Services such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram are increasingly important channels for discovering cultural content. Overall, the COVID-19 crisis has massively increased the digital consumption of cultural content. In addition to streamed live performances, streaming services and virtual exhibitions, people also enjoy spending time with audiobooks: in Finland, the sale of audiobooks increased by 98% in 2020.
How can the cultural sector find new ways to prosper in the digital age where the earnings models are still undeveloped? The situation could be improved by the Copyright Act, which is currently being revised based on the relevant EU directive. The revision will have a significant impact on how people can earn a living through creative work in years to come.
Creatives meet decision-makers in a joint discussion
The opportunities for creative work in the digital age will be explored in the live SuomiAreena broadcast on Tuesday 13 July. In the event hosted by writer and journalist Ronja Salmi, creative industry professionals will talk about the significance of digitality, new services and social media platforms in their own work. The panellists will be:
- songwriter and musician Markus Nordenstreng
- writer JP Koskinen
- visual artist Camilla Vuorenmaa
- film director Saara Saarela.
A legislative perspective on the topic will be provided by Member of Parliament and Chair of the Education and Culture Committee Paula Risikko and Member of Parliament and Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee Hanna Kosonen. Naturally, the event will also involve culture in the form of a performace by the power duo Tuomo & Markus, formed by Tuomo Prättälä and Markus Nordenstreng. Their music combines the American singer-songwriter tradition with Nordic jazz and soul.
Watch the discussion live or as a recording
Luovasti kohti huomista – Luova työ digiajassa (Creatively towards tomorrow – Creative work in the digital age) will be viewable on Tuesday 13 July 3 pm–3:45 pm on the MTV service and through the SuomiAreenaTV channel. The stream will also be added to our website and the relevant FB event. You can also watch the discussion later as a recording.
You can join the discussion on Twitter by using the hashtags #SuomiAreena #LuovatAlat #tekijänoikeus.
We will be organising the discussion jointly with Kuvasto, Sanasto and Teosto as well as the Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Centre TTVK.
Introduction to the speakers and performers
Ronja Salmi is a journalist and writer who works as the programme director for the Helsinki Book Fair. Salmi is known for her TV series Mitä mietit, Ronja Salmi? (What’s on your mind, Ronja Salmi?) which centres around the challenges in the lives of young adults, such as sexuality, mental health and substances. Salmi finds and tests the topics with her Instagram community. She also writes a monthly column for the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper. Through her company Ryöväri, Salmi has created many successful social media phenomena, such as the world’s first Instagram Stories drama Karma and Finland’s first chat fiction series Pientä säätöä (Minor Tweaks). Salmi has written several books for varying target audiences from schoolchildren to adults.
Markus Nordenstreng is a versatile songwriter, musician and multitalent in the cultural field. He has played in many bands, such as Tuomo & Markus and The Latebirds, and, alongside his own projects, composed music for many other artists as well as films and ads. Nordenstreng is the vice chair for the boards of Suomen Musiikintekijät ry and Music Finland.
JP Koskinen is a productive writer who wears many hats in the literary sector. He has written historical novels, non-fiction, children’s books, crime novels and sci-fi. Koskinen’s works have also received numerous awards and accolades. His novels Ystäväni Rasputin (My Friend Rasputin) and Tulisiipi (Fire Wing) have been nominated for the Finlandia Prize. Tulisiipi also won the Savonia and Book of the Year prizes.
Visual artist Camilla Vuorenmaa is considered to have succeeded in her efforts to expand the playing field of painting. Her best-known works combine techniques of painting and engraving. The internationally and domestically awarded artist has received an award from the Fine Arts Academy of Finland and been nominated for the Ars Fennica Award, among other acknowledgements. Vuorenmaa’s private exhibitions have been seen in many locations from Denmark and Sweden to the UK as well as Espoo’s EMMA museum and the Amos Andersson Art Museum.
Film director Saara Saarela has been working since 1998, directing films and TV series that have taken many forms: long, short, drama, comedy and so on. She has also worked in France, directing the political thriller La Vénitienne. She has just recently finished her next feature, Veden vartija (Memory of Water), a sci-fi dystopia based on Emmi Itäranta’s novel Teemestarin kirja (Memory of Water). She is currently working as a professor of film direction at Aalto University.
Paula Risikko is a Member of Parliament representing the National Coalition Party and Chair of the Education and Culture Committee. She has also served as Speaker of the Parliament and a minister for many governments.
Hanna Kosonen is a Member of Parliament representing the Centre Party and Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee. Kosonen served as the Minister of Science and Culture from August 2019 to August 2020.
The power duo Tuomo & Markus formed by Tuomo Prättälä and Markus Nordernstreng has a unique sound that organically combines the American singer-songwriter tradition with Nordic jazz, soul and psychedelia. In recent years, Tuomo & Markus has gained a significant foothold abroad, and the outfit’s debut album Dead Circles was recently covered in many publications, including the Rolling Stone magazine. The stage ensemble has expanded into a six-piece supergroup, which includes the jazz trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, among other stars.