In June 2025, ODDfest will take place in central Helsinki at Lasipalatsikortteli / Glaspalatskvarteret. The festival brings together art, business, and society through a two-day program focused on creativity and innovation. This year, the Bo and Allan Hjelt Art Foundation is partnering with ODDfest to support a keynote appearance by American professor Arthur C. Brooks.
ODDfest: A Platform for Creative Exchange
ODDfest aims to promote creativity as a driver of future growth in Finland. Described as a cross between Flow Festival and Slush, it blends cultural and entrepreneurial themes. The festival’s 2025 theme is “Chaos & Acceleration”, highlighting how disorder can lead to new ideas and approaches.
ODDfest hosts artists, entrepreneurs, students, decision-makers, and professionals across sectors. The festival’s goal is to build connections between disciplines and stimulate new thinking in art and society.
The Foundation’s Mission and Role
The Bo and Allan Hjelt Art Foundation supports artistic activities and events that promote creative expression. Its contribution to ODDfest reflects this mission by helping facilitate dialogue on creativity in a broader societal context.
For ODDfest 2025, the Foundation is working in collaboration with HUMAK University of Applied Sciences to support the participation of Arthur C. Brooks, who will give a lecture on the topic of happiness and creativity. Brooks teaches at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School and writes frequently on themes of leadership, well-being, and purpose.
A Shared Focus on Ideas
By supporting Brooks’ participation, the Foundation contributes to a conversation that connects personal well-being with creativity. In a time when many face pressure from rapid change and uncertainty, the topic of happiness gains relevance across sectors. Brooks’ lecture will focus on how individuals and communities can maintain a sense of meaning and connection amid change.
This partnership reflects the Foundation’s broader aim: to strengthen the role of the arts in public dialogue and contribute to environments that support reflection and learning.
A Model of Cooperation
The cooperation between ODDfest, the Bo and Allan Hjelt Art Foundation, and HUMAK represents a shared investment in the cultural sector. It shows how institutions with different focuses—education, philanthropy, and event production—can collaborate to bring forward important voices and perspectives.
For the Foundation, this is an opportunity to support a project that reaches beyond traditional arts funding. It connects artistic purpose with a wider conversation about how people live, work, and find value in their surroundings.
By participating in ODDfest, the Bo and Allan Hjelt Art Foundation builds on its work to promote meaningful artistic engagement in society.