Culture
At RUNO, culture is not an addition, it is part of our essence. Finnish art, literature, craftsmanship and traditions live quietly within the walls of the hotel, inviting our guests to slow down, observe and experience. Here, culture unfolds naturally: in the art on the walls, in the stories of the house, and in the details crafted with care.
RUNO Biannual
RUNO is home to a living art exhibition, a gallery that exists not behind glass, but within the rhythm of everyday life. Our public spaces transform into a 24-hour exhibition where art can be experienced intimately, as part of the atmosphere of the house.The RUNO Biannual exhibition presents works by six Finnish artists, curated by visual artist Fanny Tavastila.The current exhibition, RUNO Biannual VIII – “Still Life”, invites the viewer to pause. In a world that moves quickly, the works offer quiet moments of reflection and observation.The exhibition features works by
Liisa Karintaus
Pasi Eerik Karjula
Anni Leppälä
Liivia Sirola
Tuukka Tammisaari
Niina Villanueva“Still Life” is on display from 11 October 2025 to 15 March 2026.
The RUNO Book
he RUNO book, written by Tero Liukkonen, invites guests to explore the history of the house, the story of the historic Valtimontalo building, and the cultural heritage of Porvoo. Within its pages you will find stories of the Old Town’s streets, of poets and visitors who once walked them, and of J. L. Runeberg’s first visit to Porvoo, in the very surroundings where you are now staying.It is a quiet invitation to travel through time and discover how RUNO came to be.
RUNO LIVE
Music, conversation and shared moments are an essential part of the atmosphere at RUNO. Throughout the year we host intimate cultural events at the hotel. Our monthly Jazz Brunch brings live music to slow Saturday mornings, while evenings at the RUNO Bar often unfold to the sound of carefully selected performances. On selected weekends we also welcome guests to workshops designed to inspire and restore. Themes range from creativity and art to body awareness and wellbeing.
RUNO Retreats
RUNO Retreats offer a gentle escape from everyday life. These carefully curated experiences invite guests to step away from the rush of daily routines and immerse themselves in learning, creativity and restoration. Here you may deepen your personal growth, explore new skills, create with your hands, and simply enjoy the feeling that everything has been thoughtfully prepared for you. A retreat at RUNO is time dedicated entirely to yourself.
DETAILS
At RUNO, details matter. Many of the objects in the hotel carry stories of their own. The large wooden tables in our lounge spaces are handcrafted from trees that once grew in the courtyard of our founders’ childhood manor. The wooden poles found in the bathrooms originate from the historic Rutum Manor. We also search flea markets for timeless Arabia ceramics — egg cups, small glasses and pitchers that have served generations before arriving here. These objects are more than decoration.
They are quiet reminders that beauty often lives in the things made to last.