Koillisen versoja 2022–2024

Article 17.1.2025

Koillisen versoja – Where Are We Now?

The Finnish Baroque Orchestra is approaching the final stretch of its three-year Koillisen versoja regional project, looking back with gratitude and forward with excitement. What have we achieved? What will remain? As the new year begins, we take a moment to reflect on our project period and share our thoughts as this three-year journey comes to an end.

Memories from the Regional Project

In the spring of 2022, the Finnish Baroque Orchestra began its outreach efforts in Tapuli, Tapanila, Puistola, and Siltamäki. The Helsinki Model regional project had just been launched under the name Koillisen versot. The project's aim was to create cultural activities, organize events, and enable local participation in Helsinki's areas that lack concert halls, cultural centers, and regular arts and cultural programming.

The three-year project period began with mapping out local actors, habits, and suitable performance venues.

Concerts are at the core of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra's activities. In addition to concerts, essential aspects of our work include audience outreach, participatory art forms and initiatives, interdisciplinary projects, and performances by small ensembles and individual musicians. We wanted to bring all these experiences to the residents of Northeast Helsinki while simultaneously developing our own practices, especially in audience engagement and new operational models. More details on these models can be found here.

At the project's outset, Executive Manager Laura Kajander and Artistic Planner Anthony Marini played key roles. Both had a strong vision of what should be tested and implemented, as well as what required further exploration. Some activities were based on previously successful experiences in the Kaarela area, where similar community-driven events had proven effective. Examples include Aluealtistukset (regional artistic interventions), open rehearsals, the Spektaakkeli performance of the Paikallismaisemia Festival, and the Kello kuuden tee (Six O'Clock Tea) evenings, all of which stemmed from these prior experiences.

As the project progressed, new producers and audience engagement coordinators joined to manage logistics, organize events, and act as a bridge between the orchestra, local residents, and partners. Juhana Salminen, Meri Wallenius, and Anni-Kaisa Haukka each took turns overseeing project coordination, closely collaborating with Executive Manager Laura Kajander and Artistic Planners Anthony Marini and Marianna Henriksson.

One of Juhana's most memorable experiences was organizing the Baroque Picnic in collaboration with Siltamäen Nikkariverstas and Kankurituvan Ystävät ry in the courtyard of an old service center. The event captured a true sense of bygone community spirit. The area was tidied up for the picnic, a large meadow was cleared, and hay bales were arranged to accommodate the audience and performance stage. Residents of Siltamäki and the service center's residents participated, revitalizing a historically significant space that locals had long hoped to reclaim (read more about it in Koillis-Helsingin Lähitieto's article).

Anni-Kaisa joined the project in its final phase in autumn 2024. By then, the operational models were running smoothly, musicians and local residents were well acquainted, and many collaborative projects were well underway. One highlight of the season was the Paikallismaisemia Festival, culminating in the Spektaakkeli performance at the Linnanmäki Circus School's stage. This event brought together both amateur and professional artists from various disciplines. As a producer, Anni-Kaisa had the opportunity to closely oversee and guide the collaboration. Another standout experience was engaging with local residents during the Kello kuuden tee gatherings.

The Spektaakkeli performance of the Paikallismaisemia Festival, produced by the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO).
Photo: Anni-Kaisa Haukka.

Getting to Know Northeast Helsinki

One of the project's main objectives was to foster community spirit, improve perceptions of the area, and amplify local voices. As the project concludes, our impression of Northeast Helsinki is overwhelmingly positive and full of promise. Over the years, we encountered enthusiastic and active local actors and residents who share our passion for organizing and preserving cultural events in the area.

Throughout the project, we discovered a vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with numerous organizations over these three years. The area is home to, among others, a violin school that welcomes musicians of all ages, as well as opportunities to practice circus arts, pole dancing, and aerial acrobatics. The local parish plays an active role in expanding cultural offerings, and community centers like Tapanilan kylätila and Tapulin asukastila provide affordable or free spaces for local use.

Although we are now stepping away from the area, we trust that cultural activities will continue to thrive. It appears that the Paikallismaisemia Festival, held in October, will carry on, as its organization transitions from FiBO to local hands.

Creating and experiencing art and culture does not require grand structures, institutions, or extensive funding. It fundamentally stems from our own desire to experience, hear, see, and feel. It can be as grand as a theater production on a major stage or as intimate as a small evening performance at the Tapulin asukastila. As dance artist Jorma Uotinen once said: “The purpose of art is not to produce health, money, or inventions. Art must exist so that all of these can come to be.”

The Spektaakkeli performance of the Paikallismaisemia Festival, produced by the Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO).
Photo: Kaito Takayama.

Endings and New Beginnings

With gratitude and a touch of melancholy, we bid farewell to Northeast Helsinki—at least for now. Fortunately, our work continues, as we embark on a new project that takes us back to our roots. Our new regional initiative, Huudeilla, begins in January 2025 and runs until the end of 2027. This time, we will collaborate with Red Nose Company in the Kannelmäki–Malminkartano (Kaarela) area. FiBO's journey with the Helsinki Model began in Kaarela six years ago, making it particularly exciting and rewarding to return to a community where the seeds of baroque music and community engagement were first planted. We eagerly anticipate working with both Red Nose Company and local organizations, and plans are already taking shape. In the project's first year, we will explore the roots of Kannelmäki and Malminkartano, focusing on residents' personal histories and emotions connected to the area.

In Conclusion

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the individuals, organizations, and partners who have been part of this three-year journey:

Thank you for being part of this journey! 

Anni-Kaisa Haukka ja Juhana Salminen 

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