The Finnish Institute of International Affairs will hold the Helsinki Security Forum security conference in Helsinki 30 September–2 October 2022. The conference focusing on international affairs and security policy will bring together notable decision-makers and experts of international security policy. The event for invited guests features both programme closed to the wider public as well as publicly streamed panel discussions.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now lasted more than seven months. Concern about Ukraine and the Ukrainian people is present every day. On 24 August, the national day of Ukraine, the City opened a greeting book, ‘We Stand with Ukraine’ giving the residents a month to write down their messages for the Ukrainian people. Today, the Mayor Juhana Vartiainen presented the book to Olga Dibrova, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland.

The Market Square is to host 26 fishermen from all over Finland at this year’s Helsinki Baltic Herring Market from 2 to 8 October. A special panel of judges will choose the best products on the opening day of the event, on Sunday, 2 October.  Besides fishing boats, four traditional sailing boats – Albanus, Olga, Vivan and Valborg – will also drop anchor at the Market Square for the duration of the event.

Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa are mapping their residents’ views on substance use and addiction treatment options in the cities with the help of an online survey. All city residents over the age of 13 are encouraged to respond to the survey.

Held in Helsinki on 5–7 October, the World Cities Culture Summit 2022 brings together the world’s cultural leaders for three days. The summit is part of the activities of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) network, comprising cultural leaders and deputy mayors of cities around the world. This is the first time the annual meeting will be held in Helsinki.

Where would you like to have the next summer street in Helsinki? Do you know any places in the city where the pleasantness of the walking environment should be increased permanently? By responding to the City’s survey, you can submit your best ideas and any wishes you have regarding the development of such locations via the map user interface.

Come and experience the third and final work of spatial art combining sound and light in Kruunuvuorenranta’s old oil tank, Silo 468, from Friday to Sunday 7–9 October 2022 from 17:00 to 22:00. In the work, a virtual flock of birds is released inside the tank. This year, you can also take the ferry from the Market Square to the oil tank.

Influenza vaccinations and a new round of COVID-19 vaccinations will start at the centralised vaccination points of Helsinki on 31 October. The vaccination is by appointment. The appointment booking will open at the end of October. The appointment booking opening will be announced separately.