Paula Malleus was less than 10 years old when she received a bag of fabric scraps from her grandmother Singer and a classmate's mother. That's how it started. 30 years…
Johan is a (sustainable) market! – Circular economy presented at Kansalaistori
An event celebrating sustainability and the circular economy will take place in front of Oodi on September 5–6, 2026, at Helsinki's Kansalaistori Square. Dome Upcycling Design Festival.
The event, open to all and free of charge, brings together ideas, products and concepts that improve the well-being of people and the planet.
Over 40 circular economy designers, local craft entrepreneurs and upcycling product providers are participating. Many of the products are made from waste or scrap.
Workshops in the festival's creative area offer learning about mending, repurposing and sustainable craft techniques. The Entrepreneur Lounge serves as a networking space for entrepreneurs. It also offers business advice.
The information sessions will feature experts and partners in the circular economy and sustainability. The event will culminate in a circular economy fashion show.
Decades of circular economy
The Dome Upcycling Design Festival is organized by Edel City Oy, whose entrepreneur Isabella Haas has worked in sustainability and circular economy for over 30 years.
She is on the board of directors of Helsinki Second Hand Market, among other things, and during her career has run recycled design and second-hand clothing stores, offered clothing repair services, taught circular economy entrepreneurs, and led repair and craft training. She has a degree in design management from Aalto University.
The Upcycling Design Festival is now being held for the second time. The first event was held almost 10 years ago, in 2017. Even then, the event presented a wide range of ways to reuse waste materials.
Helsinki Design Week also talks about the circular economy
The Dome Upcycling Design Festival is World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) official side event. The festival is organized Helsinki Design Week on the closing weekend.
There are other circular economy-oriented events on offer during Helsinki Design Week. For example, the Helsinki Market Workshops will be held at the Cable Factory the previous weekend, 29–30 August, where participants can learn various crafts in workshops led by industry professionals.
On Thursday, September 3.9rd, during Helsinki Design Week, you can explore the Arabia Creative District. The story of the ARKI 135 circular economy hub Hämeentie at the XR Center premises. In the afternoon seminar, the hub's entrepreneurs will talk about the kind of activities, interactions and business ideas the community has generated.
The Arabia Circular Economy Hub project has lasted for two years. The project has organized programs and supported networking among circular economy companies.
Text: Elina Saarinen, Uusiouutiset
Photo: Isabella Haas. The two-day Dome Upcycling Design Festival will take place in front of Oodi on the first weekend of September.
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