Practical information for organizations participating in Tampere Mrket of Possibilities and the Tampere Social Forum:
PUBLICITY
Please spread the word about the event within your own networks. The organizers will add the event to various event calendars. Facebook link for the 2026 event.
TABLE SPACES AND SETUP
The Market of Possibilities will be held in the Finlayson area on Väinö Linnan Square, in front of The Finnish Labour Museum Werstas. The organizers will provide you with a 70x200 cm table and one chair. If you’d like more chairs or a tent for your booth, please arrange to bring those yourself. The tables are sturdy but quite worn. You can make them look nice with tablecloths and decorations. So it’s a good idea to bring at least one tablecloth.
The tents will be placed along the edges of the square and the tables alone in the center. The market is set up by mutual agreement in the morning, so it’s a good idea to arrive early if you have a specific spot or neighbors in mind :) Those coming with just a table should bring umbrellas or plastic sheeting to protect their wares in case of rain. It’s also a good idea to stash a couple of rocks in your pocket beforehand to use as paperweights, since you won’t find any on the ground at the square.
The Market of Possibilities is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can start setting up at 9:00 a.m. The tables will be stacked next to Werstas the night before, and each vendor will carry their own from there. You can drive onto the square until 10 a.m. if necessary, but not after that. After that, the square will be closed to vehicles. The same applies in the evening; we hope everyone will be there by 4 p.m., and unloading can begin after that. We also ask that you wait until the event is over before driving away.
To reach the Finlayson area by car, take Finlaysoninkatu. Do not turn onto Itäinenkatu, as you cannot drive from there to Väinö Linnan Square. Drive straight ahead onto Finlaysoninkatu and turn right onto Väinö Linnan Square. The square is quite narrow, so please be careful and give way to others. If you can avoid driving into the square, we recommend doing so to prevent traffic congestion. You cannot park cars in the square, but there is a parking garage, P-Plevna, right next to it. Unfortunately, the accessible parking spots in the square are not accessible by car during the event; the closest ones are also located at Plevna.
TENTS
If you’re bringing tents for your organization, be sure to bring weights too! A few groups have said they’ll be bringing their own tents to the market. Please remember to bring the necessary weights for your tent! The entire Väinö Linnan Square is paved, so you won’t be able to anchor anything to the ground. Weights are essential! Safety regulations have become stricter in recent years, and it is quite possible that a fire inspector will visit the market before it opens.
According to the fire department’s guidelines, the following must be observed regarding tents:
-The tent manufacturer’s setup instructions must be followed.
-The tent must be securely anchored to its base in accordance with the manufacturer’s or a qualified designer’s instructions, for example using concrete or water weights.
-In the event of a storm or if wind speeds exceed 15 m/s, the anchoring of the tents must be reinforced or the use of the tents suspended. People are directed away from the vicinity of the tents, and the tents are dismantled if possible. If the manufacturer has provided other instructions, they must be followed.
-The stability of a tent is influenced by factors such as its structure, height, and shape. When using loose weights, each corner of small tents must have at least the following weights: 2 x 2 tent 15 kg/pole; 4 x 4 tent 62 kg/pole; 5 x 5 tent 96 kg/pole; and 6 x 6 tent 139 kg/pole. The minimum weights apply to tents with a roof cover and a design wind speed of up to 15 m/s. In stronger winds, the roof cover must be removed or additional weights added
- A fire inspector or event organizer may order the tent to be taken down if it is not safe for a public event
- The most important factor here is having enough weights—at least 15 kg per leg for small tents.
OPEN MIC
At the Market of Poissibilities, associations, networks, and other groups can showcase their activities, attract new members, and network. Selling promotional items is permitted. The fair’s stage program also includes open mic sessions for organizations, during which they can briefly present their activities. The stage manager will collect sign-ups throughout the day. We ask that you refrain from using your own sound systems at the tables so that the stage program can be heard clearly.
OTHER INFORMATION
It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast before the event. Dressing for the weather and being prepared in general is important. There will be one or two food vendors in the square, and Lidl is just around the corner. Volunteers who have signed up for the info desk, for example, will also be provided with a volunteer lunch. Restrooms are located in the Werstas.
TAMPERE SOCIAL FORUM
The Tampere Social Forum will be held at the Finnish Labour Museum Werstas, located at Väinö Linnan aukio 8. Four different rooms will be available. The auditorium is located on the lowest floor of Werstas, adjacent to the lobby. The museum’s exhibitions are on the second floor, which also houses the Bertel Hall, where part of the program will take place. Located in the center of the exhibition area is the Workers’ Hall, with the Paja space next to it.