OAF x WeeGee Reads: Suuri valhe vammaisuudesta

We often think that Finland is a model country for disability rights, even though we do not understand the basics, like the fact that accessibility is a human right. Why is Suuri valhe vammaisuudesta (“The Big Lie About Disability”) the first book to bring us an “openly disabled” Finlandia prize winner? Who can and is allowed to make art? At the OAF X WeeGee Reads event, this topic will be discussed by poet Satu Kankaanpää and the authors of Suuri valhe vammaisuudesta, Riikka Leinonen and Sofia Tawast. The discussion will be moderated by Sanni Purhonen, a poet from Espoo. During the discussion, the panellists will read their own and each other’s texts. The event will start with a poetry performance by Satu Kankaanpää.

The discussion will be in Finnish and interpreted into Finnish Sign Language. An induction loop will be available in a specific area.

Read more about the panellists and check the event programme at the bottom of this page.

The event is part of the Outsider Art Festival (OAF) and organised by OAF, the City of Espoo and EMMA.

Outsider Art Festival (OAF) gives a voice to outsider artists by presenting a fascinating array of music, visual arts, performing arts, films, literature and life stories. The festival will take place from 14 to 24 August 2025 in Helsinki and Espoo. OAF is a partner festival of the Helsinki Festival. Read more about the festival: outsiderart.fi

Panellists

Sanni Purhonen is a poet, literary critic, teacher, journalist, translator, and communications officer at the human rights organisation Kynnys ry.

Sofia Tawast is a freelance journalist with an MA in media studies, a social media activist, and a mother of a disabled child.

Riikka Leinonen is a writer with cerebral palsy and an expert in the field of social sciences, with a background in landscape architecture, the social sciences of sport, and politics.

Satu Kankaanpää is a sign language poet who won first prize with her Kapinaruno at the 2024 Deaf Culture Days in Helsinki.

Schedule

14:00–14:15 Poetry performance by Satu Kankaanpää

14:15–15:15 Author discussion and audience questions

15:15– Silent book club

What is a silent book club?

A silent book club is an event concept for book lovers who like to read in peace but together. The concept is simple: people get together, open their books and read them silently for an agreed amount of time. Our WeeGee Reads events are based on a broad theme, and we encourage participants to bring a book that fits the theme.