The Kontula Cultural Mall, one of the projects of the City of Helsinki’s participatory budgeting process OmaStadi, has been in operation since August 2024. The project offers production-related and financial support to city residents and communities that organise cultural events in the Kontula shopping mall area.
Opened in 1967, the Kontula shopping mall – the largest open-air shopping centre in Finland – has long been an important meeting place. The Kontula Cultural Mall project has also given it a more visible role as a stage for culture and urban life. The project has also given rise to new event organisers alongside existing ones.
“Kontula and the Kontula shopping mall are establishing themselves as a vibrant and open cultural hub in the heart of Mellunkylä,” says Cultural Producer Sinivuokko Koivula.
In 2025, the programme of the Cultural Mall was exceptionally varied, featuring magic, crafts, podcasts, theatre, contemporary opera, blues, noise, light art, community sports and food experiences.
“Events were held at Kontula Library, the youth centre, day centre Symppis , restaurants, bars and the square and outdoor walkways of the mall,” Koivula sums up.
Aapelinkulma opening this year
The Cultural Mall project is set to continue until the end of 2026. Events held at the mall earlier this year have included a stand up course for young people and related performance. In March, the mall will host Eid and Nowruz celebrations for families, a breakdancing event organised by young people for the second time and double bass concerts. There is also a big Children's Mall event being planned for June.
In August–September 2026, operations will expand to a new event space called Aapelinkulma. The space was previously occupied by the bar Aapelin Baari.
“We want the preparation of Aapelinkulma to be experienced as a shared journey. Even before the autumn opening, we invite the community to help shape the spirit of the space and make the opening weeks memorable,” says Project Worker Anni Hapuoja.
A mall we can be proud of
Feedback from the public regarding the Cultural Mall has been exceptionally positive. In particular, people have praised the importance of free cultural events open to all and the fact that the Kontula shopping mall is now perceived as a more communal and appreciated place as a result of the events organised there. The mall has also attracted visitors from outside East Helsinki.
“The aim of the Cultural Mall project is to extend the spirit of the Cultural Mall in Kontula far into the future and to work together to create attractive, communal and safe urban space through culture,” says Sinivuokko Koivula.
The Kontula Cultural Mall’s 2025 in figures
- 38 events and series of events
- 117 individual event sessions
- approx. 130 event organisers
- approx. 11,000 participants.
OmaStadi is the City of Helsinki’s way of providing participatory budgeting services. During the three OmaStadi rounds, Helsinki residents have proposed and voted on how the City will spend a total of €22 million. The 164 projects completed so far have made Helsinki a better and more welcoming place for its residents. The fourth round of OmaStadi began in autumn 2025, when Helsinki residents submitted a total of 1,761 proposals. In March 2026, you’ll have the chance to vote on how the ten million euros will be used. You can submit proposals and vote at omastadi.hel.fi.
