Marhaban center

Marhaban Center is an international meeting place for people from different cultures, located at Kaleva Church in Tampere. It is a welcoming living room–style space where people can meet new friends, spend time together, relax, and get inspired. Everyone is welcome!

Marhaban Center is an international meeting place for people from different cultural backgrounds. Everyone is welcome — regardless of their background, language, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

You can come to us for support, to meet new people, study Finnish, or simply have a chat! We offer tea, coffee, and light snacks. All activities are free of charge.

Check out our weekly programme on Facebook or Instagram.

Marhaban activities

We organise a wide range of activities, from learning and meeting new people to having fun together. You can take part in Finnish and English language groups, craft and art workshops, museum visits, or come and ask for help through our community guidance services. We also organise small cultural events inspired by the traditions of different countries!

Most of our activities are organized by volunteers, trainees, and students from different countries. Let’s learn from one another together!

Everything is free of charge. No registration required. No membership fee.

About the team

Everything we do is made possible by volunteers. Our team includes employees, students, people participating in integration training, interns, and volunteers.

As a volunteer, you can take part in many different kinds of activities: leading small language or art groups, organizing cultural or discussion evenings, helping with creative workshops, or supporting visitors in learning Finnish and other cultures. You can also join our welcoming team, help prepare the space, greet visitors, and create a warm and friendly atmosphere — or help us with social media content!

If you would like to join us as a volunteer, intern, or work placement participant, send us an email at maria.haapavaara@evl.fi or sanna.orama@evl.fi — or simply come visit us!

Our story

Marhaban Center was founded in 2017. We receive around 1,200–1,500 visits each month, and people from 101 different countries have visited Marhaban.

The story began in 2015, when a large number of asylum seekers arrived in Finland. In Tampere, parish volunteers worked closely with the newcomers. They hoped for a place that would be something other than a reception center — a place where people could feel at home and spend time together. A dream was born.

Our partner organization, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, had a wonderful meeting place in Marseille, France, called Marhaban Center. They supported and inspired us to create our own Marhaban Center in Tampere.

Our dream was to open a space where people from different countries — regardless of religion or residence permit status — could meet one another, learn about different cultures, and enjoy life together.

Safe space principles

These are the principles we follow to ensure our space is safe, friendly, and respectful for everyone. They help us create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and participate without fear of discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.

• We are kind and respectful to everyone. We treat each other with respect and appreciation. We remember to say thank you and to apologise when needed.
• Diversity is a strength. We do not make assumptions about other people’s backgrounds or identities. Everyone is free to be themselves. We communicate constructively and listen to one another.
• Equality and fairness. Everyone is welcome and equally valued. We do not discriminate against anyone.
• Taking care of the space is our shared responsibility. We keep the environment clean and put things back in their place. We respect nature and recycle.
• Intervening and support. If we witness inappropriate behaviour or harassment, we step in and support one another. You can report harassment to Maria or Sanna.
• Participation and community. Everyone can take part in activities in their own way. You can join as a visitor, a volunteer, or simply by being part of the community.

Our background

Marhaban Center is part of the Tampere Cathedral Parish, and it is funded by all Evangelical Lutheran parishes in Tampere.

Contacts