Luckan Integration

😃🌳🎊 HAPPY MIDSUMMER!

We hope you enjoy some wonderful festivities. Our office is getting so quiet now as we eagerly approach summer semester!

In Swedish speaking communities there are a few traditions you may have observed. Along with retreating to a summer cottage (sommarstuga/mokki), or heading out to the archipelago (skärgården), lighting a bonfire (midsommarbrasa/kokko) on Friday night to ward off evil spirits, you may experience:

Decorations of birch branches everywhere, including the sauna.

Girls making flower wreath crowns (midsommarkrans). Joking about old folklore regarding love and magic which says a ritual can make your future love appear in your sleep!

Decorating and raising the midsummer pole (midsommarstång). The dancing around it whilst singing Små Grodorna (The Small frogs song) and of course you must do all the actions! The kids love it:
https://youtu.be/Ka9YlTq19DM?si=8cXW3TQw2H9JXHRR

And for the more, or less, mature participants will join in the ritual of singing merry songs whilst drinking snaps. Typically you will hear the "snapsvisa" (snaps song) - Helan Går:
https://youtu.be/4W9q_v2kg9c?si=-z0YhTlagMlpw9GJ

GLAD MIDSOMMAR! HYVÄÄ JOHANNES! 🌞🌷🥂

NOTE: Luckan is closed from 29.06.2026 and open again on 03.08.2026.

We wish you a Happy Summer Break and looking forward to seeing you again in August!

Luckan Integration.

🌲☕ Behind every event, programme, and collaboration at Luckan Integration, there's a lot of planning, reflection, and teamwork. Ever wondered what that looks like?

🫶 Before finalising this year's spring/summer season, our team swapped computer screens for forest trails and spent a day in the beautiful surroundings of Nuuksio National Park for our autumn planning day.

Where we had breakfast in a cosy lakeside cottage, plenty of reflection, new ideas, lots of laughter... and of course, we wrapped up the day the Finnish way, with a sauna by the lake. Sorry... no sauna photos! 😁

It was a chance to celebrate everything we've achieved together this spring, reflect on what we've learned, and think about what's next.

Most importantly, it is our opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has been part of the Luckan Integration community this season. Whether you've joined an event, participated in one of our programmes, booked guidance, volunteered, collaborated with us, or simply followed our journey, you've made this season special. 💚

👉 Curious to read more what our planning day looked like? Read the full behind-the-scenes blog here: https://integration.luckan.fi/behind-the-scenes-luckan-integrations-planning-day-in-nuuksio-national-park/

☀️ Happy Summer from all of us at the Luckan Integration team!

🎊 GOT MIDSUMMER PLANS? 🎊

Traditionally many folk head off to their summer cottages for Midsummer but here are some ideas if you are around the capital and want to celebrate. Invite family, friends and a lot of cheer!…

🔥 Kaivopuisto - Cafe Ursula
Music from 1300, DJ from 1800, Bonfire at 2130, Take a picnic to the park
https://www.ursula.fi/tapahtumat/ (fin)
https://www.facebook.com/CafeUrsula/

🌸 Seurasaari
Ticketed event this year with bonfire + many activities
https://juhannusvalkeat.fi/en/ (eng)

🍻 Lasipalatsi Square
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/events/lasipalatsi-square-midsummer-open-air/

🏖️ Vallisaari - IISI
https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/events/juhannustanssit-2026 (eng)

🌅 Pihlajasaari
https://www.jt-line.fi/pihlajasaari/pihlajasaaren-juhannus/ (fin/eng)
https://www.hel.fi/en/culture-and-leisure/outdoor-activities-parks-and-nature-destinations/islands/pihlajasaari (eng info)

🌳 Hanaholmen
https://hanaholmen.fi/en/midsummer (eng)

🌷 Kivinokki
Free Event, Flag raising 1800, Music 1900-2100, Cafes+kosks, No fire or grill
https://www.facebook.com/kivinokkalaiset/ (fin)
https://kivinokka.fi/kiki-ja-luonnonlapset-soittaa-kivinokan-juhannusjuhlissa/
https://kivinokka.fi/visit-kivinokka/ (eng - extra info)

🥂 Mustikkamaa - Lippa
https://www.instagram.com/l.i.p.p.a/ (fin)

💃 Kallio - We Love Helsinki 🕺 
https://www.tiketti.fi/we-love-helsinki-juhannustanssit-2026-helsinki-helsinki-tickets/117867 (fin)

☀️ Kivenlahti
https://www.espoo.fi/en/kivenlahdenjuhannus (eng)

🏡 Pentala Museum
https://www.espoo.fi/en/pentala-archipelago-museum
https://update.museot.fi/exhibitions/index.php?nayttely_id=43804

💛 TIPS
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/visit/things-to-do/midsummer-in-helsinki-tips/ (eng)
https://www.hel.fi/en/news/midsummer-in-helsinki (eng)
https://www.stadissa.fi/tapahtumat/33000/juhannus (fin)
https://www.facebook.com/JtLineOy/ (island transport + info) (eng about)
https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/everything-need-to-know-about-midsummer/ (eng about)
https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/2020/06/14/midsummer/ (Finlandssvensk tradition)

🎊 HAPPY MIDSUMMER FROM US! 🎊 Glad Midsummer! 🎊 Hyvää juhannusta!

🎉 Save the date! Our autumn programmes open for applications on 4 August 2026! 🍂

Looking to build your network, improve your Swedish, make new friends, or strengthen your career journey this autumn? We've got something for you! 💛

✨ FIKA Mentorship Programme
Be matched with a mentor and explore Swedish integration through meaningful one-to-one conversations, cultural experiences, and mutual learning.

🤝 CIRKELN Social Networking Programme
Meet new people, expand your network, and take part in social activities that help you feel more connected to life in Finland.

💼 Peer Support Group for International Jobseekers
Join a supportive group where you'll develop your job search skills, improve your CV and LinkedIn profile, learn about the Finnish labour market, and encourage one another throughout the process.

🗓 Applications open on 4 August! Save the date and be among the first to apply as some of the programs fill up fast. All free of charge to participate.

👉 Read more about our programmes:

FIKA Mentorship: https://integration.luckan.fi/mentoring-networking/fika/
CIRKELN: https://integration.luckan.fi/cirkeln/
Peer Support Group: https://integration.luckan.fi/peer-support-group/

We can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces this autumn. See you soon! 🍁

✈️☀️ Travelling this summer? Don't forget to check how your trip may affect your Kela benefits.

If you're planning to travel abroad, it's good to know a few important things:

✅ Short holiday trips usually do not affect your Kela benefits, and you don't need to inform Kela.
📅 If you'll be abroad for more than 3 months, remember to notify Kela before you leave.
💛 If you receive social assistance (toimeentulotuki) and will be abroad for more than 7 days, you must inform Kela immediately.

Keeping Kela updated helps ensure your benefits are paid correctly and can help you avoid having to repay benefits later.

👉 Read more in the link here: https://customer-newsletter.kela.fi/go/56023890-2347814-214340202

📣 Feel free to share this information with someone who is travelling this summer!

🌲 FREE PARK LUNCHES FOR KIDS THIS JULY! 🍽️

The City of Espoo will provide free park lunches for children and young people in Espoo’s residents’ parks in July. The meals are primarily intended for children and young people under 16.
The park lunches will be available from 1 to 31 July 2026 in five residents’ parks: Latokaski, Viherkallio, Matinkylä, Suvela and Tapiola. A hot meal is served on weekdays at 11:30. You are welcome to join!

More information is available in Finnish, Swedish and English:
www.espoo.fi/en/park-lunch (English)
www.espoo.fi/sv/parkmaltider (Swedish)
www.espoo.fi/puistoruokailu (Finnish)

☀️🌿 Letar du efter en gratis sommarutflykt för hela familjen?

Välkommen till Barnens tisdag på Lekholmen! Varje tisdag fram till 4 augusti bjuds barnfamiljer in till en härlig dag i Helsingfors skärgård med roliga aktiviteter, lek och gemenskap. 🚤🌊

✨ Gratis båtresa
🌭 Gratis grillad hotdog
🎨 Roligt program för barn
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ingen förhandsanmälan behövs, kom som ni är!

📍 Båten avgår från Nordsjö kl. 9.00
📅 Varje tisdag fram till 4 augusti

Lekholmen är en fantastisk plats för att njuta av naturen, träffa andra familjer och skapa fina sommarminnen tillsammans. 💚

👉 Läs mer om programmet och praktisk information här:
https://lekholmen.fi/program/

📣 Tipsa gärna andra familjer som kan vara intresserade!
________________________________________________________

☀️🌿 Looking for a free family outing this summer?

Head to Kids' Tuesday at Lekholmen! Every Tuesday until 4 August, families with children are invited to enjoy a day in the beautiful Helsinki archipelago with fun activities, games, and time outdoors. 🚤🌊

✨ Free boat ride
🌭 Free hot dogs
🎨 Children's activities and games
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 No registration needed, just bring the whole family!

📍 Departure from Nordsjö at 9:00
📅 Every Tuesday until 4 August

Lekholmen is a wonderful place to enjoy nature, make new friends, and create summer memories together. 💚

👉 Read more about the programme and practical information here:
https://lekholmen.fi/program/

📣 Feel free to share with families who might enjoy a summer day in the archipelago!

Program 2026 Veckoprogram Lekholmen är öppen hela sommaren och vi ordnar program varje vecka. Tisdagarna är barnens egen dag, på torsdagskvällarna bjuder vi alla ungdomar på grillmat, program och bästa sommar…

🎶💙 From Ukraine to Svenskfinland through music.

The Ukrainian choir **Perespiv** has been rehearsing for its performance at the Finland-Swedish Song and Music Festival, where they will sing in Swedish alongside other choirs. What started as a way to find community after arriving in Finland has grown into a meaningful cultural and linguistic journey.

Through music, the choir members are not only sharing Ukrainian culture but also practicing Swedish, building connections, and finding a sense of belonging in their new home.

🌍🤝 A beautiful example of how language, culture, and music can bring people together.

👉 Read more about Perespiv's story in the article below.
https://www.hbl.fi/kultur/ukrainska-koren-perespiv-sjunger-pa-svenska/?shareSource=sharebutton

Ukrainsk kör sjunger på svenska: ”Finns inget bättre” Deltar i sång- och musikfesten i helgen.

🤩 Welcome Day på Nordhuset or Gone with the wind 2 😉. Rollups are flying away, participants are competing for rocks to press their flyers.😄

Happening today at Nordhuset Mosaiikkitori 2, 00980 Helsinki

Come connect with Luckan Integration at the tent! See you there!