We are thrilled to introduce our new project KABOOKS!, a multilingual, musical reading journey for children and their families. We celebrate the richness of minority heritage languages, culture, and arts, bringing stories to life with live, improvised music.
Storytellers and musicians who share the same heritage language will lead musical storytelling sessions, where children will discover love for reading, oral, and musical traditions.
This free event for the whole family highlights the creative talents within our diverse society, promoting inclusivity and cultural appreciation for all.
The first KABOOKS! event will be on December 18th, the day the world commemorates International Migrants Day. For the first time, one of our productions will be held in three different libraries in Espoo at the same time!
Languages will include Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish.
These storytelling sessions are recommended for children from 2 to 6 years old, but of course all families all welcome!
This new Kulttuurikeskus Ninho ry production is possible thanks to the collaboration with students from the Global Music Program (SIBA), Helmet Espoo, Sello, Lippulaiva, and Entresse libraries, the Association of Portuguese Language Teachers in Finland (APPF), Anar Ensemble, and Autokton ry.
Check out the program, artists, and Espoo libraries where you can find your language! You can also access to all Facebook events from the following post👇🏾
KABOOKS! at Sello Library: Musical storytelling in Farsi and Spanish
Our beloved Sello Library will hold the musical storytelling sessions in Farsi and Spanish.
🗓 18.12.2024 ⏰ 4 – 6 pm 🎟️ Free access 📌 Espoo Library: Leppävaarankatu 9, 02600 Espoo | Jaminurkka (First floor).
Save the Facebook Event on your calendar and don’t miss it!
Musical Storytelling session in Spanish:
⏰ 4 – 5 pm.
📚 Storyteller: Alicia Sevilla (MX).
🎶 Musician: Manu Rosales (AR) will play acoustic guitar.
Alicia is an experienced Mexican storyteller and creator, who enjoys telling, connecting and having fun through stories. Manu is a talented Argentinian musician and composer. Through his traditional influences, he will be creating a soundscape around the stories, with his acoustic guitar.
Musical Storytelling session in Farsi:
⏰ 5 – 6 pm.
📚 Storytellers: Mahsa Khoshnejad (IR) and Banafsheh Eshraghi (IR).
🎶 Musician: Khashayar Eshkevari (IR) will play acoustic kemancha.
Anar Ensemble storytellers, Masha and Banafsheh, will sing and read stories in Farsi, accompanied by music performance by Khashayar. The trio from Iran will introduce children to culture and literature through interactive activities and traditional Iranian music.
KABOOKS! at Lippulaiva Library: Musical storytelling in Portuguese and Turkish
The second stage of the first KABOOKS! will be Lippulaiva Library, the new regional library of Espoonlahti. This is the first time that Ninho brings a production to this new and beautiful library. You’ll find it on the 3rd floor of Urban centre Lippulaiva.
🗓 18.12.2024 ⏰ 4 – 6 pm 🎟️ Free access 📌 Espoonlahdenkatu 8, 02320 Espoo | Salonki space.
Save the Facebook Event in your calendar and don’t miss it!
Musical Storytelling session in Portuguese:
⏰ 4 – 5 pm.
📚 Storyteller: Luciana Paltila (BR).
🎶 Musician: João Luís (PT) will play percussion.
Luciana Paltila is the Vice-president of the Portuguese Language Teachers Association in Finland (APPF), and a well-known storyteller. With the traditional drums of Portuguese percussionist, João Luís, the duo will facilitate a magical session of stories and music that inspire wonder, and spark conversations about the beauty of multiculturalism, in honor of Migration Day.
Musical Storytelling session in Turkish:
⏰ 5 – 6 pm.
📚 Storyteller: Murat Emre Ermutlu (TK/FI).
🎶 Musician: Melisa Yildirim (TK) will play acoustic kamancha and lavta.
Melisa and Murat had become a well-known musical duo after playing many times together. In Kabooks, percussionist Murat will introduce to children the story of the great Turkish musicians, Tanburi Cemil Bey, and Asik Veysel. Melisa will bring this story to life with Sufi, Anatolian folk and contemporary music.
KABOOKS! at Entresse Library: Musical storytelling in Albanian and Arabic
The third stage for the first edition of KABOOKS! We are very happy to come back to this beloved library that held Kolibrí Festivaali during its first 3 years.
Remember you’ll find the library on the 3rd floor of Entresse Kauppakeskus.
🗓 18.12.2024 ⏰ 4 – 6 pm 🎟️ Free access 📌 Siltakatu 11, 02770 Espoo | Blue room.
Save the Facebook Event in your calendar and don’t miss it!
Musical Storytelling session in Albanian:
⏰ 4 – 5 pm.
📚 Storyteller: Alba Vrapi (AL).
🎶 Musician: Merve Abdurrahmani (AL).
As a teacher of Albanian language, and chair person of Autokton ry, Alba is very connected to Albanian culture and language. She will read traditional stories, accompanied by the beautiful melodies of talented Albanian pianist Merve Abdurrahmani.
Musical Storytelling session in Arabic:
⏰ 5 – 6 pm.
📚 Storyteller: Khalil Abu Sharekh (PS).
🎶 Musician: Shafeeq Alsadi (PS) will play Qanun.
Palestinian writer and storyteller Khalil Abu Sharekh will read “stories from the Arab world that offer rich narratives, blending timeless traditions with contemporary struggles”. Khalil will be accompanied by Palestinian musician Shafeeq Alsadi, who will bring the tales to life with the traditional qanun.