Kino Juha

Kino Juha is a movie theater located in the Kirkonkylä district of Nurmijärvi, Finland. Built in 1958 by Sirkka and Veikko Säilä, it is the only cinema operating in the municipality. The theater was constructed despite opposition from local church figures who considered the cinema sinful. It has been in continuous operation for decades, passing through several owners: the Säilä family ran it until the late 1980s, Pentti Niemelä operated it for 21 years from 1997 until 2018, and since early 2019 it has been owned by a company belonging to film director Taavi Vartia. The cinema has received operational support from the Finnish Film Foundation (Suomen elokuvasäätiö) in several years. The building underwent renovation in 2012, designed by the architectural firm Arkkitehdit Mustonen. Today, Kino Juha features a main auditorium with 139 new seats and four wheelchair spaces, as well as a VIP hall with 20 seats. The main hall includes a stage and sound equipment, allowing it to host small concerts and meetings in addition to film screenings. The cinema shows a mix of current popular films, family movies, and special events, with ticket prices typically ranging from €10 to €17.50. It remains a cultural landmark in Nurmijärvi, offering a diverse program that includes both mainstream and niche films.

Kino Juha was built in 1958 in the Kirkonkylä district of Nurmijärvi, Finland, by Sirkka and Veikko Säilä. The construction faced opposition from local churchmen who regarded the "theater of living pictures" as sinful and potentially a threat to the sexual morality of Nurmijärvi residents. Despite this, the cinema opened and became a local institution. The Säilä family continued to operate it until the late 1980s, when their daughter Ulla Luukkonen and her family took over. In 1997, Pentti Niemelä began managing the theater, a role he held for 21 years until Kino Juha's 60th anniversary in 2018. In early 2019, ownership passed to a company owned by film director Taavi Vartia. Over the years, the cinema has received operational support from the Finnish Film Foundation. In 2012, the building underwent a renovation designed by the architectural firm Arkkitehdit Mustonen. Today, Kino Juha remains the only cinema in Nurmijärvi, featuring a main auditorium with 139 seats and four wheelchair spaces, plus a VIP hall with 20 seats. The main hall also has a stage and sound equipment, enabling it to host small concerts and meetings. The cinema continues to screen a variety of films, from current blockbusters to family movies and special events, serving as a cultural hub for the community.

• 2019

  Ownership transfers to a company owned by film director Taavi Vartia.

• 2018

  Kino Juha celebrates 60th anniversary; Niemelä's tenure ends.

• 2012

  Renovation of the building designed by Arkkitehdit Mustonen.

• 1997

  Pentti Niemelä begins 21-year tenure as operator.

• 1980

  Ulla Luukkonen and family take over operations until late 1980s.

• 1958

  Kino Juha built by Sirkka and Veikko Säilä in Nurmijärvi.

Local community cinema and cultural venue

• Film screenings

• VIP hall rentals

• Small concerts and meetings

1. 1Kino Juha - Homekinojuha.fi
2. 2Kino Juhawikidata.org
3. 3Kino Juhafi.wikipedia.org