The Espoo Folklore Festival combines Indian and Finnish culture
A family-friendly celebration at the Espoo Cultural Centre on Sunday 17 May where you can immerse yourself in colours, rhythms, and smells. This year's theme is "Weaving Seasons, Awakening Souls".
Indian festive traditions have been on show in Espoo for several years, as Espoo has the largest Indian community in Finland, and those with Indian background are also active actors in the Espoo cultural field. The Diwali festival of lights in October has attracted a large number of attendees, and this spring, visitors to the Espoo Cultural Centre will be able to enjoy the Indian Folklore event with music, art, food and fashion on Sunday 17 May from 12:00 to 20:00. The event has free admission.
According to Shefali Arora, Chair of the Finnish-Indian Society, local cultural traditions in India are celebrated, for example, with folk dance and music at festivals and in cities, through storytelling such as mythology and street theatre, handicrafts and with markets and at harvest festivals with a street bazaar atmosphere.
This year’s theme at the Espoo Cultural Centre’s Folklore is “Weaving Seasons, Awakening Souls”
“This theme is consistent with the concept for Folklore 2026 to combine Finland and India through seasonally changing traditions – music, dance, handicrafts, textiles, and rituals. "Weaving Seasons" refers to the common rhythm of nature and the life of a community (spring/summer celebrations, harvest traditions, winter gatherings), while "Awakening Souls" refers to how heritage can reconnect people - with tradition, one another, and a sense of meaning through art, storytelling and performances,” Shefali describes.
Folklore’s programme to be built around Indian and Finnish culture
On the day of the event, Espoo Cultural Centre promises a great festival experience for visitors of all ages, and Shefali encourages everyone to participate in Folklore.
“Folklore 2026 will be a fun event. You can just walk and enjoy with it your friends and family and network with new people from Espoo and elsewhere!
The outdoor Amphi will be the stage for folk dancing, music, storytelling, games, and performances. Traditional handicrafts, musical instruments, and dance are expected inside the Cultural Centre.
Food booths at the event offer a unique variety of delicacies from Indian and Finnish kitchens, and the art bazaar has handicrafts, textiles, and art from both countries. There are also activities that promote intercultural interaction through play for children and families. A musical performance titled “RituSamhara” will take place in Tapiolasali.
Finland’s most Indian city
This is the fourth time the Folklore event will be organised in Espoo and the second time it will be held at the Espoo Cultural Centre. Espoo Cultural Centre is located in Tapiola, which is easy to reach by metro and bus. There are also bicycle racks in front of the Cultural Centre for cyclists enjoying the spring weather.
The event will be organised in collaboration by the Finnish-Indian Society and the City of Espoo.
“As the most Indian city in Finland, we are delighted that we can also collaborate with the Finnish-Indian Society at the Folklore event and offer Espoo residents experiences in the rich culture of Indian origin,” says Kai Mykkänen, Mayor of Espoo.
The aim of the event is to promote cultural exchange, a sense of community, and the appreciation of Finnish and Indian tradition. The Finnish-Indian Society, which has been operating since 1949, promotes cultural and social relations between Finland and India. The society regularly organises events, festivals, and training to strengthen understanding between the two countries. Folklore 2026 is part of the Finnish-Indian Society’s 77th anniversary celebrations.
A more detailed programme will be updated to the event information section on the Espoo Cultural Centre website.
Author: Sanna Uuksulainen
