Safety

Flow is known as a safe festival, but we are aware of the challenges related to the safety of a large public event. Together with the festival audience, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, we aim to create an event where everyone can participate safely and feel comfortable. The security and crowd control at the area are managed by Securitas Oy.

Festival visitors and staff will be subject to a security check at the gates of Flow Festival, where the person’s belongings and, if required, clothing will be checked for prohibited and dangerous objects and substances. The inspection is carried out with sensitivity and only to the extent necessary regarding the person’s clothing and belongings.

Check the list of allowed and prohibited items.

ACCESS ROUTES AND POTENTIAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

The access routes within the festival area are open and spacious. We make sure that there are no bottlenecks. We closely monitor the situation with the security personnel and make necessary adjustments to the area and practices. We are prepared for various potential emergency situations and provide information to the audience through screens, stage announcements, the Flow mobile application, and social media channels. If you notice any safety deficiencies at Flow, please report them promptly to the nearest security personnel or send an email to office@flowfestival.com.

SAFER SPACE PRINCIPLES

Flow Festival is committed to justice, equity, and equality. We expect our entire staff, as well as our associates and distributors, to adhere to the same values. Everyone is welcomed to the festival just as they are, and we tolerate no form of discrimination or harassment.

Flow Festival expects everyone who participates in the event to respect and act in accordance with principles for a safer space:

Don’t assume. It is natural to make assumptions about other people, but we strive to be aware of our own presuppositions and we are open to different kinds of topics and people. We don’t define experiences on behalf of anyone else and we don’t generalize our own experiences to others. We don’t make assumptions about anyone’s sexuality, gender, nationality, religion, values, socioeconomic background, health, appearance or ability to function, but we respect everyone’s right to self-determination.
Don’t degrade. We don’t degrade or embarrass anyone by their externals. We treat others as we would like to be treated.
Don’t reproduce. We don’t reproduce racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist stereotypes in our speech, actions, or behavior. We strive to use language that doesn’t exclude anyone.
Intervene. If we witness any offensive behavior, we will not remain silent, but we will intervene.
Respect. We respect other people’s physical, mental, and emotional personal space. We remember that we cannot know the boundaries of one without asking from them and we don’t touch the other without permission. If necessary, we ask for space for ourselves as well.
Give space. We make sure everyone has space to participate in the discussion and we treat sensitive topics with respect.
Give and receive feedback. Everyone is allowed to give appropriate and constructive feedback from inappropriate treatment. If someone gives you feedback on your actions, please listen to the feedback provider. We are open to the feedback we receive and we will take the feedback into account in our own activities in the future.

EQUALITY

Flow Festival is committed to equality, justice, and inclusivity. Everyone is welcome to the festival as themselves, and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the premises. We expect all staff, partners, and subcontractors to adhere to the same values. If you experience or witness any harassment or discrimination, please report it immediately to the nearest security personnel or information desk. You can recognise the security personnel by their yellow and orange safety vests.

EQUALITY AND HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSON

Flow Festival has an impartial equality and harassment contact person. Flow Festival provides the services of the harassment contact person for possible harassment situations, and the service is intended for all festival guests, employees, volunteers, and performers.

The harassment contact person at Flow Festival is a healthcare professional whose role is to act as an impartial supporter for anyone who has experienced any form of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate treatment. Harassment situations are primarily addressed through solution-oriented approaches, and if necessary, individuals may be directed to seek appropriate assistance. The harassment contact person can also assist in resolving situations together with other festival staff in a multidisciplinary manner. The harassment contact person is bound by confidentiality.

The goal of having a harassment contact person is to make Flow Festival as safe as possible for all parties involved and to promote equality. Physical and mental integrity is everyone’s right, and at Flow, one should be able to feel safe without fear of any kind of discrimination, harassment, sexual or verbal assault, or any other inappropriate treatment or behaviour.

HEALTH SAFETY

We pay special attention to the health and safety of our customers and staff at the festival. We are committed to following the current guidelines and instructions provided by the authorities and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Several handwashing stations have been added throughout the festival area, equipped with soap and hand sanitisers. Face masks are available free of charge at the information point. The staff and restaurants have been instructed to follow common safety and hygiene guidelines. Please only attend Flow Festival if you are in good health.

QUESTIONS, OTHER ISSUES, AND FIRST AID

For questions regarding safety on the festival site and other issues, such as experiencing or witnessing distressing or inappropriate behaviour, you can turn to the nearest security personnel. The security personnel wearing yellow vests can assist you with any safety-related questions or other issues on the festival site.

If necessary, you can also visit the first aid station located on the right side of the Main Stage. The first aid workers from the Finnish Red Cross are trained to respond to various situations and can also provide psychological first aid if needed. In addition, Finnish Red Cross’ first aid and preventive substance abuse workers are present throughout the area, identifiable by their red attire. Flow’s information volunteers, wearing light pink info vests, are also available to assist you with any questions regarding the festival. They also distribute earplugs and face masks.

If you have any questions regarding the safety of Flow Festival, please feel free to contact office@flowfestival.com.