Harvesting Words – Creative Writing Day in Lahti on October 31, 2026
Collect the words, stories, and ideas that are just waiting to be discovered!
Where does a writer find topics and ideas?
Sometimes they just appear on their own. Most of the time, however, they can be drawn out—from images, objects, observations, coincidences, individual words, and the world around us.
"Word Harvest" is a low-threshold creative writing day during which we write a lot, experiment with different ways of generating text, and leave room for chance.
REGISTER BY OCTOBER 23, 2026
This day coincides with All Saints’ Day and the time of the old Finnish Kekri tradition. Kekri marked the end of the harvest year: it was time to gather the year’s harvest and turn toward the new one. In the “harvest of words,” we gather a slightly different kind of harvest—words, observations, images, and stories.
You don't need to know in advance what you'd like to write about. All you have to do is show up.
Harvesting Words
We write a lot—briefly, freely, experimentally, and playfully
We stimulate the imagination using various images, objects, words, and other stimuli
Let's see what chance can bring to our writing
We practice making observations and finding topics around us
Among other things, we write short stories and poems
We’ll let the spirit of All Saints’ Day, Kekri, and the darkening autumn gently weave its way into today’s practice.
This isn't a class where you need to know how to write "well." Nor do you need to come up with a great story idea before you can put pen to paper.
On the contrary.
Throughout the day, we’ll explore in practice how a text can begin with a single word, a strange object, an image, an observation, or a combination brought about by chance—and carry the writer to a place they could never have planned in advance.
All you need to bring is a notebook, a pen, and a curious mind.
No prior experience with creative writing is required. If, on the other hand, you already write a lot, you’ll find new exercises, inspiration, and ways to shake up your own writing every day.
Why "Harvest of Words"?
Because there are topics to write about everywhere.
Often, the biggest obstacle to creativity is the idea that you have to come up with something good enough first. In reality, you can start writing from something much smaller: a word, an observation, a memory, an image, an object, or a strange coincidence.
When the pen starts moving, something begins to happen.
In "Harvesting Words," you get to spend a few hours writing without any pressure to perform. You get to experiment, play, marvel, and see where the words take you this time.
And maybe by the end of the day, you'll realize you don't have to wait for your next writing idea after all.
You can just pick it up.
Come join us for the Word Harvest!
Date and Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: Teeletti, Hämeenkatu 14, Lahti
Price: 87 € (includes 25.5% VAT)
The price includes
Gentle guidance from a trained literary therapist and creative writing instructor (4.5 hours)
coffee/tea, along with some savory and sweet snacks
the opportunity to discuss and share feelings, thoughts, and texts with other writers in a safe environment.
Please register by October 23, 2026, at the latest.
There is room for ten participants. The workshop will take place if there are at least four participants.