Finland's big year 2017
Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. The newly born state was willed into being by the Finns after a long struggle. In spite of hard times, the Finnish people have for almost a hundred years engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. Now the Finns are leading their country into a new century with courage and determination.
Join the celebration!
Work places, companies, and communities are encouraged to organize a blue and white coffee break for employees, customers, or friends on Independence Day Eve, Tuesday 5 December at 2 pm. Or at any other time on that day. The shared moment matters the most. On Independence Day Eve, Tuesday 5 December at 6 pm, the illuminated Finnish flag will be flown on every Finnish flagpole.
Everyone in Oulu is encouraged to create a blue and white lighting at work and at home. Blue and white lights will be lit on Friday 1 Dec at 6 pm, and the lighting ends on Thursday morning, 7 Dec by 9 am.
Lumo Light Festival Oulu brings light to the centre of Oulu at the darkest time of the year.
Festival awakens the city slumbering in the darkness with dozens of local, national and international light artworks to a glory like never before. Part of the festival program changes daily, so there are new things to see and do every day for the whole family. Works are placed around the city – from Heinäpää to Ainola Park and Pikisaari.
Fri 1.12.2017, 5 pm - 7 pm
Location: Raksila Ice Rink
Finland skating is a relaxed and joyful sports event for the whole family. The programme includes rousette skating to music, cap hockey and other enjoyable activities. The theme of the event is Finland and therefore we wish the public would wear something relating to Finland.
The event is free of charge and organised by Sports and Recreation Services of Oulu.
Address: Ympäristötalo lobby at Solistinkatu 2
Welcome to look at Oulu’s growth and evolvement into a city over the past 100 years. Ympäristötalo lobby houses an exhibition of various decades of town planning in Oulu. The changing faces of the town are exhibited by maps and pictures showing characteristics typical of each era, urban growth and development of the townscape.
Free entry, opening hours 8 am – 4 pm.
Location: Oulu City Library, Kaarlenväylä 3, Oulu
Kirjavaa kulttuuria is a concept for art and cultural events and art exhibitions of groups with special needs. The exhibitions are meant for people of all ages. They highlight the positive attitude of culture and tolerance. Kirjavaa kulttuuria event is being produced yearly by Kulttuuritalo Valve in cooperation with various operators.
Location: Oulu City Theatre, Kaarlenväylä 2
A total of 500 ten-year-olds at local schools will be invited to the Independence Day Reception for children in Oulu. The event will start with a reception, after which the young guests are ushered to watch festive and entertaining show on the main stage. The show is followed by a celebratory lunch.
By invitation only.
Nationwide Finland 100 Celebration will be organised at Ouluhalli in honour of a century of independence in Finland. President Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio will honour the event with their presence.
The makers of Finland’s centenary year all over Finland will be invited to the celebration. All residents will have access to the unique event through live television by Yle. Nationwide Finland 100 Celebration will be hosted by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and the Oulu City Council Chairperson Juha Hänninen.
Broadcast in real-time on Yle starts at 7 pm.
Location: Kuusisaari, Oulu
The renovated event park in Kuusisaari is the setting for an artwork installation of the scale not seen before. Visitors have an opportunity to walk in and about the artwork and at the same time enjoy the outdoors, light and performing arts. In the centre of the light installation, a piano piece, the Spruce, by Sibelius, played by Janne Mertanen, takes turns with dance performance by Saija Jäntti, a dancer and choreographer. The pieces of the duet form an ensemble, magically completing the light installation in Kuusisaari.
The performance takes place on both days on the hour from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Kuusisaari light installation is a part of Finland 100 Celebration in Oulu and continues the festival of light launched by Lumo Light Festival.
Location: Oulu Museum of Art, Kasarmintie 9
The Oulu technology boom peaked twenty years ago. Between the 1960s and the 1990s, the northern industrial town turned into one of Finland's most important centres of information technology. The new exhibition entitled The Hype in the Arctic Silicon Valley tells the story of this intense period by combining fact and fiction. In parallel with the imaginary story of the high-tech inventor Toivo Ruokko, the exhibition presents the history of the information and communication technology industry in the Oulu region.
Comics Effects
Location: Oulu Art Museum, Kasarmintie 9
The versatile entity mounted by Oulu Comics Center exhibits work by Veikko ”Joonas” Savolainen, JP Ahonen, Kaisa Leka and Harri Filppa.
Address: Pohjankartano, Leevi Madetojan katu 1
Pohjankartano showroom hosts an ambient exhibition.
At Oulu-opisto, opening hours Monday to Thursday at 9 am –8 pm and Friday 9 am –3 pm. Please, check the opening hours for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.
The Wellbeing Services and Event Services of Oulu will congratulate all local centenarians in person.
Location: Cultural House Valve, Valvesali, Hallituskatu 7
Time: Tue 5.12.2017 6 pm. At 5.30 pm reception
It is time to dress up and celebrate one hundred year old Finland. A casual, informal celebration for groups of special needs.
Tickets 2 €
The event is organized by the Valve Cultural Center with Nuoret ystävät, Oulun kehitysvammaisten tuki ry and Suomen diakoniaopisto.
Time: Tuesday 5.12.2017 at 5 pm
Address: Main Library, Kaarlenväylä 3, Oulu
#Library Club celebrates centenarian Finland by live music, riddles and coffee and cake.
Murder mystery: Death of the Fifth Guest
A mystery created by The Student Theatre of Oulu bows to the theme of independence of centenarian Finland in more ways than one. The mystery is set in the 1960’s in Finland, on Independence Day Eve on 5 December 1965 in Linkolampi Family Manor isolated by a blizzard where the last of his family, Young Master Linkolampi, hated by many, has organised himself a birthday jubilee. However, only five guests come to the reception.
Live music by local Kukkola Kommun and Emma Prize-Winner, singer and song-writer Jukka Nousiainen. Also #Club Quiz will be back to the repertoire.
Location: Oulu Cemetery , Intiöntie 6
Time: Wed 6.12. 11.30 am
In honor of Finland's 100th anniversary celebration in Oulu, honory guard at the Memorial Cemetery is added as a part of the Finland 100 programme. Honory guard is held nationwide in Helsinki Hietaniemi, Tampere, Oulu, Kuopio and Lappeenranta among other towns. The execution of the honory guard is unique - a man standing at the soldier’s grave will be at the same age as the person passed away in action.
The event is open to everyone.
The arrangements: Oulu Evangelic Church, Defense Forces, veteran organizations and the City of Oulu.
Time: Wednesday 6.12.2017 at 3 pm
Location: Oulu City Centre
Procession of Time will travel through the history of Finland and centre of Oulu on 6 December. The procession will start at the City Hall grounds at 3 pm and gradually arrive at the City Hall grounds to sing the national anthem in honour of the centenarian. The procession was inspired by a sculpture, Ajan kulku, in Maria Silfan Park behind the City Hall. The sculpture was given to the City by Oulu Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the City’s 400 year jubilee. The parade is designed by the dance artist Petri Kauppinen and it will be executed with almost 200 volunteers.
Location: Madetoja, Lintulammentie 1-3
Time: Wed 6.12.2017 1 pm
The Independence Day concert will present selected pieces of Finnish film through musical performances and projections. There will be music from the golden age to more massive numbers of art music, and of course all the memorable classics. The concert is cooperated with the Oulu Film Center.
Tickets 25/20/10 €
Conductor: Nick Davies
Host: Eeva-Maria Kauniskangas
Script: Sauli Pesonen
Concert at the Oulu Sinfonia website
Duration: One hour, no intermission
