Award-winning Brazilian multidisciplinary artist, author, and illustrator Roger Mello, the creator of the visual identity for Kolibrí Festival 2026, will visit Finland and participate in a series of events during the festival and beyond.
Audiences of all ages will have the opportunity to discover his artistic universe through the month-long visual art exhibition “Diversidade Secreta”, a conversation about Brazil and his work, and a variety of free artistic workshops for children. In addition, professional training workshops for graphic designers and illustrators will be organized by Grafia ry and Kuvittajat ry. During Children’s Book Fair, visitors can also can purchase his books and receive a personalized dedication and signature from the author.
Don’t Miss Roger Mello’s Programme
HELSINKI | Conversation: Brazil, Art, Memory and Children’s Literature
Wednesday 16.9. | 5-6:30pm | University of Helsinki | Metsätalo, Room B502
Capacity: 28 participants
Language: English/Portuguese
Audience: Adults
A free, intimate conversation on art, visual culture, memory and children’s literature.
ESPOO | “Diversidade Secreta” | Visual Art Exhibition (18.9- 17.10.2026)
Aurora Children’s Cultural Centre | KellariGalleria
Audience: All Ages
Gallery open hours:
Mon & Tue: 9 am- 4 pm for groups (registration needed)
Wed – Sat: 10am – 1pm open for all
Sun closed
A free presentation of visual works featuring Roger Mello’s book illustrations, embroidered artworks, and a selection of his books.
HELSINKI | Children’s books: a creation process with Roger Mello
Friday 18.9. | 10am-3pm | Grafia ry
Access for Grafia and Kuvittajat members only!
Professional, closed workshop exploring the creative process behind children’s books, from developing characters and stories to creating a book dummy. Organised by Grafia and Kuvittajat, the workshop offers 15 places for members of each association.
ESPOO | “Diversidade Secreta” | Non-stop Workshop for Children
Saturday 19.9. | 11am–1pm | Aurora Children’s Cultural Centre
Capacity: 20 children at a time
Languages: Portuguese I English I Finnish
Recommended age: +4
Creative family workshop led by Roger Mello, inviting children and their families to explore creativity through images, stories, and artistic experimentation.
HELSINKI | “Diversidade Secreta” | Non-stop Workshop for Children
Sunday 20.9. | 11am-1pm & 2-3:30pm | CAISA
Capacity: 20 children at a time
Languages: Portuguese | English | Finnish
Age suggested: +4
Creative family workshop facilitated by Roger Mello
HELSINKI Book Signing Session
Sunday 20.9. | 12:30pm & 3:30pm | CAISA
Meet Roger Mello and have your books signed.
Through “Diversidade Secreta”, conversations, storytelling and workshops, Roger Mello invites audiences of all ages to explore literature, memory, imagination and visual storytelling.
The exhibition is curated by Fabu Pires.
This is Kulttuurikeskus NINHO production and has been made possible thanks to the support of Brazilian Embassy, Instituto Guimarães Rosa- Helsinque, Aurora Children Culture Center, Espoo City, Helsinki City, Taike, Svenska kulturfonden and Brazilians in Finland ry .
All activities are free of charge.