The first Poesiomat in Finland has found its home right at the heart of the country: in the picturesque, vibrant, and innovative city of Helsinki. Our poetic pipe can be found in front of the entrance to Kaapelitehdas, a former major industrial site that has since been transformed into a renowned hub of art and culture.
Kaapelitehdas, or The Cable Factory, has become one of the most important cultural centers in Finland in recent years. Originally built as an industrial factory producing electrical and marine cables for the company Suomen Kaapelitehdas, the complex was, upon its completion in the 1950s, the largest building in Finland. It later became home to the country’s first supercomputer installation.
After industrial production came to an end, the abandoned halls began to fill with artists in the late 1980s, who were searching for studio and working spaces. In 1991, the City of Helsinki transformed the former factory into a cultural center. Today, Kaapelitehdas offers an extensive creative environment with numerous studios, museums, galleries, dance stages, art schools, cafés, and concert halls — and, as of December 2025, also a Poesiomat.
The poetic speaking tube in front of the Kaapelitehdas entrance tells the story of the former factory through memories, authentic sounds, archival reports, and excerpts from works by contemporary artists who have found their place within this unique cultural complex. The Poesiomat was officially unveiled by Kaapelitehdas Director Kai Huotari together with Ondřej Kobza and representatives of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Helsinki.