Civil wedding

Far up in Northern Åland lies one of the island state's conference centres of excellence. April 2012 will see the opening of some new premises to be able to accommodate 120 conference guests. There is a new meeting building with a lounge where people can relax in front of a fireplace. Many want to have meetings by the sea – they find it inspiring.

Here is a selection of all the 100+ events you will find on in Åland in 2012. Don't miss out - put these Åland favourite events on your calendar now! How about a short and documentary film festival in Mariehamn or a party in the centre involving the world's best beach volleyball players?

Gun Ejervik won first prize in Visit Åland's trade fair competition on a theme of champagne in 2011. The prize was a fishing weekend for four people. Let's hear Gun herself tell the story:

Derek Coombes is a marketing executive from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. When he first came to Åland, it was love at first sight. That’s why he came back with his family. This is his story.

Every winter the telephone at Maria Häggblom's hardly ever stops ringing. Half of the callers ask, "Is the ice settling?". The other half ask, "When is the ice going to break up?" There are two types of guests: those who fish for perch and those who fish for pikeperch.

In summer 2010, a two-hundred-year-old ship was found at the bottom of the Sea of Åland. The wreck turned out to be a treasure trove. Its cargo included 160 bottles of champagne that were almost two centuries old. Some of the bottles were from the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. That’s how Fabienne Moreau first discovered Åland.

Smakbyn is a “Taste Village” taking shape just a stone’s throw from Kastelholm Castle. The first building is being built next to the restaurant Jan Karlsgårdens Värdshus, and is due to be completed by the summer.

A grand climax with fireworks and entertainment, or a time of devotion at the Seafarers’ Chapel. Tailor-made conferences and meetings are something of an Åland speciality.