Peer support meeting and exhibition tour for those facing involuntary childlessness.

Exploring the Simpuka photo exhibition at Cafe Kartano, followed by a peer discussion with those who have experienced involuntary infertility in the manor premises.

Those who have experienced involuntary infertility in various life situations are welcome to the peer meeting. We will meet among adults. Register for the peer meeting no later than 26.5. by email: viivi.selin@simpukkary.fi.

Photo exhibition online and in Tampere

• The photo exhibition is open in Tampere at Cafe Kartano from 5 to 31 May 2026.
• Digital exhibition on the Simpukka website from 9 May to 31 December 2026. The online exhibition opens on Childless Saturday from 9 May 2026.

My family – unintentionally childless In the family stories photo exhibition, people who have experienced involuntary childlessness share their family members through pictures and stories. Volunteer photographers Eeva-Maria Brotherus, Jesse Reponen, Viivi Selin and Heidi Vehviläinen photographed people selected for the exhibition across Finland. More information about the Simpukka photo exhibition: https://simpukkary.fi/blogi/minun-perheeni-valokuvanayttely-2026/ https://simpukkary.fi/blogi/minun-perheeni-valokuvanayttely-2026/ The theme of the year is What is a family? The theme of the Simpukka Association for the Childless in 2026 is What is a family? The theme is used to expand the concept of family in public debate. The experience of involuntary childlessness often strongly shapes one's own concept of family and what one's own family ultimately becomes. In public debate, family and family with children are often mistakenly spoken of as synonyms. Almost all families do not include children.  

Everyone has the right to define for themselves who belongs to their family. A family can consist of one or more people and can include, for example, friends, relatives and pets. A family with children can also be formed in many different ways, such as through remarriage or adoption. A family is formed from love. 

We know what involuntary childlessness feels like

The Simpukka Association of the Involuntary Childless is a community and expert organization for those who are involuntarily childless. Simpukka, founded in 1988, promotes the status of childless people through information, support and influence. Simpukka's goal is that everyone in Finland facing involuntary childlessness will receive help and support. Simpukka offers open peer support for the experience of involuntary childlessness, face-to-face and online. Simpukka's activities include, among others, those who want a child, those who have had a child, those who are permanently childless and those without grandchildren who are in the second round of childlessness. You are not alone among us.