It all began during the quiet chaos of the pandemic. In the summer of 2021—when in-person connection felt like a distant memory—a group of friends carried a few boomboxes, microphones and acoustic guitar to the island of Tervasaari in Helsinki.
Maybe it was a small act of rebellion. But more than that, it was an all-consuming need to connect—to experience music, to feel something real again together with other people in a world that had gone silent.
At first, it was freestyle rappers and battered speakers. But little by little, something bigger took shape. Our DIY jam sessions evolved quickly into a self-made pseudo-festival:
Lights. Power. A real PA system. Posters. Custom T-shirts. Word-of-mouth marketing.
And people did hear about it!
News about us spread extremely quickly through word of mouth and incredible family-like community around creating these events begun to form. It was like a sanctuary for young artists who wanted to do something and we poured every ounce of our passion into making something bigger than ourselves. Bands joined in. friends friends joined in, in a amazing chain reaction So did up-and-coming solo acts. Everyone helped—organizing, performing, building.
Tervasaari gave us more than a venue. It became a platform for our skills, dreams, and growth. We learned, collaborated, and improved—together. And through that shared effort, we began to see brighter future beyond just that summer.
We launched our first indoor production at Tiivistämö, an ambitious leap into the unknown. It was chaotic, beautiful, and unforgettable. Long nights, laughter, problem-solving, and mind-blowing performances. Every detail was intentional—from artist curation and dancer lineups to fashion styling and drinks. Needles to say it was a wild success!
Then we stood at a crossroads:
we had the option to split the money and walk away with an amazing story.
Or keep going—again and again. Needless to say that we chose the latter option
We really wanted to serve the community that brought us up. keep creating more events and more accessible art, and opportunities for artists and audience.
We dreamed of being able to someday produce and release music, run a studio, film music videos. Produce movies, host galleries, rent audio-systems or equipments to those in need, provide spaces for dancers, and exhibitions to teach and apprentice new inspired people, in different skills of making events. Run festivals, Create amazing and safe worlds full of opportunities that all amazing people around us can populate!
In essence, we dreamed of connecting all these different people around us with different passions together so that they can achieve their dreams, work and fulfil themselves together and well as create ever more opportunities to do so.
These weren’t just dreams. They were a reflection of the people involved. Artists, musicians, dancers, designers, filmmakers, photographers, actors, stagehands, technicians, art lovers, and activists. Everyone brought something to the table.
We knew the road would be long and unpaved. But we also knew it was the only road worth taking.
And so we walked it—together.
Today in 2025 SCOPE is twenty-one people strong team serving multidisciplinary community of few thousand people in Helsinki metropolitan area and in Tampere. We produce over 30 unique events every year, with more than 400 artists taking part from every imaginable field.
Concerts. Gigs. Kinescope short film premieres.
Open-air jams. Open mics. Scope Dance choreography nights.
Lux Amoris multidisciplinary showcases. Theatre. Informal education. Apprenticeships. And everything in between.
And yet still, every single summer, we return faithfully to where it all began.
This year will be our eighth Tervasaari Jams. And you’re more than welcome to be part of the story!
Tervasaari Jams VIII
14.6.2025
17:00–22:00
Tervasaari, Helsinki
SCOPE—BRINGING NEW TALENT TO THE FOREFRONT.