Children’s Etnosoi!
Father’s Day at Children’s Etnosoi! Face to face
On Father's Day afternoon, we will travel to different corners of the world in concerts and music and dance workshops.
The 2026 Risteys Prize awarded by the Global Music Centre was won by the Ninho Cultural Centre (NINHO) for its meritorious and meaningful work. To celebrate the occasion, the Global Music Centre and NINHO are organising concerts and workshops for children in a multilingual environment, this time together. Of course, musicians from the Sibelius Academy's Global Music department at the University of the Arts Helsinki will also be joining the world tour this year.
At the good will market in the lobby you can help the children of the world and learn about Unicef.
INDABA
What does it feel like to be Finnish or African - or both? How can one person fit into so many identities? We will ponder these strange questions, led by the INDABA trio's fast-paced and joyful singing and dancing in a rhythmic celebration that draws from Tanzanian tradition, hip-hop culture and the performers' imagination. The concert will feature speaking and singing in Finnish, English, Swahili and Sumbwa.
Malmisali 14:00-14:45 and 15:30-16:15
Face to face
Javiera Mac-Lean’s (CL) ‘Face to face’ is a fun, multicultural art workshop. It involves creating unique portraits with children using playful stamps of eyes, noses, mouths and other fun elements! Finally, all the portraits will be assembled into a collective exhibition that celebrates our diverse faces and cultures.
Lobby nonstop 14:00-
West African Dance Workshop
Come and dance! Maarika and Mohamed will teach easy and fun dance moves from West Africa. There will be live drum accompaniment and perhaps a bit of singing, all
in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. This dance session is suitable for all ages. Welcome!
Tanssisali 14:45-15:30
Afro Dance Workshop for children and youth
In the Afro Dance Workshops for children and youth, participants will explore contemporary Pan-African diaspora dance styles such as Afro House, Afrobeats, Ndombolo, and Amapiano. The workshop will be led by Sikujua, a choreographer, performer, and dancer, who wants to encourage the participants to express themselves through dance and have fun.
Tanssisali 16:00-16:45
Yalla! – an interactive music and movement workshop for children and families
Yalla! invites children (ages 3–9) and their grown-ups into a lively world of live Middle Eastern music, playful rhythm and gentle clowning. Daniel Alattrash plays the qanun, while Moo Clown (Mohammad Manla) guides the families through sound play, a playful look at Arabic letters, and our shared multilingual movement song "Tanssi kanssani / Dance with me".
On Father's Day, it is a chance for fathers and children to play and move together. No language skills are needed: the session works through sound, body language and laughter, in Finnish, Arabic and English.
Kokoushuone 3 14:30-15:15 and 15:45-16:30
The event is produced by the Global Music Centre, Malmitalo, Uniarts - Global Music Department and NINHO, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In collaboration with Unicef Finland.
Children's Etnosoi! timetable 2026
| Klo | Malmisali | Kokoushuone 3 | Pieni sali kino | Tanssisali | Lobby |
| 14:00-14:15 | INDABA | Unicef Finland introduces itself. Discover the activities! Goodwill Market open all afternoon. Face to face – Multicultural portrait workshop for children (nonstop) | |||
| 14:15-14:30 | |||||
| 14:30-14:45 | Yalla! interactive workshop for kids and families | ||||
| 14:45-15:00 | West African dance workshop | ||||
| 15:00-15:15 | |||||
| 15:15-15:30 | |||||
| 15:30-15:45 | INDABA | ||||
| 15:45-16:00 | Yalla! interactive workshop for kids and families | ||||
| 16:00-16:15 | The Little Mole animations non-stop | Afro Dance Workshop - for kids and youth | |||
| 16:15-16:30 | |||||
| 16:30-16:45 | |||||
| 16:45-17:00 |