The Red Shopping Center features a community-oriented space open to everyone for hosting events, pursuing hobbies, and spending time. Events at the Vapaakaupunki Living Room include various art exhibitions, workshops, and themed evenings.
At Vapaakaupunki’s Olohuone is bustling every month, both with events and, as its name suggests, with casual hangouts. The space is part of Kalasatama’s Vapaakaupunki, which was founded in 2018 in Suvilahti to foster and run independent art and cultural activities right in the heart of the city.
“The idea behind Olohuone is that anyone can come here to organize events and spend time,” says Jaakko Blomberg, chairman of Helsinki Urban Art Ry and one of the founders of Kalasatama Free City .
One guiding principle for the space is that everything is free and there is no obligation to buy. Only the art on display in the space is for sale, Blomberg notes.
An adaptable urban space for various needs
The venue’s exhibitions change roughly every month, and visitors can admire various forms of visual art and community art. Live music and livelier events take place on Saturday evenings.
There are plenty of opportunities for hobbies and crafts on site. At the weekly “Kässätreffit” craft workshop, visitors can make their own crafts and get to know one another. The space also features “Verstas,” where you can use the sewing machine and other craft supplies to create and tinker to your heart’s content.
Current events and social issues are also reflected in the Living Room’s program. In late February 2023, a film night focusing on Sámi filmmakers was held as part of the One Step Ahead organization’s series of anti-racism events. Meanwhile, the “Hearts for Ukraine” community art project, which incorporates knitting and sewing, will continue for nearly the entire spring.
“We hope that the space will serve as a living room for the people of Kalasatama.”
— Jaakko Blomberg, Chair of Helsinki Urban Art Ry
A Unique Meeting Place
Initially, only one space was in use, until a separate area for young children and their parents was established at the other end of the hallway. “We realized there was a demand for this when the space began to gain popularity among families with children as well,” Blomberg says. The facility now spans approximately 650 square meters.
The space also attracts visitors from neighboring towns, which delights Blomberg. According to him, there aren’t very many spaces like Olohuone in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Meetings involving large groups have decreased due to the pandemic, and the way people work has changed. “A large portion has shifted to remote work. On the other hand, we have a large number of individual workers,” Blomberg explains.
He encourages everyone to try out Olohuone to see if it could become an extension of their home. “The best thing here is the freedom to use the space however you want. We hope the space will also serve as a living room for the people of Kalasatama—you can make it your own.”
Vapaakaupunki’s Olohuone and Lastenhuone are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Redi. Up-to-date information can also be found on the venue’s Facebook page.