The discussion event Jazz as a Force for Social Change will open Jazz-Espa 2025

The Jazz-Espa Festival, organized annually by the Finnish Jazz Federation, will open this year on Monday, July 28 at 4:00 PM with a panel discussion on Jazz as a Force for Social Change. The event takes place at the Espa Stage in Helsinki.

Jazz is much more than music – throughout history, it has served as a vehicle for change, activism and dialogue. Born as a voice for social experience, jazz has maintained its role as an art form that takes a stand. UNESCO has recognized this by establishing International Jazz Day to highlight jazz’s role as a global advocate for peace, human rights, and mutual understanding.

In Finland jazz has had an impact on society since the 1920s. It has given a voice to the youth, challenged gender roles and acted as a symbol of counterculture. Activism within the jazz scene even led to the founding of the Finnish Jazz Federation in 1966 and helped strengthen jazz’s position in cultural policy.

Today, jazz lives and breathes contemporary issues – from the climate crisis to global conflicts. What is the societal role of jazz in Finland today? And what could it be in the future?

Come listen and join the conversation as experts in jazz, social influence and activism gather on the Jazz-Espa stage to reflect on the societal power of jazz in 2020s Finland.

Participants:

Jari Perkiömäki (Sibelius Academy, lecturer)
Reiska Laine (musician)
Nina Öhman (Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Postdoc)
Mikko Innanen (musician)
Selma Savolainen (musician)

Discussion will be moderated by Laura Korhonen (Yle, journalist).

The panel discussion will be held in Finnish.