Reading Together returns to Oodi Library (Helsinki) on 11.4.2026 to celebrate the International Children’s Book Day. This wonderful event will feature storytelling and live music in 14 languages.
This year’s program includes stories and songs in Arabic, Bosnian – Croatian – Montenegrin – Serbian, English, Farsi, Finnish, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Tatar languages.
For the first time, the Opening will start with children’s voices: International Kids Choir by International Scholl of Music (ISM), conducted by Myra Owens, and accompaniment by Abigail Wiegand in piano. And for the second year in a row, students from the Global Music Departmenti (UniArts – Helsinki) will enrich reading nests with traditional music and bring all families a close event and Interactive Swahili Storytelling Through Afro-jazz: Baraka Issabu – Piano, voice (TZ), Humphrey Mbaruku – Bass, voice (TZ), Arman Soltani, Percussion (IR).
Reading Together joins the celebration of the 2026 International Children’s Book Day, organised globally by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People). The main theme will be “Plant Stories and the World Will Bloom”.
Let’s come together to celebrate the richness of diversity through children’s literature, and the love for reading in our heritage language.
We look forward to seeing you at Oodi! Keep reading and don’t miss the program,co-created by artists and associations, institutions and companies.
Event details
🗓️ 11.4.2026⏰ 1-6 pm 📌 Oodi Library (Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki) | All activities will be facilitated in different locations of the Children’s section (3th floor) ♿️ The place is accessible 🎟️ Free entrance
Thanks to the Multilingual Library, you’ll find lots of books in all 14 languages of the event. So bring your library card and take them home to enjoy with your children!
Download the Reading Together 2026 Program and don’t miss it!
We hope you all have a blast!
This event is Lukupesä project by Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry, in cooperation with Oodi Library and Multilingual Library. Co-produce by: Global Music Department, UniArts-Helsinki and International School of Music, Ad Astra i Helsingfors, APPF-Associação de Professores de Português na Finlândia ry, ANAR Ensemble, BiF-Brazilians in Finland, Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian club, Circolo degli italiani in Finlandia, Suomen italian opettajien ry, Istituto italiano di cultura a Helsinki, Saksham, Familia ry, Finnish-African Society, The Association of Ukrainians in Finland, Think Africa ry and White Hands ry. Supported by Helsinki City, Svenska Kulturfonden and TAIKE.