Organised in a few weeks’ time on 27–28 May, World Village Festival will be filled with street food kitchens from a variety of countries, dozens of stands of CSOs and other organisations campaigning for a better world as well as bazaar vendors with their unique products.
A total of more than 200 exhibitors will be setting up their stands at the Suvilahti event venue. Of these, 90 are Member Organisations of the festival organiser Fingo, the umbrella organisation of Finnish development organisations, 50 are food vendors and 30 are bazaar vendors. Almost 100 of the exhibitors will be found at the festival’s Market of Possibilities, which will be set up in Suvilahti’s Kattilahalli hall rather than in the giant tent seen in previous years. Several educational institutions, authorities and cultural actors will also be showcasing their work at the free-admission event.
Find a hobby or talk about development policy
At the Fingo stand you will be able to take part in a photo campaign, talk with experts about topics such as development policy or environmental protection targets or take a break reading the Maailman Kuvalehti magazine. At the stand of festival main partner the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, you will get to meet Balaklava Blues, brought to the festival by the Ministry, learn about the impacts of Finland’s development cooperation and take part in a playful quiz.
At the Interfaith Village you will hear music from a variety of faith traditions and can join other festivalgoers in creating a Tree of Hope. At the Fida stand there will be a popup shop and you will get to try out what kinds of cards life may deal you. At dozens of other stands you will be able to take part in prize draws, buy ethically produced fundraising products, perhaps find a new hobby or volunteering opportunity or make a donation to a good cause.
Fabulous food from Costa Rica to Cameroon and Tibet
A feast of flavours from around the world will the provided at the festival by dozens of street food kitchens. There will be Senegalese, Moroccan, Congolese, Cambodian, Costa Rican, Ethiopian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Lebanese, Cameroonian, Iranian, Vietnamese, Nicaraguan, Tibetan as well as Ukrainian food. All food vendors will serve at least one vegan dish and favour plant-based, organic and local food. All food will be served in biodegradable dishes.
In addition to the stands and food vendors, World Village Festival will feature concerts, dozens of talks and discussions, kids’ programme, Street Art Area performances, workshops, a photo exhibition, evening clubs and pre-festival events. The free event is expected to attract around 50,000 festivalgoers. Take a look at the full programme, festival site map, schedules as well as the stands and food vendors.
Media accreditation for the World Village Festival
Media accreditation for the World Village Festival is now open. To apply, email or phone the Festival Communications Manager (see below for contact details) by 24 May. If you would like to propose interviews or other media items relating to the festival or its programme, please contact the Communications Manager as early as possible before or during the festival.
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. Plus pre-festival events and evening clubs on 22–28 May.
More information
Communications: Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Programme: Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6696
Exhibitors: Maria Hopponen, maria.hopponen@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6742
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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.