Discussion festival SuomiAreena takes over Pori this week

June 22, 2026

General

From Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 June, Finland’s largest societal discussion festival, SuomiAreena, is coming to Pori again. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the free and open-to-all festival takes place in the city centre and the festival area on the Eteläranta riverside. Check out our tips for the international programme!

The main theme of this year’s SuomiAreena is trust, and the discussions cover a wide range of topics related to society, the economy and international affairs. The festival brings together citizens, decision-makers, businesses and organisations. SuomiAreena invites everyone to take part in discussions and enjoy the 20th anniversary atmosphere.

The festival programme will be held across eight stages and in various locations around the city centre, with a focus on the Kokemäenjoki riverfront and the renovated Eteläranta area.

Eteläranta street will be closed to traffic and reserved solely for pedestrian use throughout the week. The festival area will offer lots of interesting programme, opportunities for new connections, refreshments and food trucks.

Eteläranta is all for the people

Eteläranta street will be closed to traffic as it turns into a pedestrian Kansalaistori (“citizens’ street”), with stands from different organisations. The City of Pori will also be present throughout the festival, with different city services showcased every day alongside tourist information and Pori merchandise sales. Kansalaistori is open Tue–Thu from 10am to 6pm and on Friday from 10am to 4pm. You can find the Pori booth near the Taavi Bridge on the street.

Tuesday: Pori Museums, Pori Youth Services

Wednesday: Fairtrade Steering Group of Pori, Waste Disposal Sub-committee and regional municipal waste management company Keräämö

Thursday: Pori City Orchestra, Pori City Library

Friday: Kruunupää Centre for Children’s Culture

Satakunta Employment Area is also present throughout the week at Kansalaistori.

Programme across eight stages

A free city train will run continuously, providing easy transfers between the stages from 10am to 6pm. You can find the train stops on the festival area map (in Finnish).

List of stages:

Satakunta stage (on Gallen-Kallelankatu street near Sokos Hotel Vaakuna)
Raatihuoneenpuisto stage (in Raatihuoneenpuisto Park)
Kaupungintalon piha stage (inner courtyard of the City Hall in Hallituskatu 12)
Sata Shipbuilding -stage (Eteläranta; near Taavi Bridge)
Paviljonki stage (Eteläranta; in the corner of Selim Palmgreninkatu street)
Rantalava stage (Eteläranta; near Porinsilta Bridge)
Kirkkolava stage (in Keski-Pori churchyard)
Puuvilla stage (inside Puuvilla Shopping Centre)

Locations are on the festival area map in Finnish.

Tips for multilingual programme

More information about the multilingual programme, schedules and locations is available on the SuomiAreena website. You can also check out the full Finnish programme on the website here.

TUESDAY

The Future of Transatlantic Defence Cooperation and NATO’s Strategic Transformation

Tue 23 June, 4.15—5PM

Raatihuoneenpuisto stage

The Power of Deterrence and the Legacy of Peace – Finland’s International Role in 2026

Tue 23 June, 5—5.45PM

Raatihuoneenpuisto stage

WEDNESDAY

Nordic Council Environment Prize Nominees Revealed

Wed 24 June, 10—10.30AM

Kaupungintalon piha stage

In the Name of God