Culture Tram brings the streetscape to life – join the ride!
The Culture Tram, a joint project of Helsinki Region Transport, Helsinki City Transport and Korjaamo Culture Factory, offers cultural experiences on tram line 7A.
Helsinki Region Transport’s Culture Tram continues. Adding a little spice to the public transport in Helsinki, the tram provides a space for music and theatre performances and art exhibitions. The trams follows the 7A route Tuesdays to Thursdays from 3 pm to 6 pm and it can be boarded along the route for normal ticket price.
You can recognise the culture tram by its silvery exterior, which reflects the colours of the spectrum of the life, lights and colours of the Helsinki streetscape. The colours change according to where the viewer stands, the light and movement. The sculpture placed on the roof, “Mascot”, makes the tram visible from afar. The interior of the tram is cosier than in normal trams and it has a PA and lighting equipment installed.
Performances, music and exhibition
Tuesdays are reserved for performing arts, while Wednesdays are for music and Thursdays for art exhibitions. The autumn programme is a diverse one, including poetry reading, stand-up comedy, literature, short films, art and video installations. Featured musicians include noted Finnish singer-songwriters.
The culture tram brightens up commuters’ day as well as offers artists and cultural institutions a venue for direct contact with the people of Helsinki. The tram also provides tourists a new, unique cultural attraction that is perpetually on the move. The tram can also be hired for private occasions.
Who is behind the tram?
The cultural tram was first launched as pilot scheme. Deputy Mayor Pekka Sauri is enthusiastic about the combination of two significant things. “Culture is fun. Public transport is fun. Together they create double-fun,” says Sauri.
The programme on the tram is produced by Korjaamo Culture Factory in partnership with other cultural actors in the city, including Helsinki International Film Festival, Helsinki Poetry Connection, the Distribution centre of Finnish Media Art, and Moving in November festival.
“The starting point for the planning was to make commuting a positive experience. The tram has been transformed into a work of art or a stage. I believe that the culture tram will remain a cultural fixture in Helsinki, enlivening its streetscape in a completely new way," says art coordinator Marjukka Korhonen from WSP, project manager in charge of the culture tram planning.
Text: University of Helsinki
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
