Meeting at Pyhäjoki library

Participants: Heikki Lahnaoja (kirjasto ja kulttuurijohtaja), Laima Salkauskiene (hanketyöntekijä) local immigrants (2 people).

The description of immigrants’ situation in Pyhäjoki region. Since the Hanhikivi project has been shut down, some immigrant families moved to bigger towns or even to other countries. A few families are still staying in Pyhäjoki but have little interest to participate actively. Although, some ideas could be implemented such as workshops and not formal meetings to improve the Finnish language and find out more about Finnish traditions and customs. Another serious reason which complicates the possibilities of active participation is the distance these people live from the library and have no how to reach the center. Also, some immigrants just keep silent or feel tired after daytime issues.

The conclusion. The workshops could be organized if we found some Finnish volunteers who would agree to teach some simple homemade crafts that do not require specific types of equipment and at the same time invite some immigrants to share their traditional arts and crafts. Overall, such meetings could serve as a perfect opportunity to practice the Finnish language and improve open and friendly relationships and integration into the local community. After workshops, an exhibition could be arranged at the local library.