SuomiAreena is a concept that promotes the opportunity for every Finn to participate in the debate on social, economic and political issues. It is the largest societal discussion festival in Finland. SuomiAreena raises important topics and ideas for the whole society.
Purpose, vision and values of SuomiAreena
The purpose of SuomiAreena is to be an arena for democracy and freedom of speech. The festival raises socially important topics for discussion, opens up politics in an understandable way, and presents prospects for the future. In SuomiAreena, people can create a vision for what Finland and the world should be like in the future. SuomiAreena also highlights companies that act as trendsetters in different industries and offers opportunities for networking and participating in discussions.
SuomiAreena festival week in Pori
The festival takes place in Pori after Midsummer at the end of June. In SuomiAreena you can meet, mingle and exchange ideas with everyone in urban Pori.
SuomiAreena was established in 2006 through initiatives from the Municipality of Pori and the Finnish media and TV company MTV. In June 2024, MTV and the Municipality of Pori together founded a new company, SuomiAreena Oy, which is responsible for organizing the festival in the future. The goal of the new company is to build SuomiAreena into an even more impressive entity that brings together the key players from society to discuss important topics.
Size – number of participants and events
In 2024, the festival consisted of nearly 230 events by over 250 organizers, and 1100 speakers formed the content of the discussions, including ministers of the Finnish Cabinet and members of the Finnish Parliament. Majority of the program is livestreamed at the MTV Katsomo website mtv.fi.
A large scale of discussion organizers
Discussion events are organized by both private and governmental organizations, as well as political parties, NGO's, companies and other interest groups. Speakers range from politicians to musicians, and company leaders to sports stars.
In addition to discussion events, there are several other events, such as sporting events (a football tournament, tennis tournament), children’s events and open-door events. SuomiAreena also encompasses music, art, theatre, sports, architecture, etc.
All the parliamentary parties have a slot on one of the main stages during the week. All parliamentary parties share a tent in the central square.
Program
SuomiAreena calls for applicants to submit their discussion ideas and selects the suitable ones for the program. Majority of the SuomiAreena discussions are livestreamed, and they can be watched at any time at the MTV Katsomo website mtv.fi.
Democracy Festivals Association
SuomiAreena is a part of European-wide network of democracy festivals, Democracy Festivals Association. The Association aims to nurture links between existing democracy festivals, inspire by example, and assist other similar emerging festivals.
Our common vision is to revitalise democracy by strengthening the link between a political system and citizens, and creating spaces for dialogue and participation. Democracy Festivals are the platforms for constructive political dialogue where people come together each summer to discuss how to improve their countries.