Article categories: News
Light events highlight the voice of children and young people in Vaasa
Published: 11.11.2025
Updated: 12.11.2025
On 19 November, Vaasa will host a youth light art event to mark UN World Children’s Day, followed by a light procession for children and young people on 20 November.
Light art event
The aim of this community light art event is to give young people a chance to express themselves in a new way. The lighting will be created by young people from Vaasa, who have selected the themes and locations to be illuminated in advance.
The young light artists have designed the light art pieces together with lighting designer Jussi Vikström.
The event begins on 19 November at 18 from the courtyard of the Youth Centre Kultsa (Raastuvankatu 30). From Kultsa, participants will walk around Vaasa city centre, lighting up several sites along the way. The sites and themes to be illuminated will only be revealed on the spot.
The public is welcome to follow the light event and join in. The event will last for approximately one hour.
– The young people wanted to bring more light and art to the urban environment, and the idea for the event came directly from them, says Anne Lamminen, Youth Service Coordinator.
Light procession for children and youth
The Valo-Ljus event is open to everyone and is organised by TaiKon, Vaasa’s provider of basic art education for children and young people.
Timeline 20 November:
- At 18.00 – Declaration of Children’s Rights at Vaasa Market Square
- At around 18.10 – the procession will depart from the Market Square towards Taikon
- At around 18.20 – the procession will arrive at taikon courtyard, where there will be performances.
At the parade grounds at TaiKon, the audience will have the chance to enjoy a light show created by TaiKon’s theatre, dance, circus, crafts, media, and visual arts students. We warmly invite everyone to celebrate children’s rights with us and join the procession. Remember to bring your own light or lantern!
Year 5 pupils will get a chance to learn about decision-making
During Children’s Rights Week, on 18 and 20 November, primary school pupils from Vaasa will also have the opportunity to learn about the city’s decision-making at the City of Vaasa Administrative Building. This year, year 5 pupils from Savilahti Comprehensive School and Sundom School will be taking part.
On 20 November, UN World Children’s Day, the City of Vaasa will fly the flag at City Hall, the Administrative Building, and the Urban Environment Department building, among other locations.
Vaasa is hoping to receive the Child-Friendly Municipality recognition in December
The city of Vaasa is participating in the UNICEF Child-Friendly Municipality model. Our goal is to offer sustainable, child-friendly solutions across everyday services and administration.
Vaasa has set five concrete goals aimed at making the city more child-friendly. Once implemented, these measures will make a significant difference to how children’s and young people’s rights are realised in our city.
UNICEF will carry out the assessment and make the decision on the Child-Friendly Municipality recognition by the end of 2025.