“We hope that as many people as possible will come to the festival to support the message of peace and the work of NGOs for peace and a more just world. Only together can we make the world a more sustainable place for future generations, says Johanna Eurakoski“, Programme Manager of the festival.
For Fingo, the organiser of the festival, the 30th anniversary of World Village is a unique opportunity to highlight the role of civil society in promoting sustainable development.
“Today, the festival plays a particularly important role in bringing together people and actors from different sectors. In order to stop alarming trends, such as deepening inequalities, we need the collective strength of civil society”, says Salla Peltonen, Director of Communications at Fingo.
A message of peace from Chile to Palestine on the Music Stage
The Music Stage will feature Brazilian trans rights defender Majur, Chilean-French Grammy winner Ana Tijoux, Sudanese peace activist Ebo Krdum, Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, Syrian-French group Sarāb, and local artists Grande Mahogany, Isaac Sene, and the children’s favourite, Skidit-disko.
The festival’s theme and 30-year history will be celebrated with the Sound of Peace concert featuring Elsi Sloan, Samuli Putro, Emma & Matilda, Nemat Battah, Ramy Essam and Vimma.
Discussions on peace from different perspectives on the Speaker’s Stage
The Speaker’s Stage will feature 24 talks and discussions on peace. Participants include activists, journalists, politicians and advocates for a fairer world from Finland and around the world.
Among others, Malian musician, filmmaker and UN Goodwill Ambassador Inna Modja, MP and experienced peacebuilder Pekka Haavisto, the mayors of Helsinki and Dnipro in Ukraine, Juhana Vartiainen and Borys Filatov, artists and media personalities Seksikäs-Suklaa and Dosdela, photojournalist Rauli Virtanen, MEPs Jussi Saramo (The Left, left.), Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, NCP), Secretary General of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Hiroshima Nihan Hidankyo, Kunihiko Sakuma, member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Mohamed Elsanousi, and Sri Lankan human rights defender Sherine Xavier.
The festival programme will also feature the YMCA Peace & Sports activity area for young people, Funky Amigos terrace party, exhibition from Maailman Kuvalehti, a participatory art installation, and functional workshops in the Kids’ Corner.
We have also just published more detailed schedules for the Book World stage by Rosebud and the Street Art Area showcasing the skills of amateur groups.
200 exhibitors showcase their work for sustainable development
At the heart of the admission free event will be a host of exhibitors; NGOs, street kitchens, bazaar vendors and other organisations who will share their work for peace and a better world, selling ethical products and delicious food from around the world.
Only vegetarian food will be sold at the festival, with vegan options also available. We also favour local, organic and fair-trade products. There will be 40 street kitchens from all over the world: Syria, Palestine, Ethiopia, Greece, Bengal, Nepal, Ghana, Vietnam, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Uganda and Spain.
The 30th anniversary of World Village Festival with the theme Peace on 24–25 May 2025 in Suvilahti, Helsinki. Admission free!
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More information, media accreditations, interview requests and photos
Media can be accredited to the festival by email by 21 May. Those who are accredited will receive a media pass, which will allow access to the festival’s networking area and to film concerts from a close distance, subject to certain restrictions. Performers and festival organisers can be interviewed before or during the festival. The media will be free to use promotional material and photos taken at the festival.
Communications Manager Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Press photos on Flickr
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World Village Festival is a sustainable development festival that discusses current global issues and inspires people to act for a more sustainable world, since 1995. The international admission free event will be organised in Suvilahti, Helsinki on 24–25 May 2025 with Peace as its theme. Organised by Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, the main partners of World Village Festival are City of Helsinki, the European Commission Representation in Finland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Finland, Finn Church Aid and Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.