Flow would not like to move out, but Helsinki thinks it no longer fits in Suvilahti

The festival does not have a long-term lease agreement with the city of Helsinki for Suvilahti, but the area is only rented for one year at a time.

With this information, Flow will definitely be organized in the old location also in the summer of 2027, but Helsinki cannot promise an extension for several more years. Before long, Suvilahti’s second major event Tuska is also facing the move.

The city of Helsinki wants to keep Suvilahti as an event venue as well, but from the city’s point of view, Flow and Tuska have already grown so large that they can no longer fit in the area reduced by the new buildings.

Flow’n managing director Katariina Uusitupa says that Flow has adapted to the current situation, where plans can only be made for one year at a time.

“We said that we would leave Suvilahti in 2023, because the city announced at that time that it would no longer be possible to organize a major event in the area in 2024.”

It turned out differently, and Flow was organized the following year and now the year after that. The schedule of construction projects has changed, and the festival area has been able to be expanded in the direction of the former Hanasaari power plant.

“We would like to stay here, and cooperation and discussion with the city is important to us. We want to develop the Suvilahti and Hanasaari area together,” says Uusitupa.

Flow’n the creators look hopefully at the old power plant building in Hanasaari, which could one day be part of the festival area.

Hanasaari project manager of the city of Helsinki Tuomas Hakala doesn’t think the idea is realistic.

“The building is in such a condition that it cannot be used as a place for public events. There are difficult challenges,” says Hakala.

In his opinion, conflicts arise when events would like to be as close as possible to the urban structure, but also grow.

“The Hanasaari area is not left unrealized because we have a couple of big events there. It will be built at some point, and then there won’t be such a large empty area where events of the current size or even larger ones could be organized,” says Hakala.

The festival of pain has previously said that he will continue in Suvilahti until 2030. Hakala is surprised by the statement, but does not consider the goal completely impossible.

“Tuska is a smaller festival. It’s easier to fit it into the area. Hopefully they can be there until 2030.”

Tuska has also considered it possible that it could eventually move to the Käpylä sports and event park, which is to be renovated to be suitable for major events as well.

Also Flow has discussed together with the city whether Käpylä would be suitable for Flow since it is no longer possible to continue in Suvilahti.

According to Katariina Uusituva, Käpylä is not an option. So far, there is no concrete plan as to where the festival could move.

“Flow’s identity and brand essentially include urban history and urban culture, and that it takes place in the downtown area and is close to good transport links and accessible by bike and on foot. A field festival is not a Flow festival,” says Uusitupa.