Free classes to support Ukraine on 27 March 2022

The room is packed and sweat is pouring, even though it is Sunday morning. Musicians keep the beat and bring a great vibe to Annina Tuhkunen’s energetic Afro dance class.

We are at a hobby event at Helsingin aikuisopisto, where donations are being collected for UNICEF to help children and families with children in Ukraine.

Our teachers helped come up with the idea for the event, at which they offer their skills free of charge to raise funds.

“It is absolutely wonderful to be able to do your bit in a very concrete way through your own work,” one of the teachers says.

Workshops in adult ballet, singing bowl relaxation and textile graffiti

Many people have found their way to our centre in Etu-Töölö for the first time and are surprised by the wide range of courses. Throughout the day, visitors to our building enjoy dance, sports, wellbeing, visual arts, music and theatre workshops in a relaxed atmosphere.

In Kirsi Pynnönen’s sound bath relaxation, participants rest their bodies and minds to a calming soundscape. Annika Sarvela’s gentle yoga offers a moment to pause, listen to your own body and calm down.

From yoga, some participants head straight to the adult ballet class led by Susanna Nurminen. The class includes dancers of all levels, from first-timers to those who have done ballet for a long time. Everyone dances with a smile.

In the painting workshop, led by Juha Okko, participants paint sunflower still lifes on a blue background fabric. In Marjo Hanhisalo’s craftivism workshop, participants work on a shared textile graffiti in the shape of a peace sign, which can be admired in the lower lobby of our building.

There is plenty of action in the parent and child improv led by Johanna Torasvirta. The children especially enjoy a bus journey that stops in Macaroni Land, Pothole Village and with the unicorns. It is also refreshing to see adults throwing themselves into improv and playing together.

In the main hall, children practise reading music with a piano game developed by Helena Markula. In the keyboard track game, they learn where the notes are on the piano keys.

A good feeling and a great donation for UNICEF

Participants donate their “course fees”, in amounts of their choice, to UNICEF in collection boxes, with MobilePay or by text message.

For teachers, the event is not only about raising funds but also a project that builds a sense of community.

“For me personally, it was meaningful that my colleagues were also immediately ready to help people in need in Ukraine,” one of the teachers sums up. “It strengthened my feeling that I am in the right group.”

Helsingin aikuisopisto organises more than 1,000 adult education courses every year

Helsingin aikuisopisto is one of the largest private adult education centres in Finland and organises courses in many subject areas: sports, dance, languages, arts, handicrafts, music, digital skills and more.

Our building is in Töölö at Runeberginkatu 22–24.

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Photo: Michelle Francisca Lee, Unsplash