Sointien Kalasatama, organized by the Sointi Jazz Orchestra, is a new free urban culture event series that brings jazz music, participatory poetry events, and multisensory experiences to public spaces in Kalasatama during July–August 2026. The event culminates on 29 August in a spectacular jazz parade and a family park concert.
The Sointi Jazz Orchestra will produce a series of seven events in Kalasatama from 19 July to 29 August 2026, spreading across the district’s parks, shared spaces, and sites of public art. The events bring art experiences into everyday urban life in a low-threshold way and strengthen Kalasatama’s maritime and culturally vibrant identity.
The series begins on 19 July with a communal poetry and improvisation event at the Talas community space (Koksikatu 12). In this sea-themed afternoon, anyone can step on stage and read a poem or other text meaningful to them, accompanied by an improvising musician. The event is hosted by Jussi Kiova from Helsinki Poetry Connection ry.
On four Sundays in July–August, pop-up concerts will be held near public artworks in Kalasatama. Small ensembles formed by musicians from the Sointi Jazz Orchestra will perform, among others, near Big Be-Hide, Pars Pro Toto, and Mare mare.
On 23 August 2026, an animal-themed poetry event will be held at Vapaakaupungin Olohuone in REDI, where the audience can once again present their own animal-themed texts accompanied by improvised music.
Animal Liberation Day culminates the summer event series
Sointien Kalasatama culminates on Saturday 29 August with the “Animal Liberation Day” event, which combines jazz music, visual theatre, street art, and puppet theatre.
The event begins at 2:00 PM with a jazz parade departing from Isoisänsilta. The procession moves along the shores of Kalasatama via Loviseholminpuisto toward Kalasatama Park. The parade is led by a walking performing ensemble formed from musicians of the Sointi Jazz Orchestra, together with large animal-themed hand puppets by Maria Baric Company, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. All city residents are welcome to join the parade by walking or playing music.
The parade culminates in Kalasatama Park, where a family park concert begins at 3:00 PM. In a performance of about 45 minutes, the 18-member Sointi Jazz Orchestra performs together with the animal-themed giant hand puppets of Maria Baric Company.
All events are free of charge and open without prior registration. The event is part of the Kalasatama environmental art project, which aims to increase residents’ comfort during the long construction phase.
Sointien Kalasatama program
Sun 19 July, 3:00–4:30 PM
SJO x HPC: Sea
Community space Talas (Koksikatu 12)
in collaboration with Helsinki Poetry Connection ry
Sun 26 July, 3:00 PM
Sointi Jazz Ensemble @ Big Be-Hide
Parrulaituri 2
Sun 2 August, 3:00 PM
Sointi Jazz Ensemble @ Pars Pro Toto
Capellanranta 1
Sun 9 August, 3:00 PM
Sointi Jazz Ensemble @ Mare mare
Loviseholminpuisto
Sun 16 August, 3:00 PM
Sointi Jazz Ensemble @ Early One Morning, Eternity Sculpture
Capellanaukio 1
Sun 23 August, 3:00–4:30 PM
SJO x HPC: Animals
Vapaakaupungin Olohuone, REDI
Sat 29 August, 2:00–4:00 PM – Animal Liberation Day
2:00 PM Jazz parade (departure from Isoisänsilta)
3:00 PM Park concert (Kalasatama Park)
Sointi Jazz Orchestra is a Helsinki-based 18-member jazz orchestra founded in 2013, known for its original concert concepts, site-specific performances, and as a performer of new Finnish jazz music. The ensemble is artistically directed by Rasmus Soini.
Photo: Ines Masanti