Bloom Helsinki: Where do we belong when home is elsewhere?

Two books. Two voices. One question that every immigrant knows by heart. Welcome to our reading circle.

A Reading Circle on Migration and Identity

Two books. Two voices. One question that every immigrant knows by heart.

Join Bloom Helsinki for an intimate and thought-provoking reading circle as we explore the complexities of displacement, reinvention, and the quiet work of building a self in a language that wasn’t yours to begin with.

Whether you are a newcomer to Finland or have lived here for decades, these stories offer a mirror to the immigrant experience and a window into the global movement of people.

The Book Selection

This month, we are diving into two distinct but deeply connected works:

• Scattered All Over the Earth — Yoko Tawada (Japan) In a near-future where Japan has vanished from the map, climate refugee Hiruko roams Scandinavia speaking a language she invented herself—part Japanese, part pan-Scandinavian, part something entirely new. Playful yet profound, this novel asks what remains of identity when the country that shaped you no longer exists.
• The Ungrateful Refugee — Dina Nayeri (Iran) Iranian-born Nayeri fled her country as a child, passing through Rome and Dubai before being resettled in the West. In this sharp, deeply personal essay collection, she challenges the unspoken demand that refugees "perform gratitude" and asks what we truly owe each other across the borders of belonging.

Event Details

• When: May 30, 2026 | 10:30 AM
• Where: Oodi Helsinki Central Library, Ryhmätila 3 (Group Room 3)
• Access: Free (Registration via Eventbrite required)
• Host: Suzy Zhang, Event Coordinator of Bloom Helsinki

Good to Know

Borrow for Free: Both books are available to borrow via Helmet libraries.

Come as You Are: We recommend reading both books before the session, but if you've only finished one—or just dipped in—you are still very welcome. The conversation is open to all!

About Bloom Helsinki: Bloom is a community dedicated to helping internationals and locals integrate, connect, and thrive in Finland. We believe that sharing stories is the fastest way to turn a new city into a home.

IMPORTANT! By registering for this event, you consent to being photographed or filmed for Bloom Finland’s marketing and promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed—especially if you are attending with children—please inform a host at the venue upon your arrival. Additionally, by signing up, you agree to receive a flyer with an invitation to join our Official Bloom Finland Community on LinkedIn.

Cover images of books are borrowed from internet and purpose is to guide event attendeed towards the correct version of the book discussed in the reading circle.