Slamhuset

Slamhuset is a term in Swedish used to refer to a venue, collective, or organization dedicated to slam poetry and spoken word performance. The name combines slam, a competitive form of performance poetry, with hus, meaning house, signaling a space dedicated to performance, writing, and community.

In practice, there is no single institution called Slamhuset. Across Sweden and other Nordic countries, different cities host venues or programs that are colloquially called Slamhuset, or designate a regular night as Slamhuset. These spaces function as community hubs for performers of all levels, often run by volunteers or cultural groups.

Activities typically include regular slam nights, open mic sessions, poetry workshops, feedback sessions, and sometimes judged slam competitions. They may host national or regional slam circuits, collaboration with schools or universities, and cross-disciplinary events.

History and context: The rise of slam poetry in Scandinavia in the early 2000s led to the establishment of dedicated spaces to support the art form. Slamhuset as a concept reflects a decentralized model of arts spaces, emphasizing accessibility, youth participation, and local language performance.