Stories and Soup
The Local Challenge
Europe faces increasing sociolinguistic challenges that contribute to isolation and inequality. Rising immigration, aging populations, and declining youth literacy heighten the need for accessible communication to ensure participation in society. Easy Language has the potential to reduce barriers, yet many who could benefit report feeling alienated by it. Misconceptions about its purpose, uncertainty about how to use it, and feelings of shame—often linked to workplace language discrimination in Finland—undermine its effectiveness, leaving communities disconnected and vulnerable to exclusion.
The Initiative
Stories and Soup (Satuja ja soppaa) is a community storytelling project led by Selkokulttuuri in partnership with Hyvinkää Library. It brings together people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds through the shared experience of food and folktales in Easy Language. The first event features the European folktale Stone Soup, where participants share soup at a communal table covered with paper and drawing materials, encouraging story exchange. Community members are invited to contribute their favourite folktales, which Selkokulttuuri then adapts into Easy Language for future sessions, following the co-creation approach developed in the earlier Satuhetki selkosuomeksi project.
What’s Next?
The library will become a trusted hub where all families feel seen, supported, and included. More immigrant families will use its services, gaining access to spaces for learning, storytelling, and connection. Parents will develop skills to navigate multilingual family life, supporting both language and identity development. Children and youth will strengthen literacy and cultural understanding, while refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers will be welcomed into the community and encouraged to share their heritage. Easy Language will create inclusive environments, foster intercultural competence among staff and residents, and provide free, low-threshold opportunities for connection across generations and backgrounds.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
