Open House Tallinn volunteer Marie Helen Matsina visited Open House Lisbon at the beginning of May. Here she shares her impressions of the event and her thoughts on why volunteering for Open House is a meaningful experience.
Why did you decide to volunteer for Open House abroad?
I first heard about this opportunity while giving a tour in English for volunteers during Open House Tallinn. They shared their own international experiences, which got me curious. I discovered how many cities and countries participate in Open House and how exciting that is. Since I had already volunteered at OHT for three years, I felt confident that I’d also have a great experience abroad and get to see how other cities organize the festival. So I applied—and got the chance to be a guide at Open House Lisbon!
What were your impressions and what buildings were you involved with?
Since I was already familiar with guiding and Open House in general, I wasn’t really nervous—even though it was my first time in Portugal. On Saturday, I was a guide for English-language tours at the Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum). At first, the topic seemed a bit dull, but through the carriages, I got to share stories about Portugal’s royal history, and the day turned out to be very lively and fun. Both locals and international visitors were understanding and curious about the Open House Europe exchange, and many were genuinely interested in the event itself.
On Sunday, OHEU volunteers had the opportunity to explore several sites around the city. Our group leader, Eduardo, took us to visit Lisbon’s underground water systems, newly built apartments, and the money museum. Exploring a city through buildings that are normally closed to the public added a whole new layer of context and understanding to Lisbon.
Why do you recommend volunteering for Open House Tallinn?
I’ve volunteered at Open House Tallinn for three years, and it has brought so many new connections, opportunities, and interests into my life. Even though I don’t have a background in architecture, there are many ways to contribute. One of my favourite parts is guiding tours in English—it allows me to meet people from all over the world, talk about our history, and have fun conversations that turn into a vibrant exchange of information and energy.
Open House Tallinn is part of the Open House Europe project, co-funded by the European Union.
Volunteer registration for 2025 opens in summer. Join our mailing list here to get your invitation.
