Puhos Loves People

To connect people

Puhos Loves People is a diverse cultural event targeted to the whole family and organized in the old Puotinharjun Puhos outdoor shopping center next to Itis mall in the eastside of Helsinki. The entry is free of charge and the event is open to everyone without an age limit. Puhos Loves People brings together musical and cultural programme, workshops, delicious street food from the community of Puhos as well as different organizations and groups operating in the eastern district of the city. No alcohol or other intoxicants.

FESTIVAL in 2024

For the seventh time in history, Puhos Loves People serves as a showcase for many fascinating phenomenon, music, culture and arts of different language groups residing in Helsinki. The aim is also to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to various art and sports activities. This year the festival takes place between the early afternoon and evening of Saturday the 3rd of August, 2024 around the area of historical Puotinharjun Puhos shopping mall and its surroundings, including the Stoa Square next to the cultural center. The festival introduces the independently grown and formed culture of Puhos, while empowering and supporting peaceful and positive interaction between different groups and communities.

In 2024, Puhos Loves People programme presents a diverse selection of rhythm music from the local afrobeat, hip hop and r&b acts but reaching out also to live organic music with a Cuban and Western African twist. Other programme includes the popular fashion show highlighting clothing by several designers with an African background but residing in Finland, collective art projects and other activities, performances and workshops. To be enjoyed with great food of course.

Free entry, and no age limit. Alcohol or other intoxicants are not allowed in the area. The festival is all about positive and constructive interaction, so any kind of disturbing behaviour will not be tolerated. 

See also Facebook event page >>

Puotinharjun Puhos is located next to the Itäkeskus Shopping Centre in the street address Korsholmantie 2. It is easy and fluent to arrive by public transportation, but there is also a parking lot with limited space for cars.


BACKGROUND

Puhos is one of the most active multicultural hotspots of Helsinki with different linguistically ethnical groups and its own diverse community of people, companies and mosques. It is an area, which has been developed spontaneously by the people operating inside Puhos, and it is gathering a wide range of people from different ethnical backgrounds.

Funky Amigos has been actively involved in the production and planning of the Puhos Loves People festival in 2018 and 2019. The event is a joint production between several parties. The year 2020 festival was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but thus the event has been held successfully every year again.