About ME Jam Festival

A sonic journey of beats, rhythms & soul from South West Asia & North Africa.

ME Jam Festival celebrates its 11th year as a vibrant meeting point where the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa connect with Helsinki's diverse audiences. What began as a small, intimate gathering — initiated by Marouf Majidi, who simply invited people to come together, play, and jam — has grown into a city-wide, multidisciplinary festival. Rooted in a shared passion for music, culture, and community, the festival was built by a group of friends driven by the desire to create spaces where people can meet, express, and connect across cultures.

Today, Marouf Majidi continues to lead the festival as Artistic Director, carrying forward its original spirit of openness, collaboration, and creative exchange.

The festival is shaped by a dedicated team: Lotta-Maria Heiskanen (Executive Producer & Administration), who has been involved since the very beginning and oversees finance and contracts; Melis Ari (Partnerships & Production Coordinator), responsible for building connections and coordinating collaborations with organizations; Ahoora Mahone (Social Media & Marketing) and Ayrin Majidi (Social Media & Marketing), who shape the festival's voice and presence. Together, they bring a shared vision for how the festival continues to grow — reaching new audiences, expanding into new spaces, and evolving while staying true to its roots.

Taking place from 15–20 August 2026, the festival offers a full week of events across Helsinki: live music, dance performances, a yoga retreat, children's programming, interactive workshops, panel discussions, art exhibitions, and delicious food stalls. Throughout the week, audiences experience both traditional and contemporary expressions, while taking part in shared, community-driven moments across different art forms.

The festival culminates on Thursday 20 August as part of Taiteiden yö, when concerts, performances, and open jam sessions bring artists and audiences together in unique and spontaneous encounters across the city.

ME Jam Festival is a multilingual, inclusive event open to all — inviting people to come together in cultural dialogue, joy, and collective celebration.