SuomiAreena 2024

The Finnish Political Festival: SuomiAreena

SuomiAreena is an annual and the largest public debate forum held in Pori, Finland, in late June. The event was born in 2006 and it is part of European-wide democracy festivals’ network. In Pori, people can co-create a vision for what Finland and the world should be like in the future. SuomiAreena strives for openness, multi-voiced debate, equality, courage and relaxedness.

In 2024 the festival themes were democracy, culture, mental health, green transition, energy, technology and sustainable development. The event attracted a wide range of participants (ca. 50 000) including politicians, business leaders, academics, journalists, and NGO representatives. It's a platform where both prominent figures and ordinary citizens can engage in discussions. The four-day event features panel discussions, interviews, speeches, and debates. Sessions are often interactive, allowing the audience to participate and ask questions.

SuomiAreena is widely covered by Finnish media, with live broadcasts and extensive reporting on the discussions. The event is co-organized by the Finnish media company MTV and the City of Pori. In a way, SuomiAreena serves as a barometer for public sentiment on various issues and can highlight emerging trends and concerns within Finnish society.