2026 Night of the Arts at Villa Kivi

Event Introduction

The Night of the Arts at Villa Kivi will feature three engaging panel discussions and the evening will conclude with a stand-up performance by three author-comedians. The event will be hosted by Pilvi Pääkkönen.

Programme:

5 pm Announcement of the Helsinki-based writer of the year

5:30 pm Fascinating folklore
What is it about folklore that inspires writers, and what can it tell us about the modern world? Melina Marras, Toni Saarinen and Terhi Tarkiainen will discuss the use of folklore in fiction. Interviewer: Elina Loisa.

6:30pm Naturhaverierna
A conversation with Malin Kivelä about her book Naturhaverierna – on humanity’s complex relationship with nature, climate anxiety and our longing for the wild. Interviewer: Aapo Roselius.

7:30 pm Animals as narrators in literature: anthropomorphism or a literary device?
Authors Katja Kettu and Laura Gustafsson, both of whom have endowed animals with the ability to speak human languages in their works, will discuss non-human narrators in novels and the anthropomorphising of animal characters. Interviewer: Kati-Annika Ansas.

8:30 pm Stand up!
Author-comedians Joonas Kallonen, Olavi Koistinen and Kaisa Pylkkänen

9:35pm Poems from Benin – “Those before me” by BRAVO
BRAVO is a Beninese writer, poet, and slam artist. Through his writing and performances, he explores themes of identity, memory, spirituality, culture, and human emotions. A former resident of Villa Karo and recipient of the Niilo Helander Foundation Artistic Creation Grant, he is the author of several books, including Le Chant des vers, Dr Li, C’était à Tchirimina, and Wendia. His work bridges tradition and contemporary creation, offering a voice that is both deeply committed and profoundly human. His performance is entitled “THOSE BEFORE ME”; and was written in Villa Kivi on 22 July 2026 in 2:AM

A small and charming mobile pizzeria, Il Postino the pizza bike, will be parked in the garden together with the new Smoothie bike.

Categories

Literature