Youth zone, concert, and panel discussion –YMCA Finland makes a strong comeback at the World Village Festival
8.4.2026
Martiina Woodson
Now in its 31st year, the World Village Festival will be held this year in the heart of the city, in the area surrounding Lasipalatsi. YMCA Finland will participate in the festival weekend on 16–17 May 2026 as the producer of no fewer than three different programmes.
Values, human rights, and identity – Democracy education in the shadow of the war in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine, which has lasted for over a decade, is fostering a profound sense of hopelessness. Simultaneously, an increasing number of young people are trying to leave the country. A strong will to defend and rebuild the nation conflicts with personal trauma and loss. Are young people free to imagine a better future? Where do they find hope, and what does democracy mean to a generation that has witnessed its fragility?
Taking the stage for the discussion are journalist Justas Stasevskij, the director of a Ukrainian youth organisation, Victoria Trofimova, and young activist Anastasiia Luzhna.
“It is very difficult to discuss democracy with young people. How can we address, for example, the ‘Youth, Peace, and Security’ resolution when we have neither —neither peace nor security,” reflects Victoria Trofimova.
The programme is in English. The discussion can be followed on the festival’s main stage at Bio Rex or via livestream.
Justas Stasevskij specialises in Eastern European news and has worked as a reporter for Yle in both Poland and Ukraine. Stasevskij, who is of Finnish-Ukrainian descent, was awarded the European of the Year award in 2025. His journalism is characterised by a balance between geopolitical analysis and human-centred stories.
Victoria Trofimova is the General Secretary of YMCA Ukraine, having served in various roles within the organisation for over a decade. She considers the organisation’s most important mission to be strengthening youth agency during the war and in the country’s reconstruction.
Anastasiia Luzhna is a YMCA volunteer who has spent the past year working as a youth coordinator for the Danish-Ukrainian Voices of Defenders project. The project supports young activists and veterans in processing their war experiences and rediscovering their role within society.
Producer: YMCA Finland
Schedule: Sun, May 17, 2026, 1:00–1:25 PM
Venue: BioRex, Lasipalatsi
Yona’s Ukraine Concert is a Declaration of Love for Freedom and Peace
The soulful Yona takes the stage with her trio at the Ukraine Concert, which opens the festival’s second day. Yona, whose real name is Johanna Rasmus, has enjoyed a distinguished career. In addition to her own compositions, she will perform songs from the album ‘Solovey – Songs from Ukraine’, composed in collaboration with the Saimaa Orchestra. Her interpretations of the original Ukrainian versions pay tribute to the Slavic musical tradition, while Yona’s lyrics attune the listener to reflect on freedom and peace.
YMCA Finland, as the concert’s co-producer, collaborates in Ukraine with a local partner to support its humanitarian and long-term work among internally displaced persons and youth, particularly in communities near the front
lines.
In Yona’s concert and performance, the sensitivity is as profound as the pride of the Ukrainian people and their fight for freedom. Slava Ukraini!
Producer: World Village Festival and YMCA Finland
Schedule: Sun 11:15–12:15 AM
Location: Lasipalatsi Square
The youth-led YMCA Peace & Sports Zone makes a return to the World Village Festival
Feeling world-weary? Fed up with doomscrolling? Frustrated with boomers – or just the general unfairness of it all? Don’t stay at home — Come to the best spot in town to try the 3×3 street basketball court and our sustainable development games. We’re here to talk justice, equality, and all that good stuff. Dividing gummy-bear-skills required.
This is a place for young people, by young people, with our own DJs setting the mood. All you have to do is pull up!
A more detailed programme will be published in April. The programme is available in Finnish and English and is primarily intended for young people. The event is organised by YMCA Finland, Helsinki YMCA’s Yökoris / Midnight Basketball, and the YMCA Peacemakers crew from across Finland.
Producer: YMCA Finland
Schedule: Sat, May 16, 2026, 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Sun, May 17, 2026, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Location: Narinkkatori
Ota yhteyttä
Martiina Woodson
Viestintäasiantuntija
+358 44 321 3543
martiina.woodson@ymca.fi
