Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark Hosts the 18th International EGN Conference
Saimaa Geopark had the honor of hosting the successful 18th EGN Conference in the Saimaa region from September 16 to 18, 2026. Further information and highlights from the conference can be found on the event's dedicated website.
location
Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark leads the traveller on an adventure into the origin story of the pure lake landscape. Saimaa Geopark is located in eastern Finland, in the South Karelia and South Savo provinces. The area is composed of nine unique municipalities, Imatra, Juva, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Puumala, Ruokolahti, Savitaipale, Sulkava and Taipalsaari.
Kansainvälinen geodiversiteettipäivä on maailmanlaajuinen juhla, joka kokoaa ihmiset yhteen vuosittain 6. lokakuuta edistämään geodiversiteetin eri puolia 🌍🪨
Saimaa Geopark yhdessä @inacs.project -hankkeensa kanssa juhlisti päivää vierailemalla paikallisen koululaisryhmän kanssa yhdellä merkittävimmistä kalliomaalauskohteistamme: Astuvansalmella. Päivä toi lapset luokkahuoneista luontoon ja sisälsi erilaisia geodiversiteetistämme inspiroituneita rastitehtäviä!
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International Geodiversity Day is a global celebration that brings people together every year on October 6th to promote various aspects of geodiversity 🌍🪨
Saimaa Geopark, together with its INACS project, celebrated the day with a local group of schoolchildren by visiting one of our most significant rock art sites: Astuvansalmi. The day took the children out of the classroom and into nature, featuring various activity stations inspired by our geodiversity!
#geodiversityday #unescoglobalgeopark #europeangeoparknetwork #environmentaleducation
#inacsproject @centralbalticprogramme
EGN 2026 – THANK YOU × 100! 🌍💙
What an incredible few days it has been!
The 18th European Geoparks Network Conference brought together geopark professionals, researchers, educators and partners from across Europe and beyond to share knowledge, ideas and experiences around lifelong learning, innovation, sustainable development and cooperation. 🌱
From inspiring presentations, parallel sessions and workshops to the colourful GEOfair, the conference was full of learning, discussion and new connections. 🌍
And what a amazing fieldtrips we had! 🥾🚲🛶⛵
Nine different excursions gave participants the chance to experience Saimaa Geopark from many perspectives, exploring its geology, nature, culture and history. 💙
The conference continued beyond the programme with the spectacular Imatrankoski rapids show and a wonderful Gala Dinner at Holiday Club Saimaa, bringing everyone together to celebrate the days we had shared. ✨
A huge THANK YOU to all our participants, speakers, workshop leaders and volunteers for making EGN 2026 so special!
And a very special thank you to all our partners and collaborators for your invaluable support and cooperation. 🤝🏽
We hope everyone leaves Saimaa with new ideas, new connections and many unforgettable memories.
Thank you for being part of EGN 2026! 🌍💙
#egnconference2026 #EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #UNESCOGlobalGeopark #Lappeenranta
EGN 2026 – Day 2 🌍💙
Thursday continued the 18th European Geoparks Network Conference with an inspiring day of parallel sessions and workshops.
The day concluded with closing speeches, wrapping up a wonderful conference filled with learning, discussion and exchange. ✨
After the conference, participants headed by buses to Imatra to experience the spectacular Imatrankoski rapids show! 🌊
The evening continued at Holiday Club Saimaa with a wonderful Gala Dinner, providing the perfect setting to celebrate the conference. 🥂💙
Thank you to everyone who made EGN 2026 such a memorable experience! 🌍
#egnconference2026 #EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #Lappeenranta#imatra
Two days of EGN 2026 🌍💙
The past two days have been filled with inspiring talks, lively discussions, workshops and encounters with geoparks from across Europe and beyond.
From the Ice Breaker at Kehruuhuone to the GEOfair and conference sessions at Lappeenranta City Hall, it has been a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and ideas.
And there’s still more to come, with the closing ceremony, Imatrankoski Rapids Show and Gala Dinner ahead! ✨
Hope you enjoy! 💙
#egnconference2026 #EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #UNESCOGlobalGeopark #Lappeenranta
EGN 2026 – Conference day 1 🌍💙
Wednesday brought the 18th European Geoparks Network Conference fully to life at Lappeenranta City Hall!
Kristof Vandenberghe, Secretary of IGGP, opened the day, followed by inspiring presentations from Artur Sá, President of GGN, and Ilias Valiakos, Coordinator of EGN. 🌱
One of today’s highlights was the opening of the GEOfair, where geoparks from across Europe and beyond are showcasing their regions, cultures and activities! 🌏
Tomorrow, the conference continues with parallel sessions and workshops, bringing more opportunities for learning, discussion and exchange. The conference will conclude with a closing ceremony and after that Gala dinner at Holiday Club Saimaa. ✨
Thank you all for today and see you tomorrow! 💙
#egnconference2026 #EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #UNESCOGlobalGeopark #Lappeenranta
The 18th International European Geoparks Conference has officially begun! 🌍💙
Today, we kicked off the conference with a wonderful Ice Breaker event at the Kehruuhuone.
The conference continues tomorrow with a full day of inspiring presentations, discussions, keynote speeches, GEOfair and opportunities to share knowledge and experiences.
📍 Registration takes place tomorrow from 8:00 to 9:30 at the information desk on the 01st floor.
We’re really looking forward to the upcoming conference days! 🤩🌱
📍 Lappeenranta, Finland
📅 16–18 September 2026
More information:
Saimaa Geopark EGN 2026
#egnconference2026#EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #UNESCOGlobalGeopark #Lappeenranta
The countdown is over! 🔥 the 18th European Geoparks Network Conference starts tomorrow in Lappeenranta, Finland! 🇫🇮🌍
Over the next few days, geopark professionals, researchers, educators and partners from across Europe and beyond will come together in the heart of the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark to share ideas, learn from each other and explore one of Finland’s most unique lake landscapes.
During your stay, you’ll experience welcoming accommodation, the historic city of Lappeenranta, the shores of Lake Saimaa, and a variety of unforgettable field trips and activities showcasing the region’s geology, nature, culture and heritage.
Swipe through to see what awaits you! 🌱
Safe travels to everyone joining us and see you tomorrow in Lappeenranta! 💙🤩
#egnconference2026 #EuropeanGeoparksNetwork #saimaageopark #UNESCOGlobalGeopark #Lappeenranta
Viikon päästä Saimaa Geoparkissa järjestetään yksi lähiaikojen suurimmista kansainvälisistä tapahtumistamme Saimaalla: EGN Konferenssi 2026 🙌
Konferenssiviikosta ja toimista löydät Saimaa Geoparkin tiedotteen nettisivuiltamme: https://saimaageopark.fi/saimaa-geopark-egn-2026-konferenssi/
Ja lisätiedot konferenssin kulusta ja kaiken sen sisällöstä konferenssisivuiltamme: https://saimaageopark.fi/en/egn2026/
#egnconference2026 #saimaageopark #unesgoglobalgeopark #lakesaimaa #thisisfinland
EGN Conference at the Lappeenranta City Hall:
👉 Sneak peek to there where all the main things happens!
We have rooms during the conference on the floors: 02, 01, 1 and 4.
#egnconference2026 #saimaageopark #lappeenranta #europeangeoparksnetwork #unescoglobalgeopark
