A new event space called Haitaritehdas-arena has opened in Kouvola, Finland, created by property owner Manu Holappa in a former accordion factory building. The arena is designed for public events and can accommodate up to 150 people, making it an intimate venue ideal for artists and stand-up comedians. Holappa expressed satisfaction with the final result, stating it matched his initial vision for the space.

Despite the opening of this new venue, the overall situation for event spaces in Finland looks dire. The year 2025 marked a particularly challenging time for domestic venues, with many facing bankruptcy and a significant number of established places struggling as costs have risen sharply. According to the live music advocacy organization Livefin, eight venues closed last year, leading to fewer opportunities for live performances as no new venues have emerged to take their place.

Holappa voiced his concerns about the event industry in Kouvola, highlighting the exorbitant rents for municipal venues, such as the local ice rink, which deter event organizers from hosting activities. He believes that the high costs are a significant barrier preventing organizers from planning events, thus exacerbating the crisis in the event venue sector in Finland.