Events – Helsinki Poetry Connection

HPC Goes Puisto: Käpylän Kiska

03. 07. 2026

25.7. 17-20 Käpylän kiska

Otto-Iivari Meurmanin puisto

The Helsinki Poetry Connection’s summer park tour is sailing happily along. This time, we are heading to Käpylän Kiska, that little gem known for its incomparable park events. So, pack a blanket, a picnic, some toiletries, and your friends.

An evening full of the most potent word art your soul could possibly need is in store. Anyone can take the stage and enchant us all. So, write a poem, show up, sign up, wait for your turn, and when it arrives, let yourself sparkle into the summer evening! You can bring a guitar or similar instrument for accompaniment, keeping the technical limitations in mind.

The evening will be kicked off by Rae Aiemaa with their ambient live-accompanied poetry piece, EMBRACE ANGELMODE.

Sign-ups for the open mic will be taken after the opening act.

For everyone to have a good time, it is essential that everyone feels safe. So, let’s keep the space safe! More specific instructions on modern etiquette can be found in our safer space principles from https://www.helsinkipoetryconnection.fi/en/about-us/safer-space-guidelines-of-hpc/

The event is weather-dependent.

The event is supported by the City of Helsinki.

Graphics: Maija Kivi.

POETRY JAM: NIGHT

27. 06. 2026

What kind of texts emerge in the night?

Helsinki Poetry Connection’s interdisciplinary Poetry Jam invites you to celebrate the Night of the Arts and Runokuu Poetry Moon Festival on Thu August 20, 2026, 7:30 PM-11:00 PM!

Join us for a moonlit feast of nocturnal spoken word on the 6th floor of the House of Text (Tekstin talo) in Helsinki.

Our featured performers are Veera & Senni and Susinukke Kosola. Between the guest performances, you’ll hear artists selected through an open call.

Do you have a poem, song, speech, or performance that fits the theme NIGHT? The open mic call is now open!

Send your application by 3 August to hpc.openmic@gmail.com. In your message, briefly introduce yourself and describe your performance, including its length. Five performers will be selected with performance slots of 5-10 minutes each.

The event is produced and hosted by Vinski Valos and Sonja Kaisanlahti. Helsinki Poetry Connection organizes the event in collaboration with Nuoren Voiman Liitto, with support from the City of Helsinki.

Poetry Jam events follow safer space principles, which can be found here

Accessibility information is available on Tekstin talo’s website.

Free admission! 🌙

RUNOKUU: https://runokuu.fi/en/

HPC Goes Puisto: Lapinlahden Puisto

12. 06. 2026

Helsinki Poetry Connection Goes Puisto is back on June 26th at 5 PM! This summer’s first park club kicks off in the beautiful Lapinlahden puisto. We warmly welcome you to perform your own poems in a lush, green, and welcoming open mic atmosphere.

To get things warmed up, the charming Saila Hakaniemi will take the stage.

Once the stage is set, it’s time for the main performers of the evening, which means you, dear poetry lovers! Anyone is welcome to step up and perform in front of our supportive and appreciative spoken word community.

Grab your picnic blanket, some snacks, your poems, and your friends, and come enjoy a lovely evening of poetry with us!

Important Notes:

The event follows safer space principles, which you can read more about here: HPC Safer Space Principles

The event is subject to weather conditions (rain insurance).

SJO x HPC: Sea

10. 06. 202610. 06. 2026

Location: Yhteiskerhotila Talas, Helsinki

July 19, 2026

Apply to perform your poems or other texts accompanied by live music! ✨

The afternoon of spoken word and music opens the free Sointien Kalasatama event series on Sunday 19 July. The joint spoken word event by Sointi Jazz Orchestra and Helsinki Poetry Connection features sea-themed texts performed by members of the public, accompanied live by a musician Aleksis Liukko from Sointi Jazz Orchestra. 🌊 The event is hosted by spoken word artist Jussi Kiova.

You can apply as a performer in advance via the link below or ask about available slots on site. On stage, you may perform your own or a favorite text, a song, or another type of performance in any language. The maximum performance length is 6 minutes to allow as many participants as possible.

The event is produced by Sointi Jazz Orchestra in collaboration with Helsinki Poetry Connection. 🔥

Apply to perform here: https://forms.gle/TwGPYpAvXneACFEo6

SJO x HPC: Sea / 19.7. / 15–16.30 /
Yhteiskerhotila Talas (Koksikatu 12, Helsinki)

Konepaja Spoken Word #6: PROPS

09. 06. 202609. 06. 2026

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

Organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection association 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.

Save the dates and sign up below!
July 4 Theme: (Theme: ”PROPS”)
August 15 Theme: TBA
September 12 Theme: TBA

PROPS: What are the objects/things that play a role in our lives and that we act and surround ourselves with? Are they what they seem to be? A prop is an object with which a performer acts and interacts, such as a glass, a book or a weapon. Props are often non-functional, but seem real. A prop that is required to function is a ”practical” prop. A prop can also mean a support: something that props something up. Feel free to bring an actual prop or object to use in your performance! On the other hand, give props where they are due!

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 or just listen, and be part of the community. The focus is on sharing, experimentation, risk-taking, and live encounters. We would love to hear your words, whether carefully crafted or spontaneous. To reserve a performance slot, please sign up via this link: https://forms.gle/Ryxsf19kdAziofhE6

5 minutes per performance

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

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

Free admission

Location: Kino Konepaja; Konepajanpasaasi; Vallila, 00510 Helsinki

Everyone is welcome.

More info:
https://www.helsinkipoetryconnection.fi/en/all-events/
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Konepaja Spoken Word #5: CLIFFHANGERS

11. 05. 202611. 05. 2026

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

Organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection association in collaboration with Kino Konepaja and Catalysti Association of Transcultural Artists, and produced by Vinski Valos.

Save the dates and sign up below!
June 6 (Theme: “CLIFFHANGERS”)
You don’t strictly have to follow the theme, it’s to provide a prompt for those who choose.

Standing sign up link: https://forms.gle/yXwKh8Atvm45g2Lf6
5 minutes per performance

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

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

Free admission

Location: Kino Konepaja
Konepajanpasaasi
Vallila, 00510 Helsinki

Everyone is welcome.

More info:
https://www.helsinkipoetryconnection.fi/en/all-events/

Ruusu Open Mic #71

07. 05. 2026

We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry, storytelling, performance and other types of word art at Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on Sunday, May 31 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.

Next warm up act is: Mirjam Larinkari!

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 evening will be hosted by Sonja Kaisanlahti.

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.

Konepaja Spoken Word #4: PROTAGONISTS

15. 04. 202629. 04. 2026

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

Organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection ry in collaboration with Kino Konepaja and Catalysti Association of Transcultural Artists, and produced by Vinski Valos.

Save the dates and sign up below!
May 9 (Theme: ”PROTAGONISTS”)
June 6 (Theme: TBA)

Sign up to perform via this link or at the event (list may fill up): https://forms.gle/UZKCwAzUTmxdcAzE7
No signup required for audience only

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 or just 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.

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 #70

05. 04. 2026

We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry, storytelling, performance and other types of word art at Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on Sunday, April 26 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: Petra Vallila!

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

Graphic design by Matias Ahtinen.

POETRY JAM: LANDSCAPE/SELF-PORTRAIT @ Ateneum Late

01. 04. 2026

Helsinki Poetry Connection brings featured cross-disciplinary performers onto stage to explore the exhibitions’ themes. At the Poetry Jam clubs, spoken word poetry merges with performance, music, and art. Through the curated open mic, anyone can apply to step onto the stage. Come and experience the poetry of today in the Ateneum Hall!

The guest performers of the event are Lempi Elo and Ville Vuorenmaa. During the evening performers selected through an open call will also be heard.

Do you have a poem, song, speech or performance that fits the theme LANDSCAPE/SELF-PORTRAIT – or paints it in a completely different light? The open mic call is now live! Apply by 17 April to hpc.openmic@gmail.com. In your message, briefly describe yourself and the content and length of your performance. Four performers will be selected for 5-10 minutes on stage.

The event will be hosted by Vinski Valos and Sonja Kaisanlahti from Helsinki Poetry Connection, produced in collaboration with Nuoren Voiman Liitto. The event is supported by the City of Helsinki.

Poetry Jam follows the principles of a safer space, which you can find in the bio and at https://www.helsinkipoetryconnection.fi/en/about-us/safer-space-guidelines-of-hpc/

Free admission with a student card and for under-25-year-olds. Admission for others is included in the price of a museum ticket, with a Museum Card, or with a Friends of the Ateneum membership card.

24.4.26 18:00 and 19:00, The Ateneum Hall

Picture – Eero Nelimarkka: Ateljeesta (1940). Kansallisgallerian kokoelma / Ateneumin taidemuseo, kokoelma Ahlström. Kuva: Kansallisgalleria / Hannu Pakarinen.

Graphics: Vinski Valos