Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 14:00 – 17:00
Format: Hybrid (Online participation is possible via Teams)
Venue: The Theatre Academy Helsinki (Auditorium 1), Haapaniemenkatu 6 00530
Organisers: TIAN, Catalysti, Think Africa, Globe Art Point
Registration Form: – Fill in form
EVENT DESCRIPTION
In a democratic society that values freedom of expression, artists continue to navigate visible and invisible barriers affecting what can be created, funded, exhibited, and discussed.
This event explores the realities of artistic freedom through discussions on censorship, self-censorship, funding structures, institutional influence, public pressure, and cultural sensitivities.
The event aims to bring together artists, cultural workers, policymakers, researchers, curators, journalists, and the wider public for an honest conversation about the future of creative expression.
TOPIC QUESTIONS
- What happens to a society when the freedom of expression is compromised?
- Where is art happening? Where do we truly feel free to create and share our work?
- How do artists sustain artistic expression when facing legal, economic, or social barriers?
- What roles do audiences, institutions, and the art market play in either opening or closing doors?
EVENT STRUCTURE
14:00 Opening of the event by Gesa Piper
14:15 Keynote by Jay Mar Albaos
14:30 Artistic Contribution by Olga Spyropoulou
14:50 Panel discussion moderated by Willjam Tigerstedt
16:10 Closing the event by
16:15 Mingle
About the Speakers
Keynote: Jay Mar Albaos, Doctoral Candidate in the Arts at LUCA School of Arts and KU Leuven
Jay Albaos (1991) explores how migrants—workers, students of color, undocumented people—create place and selfhood in foreign environments. His method, artistic immersion, uses collaboration, participation, and dialogue to foster artistic creation and engage in migration (policy) contexts. A former community worker with Indigenous Peoples and a theatre performer, he later studied Live Art and Performance Studies in Helsinki and earned an advanced MA in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies at KU Leuven. He is now a doctoral candidate at LUCA School of Arts/KU Leuven while working full‑time at Decathlon. His work entwines anthropology, ethnography, and performance – moving between solo pieces and (community) collaborations. Born in Dipolog, Philippines, Jay is based in Gent, Belgium.
Photo Information:
Photo taken by Awa Gaye during the public performance piece Paningkamot Pagpadayon ang Paglupad (PPaP) // An Attempt to not Lose Flight: Segment 2, May 2026.
Panel: Ondi Madete,
Bio- Ondi Madete – I am a multi-disciplinary storyteller from Kenya, based in Finland, wandering through spacetime exploring connection, identity, and love through music, film, art, and poetry. I’m the lead singer and guitarist in Yavu, a post-folk, four person band. I am a published author, playwright, director, music producer, and actor. I do solo performances exploring personal identity, culture, movement and connection with a looper, visuals, vocals and dance. I am a visual artist using interactive installation art exploring community and connection through the senses and intentional interactions.
Panel: Markus Luukkonen
Markus Luukkonen is a storyteller from Finland. He has been working professionally in the field since 2007 and has performed widely at different venues and festivals across Europe. In his work he likes to use folktales, myths and personal stories. Markus is a Co-Director of Story Sharing Universum and Kulttuuritila Merirasti.
Artistic contribution: Olga Spyropoulou
Olga Spyropoulou (b. 1985, she/her) is a Finland-based performance artist and live art curator. Olga is interested in how we relate to one another and explores questions of encounter, agency and consent. She uses performance art as a technology for creating temporary communities through collaborative practices and audience participation. Commitment, trust, and accountability are crucial elements in her artistic practice.
Moderated by: Willjam Tigerstedt
Tigerstedt is an actor who graduated 2026 from the Swedish degree programme in acting at the Theater Academy of Helsinki. As an artist they are curious, interested in different views of the world and always have a an approach filled with humor and care.
Pauliina Kaasalainen
ABOUT THE EVENT VENUE
Theatre Academy’s historic main building on the Sörnäinen Campus offers versatile facilities for theatre and dance instruction and student performances. The Kookos Building on Haapaniemenkatu houses facilities for theatre and dance instruction and rehearsals. There are also four studios that serve as the performance venues of Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy students. The Theatre Academy is one of the most active event organisers in Helsinki in the fields of theatre and dance.
The building also houses a university library that is open to everyone and specialises in the arts, especially in theatre and dance pedagogy as well as research in these fields. The Fazer Food & Co Restaurant for students and staff offers affordable breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
VENUE ACCESSIBILITY
The building is accessible, but the floor on the first floor is uneven. There is an accessible toilet on the same floor as the main lobby. Please inform us about your accessibility needs in advance and reach out to Gesa Piper, TIAN’s project manager at [email protected].
HOW TO REACH THE VENUE
The Theatre Academy’s building also known as Kookos is located at the corner of Haapaniemenkatu and Sörnäisten rantatie. The address is Haapaniemenkatu 6, 00530 Helsinki.
By car: The most convenient parking is Merihaka garage (Haapaniemenkatu 11). It’s a private, covered parking hall. The fee is around 4€ per hour, depending on the time of the day.
By tram: there are significant construction works in Hakaniemi right now which affect tram service.
You can’t take a tram across Pitkäsilta Bridge from the city centre to Hakaniemi during this period. Trams that would usually cross are rerouted / have their terminus changed.
Some trams (6B, 7B, 9B) still serve Hakaniemi from the direction of Sörnäinen and Kallio.
South of Hakaniemi (towards the city centre) tram lines (6T, 7T, 9T) are affected: they do not cross the Pitkäsilta Bridge into Hakaniemi.
Use Metro / buses instead of tram for that last leg if you’re coming from the city centre. Metro is usually less disrupted for north-south traffic.
By metro: Take the metro to Hakaniemi station or Sörnainen station.
From Hakaniemi: Exit via the Hakaniemen tori / Market Square exit. From the metro exit, it’s about a 10 minute walk.
From Sörnainen: Exit via Hämeentie / Helsinginkatu exit. From the metro exit, it’s about a 13 minute walk.
By bus: Travelling from the train station, the best bus connections are 66,77, 78, 717 and 739. Get off at Haapaniemi bus stop and walk for about 3 minutes to reach your destination.
For the most accurate travel route, we recommend you using the HSL mobile app: HSL Route GuideLink to an external website.
EVENT ORGANISERS
Catalysti Transcultural Artists in Finland is a non-profit art association founded in 2013. Formed as a network of transcultural artists, we work at the intersection of activism and artistic production. We promote member activities, organise exhibitions and events, provide networking opportunities, employment possibilities, and promote knowledge sharing between members that want to develop their craft. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are the pillars on top of which Catalysti was created and still functions today. About Catalysti – Catalysti
Globe Art Point (GAP) is a non-profit umbrella organisation based in Helsinki. The core mission of GAP is advocating cultural equity, diversity and inclusion in the arts and cultural sector in Finland. GAP also serves as an information centre and meeting point for artists, cultural workers and arts and cultural institutions in Finland. About us — globeartpoint.fi
Think Africa association uplifts the African diaspora in Finland by promoting their well-being and sense of belonging, advocating for their meaningful representation and participation and supporting their economic empowerment by leading as a trusted and sustainable organisation that acts with integrity and transparency. Who We Are – Think Africa
Theatre Academy’s International Alumni Network (TIAN) is a community initiative by the University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki). Established to connect graduates of the Theatre Academy from around the world, TIAN aims to foster a vibrant, supportive network that extends beyond the university’s walls. Gesa Piper: University is a place for connecting, sharing and inspiring | Uniarts Helsinki
EVENT’S ETHICAL GUIDELINES
- This event is a discrimination-free and harassment-free zone.
- Do not assume anything. Ask, listen and discuss.
- Treat every individual with dignity and respect.
- Act honestly, truthfully and with integrity.
- Avoid conflicts. Every disagreement can be solved peacefully.
- Be transparent and accountable for all of your actions.
- If you face any issues or experience violation to this guideline, please contact the organisers of the event.
All of our events are free to attend, but organising them requires considerable time, effort, and financial resources from booking venues and preparing materials to compensating our expert speakers.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to add this event to your calendar. And if you realise you can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting [email protected]. This allows us to offer your place to someone on the waiting list and helps our facilitators plan accordingly.
We kindly ask you to register responsibly. Attendance is monitored, and repeated no-shows without prior notice may result in restrictions on future registrations. These measures help us ensure fair access for all members of our community.
As firm as this may sound, our aim is to foster a respectful and equitable community. Please only register if you’re confident you can attend. Your spot matters, and it could mean the world to someone else.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Event image by Rong