Kolibrí Festivaali celebrates 10 years of diversity in children’s culture sector

• Kolibrí Festivaali is a free, interdisciplinary, and multicultural art festival for children and their families.
• 40 artists will offer a vibrant program with art workshops, storytelling, performances, games and concerts for all families.
• The guest artists are international poet Mar Benegas, and illustrator and writer Gustavo Ariel Rosemffet Abramovich ‘Gusti’.
• Since its first edition in 2015, more than 20 000 people of all ages have enjoyed its activities.
• Join us from 13th to 27th of September in Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki.

The children’s cultural festival Kolibrí Festivaali is turning 10! This year’s edition will be extra special, built around the theme Wishes. After a decade of work, Kolibrí has become one of the biggest children’s cultural festivals in Finland, and the one offering more free and multilingual activities. Kolibrí is a unique celebration of fun, culture, and diversity for all ages.

Over the past ten years, more than 20 000 people have enjoyed high-quality, free, multicultural and multilingual cultural activities. Hundreds of workshops and performances for children and their families have also given space to over 200 international artists and organisations, offering cultural experiences in Finland’s minority languages.

Special international guests: Mar Benegas and Gusti

To mark this special edition, Kolibrí will welcome two outstanding international guests. On 18.9., Spanish poet Mar Benegas will give two talks on children’s literature at the University of Helsinki and STOA Cultural Centre. She’ll also facilitate storytelling sessions for families at Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pessi in Vantaa (20.9.).

Find out more about her work and full schedule HERE

Argentinian illustrator and writer Gustavo Ariel Rosemffet Abramovich ‘Gusti’ has created this year’s official festival image. Inspired by the theme Wishes, he designed a constellation full of stars representing hopes for diversity, inclusion and multilingualism.

Gusti will visit Finland to lead a professional art workshop at Ammattiopisto LIVE in Espoo (24.9. 9-10:30 am) and a family art workshop at Annantalo in Helsinki (27.9.).

Find out more about his work and full schedule HERE

Sámi and Roma cultures join Kolibrí Festivaali

One of this year’s highlights is the inclusion of activities in Northern Sámi and Roma languages for the first time. Sámi educator and artist Petra Biret Magga-Vars will lead a yoik and arts & crafts workshop at Annantalo (27.9.), and Roma artist Anette Åkerlund will perform a flamenco and Roma music concert for families at Sello Library (13.9.).

These activities, supported by the Suomi Kulttuurirahasto Foundation, will give families the chance to learn more about these cultures and offer a welcoming space for both communities to enjoy their language and heritage together.

The program will feature a total of 40 artists from 20 different nationalities, offering 53 activities in 20 languages, including art workshops, storytelling, performances, games and concerts for families to enjoy.

The traditional Family Days will take place at:

• 13.9. Sello Library in Espoo – 11 am – 5 pm.
• 20.9. Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pessi in Vantaa – 11 am – 5 pm.
• 27.9. Annantalo in Helsinki – 11 am – 5 pm.

Pessi and Annantalo will also host the Children’s Book Fair in Spanish and Portuguese, with new and second-hand books available, including signed copies by Mar Benegas and Gusti!

The festival Opening will take place at Kulttuurikeskus Caisa (23.8.2025 – 4 – 5 pm) with a concert for all families by the multicultural band KAÔS.

Full programme available at: www.kolibrifestivaali.org

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube: @kolibrifestivaali

For more information or to arrange interviews with the artists or production team, please contact:

Marta Bermúdez, Communications Coordinator
marta.bermudez@ninho.fi

Kolibrí is produced by Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry, a multicultural Finnish association working to promote a more diverse and multilingual children’s culture in Finland.

This festival is made possible thanks to the support of: City of Helsinki, TAIKE, Svenska Kulturfonden, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, Ministry of Culture of Spain, City of Espoo, Otto A. Malm Foundation, William Thurings Stiftelse Foundation, City of Vantaa, Helmet Espoo, Vantaan Kultuurilapset, Instituto Iberoamericano de Finlandia, Embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Portugal, Aalto University Wood Program, LIVE, Kuvittajat ry, Pequeño Mundo, Jizo Oy, Helsinki Festival, University of Helsinki, Globe Art Point, Association of Portuguese Teachers of Finland, A buen paso Editorial.