The chairperson of Kutuurikeskus Ninho ry, along with the ambassadors of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, shall hand over to the mayor of Vantaa a selection of children’s and youth’s literature (CYL) in Spanish, for the corresponding collections in the Helmet libraries of Vantaa. This year, the selection features contemporary authors, illustrators and editors of CYL from these countries.

One of the objectives of Kultuurikeskus Ninho ry is to enrich the variety and quantity of CYL available in Spanish and Portuguese for children and youths in the public libraries of Helsinki and the Metropolitan area. Bestowing books to libraries helps us in promoting reading among children. This, along with our Lukupesä project, will support the already ongoing efforts of stimulate reading groups for families in libraries.

This programme has been active since 2016, thanks to the cooperation of the Ibero-american embassies and other institutions promoting children’s literature, as well as writers and illustrators from the region who have been invited to the Kolibrí Festivaali. The programme has supplied already more than 100 books in both, Spanish and Portuguese. The books can be accessed freely through the Helmet public libraries system (www.helmet.fi)

Kolibrí Festivaali’s program includes the launch of Wende Luvinga-Heinoja latest book English and Finnish “My Beautiful Pond” /Missä on lammikkoni?, (Transnational Press London, 2020), written in collaboration with Minna Komulainen and illustrated by Özge Deniz Taştan.

At the event, the authors will discuss their creative process and their role in fostering diversity and multiculturalism in Finnish children’s literature, followed by questions and answers.

Sale of copies and book signing will ensue. Moderator: Mariana Salgado

How can parents promote their children’s languages at home? Which are the best practices in everyday life? What kind of activities are offered for intercultural families by private and public institutions? Why is it important to read to our children? What sort of language teaching is available for children at the moment?

The goal of the V Seminar on Bilingualism is to offer information and guidelines for promoting children’s language development. Plurilingual and adoptive families will also have an opportunity to meet each other and share experiences and initiatives in the Seminar.

MODERATOR:
Jarna Piippo, language education specialist

PANELISTS:
Ilmi Villacís, director, Finnish Reading Centre
Romina Paturca Nyberg, volunteer Ambassador for the EU PEaCH
Verónica Miranda, coordinator Reading Nest, Ninho ry
Tanja del Angel, specialist on bilingualism and multicultural families
Luciana Faria, teacher APPF – Association of Portuguese Teachers in Finland

Languages: English, interpreting to Spanish, Portuguese available if necessary.

The V Seminar is part of LUKUPESÄ Project of Kulttuuriskeskus Ninho ry. This project is funded by Helsinki and Espoo City.

The exhibition can be visited at the gallery space of the Cultural Center of Vuotalo, from September 23 to the October 9, 2021. Free entry.

In this 10th anniversary of Kolibrí Festivaali, our special invited artist is Chilean children’s book author and illustrator Paloma Valdivia. Paloma is also the artist behind the creation of the festival image for the 2020 and 2021 editions of the annual multicultural art festival for children and their families.

Paloma’s work as has been translated into over 15 languages and – among other acknowledgements – she has received the International Prize BIB PLAQUE of the XVIII Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (Slovakia); Most Beautiful Book of 2014 by the German Commission of UNESCO; the Santiago Municipal Literature Award (Chile) as well as the Little Bird Award (USA) and the Medalla Colibrí (Hummingbird Medal) IBBY Chile, just to name a few.
Some of the Publishing Houses that work with Paloma, or publish her books, are: Amanuta, Chile/Fondo de Cultura Económica, México/La Joie de Lire, Switzerland/Peirópolis, Brazil/Enchanted Lion Books, United States/Kalandraka, Spain/Iwasaki, Japan/Fatatrac, Italy/Groundwood, Canada.

In 2019, together with Mónica Bombal, she created Ediciones Liebre, which combines publishing of books for early childhood and the creation of applications exclusively destined for children. In 2019, the publishing house was recognized by IBBY (Chile) as having the best compilation of children’s literature. Its titles were selected for the White Ravens list (Germany) and the annual selection of the Cuatrogatos Foundation (USA).

In her work, Paloma communicates ideas and deep emotions in a very minimalist and poetic way. She developed an easily recognizable style by drawing without perspective, with a sketchy but still clean stroke, and tends to use a similar color palette in many projects. A strong connection to folkloric art is visible.

Paloma´s first exhibition in Finland is named “Nosotros” (US), which is also the theme of Kolibrí Festivaali 2021. In the exhibition you will see illustrations from Paloma Valdivia´s latest children´s books and other projects connected with this theme – showcasing basic human themes as family, motherhood, identity and community. You will also find extracts of some of her sketch book pages and a video about her way of working – revealing the search and also struggles of the artist, an excellent opportunity to “spy” on her creative process. In addition, you will be able to see some of Paloma´s latest animation videos around traditional folk songs.

Come and get immersed in the visual world of Paloma Valdivia!

The exhibition is curated by Ina Fiebig and has been possible thanks to the Embassy of Chile in Finland and the Direction of Cultural Affairs of Chile, Vuotalo, Ibero-American Institute of Finland, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (SKF) and the publishing houses Ediciones Liebre (Chile), Amanuta (Chile) and Kalandraka (Spain).
Our special thanks go to Isol Misenta, Sari Airola, Alejandra Chacón, Patricia Oksa, Fernando Cacho, Yvapurü Samaniego Bonnin, and to the Board of Association Kulttuurikeskus Ninho.

Mosaiikkitori 2
00980 Helsinki
OPENING HOURS VUOTALO GALLERIA
Mon-Thu 8.00–20.00
Fri 8.00–18.00
Sat 10.00–16.00
Sun closed

This workshop invites you to explore the world of nature and its colours. You will engage in creating pigments from natural and raw materials, thus experiencing a closer bond with nature. As these colours are splattered and used in our own works of art, your creativity will blossom and your inner self will bloom!

Paloma is our invited artist for 2021. Since she can’t come to Helsinki, she has prepared three videos to help families play and create together. All videos are inspired by her illustrated children’s books.

In the first video, Paloma teaches us how to make a cardboard baby to lull. Based on the book .

In the second, she asks us to build a mask to play the rabbit family. Based on her book “Us”.

And in the third, she invites us to make a very curious and funny toy: a thaumatrope egg / bird. Based on her book “CRACK!””

These and other Paloma books can be purchased at our Children’s Book Fair on 25.09 in Vuotalo.

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity! Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.

We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

How can we express ourselves through our bodies? You are invited to watch a dance performance in which the performer conveys, through movement, what the world feels like for her.
We will then explore together dancing as a form of non-verbal communication. We will communicate and play thorough dance!

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity!
Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.
We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

Come and discover the fundamentals of Son Jarocho, folk music from Mexico!
You will be introduced to a few songs and will learn the basics of the rhythm through dancing and playing percussion. We encourage both children and adults to join us. Come as you are, no previous experience is needed. If you have a percussion instrument at home, bring it along! It will make the workshop more fun.

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity!
Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.
We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

MeNiños will take you into a musical journey through rhythms from diverse countries and voices singing in multiple languages: Spanish, English, Finnish and Portuguese. Come along to sing together and make new friends through music!

The colorful rhythms and movements of afro-Brazilian capoeira and samba de roda will take over Kolibrí! Join us in the circle (roda) of happiness and joy created by all of us dancing, singing and playing together!

In this workshop, families and children will learn about the birds that live in urban areas around us.
Come and join us in designing and building bird feeders! You will also get the best tips on what our winged neighbors like to eat!

Children’s and youth literature in Spanish and Portuguese languages.

Sale of new and second-hand books, the books of PALOMA VALDIVIA and the illustrations gifted by ISIDRO FERRER and YARA KONO to support the Festival.

Kolibrí gives us a unique possibility to take home children’s literature in Spanish and Portuguese for early childhood, pre-readers, and readers. An unmissable selection of authors, illustrators, and publisher houses from Ibero-America.

The future is now! This year Kolibrí Festivaali will hold a science workshop led by children. The young monitors who grew up within Kolibrí will help make Oobleck, an environmentally friendly slime, and will reveal the secrets to its non-Newtonian properties.

Come and experience this artistic workshop, where we will use dance and movement to learn about the poetry of Gabriela Mistral, through her poem “Dame la mano”. The poem invites us to put aside conflicts and feel free and equal.

Come with us to dance, learn, and join hands!

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity!
Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.
We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

In our animation workshop, children and their families wonder what comes from eggs in a colorful and fun way. We use cut-out animation as a technique that enables kids to give their characters life through movement.
This workshop is also great for children with their grandparents!

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity!
Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.
We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

Bumba Meu Boi is a Brazilian celebration that fuses together Native, African and European traditions in a mix of music, dance and theater.
In this workshop, you will discover the history of this Brazilian tradition and learn the rhythms and steps you need to embark on the Magic Ox’s journey! Come and dance Bumba Meu Boi with us!

What is a rainbow made of? Do we all see them the same way?
Join us in the challenge of creating our own rainbows and discovering how our own similarities and differences influence our perception.

“How about experiencing a world of songs from Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Egypt, and Scandinavia?
Our two lead vocalists are accompanied by the energetic drive of guitar and contrabass, with storytelling in English, Swedish, and Arabic marking our journey from one song to the next. Like the sterna – the bird family that migrates the furthest distance of all – the music of Staerna travels from its birthplace to a new home where it can take new life.
One of Staerna’s mandates is to inspire the Arabic-speaking community in the Nordic countries. Through the display of kindred friendships and musical partnerships on stage, our group represents the world as we wish it to be. “

Here is an invitation to look closer at yourself and others, to connect and converse. Let us observe and discover each other beyond what we see at a first glance.
Let’s face each other’s gaze and draw!

Imagine discovering a magical door to your kitchen through the act of drawing. Imagine if we could cook with ink, with no limits to the dishes we could create.
What would that be like? Workshop created using Gianni Rodari’s Fantastic Binomial technique.

Reading, singing, playing and sharing in our language is a wonderful opportunity!
Bring your favorite book, song, poem or rhyme that reminds you of your childhood, and enjoy it with your kids.
We will be waiting for you with a lot of surprises!

Authors, characters and histories speak about the diversity of the childhood that use these languages. A marathon of readings in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Somali and Portuguese; in cooperation with Lukupesä and EUNIC, the Goethe Institute, Italian Institute, French Institute and the embassies of Austria and Spain.

Authors, characters and histories speak about the diversity of the childhood that use these languages. A marathon of readings in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Somali and Portuguese; in cooperation with Lukupesä and EUNIC, the Goethe Institute, Italian Institute, French Institute and the embassies of Austria and Spain.

In this performance, different musical worlds combine to create a transcultural voyage through music. Storytelling, imagery and music create an environment that will let hope, solidarity,
diversity and understanding shine through. Children of all ages will understand that it is possible for everyone to live harmoniously together!

Online:

Numerous studies have shown that art and cultural activities strengthen the cultural capital of children, while supporting their identities and capacities to actively participate in society (Arts Equal, 2019).

Why focus this discussion on Vantaa?

It’s simple:Vantaa is Finland’s fourth largest city and the increasing diversity of Vantaa´s population makes it one of the most diverse municipalities in Finland: culturally, linguistically and ethnically.
When it comes to children, Vantaa is currently one of Finland’s most multicultural and diverse municipalities. According to The Finnish Institute of Statistics this diversity is particularly evident among children and young families. The highest percentage of foreign language-speakers registered as Vantaa residents in 2020 can be found among:

How to expand diversity, high-quality and equal accessibility to art and culture activities for all children?

How to affirm diversity and identity through children’s art and culture?

Panellists will share best practices, lessons learned, new ideas that can be applied as well as new questions and challenges to meet. These actors have a key role in pushing the limits in children’s art and culture and many of them are actively working to overcome these challenges. Most of them are working in public institutions and/or in the third sector in Vantaa.

This panel is open to all adults, people such as educators, librarians, artists, scientists, parents with different backgrounds.

MODERATOR:
Arlene Tucker artist, educator and diversity agent

PANELIST:

Language: English.

Duration: 2h approx.

PRODUCTION: Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry thanks to the support of City of Vantaa Culture for Children and Youth Office, Pessi Cultural Center and Vernissa.

COORDINATION AND INFORMATION: Laura Gazzotti (at)ninho.fi