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Konepaja Spoken Word #8: SETTINGS/ENVIRONMENTS

Konepaja Spoken Word is Helsinki’s English-language open stage for spoken word, poetry, and performance. It is organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection in collaboration with Tähtisalit, 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!
September 12 Theme: SETTINGS / ENVIRONMENTS

(We also have a new setting for September’s event. See details below)

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 below.

5 minutes per performance.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/7rvnmVL8d9GzVB4U8

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

NEW LOCATION: Event Space TÄHTI, Train Factory, Aleksis Kiven Katu 17, Konepaja. Tähtisalit

Our events follow HPC’s safer space guidelines as found on our website. We want this event to be safe and welcoming for everyone. By attending, you agree to respect people’s boundaries. If you feel unsafe or witness something concerning, please speak to the organizers.

 

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Ruusu Open Mic #72

We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry, storytelling, performance and other types of word art at Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on the last Sundays of September, October and November 2026 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.

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.

Warm up acts TBA!

At the end of the evening, 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!

We thank our longtime partner Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu and the city of Helsinki!

Ruusu Open Mic is free from discrimination. We don’t accept any 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 helsinkipoetryconnection.fi

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.

Free entry!

Graphic design by Matias Ahtinen.

Sointi Jazz Orchestra x HPC: Animals

Sun 23.8. klo 15-16.30

During this afternoon dedicated to spoken word, audiences will hear animal-themed texts performed by local residents, accompanied by Sointi Jazz Orchestra musician Oskari Siirtola.

The event features a curated program, with performers selected through an open call. There will also be an opportunity to inquire about performing on-site during the event.

Unleash your creativity and come perform your own text—or a favorite piece—accompanied by live music!

You may present your text, song, or other performance in any language. Performances are limited to 6 minutes to ensure that as many participants as possible have the chance to take the stage.

The event will be hosted by experienced spoken word artist Jussi Kiova from Helsinki Poetry Connection.

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

Sun 23.8. klo 15-16.30
SJO x HPC: Animals
Vapaakaupungin Olohuone, Kauppakeskus Redi
Hermannin rantatie 5, Helsinki

Konepaja Spoken Word #7: ANTAGONISTS

Konepaja Spoken Word is Helsinki’s English-language open stage for spoken word, poetry, and performance. It is organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection 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!
August 15 Theme: “ANTAGONISTS”
September 12 Theme: TBA

ANTAGONISTS

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 below.

5 minutes per performance.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/7rvnmVL8d9GzVB4U8

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.

Info also from:
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Original Image:  (1678) “The Mowing-Devil: Or, Strange NEWS out of Hartford-shire” (The Earliest Known Depiction of a Crop Circle.)

“Being a True Relation of a Farmer,
who bargaining with a poor Mower, about the cutting down three half acres of oats; upon the Mower’s asking too much, the farmer swore, that the Devil should mow it, rather than he: And so it fell out, that that very night, the crop of oats, shew’d as if it had been all of a flame; but next morning appear’d so neatly mow’d by the devil, or some infernal spirit, that no mortal man was able to do the like. Also, how the said oats ly now in the field, and the owner has not power to fetch them away.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mowing-Devil

HPC Goes Puisto: Käpylän Kiska

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

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

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).

Sponsored by the City of Helsinki.

 

Save the dates for the upcoming HPC Goes Puisto events:


July 25th at Käpylän Kiska, Otto-Iivari Meurmanin puisto

August 5th at Harjun Morin Dallapénpuisto

SJO x HPC: Sea

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

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

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!
June 6 (Theme: “CLIFFHANGERS”) 
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 below.

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/

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Latest events and news

  • Konepaja Spoken Word #8: SETTINGS/ENVIRONMENTS
  • Ruusu Open Mic #72
  • Sointi Jazz Orchestra x HPC: Animals
  • Konepaja Spoken Word #7: ANTAGONISTS
  • HPC Goes Puisto: Käpylän Kiska

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