Empty Bowls 2025

Design thinkingIndustrial design and productsIndustrial design and productsPartyOpen placeParty

When Sat 13.09.2025

At what time Lauantai 13.9.2025 klo 11-14

Where Kirkkokatu 18, 00170, Helsinki

Tickets Selling Tickets (25 eur minimi €)

Visitors to the event donate. With a minimum donation you will receive a unique ceramic or glass bowl, soup and a program.
Donations will go unreduced to UNICEF emergency aid.

Accessible Yes

The crypt of the cathedral, entrance Kirkkokatu 18, can be accessed from the street level door directly to the event. There are no stairs at the entrance or in the event space.

Language Finnish / English

Other www.facebook.com/tyhjakulhohelsinki Instagram Facebook

Empty Bowls 2025

A warm welcome to the Empty Bowls 2025 event, which will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 11 am to 2 pm as usual in the atmospheric crypt of the Cathedral (Kirkkokatu 18, 00170 Helsinki).

This year, the event is once again part of the Helsinki Design Week program. HDW is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the theme of the anniversary year is Celebration.
In Empty Bolws -event we celebrate with the theme Empathy and Community – Each of us has the opportunity to help with our own expertise – together we are more.

Empty Bowls originated in the United States in 1990. The event was first organized in Finland in 2003, and since 2006 it has been part of Helsinki Design Week.
In Finland, the event began with the desire of one ceramist (https://udumbara.fi/) to organize an artist's party. Soon, other artists, volunteers and companies joined in. One person's idea has grown into a feel-good event that attracts hundreds of visitors every year.

The event is implemented entirely by volunteers. A wide range of people and organizations are involved:

Ceramic and glass artists make unique bowls
Helsinki restaurants donate soup
Bakeries offer fresh bread
Companies support the event with marketing and donations of goods
Musicians create the atmosphere for the event
UNICEF volunteers are responsible for the practical arrangements. You can find out about previous years' donors at: www.tyhjakulho.fi → Donors

Donate and take something good with you!

The event's funds are raised through donations: for a donation of at least 25 euros, you will receive a bowl of warm soup and a unique bowl as a souvenir. All proceeds will go to UNICEF's emergency relief work – work that is needed now more than ever.

Come enjoy the event and join us in doing good – together!

Empty Bowl is an international event that raises funds for those in need of food aid. The event has been organized in Finland since 2003! “The Empty Bowls projects originated in the United States in 1990. The event was first organized in Finland in 2003, and since 2006 it has been part of the Helsinki Design Week program.” It began with the desire of one ceramist https://udumbara.fi/ to organize an artist party, and to make it a success, other artists, volunteers and companies were invited to join. From the spark of one person, it has grown into an impressive feel-good event that attracts hundreds of visitors every year. The event is realized entirely by volunteers and involves a wide variety of people and organizations. The event's fundraising funds will be collected from guests, who can choose a soup and a bowl to take home with them in return for their donation (minimum €25). The proceeds from the empty bowl will be donated to UNICEF's emergency