VaateSWAP opens Saturday at Tampere Hall, Korjaa.se repair arena offers free mending advice

VaateSWAP, Finland's largest clothing swap, opens Saturday at 10 a.m. in Tampere Hall. It will include a Korjaa.se repair arena where visitors can get free advice on mending garments and shoes, Aamulehti reports.

Korjaa.se's arena will be located in Tampere Hall's Puistolämpiö and will highlight care, repair and reuse as ways to extend the life of clothes and footwear. The free, drop-in program features local groups and services such as Annen Suutari, Huomentamuovi, Secondhand Tre, Hämeen‑Pirkanmaan Martat, Nextiili and Tammerkosken lukio; Ekokumppanit is organising the arena.

Nextiili staff will answer questions about textile sorting in Tampere and across Finland and will hand out discount coupons for their shop. Visitors need not worry about arriving at the opening, Sanna Teinilä of Ekokumppanit says, because the selection changes throughout the day.

The event follows earlier coverage showing VaateSWAP filled Tampere Hall with thousands of free garments. It is one of three swap events staged in Tampere as part of a recycling super day on 17 October.