Autumn, Oh, It’s You!

The end of the year is always a time full of exciting events for the Association of Poles in Northern Finland. And this year will be no exception!

Although not all the dates for our upcoming events have been confirmed yet, we are already preparing an exciting programme of activities and meetings. We hope that everyone – children, families and adults – will find something interesting to enjoy!

Mushroom Picking in Rokua

🗓 Saturday, 5 September 2026, 10:00
📍 Meeting point: ABC Muhos car park

September is the perfect time to head into the forest in search of autumn treasures – porcini mushrooms, birch boletes, slippery jacks and many other varieties of mushrooms!

The Association of Poles in Northern Finland invites you to join us for our sixth annual mushroom-picking trip to Rokua! This event has become a wonderful annual tradition and a great opportunity to spend time together in the beautiful Finnish nature.

We will meet on Saturday, 5 September at 10:00 at the ABC Muhos car park, from where we will head together towards the beautiful forests of Rokua. We can look forward to a relaxing walk in the forest, searching for mushrooms, chatting and, above all, enjoying time together surrounded by Finnish nature.

At approximately 14:00, we plan to meet at the barbecue area, where we can relax after our forest adventure and enjoy a meal together. Afterwards, those who are interested will have the opportunity to take a walk to the viewing tower and admire the beautiful landscapes of Rokua.

We have not forgotten about our youngest participants! We will prepare popular outdoor games and activities for children, such as Mölkky, pétanque and croquet. There will be plenty of movement, some friendly competition and, above all, lots of fun!

Programme of the day

10:00 – meeting at the ABC Muhos car park
travelling together and walking through the forests of Rokua in search of mushrooms
approximately 14:00 – meeting at the barbecue area and enjoying a meal together
outdoor games and activities
a walk to the viewing tower for those interested

Practical information

Please remember to bring your own food and drinks for the barbecue. Don’t forget a basket or another container for collecting mushrooms, comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for the weather and outdoor activities – Finnish autumn can be unpredictable! 🌦️

Travel costs to Rokua are not covered by the Association. However, it may be possible to arrange shared transport/carpooling – if you are interested, please contact us by email.

The event is open to the whole family and anyone who would like to spend a pleasant day in nature, meet other members of our community and enjoy the beauty of the Finnish autumn together.

Please note: The Association of Poles in Northern Finland reserves the right to change the date or cancel the event in the event of unfavourable weather conditions.

Bring your family, friends, a mushroom basket and a good mood – we’ll create the rest together! ❤️🍄

The Language of the Heart – Art Therapy in Teaching Polish to Children Living Abroad

We invite children aged 6–15 to take part in a unique series of free workshops, where learning the Polish language will be combined with art therapy, creativity, play and creative activities.

We believe that children learn most willingly and effectively when learning is connected with positive emotions and interesting experiences. That is why, during our workshops, the Polish language will accompany children through a variety of creative activities.

All workshops are led by a professional art therapist, and participation in the project is completely free of charge!

⏰ When?

The workshops take place from 12:00 to 15:00.

A lunch is also provided during each workshop.

📍 Where?

The first workshop will take place at SuperPark: 13 September – Dance Therapy

All remaining workshops will take place at the Association’s office: Kansankatu 53, Oulu

Workshop dates and themes

💃 13 September – DANCE THERAPY

The first workshop will focus on movement and dance. Physical activity will provide an opportunity to learn and use Polish words related to the body, emotions and different forms of activity. Through movement, children will be able to express themselves freely, develop their imagination and use the Polish language in natural situations.

🧸 27 September – PLAY THERAPY

Learning a language through play! During shared games and activities, children will develop their vocabulary, communication skills and creativity. Playing together will provide an opportunity to talk, cooperate and use the Polish language in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

🎬 4 October – FILM THERAPY

Film stories will become an inspiration for conversations in Polish. Children will have an opportunity to talk about emotions, characters, relationships and everyday situations, while also developing their ability to express their own thoughts and opinions.

🎨 31 October – ART THERAPY

Colours, paints and a variety of materials will become tools for creative expression. During the workshop, children will create their own artwork while learning and reinforcing Polish vocabulary. This meeting will provide an opportunity to develop imagination, creativity and the ability to express oneself freely.

🥐 15 November – ACTIVITY THERAPY

This time, we will become little bakers! During the joint preparation and baking of croissants, children will learn vocabulary related to cooking, ingredients and everyday activities.

Working together will also provide an opportunity to develop independence, concentration and fine motor skills.

🎵 29 November – MUSIC THERAPY

Music, rhythm and words! During the final workshop, children will create their own musical instrument, learn Polish vocabulary related to music, and then use their instruments during a shared activity involving rhythm and sound.

Important information

The workshops are completely free of charge.
We welcome children aged 6–15.
Workshops take place from 12:00 to 15:00.
Lunch is provided during each workshop.
Registration is open until 6 September.
The number of places is limited.
A WhatsApp group will be created for parents, where we will share important information regarding the workshops.

Registration

To register your child for the project, please complete the registration form.

⚠️ Important: By registering your child for the workshops, you commit to ensuring their participation in at least three sessions. Please register thoughtfully, as the number of places is limited.

💛 „Language of the Heart” is about learning Polish through experience, creativity, emotions and play. Because the best way to learn a language is to experience and live it. 🎨🌈

This project is financed from the State Budget of the Republic of Poland through the Chancellery of the Senate of the Republic of Poland under the Senate Polonia 2026 programme for the implementation of public tasks within the Senate’s support for the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad.

Consular office hours in Oulu

We are collecting a list of people interested in consular services in Oulu.

All persons who would like to obtain a passport or need other consular services, please contact us and provide brief information about the nature of the case, e.g. „new passport”.

The next consular visit is planned for autumn 2026.

CONTACT

info@sppf.fi

Ewa Hildén – ewa@sppf.f