Our neighbourhoods are richly diverse, which inspired the idea for the &Neighbourhood project — rooted in our commitment to creating a welcoming meeting place for people from all backgrounds.
Last season, artists Dash Che and Homa Shokri led workshops in which participants reflected on themes of belonging, memories, and their relationship with the city.
The season concluded with the &Naapurusto Day. Participants, their loved ones, and other visitors came together to celebrate the project. The programme included an exhibition, a short documentary film, and a guided walk through Tapiola, where participants explored moments and places that held personal meaning for them.
We organised:
-over 30 workshops
-8 outreach events
-12 story monuments and 8 collages
-met more than 1400 people
For the 2025–2026 season, the project has received funding from the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Western Uusimaa wellbeing services county.
Work continues
The experiences and information from the first year give a good base for the future. The &Neighbourhood project builds a foundation for long-term work. Its goal is to create a more open and accessible theatre and society, where everyone feels they belong.
According to feedback from participants, the project increased a sense of community, confidence to express themselves, and interest in culture and theatre. Many people said they made new friends and saw their neighbourhood in a new way.
Working in public spaces also showed why this work is important. Some of the story monuments in Tapiola were vandalised—they were damaged and covered with racist stickers. In one workshop, racist comments also interrupted the session.
These situations remind us that creating an open and welcoming community does not happen by itself—it requires ongoing work.
"We do not accept racism in any form. This project has shown us how important anti-racist work is, and we are committed to doing our part," says the theatre’s CEO, Matilda von Weissenberg.
Click to see the full image