Socializing

Laid back get together to network and exchange over a couple of drinks.

Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :) The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹 Tervetuloa! When? ⏰ Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki The Good Coffee Company A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹 Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events

Pay the **5 € board gaming fee** to the bar at the counter when you arrive. You must be at least 18 years old to enter [Arkade](https://www.arkade.fi/). We play in English and the game rules are taught before starting play, unless everyone is already familiar with the game. No previous experience with board gaming required. The venue has a great board game library, the host and other players usually bring their own games too: our selection varies weekly. We're a very casual group so you're welcome to arrive early or late and join whatever game is starting up, there is no attendance tracking, or welcoming process. The bar has alcoholic drinks, mocktails, and soft drinks available as well as some snack foods. They've been okay with people ordering food to the bar with meal delivery services. If you are feeling sick, please stay home.

Here’s an opportunity to learn Swedish over a good cup of coffee or tea ☕😋🇦🇹 for free! The events are free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. In addition, we offer free (yes, free) coffee, tea, and biscuits to participants! På svenska, men på olika sätt Att prata med folk på café kan vara både nöje och utmaning. Hos oss serverar vi kaffe med mycket glädje och inspiration. Tillsammans lyssnar, pratar, läser, berättar eller skriver vi nyfiket och glatt oavsett om du har den finlandssvenska kulturen redan i blodet eller vill bekanta dig med den. Vi erbjuder deltagarna gratis kaffe eller te med lite tilltugg. When? ⏰ Usually Thursdays at 16:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese café: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki Välkommen! **The Good Coffee Company** **A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹** Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki Please visit our Facebook Page for updates and changes: **[https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events](https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events)**

Nortal hosts our in-person meetup on the 5th of February. The location is Nortal's office in Mikonkatu 15B, Helsinki. Agenda: \- 17:00 \- 18:00 From ClickOps to Code\-First: CI/CD in Microsoft Fabric by Anssi Pannula \- 18:00 \- 19:00 Networking & Food Sponsored by Nortal \- 19:00 \- 20:00 Microsoft SQL with MCP Servers by Vesa Tikkanen and Oskari Heikkinen Would you like to speak at the next event? Please do get in touch with either Vesa Tikkanen, Oskari Heikkinen, Heini Ilmarinen or Aleksi Partanen.

Dear Next Gen Hack community You are cordially invited to **UpCloud - Tooling for Future Talent excursion** at UpCloud Helsinki office on the 5th of February 2026. **Please note that the event is aimed at youth hacker community 25 years old & younger.** The excursion will include presentations, hacking, networking and mingling. We will also offer food, alcohol free drinks, and access to sauna. **Schedule:** **16:30: Doors open** **17:30: Presentations by UpCloud, Next Gen Hack & KRP** **18:30: Hacking, mingling & free program** **20:00: Event ends**

**On this solemn day, we gather to mourn the fading state of free speech.** **CONCEPT:** **The alarm bells of the 1930s are ringing again.** Many of us are coming to a troubling realization: freedom of expression is under pressure across the world. In countries that call themselves defenders of democracy, and in those that openly reject it, speech is increasingly regulated, restricted, or punished. As *The Washington Post* — owned by Jeff Bezos — says, *“Democracy dies in darkness.”* Let each of us be a candle that keeps the light alive. *** **DISCUSSION HOMEWORK (For a more nuanced conversation — recommended but not required):** 1. Government actions toward TikTok in the United States — bans, forced sale discussions, and national security debates 2. Consolidation and mergers in media corporations * Skydance Media & Paramount Global (U.S.) * NDTV ownership changes (India) 3. Arrests or disciplinary actions involving university students and journalists related to campus publications or protest reporting 4. Arrests of peaceful protestors in the UK under public order laws 5. Suppression of protest movements in Iran 6. Cases involving the killing or detention of journalists in conflict zones and authoritarian states 7. Media censorship, platform moderation, and speech regulation worldwide **And Most Importantly** 8. The censoring of AI. The real life example are the 7 points mentioned above which were written originally by me and then put on Chat GPT which basically removed the names of several countries i. e. Saudi Arabia and Israel. AI generalised the language. To see the original language come to our event! You are welcome to come, listen, question, and learn. *** **PROGRAM STRUCTURE** 1. Why are you here? — Your farewell message to free speech 2. Who — or what — is responsible for the decline of free expression? 3. What can we do to protect and strengthen it? *** **GROUND RULES** * No bad-faith arguments * No misinformation or unsupported claims * Respectful disagreement is welcome * Evidence beats slogans *** **LOCATION** Vallila Library Address: Päijänteentie 5, 00550 Helsinki. Booking Number: 589478 Feel free to call +358 413273727 if you find difficulties locating the venue.

### **Midnight Heist** Tonight, you are not guests. You are a crew. You and a group of strangers will step into a fictional underground world and plan the perfect heist. You will: * Receive a secret role in the crew * Study a legendary target * Design a step-by-step plan * Adapt to unexpected twists * Decide the fate of the mission together Inspired by films like *Ocean’s Eleven* and *Money Heist*. **Afterparty (karaoke, snacks & drinks)** 🕶️ **Dress code:** Dark, sleek, professional criminal *(black outfits, coats, gloves, minimalist elegance)* 📍 Location: Helsinki (venue to be announced) 📅 Date: 7 Feb ⏰ Time: 16:30-19:30 👥 Limited capacity (16 players) 🎟️ **Participation fee:** €10 Includes all game materials + snacks 💳 Pre-payment required Participants will recieve more details on the venue, ticket payment method and a form for any allergies.

You're more than welcome to join us and meet some new friends! Let the evening unfold and people shape the course of the night 😎 Come share your best (or worst) comedic mishaps, stories, and gossip in a relaxed, conversational meetup at **Kallio Bar** (right next to Street Bar) in Hakaniemi, Helsinki. Beers from **€6.50** 🍺, wine bottles **€25** 🍾 — and there will very likely be extra discounts 😉 Later in the evening, we might head to a nightclub or karaoke together 🤗 Hope to see you there!

Join us on **Fridays, 18:00 - 19:30** at **Lapinlahden Lähde** for a free session where we’ll explore the topic of the week - **Presence**. After 19:30, you're welcome to hang out with us. Depending on what the group decides, we sometimes: \- stay in\, enjoy tea and cookies and play board games \- go out for dinner ✅ Your **RSVP counts as your registration**, we expect you to **honour it**. 🤝 All conversations are confidential. What’s shared, stays in the group. 🌿 Small group, big heart: Everyone gets a chance to share. 🧘‍♀️ Come comfy, come curious. 💧 Bring water. Skip heavy meals & caffeine. 📍 **Tallipääty, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki** (Through the gate, first door on the left!) **Kind reminder:** Last-minute cancellations or no-shows mean others miss out. To keep it fair, repeated cases may result in losing the spot in future sessions. If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1) Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1) Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti) Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!

Hello sporty population! Let's gather around and play some badminton together with people from around the world! IMPORTANT! Spots are limited, so make sure you reserver yours! If you are not registered on the list, you will be kindly asked to leave; this is to ensure fair access for everyone! If you do not cancel your spot, you will be **suspended from participating** for the next two sessions. We will play in Talihalli Huopalahti from 11.00-12.30 Court numbers are 9, 10 and 11; you can come directly to the courts or meet us at the entrance a bit before 11.00. Please keep in mind that if you go directly to the courts, **do not enter them before our time starts!** MIITTI welcomes everyone to its events regardless of background or gender. You don't have to have any skills at all to come and play with us, and if you do, please come and coach us! Age limit: 16+ Event is free, but please bring your rackets and indoor shoes, or you can rent (racket) from the hall for 4€ each. After badminton, we'll enjoy Talihalli's sauna and maybe go to a local restaurant to grab some lunch after the game. Warm welcome! For questions and more information, please contact Alaa 040 5656096 If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: WhatsApp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community! [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/miitti1) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/miitti1) [Website](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti)

A creative exploration, using a mix of artistic materials to express emotions freely- perfect for everyone craving a slower Sunday. IMPORTANT: Registration is necessary and done through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-sunday-for-wellbeing-nature-as-nurture-tickets-1982164401082?aff=oddtdtcreator Finding your Flow is the third workshop of the series Creative Sunday for Wellbeing. In this third Creative Sunday for Wellbeing workshop, we explore observation and mindfulness through a gentle walk in the nearby park. Nature becomes our teacher and our muse- shapes, textures, rhythms, and cycles transforming into metaphors for life. Through guided reflection and creative expression, we will stimulate imagination, deepen presence, and reconnect with ourselves using the natural world as inspiration. No artistic experience needed- just curiosity and an open mind. Come and be nurtured by nature. Through simple exercises, creative prompts inspired by theater games, and the use of a wide range of artistic materials, participants are invited to explore creativity in an open and supportive space. This is not art therapy and not an art class- there is no pressure to perform, produce, or “be good” at anything. Instead, the focus is on experimentation, imagination, and personal exploration. While the sessions are not therapeutic, they might offer moments of reflection, renewed energy, and a fresh perspective on wellbeing through creative practices. The topics of the workshops are the following: 25.1.2026 The Art of Slowing Down 1.2.2026 Finding your Flow 8.2.2026 Nature as Nurture 15.2.2026 Words for Wellbeing 22.2.2026 Colors, Emotions and Creative Visioning WHEN & WHERE: 8th of February at 15.30-17.30 Valo tila, Lapinlahden Lähde Lapinlahdenpolku 8 00180 Helsinki (How to find us: When entering through the café to the gallery hallway, turn left and head up the stairs. Valo tila is through the first door on the right hand side.) Meet Giulia Lepori Giulia Lepori is an Italian sociologist whose work lives in the intersection of mental health, art, and creative exploration. During her university years in Turin, she co-founded an artistic laboratory that became a living space for experimentation, dialogue, and collective creation. Over seven years, she worked across multiple artistic languages, curating workshops, exhibitions, courses, and public events. Her path led her to one-year art therapy training grounded in psychodynamic approach, deepening her interest in creativity as a tool for care, expression, and transformation. Giulia has facilitated creative workshops with adults, adolescents, children, and people with disabilities, shaping spaces where art becomes a shared process rather than a finished product. In 2024, she brought her practice to Helsinki, organizing her first creative workshop in collaboration with MIELI Without Borders during Mental Health Art Week. The workshop is a collaboration between @mieliwithoutborders and @miitti1

【IMPORTANT SUMMARY】 * The purpose of social games is to know some people, do some exercise and enjoy the games together with others. Winning and getting points is not the focus of this session. Please play with consideration to your opponents' level. * Please purchase your slot through this link [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/) 【SIGN-UP SYSTEM】 * Please sign up and pay through this link. [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game) * We don't use the signup system on Meetup.com anymore. (Neither the waiting list) * It says this event is full on this meetup page, because I didn't open any slots here for you to sign up. You have to check this [sign-up page](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game) to see if there is still a slot available there. * The background of using an external sign-up and payment system is because Meetup.com introduced a service fee to increase 21% of the fee in May 2023, and we want to reduce this cost. 【FEE and REFUND POLICY】 * Fee includes courts and plastic shuttles. Please sign up and pay before you come. NO refund if you do not cancel until 48 hours before the event. * Racket: bring one or rent one at the counter. * You can put a comment to sell your slot after the deadline of refund, or sell your slot in our whatsapp group. * No matter the reason is sickness, accident or anything, the group or I will not afford the cost caused by your absence. * Of course you CAN'T ask me, "Can I sign up for free for next week because I didn't come to use my slot this week?". Please remember, the court booked for you was there and it costs money. The court doesn't simply become "free of charge", just because you didn't come to use it. 【COMMUNICATION】 * Communication: our whatsapp group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347) * There are too many spams, so I only accept +358 number to join whatsapp group. Numbers from other countries will all be rejected. 【OTHERS】 * Please always keep 1 meter away from those courts where people are playing. Never step into the corners of other courts! If I see you do this, I probably will yell at you! * If you have some questions, you can put your questions in the comments on the event page. People will respond. * We play double games to 21 points. After each game, please let those who are waiting to play. Feel free to play with whoever you want, but please avoid playing with the same people all the time. * If you are new to badminton, please Google basic badminton rules in advance. Serve rules, double rules and point counting rules. You are always welcome to ask anyone in our group. Most of our members are more than happy to help you. * Badminton activity is organized for non-profit purpose, but I take a small fee for my work. * Want to restring your racket? I can do restring for you. €24 including the string. Please get contact with Ken. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing) * [https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/](https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/) * You want to pay with your sport card or voucher? check the bottom of the page. Click "read more" * https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/[https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/](https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/)

**Hello and welcome to join the training to become a TOIVO facilitator! We are excited to grow our community!** **IMPORTANT:** Registration is necessary and is done through this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=fFa_vgaJZUa6jSMe-t2DcoYNf__ba_JIocm2rheQWPlUNTlGQ1RFUTFKVUhMS0E2SzkzNTVIRFIxRC4u Please note that participation on both course dates is required in order to receive the facilitator certificate! **1\. What is TOIVO?** TOIVO peer group model was developed with the thought of “act-feel-apprehend”. This means, that TOIVO groups plan activities related to well-being and discuss how the activities impact their lives and mental well-being together. TOIVO groups are designed to enable groups to make small changes in their daily lives that would affect their mental health positively. After this training, you will be able to form your own TOIVO group with a co-facilitator where MIITTI and MIELI Without Borders will fund your group activities. **2\. TOIVO groups** * Groups meet between 8-10 times * Every meeting will cover a different well-being theme (i.e. healthy food, physical exercise, sleep, relationships, stress, emotions, etc.) * TOIVO groups are closed groups which means once the group is formed, no new members are added to the group. **3\. Training program schedule** 9-hour training * Day 1 - Friday, February 6, 2026: 17:30 - 20:30 * Day 2 - Saturday, February 7, 2026: 10:00 -16:00 (1 hour break for lunch) **4\. Location** * Lapinlahde lähde (Lapinlahden polku 8) - Taallipääty * Link to maps --> [https://maps.app.goo.gl/dKtTwzXWnwMZ19hv5](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dKtTwzXWnwMZ19hv5) If you have any questions, you may contact your trainers via email: Hope Makara - [hope.makara@mieliwithoutborders.fi](mailto:hope.makara@mieliwithoutborders.fi) Nadia El-Radhi - [nadia.el-radhi@lapinlahdenlahde.fi](mailto:nadia.el-radhi@lapinlahdenlahde.fi)

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

***THERE ARE BIG SCREENS FOR THE START OF THE WINTER OLYMPICS*** 👍 After being cooped up all week with this snow and cold, it’s a great time to get up out of the house and join us for a fun time at the Pint House!! **Come anytime during 4-8. Stay as long as you want. No set time*** **WE’RE NOW IN A BIGGER AREA!** It’s a chance to meet people in our age group regardless if you’re in your fifties, sixties or seventies! Retired or still working.

Join us as we get together to see the steamy-romance-period-drama, WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Director Emerald Fennell gives us her take on the romance between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw from the classic Emily Bronte novel. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film tells a passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. The film is directed by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) and is loosely based on the classic novel by Emily Bronte. It stars Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Alison Oliver, Owen Cooper and Hong Chau! TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fLCdIYShEQ PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet inside the lobby area about 30 minutes before the show begins. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but early arrival is advised! Be sure to mention you’re with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts! And, after the movie, don’t miss the best part of the night – food and drinks at the nearby Rusty Bucket! Complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

Coffee and conversation at [The Roosevelt Coffeehouse](https://www.olentangybrew.com/roosevelt-coffee), located at Olentangy River Brewing. They will also have a Venezuelan [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) that always gets good reviews.

**💖 Valentine's Edition: Speed Dating for Introverts – Find Your Belated Valentine!** 😅 **Spent Valentine's Day alone?** You're not the only one! Whether you were binge-watching rom-coms, eating chocolate meant for two, or just living your best single life – we've got you covered. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Singles who spent Valentine's Day solo (we get it!) - Introverts ready to find their belated Valentine - Anyone tired of watching couples on Feb 14th - Those who believe love doesn't have a deadline **Event Details** - **Format:** Virtual on Zoom – cozy, intimate & introvert-approved - **Location:** Anywhere you feel comfortable – bring your own wine & chocolates - **Host:** Compassionate facilitator ready to help you find your match - **Vibe:** Genuine conversations with Columbus singles who also skipped the Valentine's hype **Age Groups & Registration** - **Ages 20-36** Event → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=369.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=kindredarc-quite-romance-network&ar=20-36) - **Ages 30-46** Event → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=369.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=kindredarc-quite-romance-network&ar=30-46) - **Ages 40-58** Event → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=369.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=kindredarc-quite-romance-network&ar=40-58) - **Ages 55+** Event → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=369.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=kindredarc-quite-romance-network&ar=55+) **How It Works** 1. Select Your Age Range - Pick the session perfect for you. 2. Take a Brief Compatibility Quiz - Help us find your ideal match (Cupid's got nothing on us). 3. Enjoy Speed Dating Conversations - Meet other singles who know Valentine's Day is overrated. 4. Make a Real Connection - Discover someone amazing from Columbus who's worth more than a box of chocolates. --- ✨ Who needs Valentine's Day when you can find real love right here? Your person is waiting! 💝 ✨

Hello everyone! For our first dinner together, we’re keeping things low-key and casual. Take a look at the menu and let us know what you think we want this to be easy, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone. Quick housekeeping note: many restaurants require most of the party to be present before seating. No-shows impact the entire group, so if someone repeatedly commits and doesn’t show more than once, we’ll have to remove you from future dinners to keep things fair and smooth for everyone. Looking forward to a great night and even better conversations 🍽️✨