Finland’s Language Fair asks: What kind of language futures do we want?

Organized by the University of Jyväskylä’s Language Awareness and Ideologies in Finland (LAIF) research project in collaboration with Hanaholmen, the Language Fair creates a meeting place for people, perspectives, and ideas about language.

It is not a fair where participants test or demonstrate their language skills. Instead, it invites people to discuss language in relation to identity, education, working life, public services, and belonging.

From public services to media and everyday experiences

Both days are open to everyone. Thursday, October 22, focuses on language questions across different sectors. A cross-sectoral panel brings together Susanna Karlsson, Professor of Swedish at the University of Gothenburg; Jasmiina Jokinen, Ministerial Advisor at the Ministry of Justice; Mari Holopainen, Member of Parliament; Johanna Vaattovaara, Professor of Finnish at Tampere University; Leonardo Custódio, Associate Professor at Malmö University and Research Coordinator of the OBaMa project at Åbo Akademi; and Jukka Niva, responsible for cooperation between Finnish news media at Yle. Jenny Sylvin from the University of Helsinki will moderate.

Participants can also join discussion groups exploring language in public administration, media and communication, knowledge production and innovation, and civil society and inclusion.

Friday, October 23, turns to questions of language and inclusion, the future of Finnish, multilingualism, mobility, heritage languages, and future scenarios for language and society.

Friday’s Spotlight Panel features content creator Alicia Iredale (@britinfinland), Professor of Applied Language Studies Sari Pöyhönen, Media and Influencer Relations specialist at Helsinki Partners, Gideon Hagström, and entrepreneur and television personality Antonio Flores. Moderated by Kayleigh Karinen, the panel takes place from 13:15 to 14:15.

Throughout the event, smaller discussion groups offer participants opportunities to contribute their own experiences and perspectives. The Language Fair serves as the LAIF research project’s final event, bringing research into conversation with the wider public.

Three languages and flexible participation

The event is multilingual, with simultaneous interpretation in Finnish, Swedish, and English for panel discussions. Discussion groups will agree together on the language or combination of languages that best supports participation.

Visitors are welcome to attend one day or both or come for an individual panel or discussion group. Attendance is free, coffee is included, and lunch is included for Friday’s participants. Advance registration is required due to limited space.

Event details

Language Fair / Kielimessut / Språkmässa

October 22–23, 2026, Hanaholmen Cultural Centre, Hanasaarenranta 5, Espoo

Program and registration: 

https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/Language_Fair_6575/en

Organizers:

Language Awareness and Ideologies in Finland (LAIF) research project, University of Jyväskylä, in collaboration with Hanaholmen.

Media contact: Elizabeth Peterson, PI of LAIF Research Project, University of Jyväskylä, Elizabeth.l.peterson@jyu.fi