North Karelia Pride 2025

We follow principles of safer spaces in all our events. Our community spaces at Torikatu are alcohol and drug free.

Monday 12.5.

Pride speed friending & Open doors day

12.5. at 17–20

Visit Pohjois-Karjala Seta’s office to learn about our services. There will be Pride friending, a speed-dating style event aimed at making friends in a safe space.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

English speaking hangout

12.5. at 17–19

Join the English-speaking group for a casual gathering and bracelet-making activity with tea, coffee, and light snacks.

Keltainen talo (Sairaalakatu 8)

Lecture: Monsters and Queer

12.5. at 17–18.30

What do monsters and queerness have in common? Boundary-breaking queerness has been linked to monsters since ancient times, and throughout history, these two have been intertwined again and again. Monster researcher and author Lauri Lattu explores the shared history of queerness and monsters, from the shadows of antiquity to today’s monster renaissance. Lecture is in Finnish

Show trigger warnings

Please be advised that the lecture addresses to homophoby, transphoby, violence and sexual violence.

Joensuun main library (Koskikatu 25)

Tuesday 13.5.

Non-Binary Meetup

13.5. at 15–17

A support group and activity session for all non-binary, gender fluid, gender queer and agender people, with coffee, tea, and snacks.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Pride art workshop

13.5. at 17–19

Craft flags and signs for the Pride parade. Open to everyone, with no special skills required.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Music performance: Isa Engberg

13.5. at 17–19

Isa will perform a solo of her own, yet-to-be-released music. The performance offers an honest and grounding moment with songs that are interpreted through piano and vocals, featuring layered lyrics that play with words. You are warmly welcome!

Sointula (Kirkkokatu 22)

Dance workshop

13.5. at 18–20.30

Learn various dance styles, including TikTok trends and line dancing, and a full choreography. No previous dance background needed.

Restaurant Kerubi (Siltakatu 1)

Wednesday 14.5.

Pride café

14.5. at 16.30–20

Enjoy the café with live music by Pasi Hanhisalo, a queer pop artist. Snacks and Pride merchandise will be available.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Pride Movies: Gondola and Queer

14.5. at 17–21

at 17.30: Gondola. Free entry
at 19.30: Queer Tickets 10/8 €.

More about the movies (in Finnish)

Kino Sihis (Koskikatu 8)

Thursday 15.5.

Pride karaoke

15.5. at 17–22

Join the karaoke night at Las Palmas, hosted by Seta’s own karaoke enthusiast, Mira. The event is free, with an age limit of 18 years.

Las Palmas (Itäranta 1)

Lecture and workshop: LGBTQ+-rights in Middle East

15.5. at 17–20

This session will cover the status of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Middle East from legal and societal perspectives. Sign up here. In English.

Show trigger warnings

Please be advised that the discussion will include topics such as violence, domestic violence, killings, suicide, and death.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Pride movies: Sebastian ja Queer

15.5. at 17.30–21

at 17.30: Sebastian. Free entrance.
at 19.30: Queer. Tickets 10/8 €.

More about the movies (in Finnish)

Kino Sihis (Koskikatu 8)

Friday 16.5.

Board game night

16.5. at 17–19

Join us for an evening of board games in a friendly atmosphere, guided by Pohjois-Karjalan Seta’s volunteer group leaders.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Theater: Straight Acting

16.5. at 17 and 20

Anssi Niemi’s provocative solo performance addresses internalized homophobia and the portrayal of a convincing male actor. The performance is a collaboration between Pohjois-Karjalan Seta and Joensuu City Theater. Duration is approximately one hour. Tickets are priced at 30, with 5 € discount for members. In Finnish.

Joensuu City theatre (Rantakatu 20)

Pride movies: Queer and People's Joker

16.5. at 17–21.30

at 17: Queer. Tickets 10/8 €
at 20: People’s Joker. Tickets 10/8 €

More about the movies (in Finnish)

Kino Sihis (Koskikatu 8)

Dance performance

16.5. at 17–21.30

“Pantyhose in Pride” is an installation-style dance theater performance. See more details (in Finnish).

The event is free of charge, and the age limit is 12 years.

Kummunkatu 12, Outokumpu

Saturday 17.5.

Pride Parade

17.5. at 15

Join the Pride Parade through Joensuu’s city center to celebrate diversity and equality. The parade ends at Ilosaari park.

Starts at Art museum Onni (Kirkkokatu 23)

Puistojuhla

17.5. at 16–19

Picnic and party in Ilosaari park. Program in English will be published later.

Ilosaari

Pride party: Queer Joy!

17.5. at 21–04

Official Pride party with drag show Queens on the road ja DJ Slaya Bit.

Tickets: 5/4 €, cloakroom 3 €. Tickets.

Restaurant Kerubi (Siltakatu 1)

Sunday 18.5.

Relationship workshop: Hopes and dreams

18.5. at 12.15–14.45

A special session for all LGBTQIA+ people and their significant others, chosen families and friends to strengthen their relationship skills. The event is free but requires prior registration. Sign up here Workshop is in Finnish.

Pohjois-Karjala Seta's office (Torikatu 9 A)

Forest pride

18.5. at 15–20

In the family-friendly Forest Pride event, you can enjoy the program, hang out, and grill your own snacks. Remember to dress according to the weather.

3 PM – 6 PM: Activities for children
6 PM – 8 PM: Hangout for adults

Kalmonkatiska (Kuhasalo)