Helsinki poetry slams draw growing crowds

Open-mic poetry events in Helsinki are filling up as interest in spoken-word performance continues to rise, according to local collective Helsinki Poetry Connection.

The group, founded 18 years ago by poet Harri Hertell, now organises regular slams in parks, cafés, and clubs across the city. Chair Vinski Valos Ratalahti says the aim is to make poetry accessible and to connect people through live performance.

Recent events, including the long-running HPC Goes Puisto series at Lapinlahden Lähde, have drawn capacity crowds. Organisers report a growing demand for open-mic slots and plan to expand workshops and multilingual events, with English- and Swedish-language sessions already under way.

Participants range from teenagers to octogenarians, though the 20–40 age group is most strongly represented. Valos Ratalahti describes poetry as a universal tool for processing emotions, desires, and political tensions.

Performers and audience members alike describe the format as a space for visibility and acceptance. Tiina Jokelainen, a producer and board member of Helsinki Poetry Connection, says she has gained friends and a sense of belonging through the events. First-time readers are encouraged to announce their debut, often met with applause and cheers from the crowd.

Lili Raitasalo, who organises ODE Spot events, calls spoken-word performance a way to glimpse into others’ inner worlds and a moment of shared presence. Fellow poet Saila Hakaniemi adds that the genre can offer peer support, with audiences finding deep points of identification in others’ work.