World Village Festival goes live this weekend (27–28 May) in Suvilahti, Helsinki. The free-admission event will bring you concerts, dozens of talks and discussions, kids’ programme and 200 exhibitors from CSOs to authorities and food and bazaar vendors. The programme also features Street Art Area performances, workshops, a photo exhibition, evening clubs and pre-festival events. Organised by Fingo, the festival is expected to attract around 50,000 festivalgoers. This year’s theme is Force for Change!
– World Village Festival offers a variety of experiences, opportunities to immerse yourself in societal themes and, of course, to enjoy good music and food as well as the unique atmosphere. We want to encourage individuals as well as communities to act as a force for change for sustainable development, equality and free civil society, says World Village Festival Communications Manager Nelli Korpi.
The international stars appearing on the Music Stage are creator of Afrorave Toya Delazy, Israeli-Persian singer Liraz and Ukranian-Canadian Balaklava Blues. Big Finnish names taking the stage are Von Hertzen Brothers, Jesse Markin, Yeboyah, Ilta and Megasakki.
The frontman of one of the World Village Festival headliners, Nigerian Afrobeat band Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, was arrested in Nigeria just over a week ago. Kuti is still waiting to be informed whether he will be able to kick off his major European tour, including to perform in Finland this Saturday 27 May.
– We at the festival are really hoping the issue will be resolved in time, but we already have a plan B in place in case the concert is cancelled at the last minute, says World Village Festival Programme Manager Johanna Eurakoski.
Key speakers include activists Helena Gualinga, Winnie Masai, Carmen Gheorghe and Tendai Makanza. Interdisciplinary stage poets Elsi Sloan, Iiris Laisi and Julian Owusu have put together a unique spoken word performance for the festival. President Tarja Halonen and activist Ida Korhonen will talk about hope amidst the ecological crisis. Politicians taking part in the discussions also include Members of European Parliament Ville Niinistö (Green League) and Sirpa Pietikäinen (National Coalition Party).
The festival site map, schedules and list of stands and food can be found on the festival website. The entire programme is free of charge and without any age limits except for the weekend’s evening clubs.
World Village Festival in Suvilahti, Helsinki, on Saturday 27 May from 11.00 to 21.00 and on Sunday 28 May from 11.00 to 19.00. Free admission and no age limits.
Other event sites
Film screening, Kino Regina, Oodi Library, 17.45–20.00 on Mon 22 May, age guidance: 7, free admission
World Class Club, Tenho Restobar, 18.00–20.00 on Wed 24 May, free admission
Fiesta Latina – Afterparty, Café Koma, 21.00–04.00 on Sat 27 May, over-22s only, free admission
Afro Sunday – Afterparty, Baarikärpänen, 20.00–04.00 on Sun 28 May, over-18s only, admission €10
Questions and interview requests
Communications Manager Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
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World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival-, and a trade fair for sustainable development. The event will be organised in the Suvilahti event venue, Helsinki, in 27–28 May 2023 with Force for Change! as the theme. The main organiser is Finnish Development NGOs Fingo. The main partners are the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.
