Culture Exchange
Meet other local people interested in Culture Exchange: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Culture Exchange group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Culture Exchange Events Today
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Språkcafé på svenska i Ode Biblioteket
Språkcaféet är en öppen diskussionsgrupp för dig som är intresserad av att öva svenska.
Välkommen till Oodi för att samtala på svenska, dricka te, lära känna nya människor och utveckla dina språkkunskaper. Tröskeln är låg alla är välkomna till språkcaféet. Vi träffas på andra våningen i grupprum 7. Språkcaféet ordnas i samarbete med Föreningen Luckan.
NÄR? Varje onsdag från 28 januari till 1 juli 2026, kl. 17.30–19.00
VAR? Tölöviksgatan 4 / Helsingfors centrumbibliotek Oodi
Grupprum 7, våning 2
HUR? Gratis, men antalet platser är begränsattill 20 personer – säkra din plats i tid.
Läs mer här: [https://helmet.finna.fi/FeedContent/LinkedEvents?id=helsinki:agilmfuur4](https://helmet.finna.fi/FeedContent/LinkedEvents?id=helsinki%3Aagilmfuur4&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyOXJVem4wcG9zTFNnWkZhb3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7oA9f7wT-vg1TTAOolBX-DIa5v2kNy3WWYaRoGIQ61b0FwKnNRIpM8iS_SNA_aem_3IiwBU4uC18LCxtcZztCzQ)
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The Language Café is an open discussion group for people interested in practicing Swedish.
Come to Ode to discuss in Swedish, drink tea, get to know new people and practice your language skills.
We have a low threshold, everyone is welcome to the language café and we meet on the second floor in group room 7. The language café is organised in cooperation with Föreningen Luckan.
WHEN? Every Wednesday starting 28th Jan - 1st July 2026 from 17.30-19.00
WHERE? Tölöviksgatan 4 / Helsinki Central Library Oodi, Group room 7, second floor
HOW? Free, however, the space is limited to 20 people so make sure to grab a seat.
Read more here: [https://helmet.finna.fi/FeedContent/LinkedEvents?id=helsinki:agilmfuur4](https://helmet.finna.fi/FeedContent/LinkedEvents?id=helsinki%3Aagilmfuur4&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyOXJVem4wcG9zTFNnWkZhb3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5tA7X3DwdnHkLD_aFYiMP70HkHr0Sb51r5vMwwTnCaNWoZQI38y7VBcXHTqQ_aem_ankM-3hEAv-lqwS8R76POA)
Finnish Language Café
Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :)
The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹
Tervetuloa!
When? ⏰
Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00
Where? 📍
In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
The Good Coffee Company
A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹
Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki
Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes:
https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events
Domina el Arte de Presentar con Finlandia Toastmasters
Ven a Finlandia Toastmasters a practicar y aprender habilidades de presentación 🗣️, storytelling 🎬y pitching 🎤. Estos son pilares fundamentales para tener éxito en el mundo laboral de hoy.
El programa de cada reunión incluye discursos y presentaciones, retroalimentación (feedback), improvisaciones y, como si fuera poco, la vas a pasar muy bien 😄.
¡Bienvenidos a conocernos! 🤝
Nos vemos este miércoles 10 de junio.
**OJO: Este evento será en una casa en Helsinki, contáctate con los organizadores para obtener la dirección. También es posible participar de manera remota via Teams.**
Finlandia Toastmasters es parte de la red Toastmasters International.
Vibe Coding Finland: June meetup with Elisa
Welcome to our June meetup in Helsinki, arranged together with Elisa (https://elisa.fi/).
Schedule:
17:00 Doors open!
17:30 Welcome words by organizers and Elisa
17:40 **"Build before specifying", Kristofer Pasanen, Development Manager/Product Owner, Elisa**
What changes when a PO builds before specifying? Better stakeholder conversations. Real artifacts for real decisions. Sometimes the roles blur – sometimes it becomes obvious why every role is still needed. Notes from a year of building for myself and at Elisa.
\*5 min break\*
18:15 **"Bringing Context, Orchestration and AI Agents to the SDLC by Graham & Akseli from Kaiku"**
With AI in delivery projects, we consistently see the same pattern: every engineer has their own rules, their own prompts, their own way of working — and nothing is shared. Context lives in people's heads, local systems, or scattered across repositories.
At Kaiku we've been tackling this from the inside - bringing shared context, structured skills, and orchestrated agents across our whole company. In this session, Graham & Akseli will walk through how Kaiku has approached this, how we've evolved and where we're aiming next.
* Why context is the real bottleneck in AI-assisted development and why solving it at the individual level doesn't scale.
* Building a shared knowledge layer: encoding expertise into skills, rules, and workflows that agents and humans pull from the same source.
* What it looks like in practice when POs and engineers are all working with the same AI context across their tools and agents.
* Orchestrating agents across the delivery lifecycle: what's worked, what we've learnt, and what we're still figuring out.
Akseli Manninen is a senior data scientist at Kaiku and Graham Daw is one of the founders.
\*5 min break\*
18:50 **"How an AI-native marketing agency actually uses AI**
**Built AI-native from day one", Valtteri Taube, co-founder, OstraconAI**
Valtteri Taube shares how the agency operates — and what it means to run marketing in an AI-first way. One example: the Claude Skills the team uses in its own marketing
19:30 Mingling / free discussion etc
20:00 Doors close
**About us**
Vibe Coding Finland is a community for developers, designers, business professionals and tech enthusiasts who love to vibe code, learn, and connect in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your coding journey, you’ll find good company, meaningful discussions, and hands-on sessions to boost your skills and creativity.
Our meetups feature a mix of talks, coding sessions, project showcases, and networking — all centered around building great vibes and a supportive tech community in Finland.
Finnish Testing Meetup Group June 2026 get together
**Welcome to the Finnish Testing Meetup Group**
**June 2026 get together!**
Let us continue on our collective journey learning together about testing and quality assurance.
**Host**
Meetup June Helsinki edition is hosted by [UpCloud](https://upcloud.com/).
Hosts from UpCloud will be:
* [Faheem Iftikhar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/faheemiftikhar/)
* [My Siegberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-siegberg/)
**Event program:**
16:30-17:00 Arrival, refreshments and mingling
17:00-17:15 Opening words
17:15-17:45 Presentation 1
17:45-18:00 Break
18:00-18:30 UpCloud Quiz (with prizes!)
18:30-19:00 Presentation 2
19:00-19:25 Announcements and mingling
19:30 Venue closed
There will be snacks and drinks available generouosly provided by UpCloud!
**Let's be polite:**
Please respect host and arrival timeslot -> be in time
Please remember to update your RVSP in case you cannot participate.
It is polite to update your RVSP NOT on the last day before the event or the event day but earlier!
**Presentations:**
In this session we will have two presentations from:
1. [Oscar Santolalla](https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscarsantolalla/) from [Spinverse](https://www.spinverse.com/)
2. [Essi Yli-Korpela](https://www.linkedin.com/in/essi-yli-korpela-8157b0296/), student at [Oulu University of Applied Sciences](https://www.linkedin.com/school/41105/)
**Oscar's presentation**
**Title:** Become the speaker every tech conference wants in the line up
**Abstract:** Do you want to speak in the best tech events of your field? Are you frustrated with getting your proposals rejected?
Join Oscar Santolalla, author of Rock the Tech Stage for this talk, to get the insight you need to become the speaker every tech conference wants in the line up 🎤
Join us to learn:
• Three powerful tools to develop your own presentation toolkit, backed with success stories from the best speakers in tech
• How to remove obstacles that have stopped you from speaking in the best tech events of your field
• How to always be creating tech talks that your audience wants to hear, and that event organizers want to add to their lineup.
**Essi's presentation**
**Title:** Early Childhood Education as a Testing Environment for Robotics
**Abstract:** What happens when an early childhood education teacher teams up with a social robot called Buddy? How does early childhood education work as a testing environment for new learning activities? And how do we take the first steps toward using new technology in early childhood education?
This talk explores the importance of understanding the user group, being willing to learn together, and accepting that when testing new learning materials in a real environment, surprises are not only possible, but inevitable and welcome.
**Warmly welcoming you all,**
**Brgds FTMG organizers;**
[Nina](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninaperta/), [Szilard](https://www.linkedin.com/in/szellszilard/), [Jani,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jani-gronman/) [Jamina](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaminapollanen/) and [Mikko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikko-paloheimo/)
Helsinki Python meetup at IQM Quantum Computers
Welcome to our June meetup, kindly hosted by [IQM Quantum Computers](https://iqm.tech/).
Photos of the event may be shown on different digital channels of Helsinki Python and our hosts. Please also share your own photos!
**Schedule**
* 17:00 Doors open
* 17:30 Welcoming words from Helsinki Python team and our host
* 17:45 *Janne Mäntylä: Engineering a Quantum Future: 0 to 1 in Full-Stack Superconducting Quantum Computers*
* 18:20 Break
* 18:50 Quiz 🔮
* 19:00 *Julia Ripatti: Introduction to quantum computing and practical applications of variational quantum algorithms*
* 19:30 *Per Liebermann: Asynchronous Programming in Quantum Hardware Orchestration*
* 20:00 Visit to the [IQM showroom](https://www.mintmore.fi/iqm)
* 21:00 Let's start moving to a nearby bar to continue Python discussions 🍻
**Talks**
*Janne Mäntylä: Engineering a Quantum Future: 0 to 1 in Full-Stack Superconducting Quantum Computers*
Quantum computers promise to improve solutions to problems classical machines struggle with, from simulating molecular interactions to optimisation in logistics and finance. But how do you actually build one? This talk covers the fundamentals and use cases, IQM's full-stack superconducting approach from cryogenics to quantum operating system, and an honest look at where the technology stands today and the challenges ahead.
*Julia Ripatti: Introduction to quantum computing and practical applications of variational quantum algorithms*
Quantum computers can potentially solve certain computational problems beyond the reach of classical computers. This talk provides an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of quantum computing, including qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits. The talk focuses on Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs), a leading approach for near-term quantum computers that combine quantum and classical computational techniques. Through practical examples in optimization and machine learning, attendees will gain insights on how VQAs are applied to real-world problems.
*Per Liebermann: Asynchronous Programming in Quantum Hardware Orchestration*
Leveraging our hardware streaming capabilities and the concurrent nature of execution with the help of Python's async to limit idle time on the quantum processing unit.
PowerUp! Live Meetup (10.06.2026)
Tervetuloa **PowerUp! Live Meetup** tapahtumaan kuulemaan Power Platform -aiheisia esityksiä ja verkostoitumaan. Tapahtuman mahdollistaa [Gofore](https://gofore.com/) ja se järjestetään Helsingissä osoitteessa Siltasaarenkatu 8-10, 00530 Helsinki.
Rekisteröidy tapahtumaan ja muista kutsua kaverisi myös mukaan. Tapahtumassa on tarjolla mielenkiintoisia esityksiä ja keskustelua Power Platformiin liittyen.
**Aikataulu (16:10 - 20:00)**
16:30 - 17:00 - Ovet auki
17:00 - 17:05 - PowerUp! intro
17:05 - 17:20 - Tervetulosanat **Goforelta**
17:30 - 18:15 - **How to Distrust an Agent: An AI Architecture Review (Nicholas Wanberg, FF) - Session in English**
18:30 - 19:15 - **Power Pages BYOC, uusi tapa toteuttaa voimasivuja, (Kimmo Koski, Meltlake)**
19:15 - 20:00 - Verkostoitumista ja avointa keskustelua
\*\*\*
Haluatko puhujaksi PowerUp! Meetup tapahtumaan? Kerro siitä meille:
[PowerUp! Meetup (Finland): Call for Speakers @ Sessionize.com](https://sessionize.com/powerup-meetup-finland/)
\*\*\*
Welcome to this PowerUp! Live Meetup event, which this time powered by **Gofore**. Register for the event and remember to invite your friends too. There will be interesting sessions and discussions related to Power Platform. **Sessions are held in Finnish by default.**
Culture Exchange Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
International Cultural Café in Swedish
Here’s an opportunity to learn Swedish over a good cup of coffee or tea ☕😋🇦🇹 for free!
The events are free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. In addition, we offer free (yes, free) coffee, tea, and biscuits to participants!
På svenska, men på olika sätt
Att prata med folk på café kan vara både nöje och utmaning. Hos oss serverar vi kaffe med mycket glädje och inspiration. Tillsammans lyssnar, pratar, läser, berättar eller skriver vi nyfiket och glatt oavsett om du har den finlandssvenska kulturen redan i blodet eller vill bekanta dig med den.
Vi erbjuder deltagarna gratis kaffe eller te med lite tilltugg.
When? ⏰
Usually Thursdays at 16:00
Where? 📍
In a cozy Viennese café: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
Välkommen!
**The Good Coffee Company**
**A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹**
Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki
Please visit our Facebook Page for updates and changes:
**[https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events](https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events)**
Badminton at Tali
Hello sporty population!
Join us for badminton and meet people from around the world! Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a beginner or already experienced.
**IMPORTANT**: Spots are limited, so please reserve yours in advance. Only registered participants can join to ensure fair access for everyone. If you mark “going” but do not attend, or fail to cancel at least 1 day before(By 9pm Saturday), you may be suspended from the next two sessions.
📍 Location: Talihalli Huopalahti
⏰ Time: 11:00–12:30
🏸 Courts: 9, 10, and 11
You can meet us at the entrance a little before 11:00 or come directly to the courts (**please do not enter before our booking starts**).
Who can join?
• Open to everyone, regardless of background or gender
• No badminton skills needed – beginners are welcome
• **Age limit: 16+**
Event is free, but please bring your rackets and indoor shoes, or you can borrow a racket from the hall for free if needed.
We are committed to making our events and activities accessible to those who need them most. Therefore, **individuals with a refugee background are welcome to attend free of charge without prior registration.** If you plan to join, simply send a message to Alaa to let us know you’re coming.
This approach is intentional. Many refugees and newcomers face practical, cultural, and psychological barriers that can make formal registration difficult or discouraging. By removing this requirement, we aim to create a more inclusive, low-threshold environment where participation feels safe, simple, and welcoming.
Our events are designed to support the mental health and well-being of refugees and immigrants, while also encouraging dialogue that challenges cross-cultural stigmas and stereotypes. We believe open access is an important step in building trust, increasing participation, and creating meaningful connections across communities.
After badminton, we'll enjoy Talihalli's sauna and maybe go to a local restaurant to grab some lunch after the game.
Warm welcome!
📞 Questions / Contact:
Alaa – 040 5656096
Arun - 050 3206169
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
WhatsApp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/miitti1)
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/miitti1)
[Website](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti)
Restorative Forest Experience - Seurasaari
Discover the restorative power of nature on a guided forest walk on the
island of Seurasaari. Through calm observation and gentle connection
with the forest atmosphere, slow down, unwind, and sharpen your
senses.
**IMPORTANT**: Spots are limited, please make sure to reserve yours! If you are not registered, you will be kindly asked to leave.
Step out of everyday busyness and into a more present, embodied
experience of nature. Practice selected ForestMind exercises and
include optional moments of shared reflection in a safe, supportive
space.
These gentle exercises invite you to open your senses, cultivate a
feeling of calm and refreshment, and practice being fully present in the
moment. Some invitations focus on noticing and kindly accepting your
own thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.
The method, developed in Finland by Mrs. Sirpa Arvonen, combines
researched nature-based health effects with simple mind-skill practices
and is suitable for everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or previous
experience. Leave the forest feeling grounded, refreshed, and more
connected to yourself and your surroundings.
**Program details:**
*WHEN:* Thursday 11th of June, starting at 14.30 and ending around 17.30
*LOCATION:* Seurasaari Island – about 3,5 Km on designated forest trails
(easy access, paths available).
*MEETING POINT:* I will meet you just before the white bridge in Seurasaari,
(you will see the bridge when you get off from the bus).
*AGE:* over 18yo
***PLEASE NOTE***: the activity will take place with sun or rain. Participants bring
comfortable shoes/clothing, weatherproof clothing, water bottle, and an
open mind. No extra equipment required.
*COSTS:* free. The participants pay own bus ticket to and from Seurasaari
Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
IG: instagram.com/miitti1
Facebook: facebook.com/miitti1
Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjdO6QGKx3W-tfkeqWZwP-A2L4CJvi-dtPCJg0r5i0b7aZ26Xg9M70PgQrcF_aem_bilwGCnh6QkHC4t7bmF_8w)/
Guided Meditations
Join us on **Fridays, 18:00 - 19:30** at **Lapinlahden Lähde** for a free session where we’ll explore the topic of the week - **Forming a new Identity**. After 19:30, you're welcome to hang out with us. Depending on what the group decides, we sometimes:
\- stay in\, enjoy tea and cookies and play board games
\- go out for dinner or order food\, feel free to bring your meal
\- Just engage in deep conversations
✅ Your **RSVP counts as your registration**, we expect you to **honour it**.
🤝 All conversations are confidential. What’s shared, stays in the group.
🌿 Small group, big heart: Everyone gets a chance to share.
🧘♀️ Come comfy, come curious.
💧 Bring water. Skip heavy meals & caffeine.
📍 **Tallipääty, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki**
(Through the gate, first door on the left!)
**Kind reminder:** Last-minute cancellations or no-shows mean others miss out. To keep it fair, repeated cases may result in losing the spot in future sessions.
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1)
Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1)
Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti)
Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
Ren Xue Yuan Gong
Welcome to join our Ren Xue Yuan Gong practice with Ren Xue Finland at Lapinlahden Lähde!
The practice is simple but yet practical and powerful.
It is easy to learn and will help you:
-gain energy, feel less tired and stressed
-more mental clarity, easier to concentrate
-boost your immune system
Time:
Sundays 15:30 - 17:00
WHERE:
Tallipääty, MIITTI office
Lapinlahden Lähde
Lapinlahdenpolku 8
00180 Helsinki
NOTE: occasionally, the lesson will be held in Wanha labra (through Kahvila Lähde, above the stairs of the auditorium)
About REN XUE
Ren Xue is a comprehensive system for uplifting human life. It includes a unique form of Qigong (Yuan Qigong); three foundational theories (Theory of Qi, Theory of Consciousness, Theory of Totality) and a large body of teachings.
It was created by world-renowned teacher and healer Yuan Tze who continues to offer online and in-person events worldwide.
Ren Xue combines ancient Chinese wisdom traditions with modern insights into health and well-being.
The goal of Ren Xue is to help individuals improve their physical, emotional, and mental health through a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
REN XUE FINLAND
Ren Xue Finland (RXF) is the Finnish branch of the global movement, an organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of Ren Xue and its associated practices, including Yuan Gong and Yuan Ming Medicine.
It provides easy entry into the Ren Xue system through local in-person sessions, online courses and workshops/retreats.
Other learning methods can be found here: Ren Xue TV, a YouTube channel and Learn Ren Xue website. More about Ren Xue: [https://www.renxueinternational.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.renxueinternational.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR06uJQRSC7BE3zhPePQ7X_KO7WXa60cr7NK25KdOqfbSIHpYqBLO3dYgVM_aem_alDR7a6KhbNhG3u9NhCUVA&h=AT18asmYaRkvHCJemaC7rr9GVu579uflDCg7T6mLNodWdtMVhuxwFhIyz0p5ONeJbm3WQ3ZGIwONIa0_pDvih4t9BCCJUBkjhK4BdIMEl4aQ_qPzR5ykW-aiOndhYDPeAW9_2_eWZaMsv889HKbp8_c&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT35KTjVjr2kCnYHrXXjXPxEGFK-RFbZnFVdDmWrTe5WwbSZZ5ulNxFEjPPhejS8Pf4xetwkU1hhM1P2K_ABugpnXL6w-CKE25ARXwtLSexv-4fPJ4s2_Kcqgj3g2XWjCVkPPgcjwrPoNWOvdKa2f1VqyVa-2kcTojodTS3wn9zrnRjZLcG7)/
Full Circle
Full Circle is a community of practice where mental health and wellbeing professionals come together to learn, share, and grow.
If you’re a mental health or wellbeing practitioner who thrives on shared wisdom and community, Full Circle offers a space where you can connect, grow, and bring fresh insights back into your client work.
**Full Circle is for professionals who work with clients in mental health or wellbeing** (e.g. psychotherapists, counsellors, art therapists, coaches, and others integrating mind–body approaches) .
A community of practice is a space where we come together as professionals to share our experiences, challenges, and insights, not to be taught, but to learn from each other.
Full Circle is about connection, not workshops. It’s a circle of peers, not a classroom.
**By registering for this event, you agree to stand by our shared principles:**
* Confidentiality: What is shared in the circle stays in the circle.
* Presence: We give our full attention to each other, listening deeply.
* Respect: Every voice matters; we value different perspectives and approaches.
* Curiosity: We come to explore, not to give definitive answers.
* Contribution: Everyone is encouraged to share practices, cases, and reflections.
* Commitment: We show up consistently, knowing the community grows through regular participation.
**How our gatherings work**:
We gather **once a month** in person, and every time we move through the same process:
* *Check-in*: We begin by going around the circle, with each person sharing what’s present for them in the moment.
* *Shared practice*: One member of the community leads the group through a method, exercise, or embodied practice from their own field. Everyone experiences it first-hand.
* *Integration dialogue*: Together, we explore what the practice brought up and how it might be woven into our client work.
* *Check-out*: Each person shares one insight they will carry with them.
Mindfulness with Mandala :
Calm, Creativity and Connection
Step away from everyday noise and reconnect with yourself through the **calming world of MANDALA.**
Mandala is a therapeutic art form that encourages **relaxation, focus, mindfulness, and creativity**.
Beginner-friendly guided workshop. No prior art experience needed. Returning participants are welcome too—there’s something new for you.
Basic materials will be provided. You’re also welcome to bring your own colored pens.
Join us for a cozy afternoon of slow art, mindful creativity, and relaxed conversations in a warm café setting.
Culture Exchange Events Near You
Connect with your local Culture Exchange community
BreadBreakers Community Dinner: Special 250th Anniversary Edition
**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.**
**This dinner in particular will be very special as we celebrate America's 250th birthday. How better to honor a semiquincentennial of democracy that spending an evening practicing it?**
In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy.
Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds.
**At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com.
Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event.
We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures.
**Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.**
BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. We are a collaboration between people of all faiths and stripes. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.
Russian Conversation Club
Next meeting is July 6th. Contact the library with questions!
Monthly Russian conversation groups are held on the first Monday of every month from 6:30-7:30 PM at the Germantown Public Library at 19840 Century Blvd in Germantown MD. Call the library to confirm the schedule.
Ежемесячные разговорные группы по русскому языку проводятся в первый понедельник каждого месяца с 18:30 до 19:30 в публичной библиотеке Джермантауна по адресу 19840 Century Blvd в Джермантауне, штат Мэриленд. Позвоните в библиотеку, чтобы уточнить расписание.
Craft Exchange Wednesday
Want to work on your project or learn new skills? Check out Weird Brothers Craft Exchange! Swap materials and skills. Find a cozy spot to work in peace. Or just enjoy the ambiance with a warm mug in hand.
Glenstone Visit
Join us for a peaceful and inspiring Saturday morning at Glenstone on Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM!
Nestled in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone is a unique destination where art, architecture, and nature blend together in a beautifully designed space meant for reflection and exploration. **Admission tickets are reserved; please only RSVP if you are committed to attending and arriving on time. The ticket entry time is 10 AM.**
We’ll spend the morning wandering through the indoor galleries, outdoor sculpture installations, serene walking paths, and landscaped grounds. Expect a relaxing mix of modern and contemporary art, peaceful scenery, and thoughtful conversation with fellow attendees. The campus is quite large, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Many visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the grounds and exhibits.
If people are interested, we can go to lunch afterward.
Saturday ROOFTOP Language Exchange [PLEASE READ 🙏]
Let us meet up for a language exchange. We will give out name tags. You write your name and what language you speak and what language you would like to exchange.
***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.***
We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested.
We have the discretion to decide entry.
All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange.
HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange.
Rules to abide :
1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID).
2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well.
3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible.
4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE.
5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion.
6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message.
7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box.
8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com).
9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group.
10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages.
11\. Be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until we form your respective language group\.
12\. We will have a registration station and check you in\.
13\. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speaker\. It is not as such to learn a language\. Beginners\, if you want to learn a language\, reach out to us \(info@merevents\.com\)\. We have a school and will arrange you a class\. Also\, if you are a native speaker and would like to teach your language\, apply by email\, we are hiring\.
***AFTER THE EXCHANGE, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***




















![Saturday ROOFTOP Language Exchange [PLEASE READ 🙏]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/0/e/a/highres_467337578.webp?w=640)
