March 2026 – Helsinki Poetry Connection

Konepaja Spoken Word #3: FLASHBACKS

26. 03. 202626. 03. 2026

Konepaja Spoken Word is a new English-language open stage and international community for spoken word, poetry, and performance.

The second edition is organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection ry in collaboration with Kino Konepaja and Catalysti Association of Transcultural Artists, and produced by Vinski Valos.

This open stage welcomes poets, performers, storytellers, and experimental voices working with text, voice, movement, sound, and presence. Whether your work leans toward poetry, performance art, short fiction, monologue, or something in between and beyond, this is a space to try out material, share ongoing processes, and meet others working with language and performance in Helsinki.

We are back for a full Spring 2026 season. Save the dates:
April 11 (Theme: FLASHBACKS)
May 9 (Theme: TBA)
You don’t strictly have to follow the theme, it’s to provide a prompt for those who choose.

The evenings are open to both first-time performers and experienced artists. Come perform, listen, and be part of a new community. The focus is on sharing, experimentation, risk-taking, and live encounters. We would love to hear your words, no matter how brief or spontaneous, so please contact us to reserve a spot and bring your creative piece to life.

The events are held in English, but all languages are welcome on stage.

Sign up via this link or at the event (list may fill up):
https://forms.gle/UZKCwAzUTmxdcAzE7
5 minutes per performance
Free admission

Sign-up 7 PM
Start 7:30 PM
Afterparty 10 PM to midnight

Location: Kino Konepaja
Konepajanpasaasi
Vallila, 00510 Helsinki

Everyone is welcome.

Ruusu Open Mic #69

09. 03. 2026

We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry, storytelling, performance and other types of word art at Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on Sunday, March 29 at 5-8 PM. As usual, the evening starts with a brilliant warm up performance followed by the main act itself: you and your slot in the open mic.

November’s warm up act is: Pauli Pietilä!

You can sign up for the open mic during the first break after the performance. You’re welcome to perform your text, song or other performance in any language you wish. Instruments and devices can be hooked up to the sound system, if that’s what your performance needs and you have your copyright sorted (/free). Each slot is limited to 4 minutes so everyone has a chance—please respect the time.

At the end of the evening, glorious flowers from flower shop Lutukka as well as some drink vouchers from Sörkan Ruusu will be drawn at random among all the night’s open mic’ers. So, it’s worth staying till the end to see if you’re one of the lucky ones!

The event is produced and hosted by Vinski Valos!

We thank our long time venue Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu as well as the city of Helsinki!

Ruusu Open Mic is free from discrimination. We don’t accept racist or hateful content or behavior. Please also note that we advise performers to state content warnings regarding their poems if needed.
Our event follows the Safer Space Guidelines at here

The main entrance of Sörkan Ruusu has a ~20cm step and 81cm-wide door. A ramp can be set up on request. The venue also has an induction loop, as well as one accessible restroom and three gender-neutral restrooms.

Graphic design by Matias Ahtinen.