Photo: Open Sunday Salsa at the amphitheater near the Opera House, organized every Sunday during the summer by Salsa Borealis – Friends of Salsa in the Capital Region
One of the great advantages of a large city is its rich and diverse cultural offerings — and the fact that those interested in niche or marginal cultural forms have the chance to find like-minded people and create their own communities. For me, that niche has been salsa and other Cuban dances, which I’ve practiced for the past thirty years. I’ve taken classes, danced socially, performed, and later also taught. I’ve led informal salsa clubs both at work and in my residential block.
Today, salsa can be enjoyed in Helsinki in dance schools, salsa concerts and clubs, as well as at many kinds of events organized by private individuals, the city, or cultural associations. Salsa is an excellent example of how multiculturalism enriches urban life by boosting vitality, well-being, and joy. Cuban music and dance have added color and spark to the Finnish cultural landscape for decades. That’s why I say “Yes!” to intercultural exchange and “No!” to racism!
In 2025, the City of Helsinki is distributing a total of €21.2 million in cultural grants — an increase of €2.4 million compared to the previous year. This is exactly the right direction! Helsinki can and should act as a counterforce to the current government’s austerity policies that are stifling — even suffocating — the cultural sector. In addition to supporting professional cultural work, it’s also important to boost grassroots and self-organized cultural activities. This could include, for example, allocating permanent or at least long-term spaces for independent cultural use.
Supporting culture is part of building a vibrant, climate-friendly, safe — and salsa-positive — Helsinki! 💃🌍
🌴 Welcome to “Salsa-Positive Helsinki – Dance Juha into the City Council!” Campaign party (https://fb.me/e/7PwaHMcKT)
🎉 at Olutravintola Malmgård, Malminkartanonaukio 4
🗓️ Thu 3 April, 6–10 PM
🎟️ Free entry!