[Metsä Inc.] Collaboration with “Women’s Holiday,” a documentary film about an unprecedented movement that took place in Iceland. Enjoy “Metsä Holidays,” support projects for women, and a campaign with Kawagoe Scala Theatre, founded in the Meiji era.
Moomin Monogatari Co., Ltd. Press release: October 16, 2025 To Members of the Press A collaboration with “Women’s Holiday,” a documentary film about an unprecedented movement that took place in Iceland. Enjoy “Metsä Holidays,” support projects for women, and a campaign with Kawagoe Scala Theatre, founded in the Meiji era. Metsä Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kiyoshi Mochizuki), operator of the Nordic lifestyle experience facility “Metsä Village” (Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture), will be holding the “Icelandic Film ‘Women’s Day Off’ and Metsa Village Holiday” campaign. Women’s Day Off was an unprecedented movement that took place on October 24, 1975, when 90% of all Icelandic women took a break from work and housework. To commemorate the release of this documentary film based on historical events, the campaign will begin 50 years from now, on Friday, October 24, 2025, coinciding with the actual strike date. Even those who are busy every day with work or housework can enjoy a relaxing holiday at Metsa Village, free from work and worries and experiencing Metsa’s cherished concept of “living with space.” We have selected products that support women’s
empowerment.
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exhibition, boat ride tickets, and more! 10 lucky winners will receive a chance to win a ticket to the exhibition or boat ride! Application Period: October 16th (Thursday) – 21st (Tuesday) Winners Announced: October 23rd (Thursday) (Scheduled) 〇Gift Contents (1) Tickets to see “Women’s Day Off” for 5 people (2) Boat ride tickets for 5 people to enjoy an experience close to nature, named after Vigdís
Finnbogadóttir, who was said to never be able to become a captain but became the world’s first female president in 1980 〇How to apply (1) “Women’s Holiday” Official X (@Metsa_Official) and Metsa Village Official X (@Metsa_Official). (2) Feel free to comment on the relevant post on Metsa Official X with your message to the film, things you want to do on your holiday at Metsa Village, or memories you’ll have, and quote and repost it. (3) Winners will be contacted via DM at a later date.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-87983a77ec0bcfc989a1bcfa15139835-1000×563.jpg 2. Mini Gallery with a Peek at Iconic Movie Scenes You’re sure to enjoy the movie even more! This mini gallery with attached cafe is available for a limited time, perfect for those who can’t wait for the film to be released or who want to savor the afterglow after watching it. Location: Craft Bibliotheque
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-30e2bb96a5f8db70b0db548ad7f9ad71-2879×1609.jpg 3. Head to Metsa after the movie! Kawagoe Scala Exclusive Special Collaboration 1. Kawagoe Scala ⇔ Metsa Village Mutual Gift Campaign Present your ticket stub from “Women’s Day Off” at Kawagoe Scala in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, at the Metsa Village Information Desk to receive a “Metsa Village Coupon Book” with great deals on dining and shopping. Plus, if you present a receipt from any Metsa Village store at Kawagoe Scala, you’ll receive a 200 yen discount on your admission! Period: November 22nd (Sat) – December 25th (Thu) ※The screening period for “Women’s Day Off” at Kawagoe Scala is from November 22nd (Sat) to December 5th (Fri) 2. Icelandic Christmas specialty “Yule Lads” ornaments make a trip to Kawagoe La Scala The “Yule Lads” ornaments, Iceland’s 13 Santa Clauses that appeared on the Christmas tree at Metsa Village last year, are now making a trip to Kawagoe La Scala. They will adorn the approximately 2-meter-tall Christmas tree adorning the entrance.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-063ad05643ba7f6313803c1db145a70a-3900×2601.jpg 4. Icelandic food and goods available at Metsa, including fair trade goods supporting women’s empowerment. *All prices include tax. 1. Smoked Cod Liver in Oil 650 yen Icelandic cod liver is characterized by its rich, flavorful taste reminiscent of monkfish liver. Its well-seasoned taste makes it delicious as is, or you can customize it to transform it into a delicious dish for entertaining guests. Sales location: “LAAVU” on the 1st floor of the Market Hall
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-e9d9f896f1930087a908ae4daa499f48-2875×1918.jpg 2. “Icelandic Monster Picture Book Series” 1,980 yen In the lush natural environment of Iceland, monsters have lived close to people since ancient times. Big monsters and little monsters cry, laugh, and even get a little mischievous. This series is full of lively emotions and can be enjoyed by children from 2 years old to elementary school students. Original work: Áslaug Jónsdóttir et al., translated by Zhu Ii Changping, Yugi Shobo Sales location: “LAAVU” on the 1st floor of the Market Hall
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-3f02feb8325cadf7d10829a9717b53c3-3900×2925.jpg 3.Gry&Sif This felt product brand was founded in 2002 by Danish sisters Gry and Sif, who were fascinated by Nepal’s nature, culture, and people. Each product is handmade by Nepalese women with proven wool felting skills. Fair trade certified, the brand supports local livelihoods through fair wages and stable employment. This
heartwarming brand combines Scandinavian design with the gentle craftsmanship of handmade craftsmen. Sales location: Market Hall 2F “Nordic Goods,” Metsä Hall
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-d7190f7df62faad78874ecc878980b4c-2480×1789.jpg 4. Mifuko Founded in 2009 by two Finnish designers. From the beginning, they have had a strong interest in combining modern design with traditional Kenyan handicrafts. They have actively promoted fair trade and are certified by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Mifuko provides regular income and flexible employment to over 700 women in rural Kenya. With a mission to bring stability to the lives of these craftspeople and joy to their customers, the company respects each of its craftspeople and cherishes the individuality inherent in their products. Each Mifuko product bears the maker’s signature. Sales location: Market Hall 2nd floor “Nordic Goods”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-eed335cc78dd9db8ff07e69ccdb29112-2480×1906.jpg “Iceland Christmas Weekend 2025” to be held at “Metsä Nordic Christmas 2025”! The “Iceland Christmas Weekend 2025” will feature events related to “Women’s Holiday” and screenings of Icelandic films. More details will be released as they become available. “Metsä Nordic Christmas 2025” Details: https://metsa-hanno.com/event/40758/ Sponsored by: Embassy of Iceland, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of Lithuania
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20740/450/20740-450-04fbb3065668aa4e588c360cb471cc19-3900×3900.jpg October 24, 1975: 90% of all women in Iceland took a break from work and housework. A documentary about the untold story of a fateful day that changed the world. On October 24, 1975, 90% of all Icelandic women took a break from work and housework in an unprecedented movement known as “Women’s Day Off.” The country became dysfunctional, proving that society cannot function without women. Iceland
subsequently became the country with the most gender equality (ranked first for the 16th consecutive year in the Gender Gap Index announced by the World Economic Forum in 2025, while Japan ranked 118th). To commemorate the 50th anniversary, a documentary will be released looking back on that fateful day, which marked a turning point for Iceland to become a gender-equal leader in 2025, when a female president and prime minister will rule the country. The film will be released nationwide, starting on Saturday, October 25th, at Theater Image Forum and other theaters. Director: Pamela Hogan End Credit Song: Björk 2024 / Iceland and the United States / Icelandic and English / 71 minutes / Original title: The Day Iceland Stood Still Sponsored by: Embassy of Iceland Presented and distributed by: kinologue (C) 2024 Other Noises and Krumma Films. Documentary filmmaker, director, and journalist. She won a News & Documentary Emmy Award in 2005 for “Ladies First,” an episode of the PBS public broadcaster series “WIDE ANGLE,” depicting women’s leadership in Rwanda after the genocide. She subsequently co-produced and directed the PBS series “Women, War & Peace,” the first to examine war and peacebuilding from a female perspective, winning numerous awards, including the 2011 Overseas Press Club Marlowe Award for Best Documentary. Her other work focuses on stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things, often addressing underreported topics. <About Kawagoe La Scala> Founded in 1905 as a vaudeville theater. After operating as an entertainment hall, it converted into a movie theater under the name “Kawagoe Shochikukan” in 1940. In 1963, it was renamed Kawagoe Scalaza. In 2007, it became run by an NPO and continues to operate as a small theater in the town. It screens a wide range of films, from Western to Eastern, from both hard and soft genres. It also actively hosts events such as stage greetings and masala screenings.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPDcA0DMu_Y Metsä, meaning “forest” in Finnish, is a lakeside facility surrounded by lush nature and offering a Nordic lifestyle experience. It features a market hall specializing in imported goods from over 100 Nordic brands, a restaurant and cafe, and seasonal workshops and events. Experience nature close at hand with boating activities on the lake, an RV park where you can stay overnight, and a BBQ area with a hilltop view of the lake. In March 2025, HYPER MUSEUM HANNO, a contemporary art museum combining “nature and digital” and “character art,” will open.
https://metsa-hanno.com/metsa/
(Headquarters: Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo; President and CEO: Nobumitsu Tamai), will handle marketing for Metsä Village, where you can experience the Nordic lifestyle, as well as event planning, operation, and new business development.