Welcome to Helsinki!
Dear Design Diplomacy participant, you are warmly welcome to Helsinki Design Week 2023!
Design Diplomacy is an event concept founded and developed by the festival founder Kari Korkman and we are proud to tell you that the Design Diplomacy has already been spread to several other cities and design festivals, too. There have been card games in New York, Tokyo, Reykjavik, Berlin, Canberra and Stockholm, just to name a few.
This years’ HDW edition’s Design Diplomacy participants can all be found here.
As you can see, you are in great company!
We are also very grateful to our friends at embassies for inviting us in to their beautiful spaces.
Should you wish to stay in Helsinki for a bit longer than one day of your event – which we do wish you will – please don’t hesitate to explore some of the other Design Diplomacy, talks, too.
If you’d like to join the others as a member of the audience, simply message us at communications@helsinkidesignweek.com and we’ll make sure your name will be found on the guest list.
You are also more than welcome to visit our HDW Main Venue Merikortteli (open 13–17 Sep, Wed-Fri 2-8pm, Sat-Sun 12-8pm).
There will be a Main Exhibition spreading to the first and the sixth floor as well as a Pop-up Wine bar Let Me Wine & HDW Bar as well as daily talks programme. The full schedule can be found here.
Other suggestions of ours once you’re here
Helsinki Design Week at the Cable Factory: Design Market, Collectors’ Market and HDW Children’s Design Week
9–10 September 11-8pm
The first weekend of Helsinki Design Week has grown into a festival of its own! Over 130 vendors selling furniture, interior objects, vintage collectibles and the best of Finnish fashion. Additionally, a workshop series for kids will take place. More details about Design Market can be found here. HDW Children’s Design Week event page is here.
Open Studios events
8 & 15 September 3-8pm
A chance to visit the most inspiring working spaces of your local colleagues! Check out the suggest route here.
Art Goes Showroom
13, 14, 15 September 6pm
HDW Team is bringing some live music to some of the most inspiring showrooms of our city. Please pre-register here so that the hosting showrooms can make sure there is enough food and drinks for everyone.
Helsinki Design Week at the Designmuseum
Open from Tuesday until Sunday 11am-6pm
Designmuseum is one of the Organizing Partners of Helsinki Design Week. During the festival, there will be several different events taking place around the museum. Make sure you check at least the main exhibition by Kustaa Saksi and the HDW special exhibition by Jenny Nordberg.
Other Helsinki things a designer must see
Our favourite restaurants are listed here (we pay attention to interiors as well).
Our favourite sauna is the Kulttuurisauna.
Our favourite library is the Central Library Oodi.
If you fancy a day trip to the islands, make sure not to miss Helsinki Biennial at Vallisaari.
If you have any questions regarding the festival hospitality, please message us at press@helsinkidesignweek. If there is something else you’d like to know about the Design Diplomacy event concept, please message our Programme Director Anni at anni.korkman@helsinkidesignweek.com.