Accessibility is the number one criterion for participation in cultural events for Sanni Purhonen, communications officer at the Threshold Association

Sanni Purhonen, poet, creative writing teacher, literary critic and curator of the Outsider Art Festival’s literary programme, feels privileged to work with literature and art. According to Sanni, finding work in your own field or gaining employment in general is not a given for many disabled people. Participation in cultural activities often means checking in advance whether the events are accessible, and taking part in them spontaneously may not be possible. 

It was always clear to Sanni that she wanted to work in writing.

“I majored in literary studies at university, and I felt a strong calling to be a writer. I started working at the Threshold Association around the time of my graduation in 2009, and through various tasks, I have ended up as their communications officer and the editor-in-chief of the Kynnys magazine.”

Sanni is also known as an author: her book, If Only I’d Turn into Someone Else, was published in 2022, and its English translation was released in July this year in Washington, D.C., United States. Sanni was present at the book launch. 

“This is a poetry book with historical figures, popular culture, disability policy and disabled characters. For example, I talk about Frida Kahlo in my book,” Sanni says. 

However, Sanni does not want to become a full-time freelance author, because she enjoys her work at the Threshold Association. 

“In Finland’s context, the Threshold Association is a rare human rights organisation for disabled people, as its staff and board include disabled people. We believe that disabled people are the best experts in matters that concern them. At the same time, I would like to emphasise that each of us is an expert in our fields. People often think that disabled people have it good in Finland, but we are behind many other countries in areas such as employment”, Sanni explains. 

Sanni grew up in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and moved to Espoo during the coronavirus pandemic. She now lives in Tapiola and loves it. 

“Cultural services are close by here, and overall, there is a lot of positivity and buzz around cultural activities. I feel that I have already developed a Tapiola identity here, where I’m surrounded by nature and greenery – a lady from Tapiola who consumes culture”, Sanni laughs. 

Sanni also describes herself as a “film geek”. 

“Kino Tapiola has a lovely atmosphere and a nice European touch. It is also one of the few cinemas that is almost fully accessible. You can sit wherever you want because there are no stairs. There is also an accessible toilet, and the entrance has a low threshold.”

Sanni often spends time at the Espoo Cultural Centre, attending concerts and spending time in the library. She is a long-time visitor to the April Jazz festival. Exhibition Centre WeeGee is a little further from her home, so an assistant accompanies her there to help her cross the streets. In addition to Tapiola, Sanni enjoys culture at the Sellosali in Leppävaara and Kannusali in Espoon keskus. 

The Outsider Art Festival OAF 2026 will be held in Helsinki and Espoo from 20 to 30 August 2026. This year’s theme is hope. 

The festival brings outsider art into the shared cultural discussion and builds cooperation between different operators in the field of art. The OAF presents art that is made in the margins of society. The festival gives artists a voice, so they can define what outsider art is or what it isn’t. 

In the OAF x Espoo exhibition series, art is brought to the West Metro stations from 21 August to 30 September. The artists whose work is presented at the exhibition are Juha Pesonen(external link, opens in a new window), Riina Noro(external link, opens in a new window) and Mikael Valjakka.

Sanni is one of the mentors of the OAF literature programme and has been involved in making programme selections.  The OAF x Espoo opening ceremony will be held at EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art on Friday 21 August from 15:00 to 19:00. The programme includes ceremonial speeches, encounters, art performances, guided exhibition tours and content from the TOIVO art project. Performers include Aizhan Sultan(external link, opens in a new window) and VHS Klubi's Laserlevyraati (Laserdisc Jury).(external link, opens in a new window) 

“I am looking forward to this year’s diverse programme in EMMA's artistic milieu. I hope that as many people as possible will attend. The festival is intended for everyone interested in art.” 

The OAF Prize, honourable mentions and the 2026 Vimma Prize, presented by the Threshold Association Kynnys ry and the Tukilinja foundation, will be awarded at the event. The Vimma Prize is a recognition of artistic activities, works or events that increase societal awareness and positive discussion on functional limitations and disability. 

This year marks the first time for presenting the Vimma Prize at OAF. Sanni has been involved in assisting the panel, as in previous years. Previously, the prize was awarded on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. 

According to Sanni, OAF’s theme for this year, hope, means different things to different people. 

“Looking at art gives hope even when all you see on television is bad news. There are always great things happening in the world of art that help people cope, even when times are tough. Disabled people may not have it easy, but hope is about being able to see beyond the darkness and having human rights and dignity”, Sanni summarises. 

OAF is a partner festival of the Helsinki Festival. The events in Espoo are organised in cooperation with CultureEspoo and the City of Espoo, Länsimetro Oy, EspooCiné, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art and Exhibition Centre WeeGee. For more information about the Outsider Art Festival at the festival website(external link, opens in a new window). 

The culture picks for late summer that Sanni wants to highlight include the Outsider Art Festival’s Espoo programme and other interesting events in the CultureEspoo calendar.

OAF X Espoo | City of Espoo (Fri 21 August opening at EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art & 21 August–30 September exhibition at the West Metro stations)

When looking at the CultureEspoo events, Sanni starts to think about accessibility issues. 

“When I look at the calendar, the first thing that comes to mind is whether I will be able to attend all the events. For example, some old buildings in archipelago museums may be inaccessible to me”, Sanni explains. 

Arabian Culture Festival (20–22 August, Espoo Cultural Centre)

“I am fascinated by different cultures, and this looks colourful and interesting! The location would also be the Espoo Cultural Centre, which I often visit anyway.” 

VÆB (ISL) (Sat 22 August, Kannusali)

Icelandic pop duo VÆB is coming to Finland with their new “VÆBOUT” tour.

“Why not - I might go and have a listen! The combination of electronic and pop music sounds like an interesting musical combination. I like Kannusali, it won’t be my first time there.”

espoocine.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (20–29 August, several venues)

“I always visit Espoo Ciné every year. I’m also a member of the Crip Ciné(external link, opens in a new window) steering group.” 

Crip Ciné is a programme launched by Espoo Ciné in 2021, focusing on the lives of disabled people and films made by disabled people.

Espoo Day at Soittoniekanaukio: Blind Gut Company: Fish up a Tree (Sat 29 Aug at 13 & 15)

Espoo Day is a shared weekend of events for all Espoo residents, celebrated annually during the last week of August with free activities organised around the city. Fish Up a Tree is a captivating circus performance for children by the modern circus group Blind Gut Company. The performance includes object manipulation, aerial acrobatics and tightrope walking.

“I’m into watching performing arts, circus art is something you don’t get to see every day. It’s interesting that the performance takes place outdoors – I’m sure the performance makes use of its environment.” 

As a poet, Sanni encourages everyone to explore the poetry section in the library. 

“I would encourage everyone to visit libraries, because I am worried about what is happening with literacy. I encourage everyone to read poetry, as poetry has the ability to move every one of us. You don’t have to understand poetry, but I hope that it’s not something that people avoid.” 

See what else is going on in Espoo: Cultural events in Espoo.

Check out our previous culture picks on one page at: espoo.fi/en/culture-picks