Literary art and cooking workshops

Libraries used to be places where people borrowed books and where even whispered conversations were frowned upon. Now, libraries have become meeting places and city ‘living rooms’ where people can exercise, sing and cook.  

Seniors stretch in chairs, LGBTQ+ youth gather to hang out together, and risotto simmers in the library kitchen. 

Lippulaiva Library offers a wide range of clubs, workshops and events for people of all ages. Some of them are organised by the library staff, but increasingly, they are run in cooperation with various partners. Recently, for example, the Espoon Laulu choir arranged a singalong, and the baby art session organised with the Finnish National Opera filled up in no time.  

Cultural events are particularly popular at Lippulaiva Library.  

“People come here to enjoy cultural activities, as there is no cultural venue in Espoonlahti. The library’s events are open to everyone and free of charge,” says Niina Bruun, Event Coordinator and Library Pedagogue.  

She is also pleased to see that customers are increasingly interested in volunteering and hosting events in library premises. 

“We offer Espoo residents facilities and technology. We help them organise free events where everyone is welcome.”  

A particularly popular club at Lippulaiva Library has been the seniors’ writing group, which started this autumn and where participants practice creating characters, for example. Participants read their work aloud and discuss it with the group. 

Literary art workshops have also been a hit. In these, participants cut out sentences from old books and piece together poems or stories. ‘Letter to the Sea’ literary art workshops were organised for children and families in several libraries in Espoo on Baltic Sea Day. 

“Literary art may sound intimidating, but it’s all about playing with words and using them creatively. Other libraries in Espoo also have writing groups.”  
In addition to writing, cooking workshops for different age groups are also quick to fill up. For example, during the autumn holiday, family pasta-making workshops were popular. 

At Lippulaiva, these are organised by Saska Ruutiainen, a former chef and current library advisor. He plans the menus and orders seasonal, theme-based ingredients on behalf of the library. Participants cook in the spacious library kitchen and then enjoy the meal together.  

In addition to books, some libraries offer items like blood pressure monitors, guitars, or binoculars for loan. Many Espoo libraries even lend season passes for Tapiola Sinfonietta concerts or Kiekko-Espoo hockey games.  

Despite the expanding range of services, people still come to libraries to study, read newspapers and borrow books. Among the diverse activities, the traditional role of libraries as promoters of literacy has remained unchanged.  

“People learn to read recipes in the cooking workshops and discover crafting literature in the crafting clubs. The basic role of libraries hasn’t disappeared; it has just evolved over time,” Bruun says. 

Interested in learning the basics of the ukulele or trying out partner dancing? Espoo’s libraries offer a wide range of activities for municipal residents of all ages.  
Many libraries also lend out tools and musical instruments, and some have 3D printing equipment.

For more information on library services and events: Libraries' website(external link, opens in a new window) or events in Espoo.

Text: Marjo Tiirikka
This article has originally been published in the Espoo-lehti 3/2024. Read other articles in the Espoo-lehti.