Children's Weekend 1–2 October 2022

It’s time to go crazy with children about all things culture and enjoy children’s very own weekend at Espoo’s culture houses and Espoonlahti! Children’s Weekend will be organised for the second time this year and is all about celebrating children’s culture. There are fun events for all tastes! This weekend in October is like whimsical laughter in the midst of autumn.

FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2022
CHILDREN’S WEEKEND PRE-PARTY: BABY DAY 

SELLO HALL

Fri 30 September at 10:30 and 15 
Silkkipaperitaivas (‘Silk Paper Sky’) 

Gentle theatre performance for babies 

Silkkipaperitaivas (‘Silk Paper Sky’), based on Eppu Nuotio’s book of the same name, is a sensual, calm and gentle theatre performance for babies. 

Inspired by poetry, music and visuals, the show is suitable for babies’ (aged 3–12 months) first theatre experience. 

Duration 30 min   
Recommended for children aged 3–12 months 

Tickets € 6 + booking fee (from € 1.50), lippu.fi(external link, opens in a new window). Both babies and adults are required to have their own tickets. 

CHILDREN'S CULTURAL CENTRE AURORA

Fri 30 September at 10
Superteatteri theatre: PUMPULI (‘COTTON’) theatre performance for babies

Come and marvel at what happens in a world as soft as cotton! 

PUMPULI ('COTTON') is a sensual, calm and gentle theatre performance for babies where music, sounds, lights, words and movement are used to create the atmosphere. Naturalness and calmness are at the heart of this baby-paced performance where no little viewer will go unnoticed. 

The performance lasts approximately 20 minutes, after which the babies are free to explore the materials used. 

Recommended for children aged 4–18 months 
Working group: Emilia Porali, Anssi Hyvönen, Tero Porali 

Tickets €7 + booking fee (from €1), lippu.fi(external link, opens in a new window). Both babies and adults are required to have their own tickets.

Fri 30 September at 10:30–11:15 and 14–14:45
Drops of Rainbow – Baby Day colour immersion pop-up

Let’s make a colourful collage together!

Dive into a sweet rainbow adventure. Tulle tickles the babies’ toes, and their laughter is filled with colours of the rainbow. The colours rain down and form a collage, a message about the bliss of babyhood.

This colour play session allows your baby to explore and experience safe and interesting materials suitable for babies. To make the collage, we use non-toxic, food-based paints. Do not forget to bring a small towel and clean clothes.

Recommended for children aged 4–18 months
Free admission!

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER

URBAN ESPOO

Sat 1 October at 10
Balalaukku(external link, opens in a new window)

Balalaukku is a musical clownery performance for the whole family by clown master Hanna Terävä and musician Tapani Varis where entire worlds pop out of a suitcase. The show is a patchwork that runs on red-nosed logic. The sound world is created live, with instruments the size of a suitcase.

The recording can be watched free of charge on 1–14 October.

ESPOO CULTURAL CENTRE

Sat 1 October at 11, Flyygeliaula grand piano foyer
Jazz for Kids

Jonas Metsäkylä – guitar
Nate Francis – bass

Come enjoy a variety of jazz music!

Jazz for Kids is a series of high-quality jazz concerts where listeners of all ages are equally welcome. The professional musicians serve up a full-bodied jazz concert featuring select pieces from each artist’s catalogue, performed as new meticulous arrangements that are played at volumes suited for children.

Free admission!

Sat 1 October at 15, Louhi Hall
The Emperor’s New Clothes

H.C. Andersen’s classic fairy tale is spiced up with music ranging from Avicii to Abba. The performance, described as anarchistic, deals with the behaviour of the masses, the mechanisms of lying and cheating and the influence of power on people.

For the children, the story offers insight into the school world, more mature spectators appreciate it as a political satire – and we all get to laugh at the naked emperor’s bottom.

The first show by the clown duo of Timo Ruuskanen and Tuukka Vasama for the whole family has been a favourite ever since its creation in 2017.

The show is part of the programme of the Children’s Weekend, which is held at Espoo’s culture houses and Espoonlahti. Children’s Weekend is part of Espoo’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Duration: approx. 1 hour, no interval.
Age recommendation: suitable for ages 6 and up
Language: Finnish

Tickets €15 + booking fee (from € 1.50), lippu.fi(external link, opens in a new window)

CHILDREN'S CULTURAL CENTRE AURORA

Sat 1 October at 16–16:45, Meijeri hall
Children's weekend: Magic of Jazz – children’s participatory jazz concert

Magic of jazz and joy of improvisation! What is jazz? Where does it originate? Find out what makes music jazz during this participatory concert. Jazz musicians unveil the mystique of jazz through playing and storytelling.

Prepare to get musical and make fun rhythms together for the little ones as well as older jazz fans. The musicians and participants alike take the stage at this gig!

Organised in collaboration with Espoo Music Institute’s pop/jazz line Ebeli.

Ville Vannemaa – wind instruments
Varre Vartiainen – guitar

Duration 45 minutes

Free admission!

Sat 1 October at 16–19, Taidetalo art house
Singing Rainbow art workshop

How does yellow sound to you, do you want to dive into blue? Does green make you thrive or do you prefer a bright orange vibe? Let’s dive into colourful thoughts and gather the most beautiful coloured papers in the art house to make a singing rainbow.

This colourful collage workshop is suitable for the whole family. Little artists may require parental supervision when using scissors. Workshop design and implementation: Jenni Vilander

Free admission!

Sat 1 October at 16–19, Kivijalka Gallery
Pumpulipilviä, mutteriunelmia – Illustrations of Suvi-Tuuli Junttila(external link, opens in a new window)

At Suvi-Tuuli Junttila’s illustration exhibition, familiar characters from her children’s novels – nut, bottle top, mitten, acorn and Leila – go on an adventure. The illustrations feature miniature worlds which Junttila has built using different materials. In addition to the story, the images are meant to serve as inspiration for imaginative play and getting creative in ways where anything can be anything.

You will also get to see a paper pulp planet inhabited by roll creatures and take a look at books illustrated by Junttila. Let the adventure begin!

The exhibition has previously been on display in Vantaa Children’s Cultural Centre Pessi (in 2020).

Free admission!

Sat 1 – Sun 2 October, Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora grounds
Adventures of Thumblelina - a location-dependent audio adventure(external link, opens in a new window)

The mysterious grounds of Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora are filled with whispers! Grab your headphones and mobile device and head to Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora to experience a mysterious audio adventure in the world of Thumbelina.

Adventures of Thumbelina – a location-dependent audio adventure is available for free listening between 19 August and 18 November 2022 at urbanespoo.fi.  

Language: Finnish
Free admission!

WEEGEE EXHIBITION CENTRE 

Sat 1 at 12–16
Espoo School of Art’s art workshop

At Espoo School of Art’s art workshop, we make art in Mauri Kunnas’ style and get into the spirit of the Mauri Kunnas art exhibition that opens on 7 October at Exhibition Centre WeeGee!

The workshops start on the hour at 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 and are aimed at primary school pupils and younger children.

Free admission!

ESPOONLAHTI

Sat 1 October at 10.3017.30 
I love 8-bit

The I love 8-bit retro technology exhibition presents authentic and still functional computers from the 1970s and 80s. In this exhibition, you do not have to admire the devices from afar – you can try them out yourself. Explore old home computers, play 8-bit games and experience how coding was done with early computers.

Aimed at school-age children but also suitable for adults, the exhibition is on display in the Salonki room of Lippulaiva Library during the Children’s Weekend, Sat–Sun 1–2 October 2022, 10:30 am–7:30 pm.

Free admission!

SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER

URBAN ESPOO

Sun 2 October at 10
Megasakki(external link, opens in a new window)

Megasakki is a new children’s music band whose debut album “Siili beatboksaa” (‘Beatboxing Hedgehog’) was published in February 2022. Megasakki provides the audience with rhythmic music ranging from soul and hip hop to funk and R’n’B. Lively music and a happy atmosphere are guaranteed to get everyone dancing. Fun and clever lyrics entertain children and adults alike. Many of their songs have been inspired by family blunders from everyday life!

Performers:

Elina Arlin, vocals
Riikka Keränen, vocals
Vesa Ojaniemi, bass, synth, vocals
Anssi Tirkkonen, drums

The concert will premiere on Sun 2 October at 10:00 and can be viewed free of charge until Sat 15 October.

CHILDREN'S CULTURAL CENTRE AURORA

Sun 2 October at 14 & 15, Meijeri hall
Children's weekend: Amadeu Vives: Sand animation - Small Adventure in Espoo

A sand animation filled with surprises delights viewers at Aurora’s Children’s Weekend. 

In the sand animation, the artist draws intriguing images on the screen with sand. Shapes and images follow one another, forming a captivating story. The story is carried by music performed by cellist Markus Hallikainen.

In honour of Espoo’s 50th anniversary as a city, the show features familiar landscapes from Espoo as a little cyclist pedals through their hometown. Where will our little adventurer end up? Will they find Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora on their travels or end up marvelling at Exhibition Centre WeeGee’s Futuro house?

Come and enjoy this captivating, skilful, fairy tale-like performance which will surely blow you away. Suitable for audiences of all ages.

Artist Amadeu Vives was born in 1978 in Spain and, majoring in sculpture and audiovisual communication, graduated from Valencia College in 2008.

Duration approx. 20 minutes
Free admission!

Sun 2 October at 11–14, Taidetalo art house
Children's weekend: Cardboard workshop for children

Come listen to a story and make roll creatures with children’s author Vuokko Hurme and illustrator Suvi-Tuuli Junttila.

At the end, little artists will have the opportunity to take pictures of their creatures on  the paper pulp planet from the book Leikkimään, pahvi! (‘Come play, cardboard!’). Workshop design and implementation: Suvi-Tuuli Junttila

Free admission!

Sun 2 October at 11–15, Kivijalka Gallery
Pumpulipilviä, mutteriunelmia – Illustrations of Suvi-Tuuli Junttila(external link, opens in a new window)

At Suvi-Tuuli Junttila’s illustration exhibition, familiar characters from her children’s novels – nut, bottle top, mitten, acorn and Leila – go on an adventure. The illustrations feature miniature worlds which Junttila has built using different materials. In addition to the story, the images are meant to serve as inspiration for imaginative play and getting creative in ways where anything can be anything.

You will also get to see a paper pulp planet inhabited by roll creatures and take a look at books illustrated by Junttila. Let the adventure begin!

The exhibiton has previously been on display in Vantaa Children’s Cultural Centre Pessi (in 2020)

Free admission!

Sat 1–Sun 2 October, Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora grounds
Adventures of Thumblelina - a location-dependent audio adventure(external link, opens in a new window)

The mysterious grounds of Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora are filled with whispers! Grab your headphones and mobile device and head to Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora to experience a mysterious audio adventure in the world of Thumbelina.

Adventures of Thumbelina – a location-dependent audio adventure is available for free listening between 19 August and 18 November 2022 at urbanespoo.fi.

Language: Finnish
Free admission!

SELLO HALL

Sun 2 October at 14-17
March to the Milky Way - arts and crafts buffet

3-2-1... Ready for take-off! Float along the Milky Way into the table setting of an arts and crafts buffet. Make glittery mini wings and shoot for the stars!

The infinite art bistro serves space floss light as air for starters, space particles for main course and twinkling stars for dessert!

The workshop, organised by Hupsansaa ry, will be held in the Sello Hall foyer. The non-stop workshop goes on until 17:00 or as long as materials last.

Free admission but pre-booking is recommended. Reserve your place at the buffet at sellosali@espoo.fi by September 30th. Notify how many are in your party and what time you would like to participate (each full and half hour at 14-17: at 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 etc). If there is room, you can also join unannounced on the event day.

Sun 2 October at 15
Tuomo Rannankari & Hiekkakakkuorkesteri orchestra

This concert by the award-winning children’s music composer Tuomo Rannankari will include singing and playing along to Tuomo’s songs familiar from children’s TV shows. On the Sello Hall stage, Tuomo will be joined by the great Hiekkakakkuorkesteri orchestra.

Duration 45 min  
Recommended for ages 3 and up

Tickets €12.50 / family ticket (for 4 people) €42 + booking fee (from € 1.50), lippu.fi(external link, opens in a new window)

WEEGEE EXHIBITION CENTRE

Sun 2 at 12–16
Espoo School of Art’s art workshop

At Espoo School of Art’s art workshop, we make art in Mauri Kunnas’ style and get into the spirit of the Mauri Kunnas art exhibition that opens on 7 October at Exhibition Centre WeeGee!

The workshops start on the hour at 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 and are aimed at primary school pupils and younger children.

Free admission!

ESPOONLAHTI

Sun 2 October at 10.3017.30 
I love 8-bit

The I love 8-bit retro technology exhibition presents authentic and still functional computers from the 1970s and 80s. In this exhibition, you do not have to admire the devices from afar – you can try them out yourself. Explore old home computers, play 8-bit games and experience how coding was done with early computers.

Aimed at school-age children but also suitable for adults, the exhibition is on display in the Salonki room of Lippulaiva Library during the Children’s Weekend, Sat–Sun 1–2 October 2022, 10:30 am–7:30 pm.

Free admission!

Espoon keskusLeppävaaraTapiola