2025 Snapshots: A Year of Impact and Growth

by Khaya Ronkainen on behalf of the Finnish-African Society 

Illustration by Sunday Mpanduji

The year 2025 brought African literature and artistic expression into the focus of Finnish culture. From children gathering for storytelling at Oodi Library to the historic invitation to the Presidential Independence Day celebration, the Finnish-African Society built bridges. It brought communities together and gave African voices the platforms they deserve.

Moments That Mattered

Here are some of the moments that defined our year:

  • The Finnish-African Society’s chairperson, Sarah Laaru, was invited by the President and the First Lady of Finland to the 108th Finnish Independence Day festivities at the Presidential Castle.
  • FAS organised and facilitated participation of our FALA authors at the Helsinki Book Fair, as well as Interactive African Storytelling – Reading for Children at Oodi Library.
  • In partnership with CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, FAS hosted a roundtable with colleagues from the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF).
  • FAS curated books by Black, African, African-American, Afro-Finnish, and BIPOC authors for kids, teens, and families, in several languages, to be displayed at the Oodi Library. Additionally, this exhibition showcased illustrated artwork by our FALA artist, Sunday Mpanduji @sundaympanduji.
  • FAS, in partnership with the Helsinki African Book Club, hosted an African Literature Open Session & Discussion at the Oodi Library.
  • Interview by the FAS chair and team members with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie during her ‘Dream Count’ tour in Helsinki.
  • Official visit by the FAS team to present the First Lady of Finland with a signed copy of Adichie’s book.

Sarah with the First Lady at the Linnanjuhla

In Their Own Words: Creatives We’ve Supported

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to elevating African and Afro-Finnish artists, authors, and creatives. We help them find audiences, build connections, and thrive in Finland’s cultural landscape. Through book fairs, exhibitions, readings, and collaborative projects, we create pathways for creative voices that might otherwise go unheard. 

Here’s what some artists and creatives said about their experience with us:

Working with the Finnish-African Society has been deeply affirming and impactful. Their commitment to creating visible and respected platforms for African literature, art and cultural expression in Finland has strengthened both my creative work and sense of belonging within the cultural ecosystem. I particularly appreciate their intentional leadership and storytelling; from championing African voices to embodying representation at the highest levels, exemplified by Chairperson Sara Laaru, whom F’Joy Couture styled for the Presidential Gala. What truly stands out about FAS is integrity. They don’t just advocate for African culture; they live it, elevate it, and open doors for community empowerment with purpose and pride. — Omolara Odediran, Creative Director @ F’Joy Couture

Working with the Finnish-African Society has been empowering. Thanks to their efforts in introducing authors to Finnish readers, my readership has grown, and my creative work has gained visibility. They have established a platform for African voices and other creatives of immigrant backgrounds. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Helsinki Book Fair. — Hope Nwosu, Author

Volunteering with the Finnish-African Society has profoundly enriched and transformed my career trajectory. By supporting African creatives, FAS has helped me establish myself as a visual storyteller and an emerging marketing communications professional, enabling me to craft and share impactful stories. The entire journey has been like a “Masterclass of Connecting, Informing and Networking” for me. Mostly, I appreciate the brilliant people I work with; they continue to reshape and inspire me to grow, one collaboration and conversation at a time. — Victor Ayertey, Visual Storyteller

Working with the Finnish-African Society has been a wonderful and mind-opening experience for me. Thanks to their support in finding opportunities and providing a platform to showcase my skills, I’ve been able to connect and network with other creatives and audiences. For instance, in 2025, I collaborated with FAS to create illustrations for a poster that was displayed at a book exhibition. This helped me gain recognition and visibility for my work. I recommend that authors, creatives, and cultural organizations work with FAS for networking, support, and career advancement. —Sunday Mpanduji, Illustrator

Partnerships That Powered Change

Behind every successful event and initiative in 2025 was a network of partners who supported our mission. We’re grateful to every partner who believed in the power of African voices and helped us create spaces where stories and creativity could flourish. Literary Cleveland, Africa-Europe Foundation, CMI–Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, Oodi Library, Moniheli ry, YSL and several diplomatic missions are some of the involved organizations.

CMI with AEF roundtable session.

Core Team in Action

None of this work happens without the passionate people who bring it to life. Our core team of board members and volunteers is the engine behind every event, partnership, and initiative. They each bring dedication, expertise, and energy to our shared mission.

Here are some of the members responsible for year 2025 success:

Kati Vertiö, as secretary-treasurer, keeps the organizational engine running—managing finances, handling funding matters, and ensuring transparency and accountability with meticulous care. Her crucial work allows the rest of the team to focus on impact. She is the quiet backbone of everything we do.

Managing a network of artists takes patience, creativity, and serious people skills—all of which Hawa Sesay brings in abundance. As FALA Network Coordinator, she orchestrates her tasks with grace, keeping creative egos aligned and projects on track. She also supports youth engagement to bring the next generation into our creative community.

Laura Hytti, who serves on the board, uses her project management skills to oversee FAS’s ambitious initiatives, like coordinating participation at the Helsinki Book Fair, moderating panel discussions, promoting multilingual children’s books and interactive African storytelling. A pleasure to work with, she’s refreshingly firm: deadlines are real, expectations are clear, and the work gets done because of it.

Serving as a board member, Esa Rantanen, brings strategic insight to stakeholder engagement and a diplomatic touch to navigating African-Finnish relations. His commitment to reshaping the African business narrative in Finland, particularly through his ongoing support of our Annual Business Seminars, has been impactful.

Vida Amoah is redefining how FAS engages the next generation. As Vantaa Youth Chairperson, she brings fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and proven expertise in youth advocacy that’s shaping our inclusion agenda. Her energy and commitment to making FAS accessible and relevant to young people is driving real change—and it’s just the beginning.

As vice chair, Esther Osalenlen is the visionary that has shaped what FAS is becoming. Meticulous and deeply committed, she provides expertise in strategic planning, legal matters, and operations management. Her contributions span from guiding Oriole Publications to shaping key speeches during the 2020 Finland-Africa Strategy launch. She doesn’t just keep FAS running; she ensures it’s building toward something greater.

Matti Kinnunen, the Finnish-African Society’s former chairperson, continues to support the organization from behind the scenes with unwavering commitment. His open-mindedness, honest approach, and loyalty to FAS’s mission remain as strong as ever. He was pivotal in mentoring the current chairperson through the leadership transition, ensuring the work and legacy continue. Although he passed the torch, his wisdom and guidance remain essential to FAS’s journey forward.



Conclusion

As we reflect on 2025, we’re deeply grateful to every partner, supporter, creative, and volunteer who made this year possible. Your belief in our mission—to bridge cultures and foster better relationships—has created ripples of impact far beyond what we could have imagined. As we step into 2026, we’re eager to forge new global partnerships and deepen our work. If you’re an organization, cultural institution, or creative network that shares our vision, let’s connect. Together, we can build even more bridges and shape the future of cross-cultural relationships.