Family Encounters events are here! Ninho’s new project for 2025, funded by Moniheli, includes free gatherings in Arabic, Hindi, Kannada and Portuguese. These events are designed for families with children up to 2,5 years old. The encounters are free, and have been programmed during September and October 2025.
There’ll be games, storytelling, dancing, and tips for raising bilingual children, organised by the selected associations and artists: Suomi-Syyria Ystävyysseura ry, White Hands, APPF – Associação de Professores de Português na Finlândia, Saksham Performing Arts and Bihar Jharkhand Finland.
Gather in a safe space where you can connect with other families, in your heritage language, meet new people and build community!
👇🏾 See full program
Family Events in Arabic
Kieli on identiteettini – Language is my identity, by Suomi-Syyria Ystävyysseura ry in Espoo:
Suomi-Syyria Ystävyysseura ry has organised an event to support mothers who wish to share experiences and receive support on the best ways to nurture their children’s language development, during the early years (0-2,5 years old).
The session will be led by volunteer Farah Alajeeli, and the program includes fun and engaging activities that support children’s development and strengthen their connection to the Arabic language.
Don’t miss it and please spread the word 😊
📅 16.9.2025 ⏰ 5 pm 💬 Arabic 🎟️ Free entry 📌 Syyria Ystävyysseura ry: Kutojantie 3, 02630 Espoo (5th floor) 💡For mothers with children up to 2.5 years old. More info: nosaiba.ahmad@ssys.fi
Little Fingers | Family Events in Arabic in Vantaa, by White Hands ry:
Don’t miss this special Arabic family session full of fun, culture, singing, and experience sharing, by the association White Hands ry. The session will be coordinated by Nisreen Alhalabi.
The event will include:
- Fun interactive activities for mothers and children (stories, games, songs, and traditional music).
- Support for early communication between children and their language and cultural roots through warm songs and lullabies.
- Family moments to celebrate identity and family bonds.
- Surprise gifts for children.
📅 4.10.2025 ⏰ 3 – 3:45 pm 💬 Arabic 🎟️ Free entry 📌 Leinikkitie 22 A, Vantaa 💡For mothers with children up to 2.5 years old. More info: white.hands.ry@gmail.com
White Hands aims to:
- Create a safe and enjoyable space with stories, songs, and play.
- Build early cultural memory through hands-on experience.
- Use music as a warm and natural way to learn language.
- Meet other mothers and exchange experiences.
Family Events in Portuguese
Brinca e Canta em Português, by APPF:
The Associação de Professores de Português na Finlândia is the association in charge of the Family Encounter in Portuguese “Play and Sing in Portuguese – Leiki ja laula portugaliksi”.
Come with your baby to explore songs, and sensory play in Portuguese! A light and joyful gathering for families with children up to 2 years old.
In this guided meeting, families are invited to sing nursery rhymes together and, at the same time, babies can experiment with different textures and materials in a playful and safe way. Bring your curiosity and get ready to sing, play, and feel together.
📅 7.10.2025 ⏰ 3:15 – 4 pm 💬 Portuguese 🎟️ Free entry 💡 Families with children up to 2 years old 📌 Redi – Vapaakaupunki Lastenhuone (Hermannin rantatie 5, Helsinki) More info: app.finlandia@gmail.com
Family Events in Hindi
Little Steps, Big Bonds Together with Hindi & Kannada, by Saksham Performing Arts in Helsinki
Join Saksham Performing Arts in this fun event in Hindi and Kannada at Oodi Library. This Family Encounter will be a joyful evening of songs, poems, and playful enactments to enjoy and promote Hindi & Kannada in a fun, interactive way.
A space for pregnant mothers, babies, and young children to celebrate language, rhythm, and togetherness.
📅 3.10.2025 ⏰ 5:30 pm 💬 Hindi and Kannada 🎟️ Free entry 💡For pregnant people and families with children up to 2,5 years old 📌 Oodi Library – Children’s section – 3rd floor (Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Helsinki).
Family Encounter in Hindi in Espoo:
The association Bihar Jharkhand Finland will be in charge of the last event in Hindi, this time in Espoo.
A family-friendly afternoon for toddlers/young ones celebrating the beauty of Hindi language and sharing the piece of nostalgic rhytms. Join babies, parents with toddlers, pregnant moms, and explore language, rhythms, and share togetherness!
Expect:
- Family-friendly activities in Hindi.
- Our favourite childhood lullabies and stories.
- Smiles, songs, and shared memories.
- A beautiful blend of fun, learning, and reconnecting with our roots.
🗓 19.11.2025 ⏰ 1 – 2 pm 📌 Lippulaiva Library (Espoonlahdenkatu, 8 Espoo) 🎟️ Free 💬 Hindi
Get to know the project Family Encounters
The project Family Encounters is a co-production of Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry, in collaboration with all the associations and artists involved: Suomi-Syyria Ystävyysseura ry, White Hands ry, APPF – Associação de Professores de Português na Finlândia, Saksham Performing Arts and Bihar Jharkhand Finland.
This project has been funded by Moniheli and seeks to strengthen cultural mediation actions for wellbeing, integration and sense of belonging of communities and families. We’ll work especially for families where the children’s primary caregiver is a stay-at-home parent speaking the Arabic, Hindi, Kannada and Portuguese.
Get to know more about the project and the selection process.