Senioripaku Välkky brings culture to the doorstep

29.4.2026 5.01

Elina Pulli, Riitta Lukkaroinen-Mikkonen, and Pentti Mikkonen are sitting at a table and looking at each other. — “Meeting people is the best part of the Senioripaku Välkky service. People have a great time at the events,” says Elina Pulli. Pentti Mikkonen and Riitta Lukkaroinen-Mikkonen intend to participate in culture and exercise events again next summer. Photo: Sampo Korhonen

Senioripaku Välkky, or Elderly People’s Van Välkky, brings seniors together to enjoy culture, physical exercise and social activities.

Senioripaku Välkky is the library service’s activity bus, which serves as a mobile community hub. It provides opportunities for listening to music, joining a singalong, meeting other seniors and discovering book recommendations. Large libraries can also be used as meeting places under the same concept. The idea is that meaningful and interesting content gets seniors moving.

Specialist Elina Pulli has been involved in developing the activities for the past five years. The Senioripaku concept was first launched in Helsinki with a focus on physical exercise, but in Espoo, Pulli recognised the opportunity to incorporate arts and culture into the service. The City of Espoo’s Cultural Services, Sports and Exercise Services and Library Services are also involved.

“Not everyone is keen on physical exercise, but a choir, magician or musical performance draws people in. This combines culture and physical activity in a natural way,” Pulli says.

Bridging the gap between generations is also part of the programme. Next summer, the activities will increasingly take place at residents’ parks, providing opportunities for seniors and children to get together to enjoy magic shows, for example.

Sports Coordinator Pentti Mikkonen and Cultural Coordinator Riitta Lukkaroinen-Mikkonen from Leppävaaran seniorit ry have been involved in the activities of Senioripaku Välkky from the very beginning. They describe the events as having a warm and inspiring atmosphere.

“The seniors’ disco, for example, had a joyous vibe. The music was tailored to our tastes and included Elvis and Jussi Raittinen,” Pentti Mikkonen says.

Lukkaroinen-Mikkonen appreciates the cultural content in particular.

“It is wonderful to have culture brought almost to your doorstep. It gets you out of the house to spend time with other people.”

The purpose of the Senioripaku service is particularly to reach seniors for whom cultural services and sports and exercise services are otherwise difficult to access. Cooperation with local seniors’ associations is important for spreading awareness about the events.

Senioripaku season-opening event, 26 May

The summer season will kick off with a special event to be held on 26 May at the Leppävaara outdoor swimming pool. The event will include singalongs, water exercise, book presentations and a seniors’ disco hosted by Tuija Piepponen.

One interesting feature of the programme for the summer is a set of Espoo-themed songs written in collaboration with seniors and performed by troubadour Tomi Pulkkinen.

During the summer season, Senioripaku Välkky will make stops around Espoo every Tuesday in June, July and August. The season-ending event will be held on 1 September.