Returning to Finland for the second time, Kizaba will bring the festival audience a captivating show that combines traditional Congolese rhythms with electronic music. Kizaba’s music features ancestral songs, soukous, and Afrobeat, as well as several languages, including French, English, Kikongo, and Lingala. The artist’s second album, Future Village (2024), received several nominations at the Canadian JUNO Awards in 2024, including a nomination for World Music Album of the Year.
Berlin-based Jamila & The Other Heroes exudes revolution, freedom, and empowerment. The band was named after singer Jamila Al-Yousef’s Palestinian grandmother, and they are particularly known for their songs advocating Palestinian rights and liberation. Visiting Finland for the first time, the five-piece band will bring the festival audience desert-like psychedelic guitar riffs, Arabic percussion rhythms, and enchanting vocal melodies in English and Arabic.
“For me, Palestine ultimately stands as a universal reminder that freedom is something we must practice together in solidarity”, says Jamila Al-Yousef.
Venezuela, the right to freedom
Venezuelan photojournalist Manu Quintero and journalist Maija Salmi, who has reported from Venezuela, discuss Venezuela’s right to freedom. What does the crisis in Venezuela look like from a personal and professional perspective behind the headlines? For the past 15 years, Quintero has photographed the crisis in his home country for various media outlets and news agencies, including National Geographic, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Time Magazine. The programme is produced by Maailman Kuvalehti.
“Amidst the geopolitical noise, there is a nation that dreams of freedom”, says Manu Quintero.
More programme announcements in March-April
More domestic and international concerts, talks and discussions, kids’ programme, workshops, and many other exciting activities and exhibitors will be announced in March–April. The festival is expected to attract around 25,000–30,000 visitors over two days. In addition to the previous venues of Lasipalatsi Square, Bio Rex, Narinkka Square, and Luckan, the festival will now also be held at Rosebud Book World and Kamppi Chapel.
Registration as an exhibitor is open for another two weeks
As usual, World Village will also be filled with non-governmental organisations and other organisations presenting their activities for a better world. Registration as an exhibitor is open until February 25. There are many different opportunities available: tent stands on Narinkka Square, indoor spaces at Bio Rex, face-to-face, mobile carts, and last-minute programme spaces. Don’t forget the opportunity to advertise on the festival site screens and check out the festival partner Pågå’s tent offer.
Apply as a volunteer for the most important event of the spring
Experience the most colorful event of spring as part of the festival team. As a volunteer, you can participate in the festival production, for example, in programme production, customer service, the staff café, decoration or signage and banner. You will gain experience in the event industry, meet like-minded people, and help create a joyful festival atmosphere around important topics. Applications for volunteer positions are open until April 28.
Organised by Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, the main partners of World Village Festival are the European Commission Representation in Finland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Finland, Finn Church Aid and Maailman Kuvalehti magazine.
World Village Festival with the theme Freedom, 16–17 May 2026, in the Lasipalatsi District and at Narinkka Square, Helsinki. Admission is free!
More information:
Communications: Nelli Korpi, nelli.korpi@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6698
Partners and cooperation: Marjo Martin, marjo.martin@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6694
Exhibitors: Ville-Valtteri Marjeta, ville-valtteri.marjeta@maailmakylassa.fi, +358 50 317 6720
Festival site production: Laura Valoma, laura.valoma@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6742
Programme: Johanna Eurakoski, johanna.eurakoski@fingo.fi, +358 50 317 6696
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World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival, and a trade fair for sustainable development. The event will be organised in the Centre on Helsinki, Lasipalatsi District and Narinkka Square 16–17 May 2026 with Freedom as its theme.