World Village Festival held in 16.-17. May will feature performances on by Yona, Mutaveijarit, French-Colombian artist Ëda Diaz, Jarmo Saari Republic, Aizhan Sultan and Vodou Fusion. The admission free festival is held in Helsinki’s Lasipalatsi District and Narinkka Square. This year’s theme is Freedom which is reflected throughout the programme, including workshops, talks, and discussions. The event is organised by Fingo.
French-Colombian singer-bassist Ëda Diaz innovatively mixes traditional Latin American rhythms with experimental electronic music. In her lyrics, she explores the contradictions of human life: the contrast between contemplation and restlessness, illusion and reality, madness and reason.
Singer-songwriter and artistic researcher Aizhan Sultan draws inspiration from Kazakh traditions and modern music. For Sultan, music is a form of activism. In her songs she reflects on her travels around the world, political issues, and discrimination related to gender, nationality, and disability.
Jarmo Saari Republic will perform for the first time a programme in which the music is built around famous recorded historical speeches. The concert highlights human rights, freedom of speech, and the importance of expression, and encourages reflection on the impact of one’s own actions on the world.
Known for her powerful interpretation, Yona’s concert will feature her own compositions as well as songs from the album Solovey – Lauluja Ukrainasta (2025), composed in collaboration with Saimaa Orchestra. The interpretations of the original Ukrainian versions pay tribute to the Slavic musical tradition, while Yona’s lyrics encourage reflection on freedom and peace. The concert is produced by Fingo and YMCA.
The lively music of Vodou Fusion is based on West African voodoo rhythms, combining traditional Afrobeat, funk, reggae, and Afropop. The band represents the most culturally diverse side of Finnish rhythm music, with members from Finland, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and the United States.
As usual, the festival also has children’s programme and Mutaveijarit will be kicking off the Music Stage. This wonderful children’s music band is known for its captivating stage performances and catchy songs that remind us to take care of the oceans as well as our homes.
Insights and reflections on freedom
Another addition has been published to Bio Rex’s captivating talks and discussions programme. The Finnish YMCA’s programme features journalist Justas Stasevskij, Ukrainian non-governmental organisation leader Victoria Trofimova, and young activist Anastasiia Luzhna. The discussion will focus on the topic: Values, human rights, and identity – Democracy education in the shadow of the war in Ukraine.
The Finnish YMCA also produces the YMCA Peace & Sports area festival for young people at Narinkka Square. The programme includes street basketball, sustainable development games, and discussions about a more just world accompanied by music.
The Workshop area, located in the Swedish-language culture and information center Luckan, is a new communal and functional programme at the festival. The workshop on Indigenous teachings on good living is organised by Siemenpuu. It will be led by Goldman Environmental Prize winner Paul Sein Twa, leader of the Karen non-governmental organisation Kesan in Myanmar, and Sini Korja, a doctoral researcher who communicates the views of the peoples of Colombia.
More programme releases in April
More talks and discussions, kids’ programme, workshops, and many other exciting activities and exhibitors will be announced in April. The festival is expected to attract around 25,000–30,000 visitors over two days. Don’t forget that Application period for volunteer positions is open until April 28.
Organised by Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, the main partners of World Village Festival are the European Commission Representation in Finland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Finland, Finn Church Aid and Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.
World Village Festival with the theme Freedom, 16–17 May 2026, in the Lasipalatsi District and at Narinkka Square, Helsinki. Admission is free!
More information
Communications Manager Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Worldvillage.fi
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