Our Jyväskylä – Common Home
Stories from the World!
Welcome to a warm community event at the Jyväskylä Main Library on Thursday 23 April 2026 from 12–18.
The event features engaging talks and performances, as well as plenty of information and fun activities.
The purpose of the “Our Jyväskylä – Common Home” event is to create a meeting place for all residents of Jyväskylä, where people from different cultures and backgrounds can get to know each other, increase mutual understanding and strengthen the sense of community. Visitors can also learn about local services and activities they can join.
Advertisement in different languages:
Suomi, Englanti, Arabia, Persia, Turkki, Venäjä, Swahili, Ranska
Explore the day’s programme:
This year’s event theme is Stories from the World!
On stage
On stage, we will once again see wonderful performances and hear important speeches!
- Klo 12.00: Opening dance performance, Barbra
- Klo 12.10: Welcome speech:
Pia Bärlund,
Service Manager,
City of Jyväskylä,
Education for Language and Cultural Groups - Klo 12.30: Music performance: Stem of Sound Choir
- Klo 12.40: Speeches:
Stories from the World
– Suleiman Kamau
– Hülya Akkas Arslan
– Farshad Sanati - Klo 14.00: Library tour in easy Finnish /
Minnansali + info points open! - Break on stage!
- klo 17.00: Bangladeshi Dance, Swarna Dey
- klo 17.05: Nuorten suomi ry and Red Cross joint project: ”Mun tarina meidän Maailma”
(My Story, Our World) - klo 17.30: K-pop dance performance, Aru Hakkarainen
- klo 17.45 Multicultural Centre Gloria music group
- Community singing – We Are the World!
- klo 18.00: Closing words by the organizers
Minnansali, 1st Floor
At Minnansali, you will find information about a wide range of services and activities!
- Paremmin Yhdessä ry
Come and get to know our activities and take part in meaningful actions from the heart! - City of Jyväskylä – Participation Services, Piippurannan Club:
An open meeting place where volunteers and organizations arrange activities for everyone! - Jyvälän Setlementti Ry/ Mondo ToTo-project:
Participatory activities related to girlhood, womanhood, and friendship! - International House Jyväskylä
Services for international residents related to settling in, employment, studies, and connecting with employers. Come and learn more about our services and activities! - Multicultural Centre Gloria ry
A place where people and cultures meet. Gloria offers activities for everyone — come and join us! - Finnish Red Cross, Jyväskylä Branch
Interested in volunteering or joining open groups? Come and hear more! - Early Childhood Education and Basic Education Services for Multilingual Families
Information about services for multilingual families, multilingual brochures available, and a raffle! - Youth Services of Jyväskylä / Youth Art Workshop
Come build a puzzle created by the Youth Art Workshop! Participants will receive a wellbeing card from Aurinkopaja, and small prizes will be raffled. Prizes can be collected after the event at Veturitallit. Winners will be notified with further details. - Nuorten Suomi ry
The project “My Story – Our World” highlights the stories of people with immigrant backgrounds from their own perspectives. Visit the stand to explore these stories and take part in creating a shared story of “Our Jyväskylä”! - Dance and Gymnastics Club Illusion
- Jyväskylä Parish
Come learn about our activities and test your skills and memory in a fun game. We also offer small treats to brighten your day! - Jyväskylä Youth and Supported Housing (JNP) JNP ry
Welcome! Spin the housing bingo wheel and answer fun and tricky questions! - Jyväskylän Kenttäurheilijat, TALO project
Hear the stories of two coaches in athletics in Finland and around the world, and learn athletics terms in different languages! - Jyväskylä City Sports Services
How strong are you? Come and test your grip strength! - Jyväskylän palvelualan opisto
What can you study in the service sector? Come and find out! - Family Cafe Jyväskylä
Get to know the Free Family Cafe in Kuokkala for International families, all welcomed! - JARU ry
Jyväskylä Academic Reserve Officers
University student? Come and learn about this national defense–oriented reserve organization! - Jyväskylä Adult Education Centre
Come explore our courses and activities! What kind of hobbies interest you? - University of Jyväskylä SIMHE Services (Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland)
Interested in university studies or already familiar with open university? Visit our stand to learn more or book a guidance session! - Vamos Jyväskylä / The Deaconess Foundation
Warmly welcome to learn about the Luotsi – Walking Alongside project and all Vamos Jyväskylä activities!
Other Programme
and Café
Throughout the day, the library offers a variety of activity points!
- Explore cultures through hands-on activities!
Take part in different tasks where you can test your knowledge and learn about various cultures! - At the café area:
- Viet Rolls Kitchen: Vietnamese spring rolls and summer rolls
- Vegan, chicken, and minced meat (pork–beef)
- TropiBrew:
- Vietnamese organic coffee and tea
- Filipino delicacies
- Snacks from Bangladesh
- Viet Rolls Kitchen: Vietnamese spring rolls and summer rolls
- Henna By Jarin
Choose a beautiful henna tattoo from a variety of sample designs! A skilled henna tattoo artist will create a beautiful hand decoration for a small fee. - City of Jyväskylä – Literacy Programme:
Reading, My Love! is a low-threshold reading circle – a shared space for communal reading for people aged 6 to 106.
Bring your current favorite book, take a seat, and start reading!
If you wish, you can also take part in occasional discussions about thoughts and ideas inspired by reading.
(Note: You are welcome to join even without your own book.)
LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER – BY READING!