The national Week Against Racism (week 12) hosts a variety of programs in Oulu. Respect for other people and preventing racism are highlighted and discussed in the events.

Oulu Loves Me events are open to everyone.

In Oulu, the Week Against Racism is implemented in co-operation with various parties. The ETNO of Northern Finland, the Red Cross, the Vuolle Oulu, the Oulu 2026 project, the Regional Advisory Board for Romany Affairs in Northern Finland, the Institute for Peace Education and many other actors are participating in the coordination of the City of Oulu. The co-operation has been taking place in Oulu since 2011 in the framework of the Week Against Racism.

The theme of the week is Racism and Working Life, which is based on the themes of the National ETNO and the Red Cross. The main message of the campaign is "Recognize, Be Aware, Act".

The “Everyone is Welcome” challenge campaign promotes anti-racism policies and challenges companies, associations and organizations in addition to schools and colleges. 

In addition, various actors organize their own events, which are compiled on this website.

 

Saturday 18.3.

 

Oulu Loves Me Event at 12 - 15 Kesäkatu in Valkea shopping mall

The event kicks off the week against racism in Oulu already on Saturday, and it is the main event of the week. 

The program includes interviews on the theme of the week "Racism and working life", and music and dance. We will also raise together a red card for racism. The opening words on behalf of the city are given by the immigration manager Arto Willman.

The program includes interviews concerning "Racism and working life". The program continues in a Youth venue of Valkea at 13 - 15, where the participating organizations are presenting their services, have interactive stands and provide various activities.

Coffee and tea served.

 

Monday 20.3.

 

Iranian New Year at 12 - 14

Pentti Kaiterankatu 1, University of Oulu, Linnanmaa Campus, green coat racks (next to Tellus) and Saalastinsali

The occasion celebrates Iranian New Year with traditional Iranian food, music and dance. The event includes a dance performance with local Iranian dancers from different ethnicities. The performance is followed by a fun dance workshop teaching basic Iranian dance moves to the audience. There will also be a live music performance and a presentation with content about Iranian culture and traditions. Parts of the occasion are organized in front of the green coat racks and the performances are in a separate space (to be confirmed).

Organized by University of Oulu, Talent Boost

 

Fair play at work at 15 - 16

Hallituskatu 36 B, BusinessAsema stage

The TYPE - Fair Play at Work presentation discusses the rules and responsibilities in working life in Finland in an easy and fun way.

Come and hear good tips for working life and ask for advice regarding the responsibilities and rights of employees.

The event is suitable for those who have been working already as well as for those looking for a summer job.

More info: Fair Play at Work and carolyn.tourunen[at]sak.fi

 

Multilingual Café, at 17 - 19 (for 13 - 29 years old)

Valkea, Youth Space

Organizers: Oulu city Youth services and the City library

 

Tuesday 21.3.

 

Anti-racism Day at Northern Ostrobothnia Museum at 9 - 16

Ainolanpolku 1

• crafts for children
• wool spinning
• you can tell about the museum visit of your dreams - participate in the ParasRakas - BestBeloved museum community artwork
• 15-minute Easy Finnish Language sessions at 10.00, 12.00, and 14.00
• “Quite a Museum Adventure” for children, at 9.00, 13.00, and 15.00. Duration approx. 30 min. 

Organizer: Northern Ostrobothnia Museum/Museum and Science Center Luuppi

 

Wednesday 23.3. 

 

Café for All at 12 - 14 in the cafeteria of the Kumppanuuskeskus Partnership Center

Kansankatu 53

Information, activities and discussion over a cup of coffee with the Hadiya project, EHYT ry (Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention), the Federation of the Visually Impaired and other partners.

 

Racism in the Working Life panel discussion at 13 - 15

Hallituskatu 36 B, BusinessAsema stage

• Panelists are: 
• Ari Heikkinen – Administrative Director, City of Oulu 
• Taina Cooke- DEI, University of Oulu

• Kamal Singh- Startup refugees / Immigration Council, Oulu

• Linda Omodara- University of Oulu / Immigration Council, Oulu

• Jukka Ahola – Nordea

The event is organized by Oulu City Immigrant Council

 

Finding Finns Pop-up event at 14 - 16

Pentti Kaiterankatu 1, University of Oulu, Tellus stage

Immigrants tell about Finnish habits, Sisu, Kalevala and Moomin, as well as the history of Finland in their own words.

• Fun and engaging
• The presentation is in English
• The goal is to support integration
• The Red Cross voluntary activities and Talent Boost are also presented
• Open to all interested immigrants and native Finns

In cooperation with the Red Cross Oulu branch and Talent Boost

 

Doc Lounge Oulu: Nous at 18

45 Special, Saaristonkatu 12

Movie screening: 19:00
Tickets: 0 €
Movie: We (Nous, France 2021)
Director: Alice Diop
Language: French (English subtitles)
Length: 115 minutes
 

Hailed by The Guardian as one of the 50 best films of 2022, We (Nous) offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of people from the Parisian suburbs, their lives and work connected by the RER B commuter train that cuts through the city from north to south. A migrant mechanic, a care worker for the elderly, a writer, and the director herself, all make up the “we” of the title.

The night is organized with funding from Oulu City Library and as part of the Week Against Racism 2023.
Night begins at 18:00 with a DJ set and movie screens at 19:00! 

Panel discussion with guests after the screening.

 

Thursday 23.3.

 

Human party at 16 - 18 in Kastelli

Töllintie 38

Let's celebrate the things human have in common: food, clothing, music, touch!

• Free warm meal with dessert
• Hand massage point
• Small flea market (bring something, take something)
• Health point measuring blood pressure
• Food donation (60 bags)
• Music

Organized by: Red Cross Oulu branch

 

Friday 24.3.

 

“Dispelling the Myths of International Recruitment” at 14

Hallituskatu 36, BusinessAsema stage

• Why hire international talent?
• How to do it?
• What support mechanisms are available? 
• Experiences from the field 

Organized by University of Oulu, Talent Boost

 

Living Library - Stories from different cultures and about moving to Finland at 15-18

Hallituskatu 7, Cafe-Restaurant Paljetti, Culture Centre Valve

Come and listen to stories about different cultures and about moving to Finland. Living Library works like a regular library, except that instead of paper books, you can borrow real people for conversation.

The event is open to everyone and free of charge.

Organizers: OVOK-tukiyhdistys ry (Supporting Organization of Oulu Reception Centre), Moninaisilla poluilla (On Divergent Paths) project & The Finnish Intercultural Community

 

Saturday 25.3.

 

La Fiesta - Latin Day at Vuolle at 13 -16

Pikku-Iikankatu 6

La Fiesta offers a day of lively music and a colorful carnival atmosphere! Representatives from Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico and Cuba will host the event.

The program includes a short presentation of each country as well as dance and song performances. Get familiar with South American literature, learn some Spanish words, win in football Kahoot, experience South American cuisines, enjoy a photo exhibition and have a chance to talk to the locals.

Don't forget to bring some cash with you, if you want to try the local delicacies! It costs between 1 - 5 euros per portion. Otherwise, the event will be free and open to all!

Organized by Vuolle Friendship House

 

During the whole Week against Racism (18th to 27th March), there is a photo exhibition "Big dreams - Stories about Finnish people who change the world", in Valve Café Paljetti.

Link to the presentation text.

 

Mia Lindberg 

p. 044 703 1326
mia.lindberg[at]ouka.fi

300 Minute Reading Challenge

The 300 Minute Reading Challenge was launched in 2019. The third part of the challenge in Finnish was published on 28.4.2020. The English version was published in May 2020.

The first part of the challenge was aimed at younger children. The second part of the challenge was meant for grades 7–9 and part three is aimed at older students. However, anyone is welcome to participate in the challenge!

The reading challenge was created by the Jääli School students’ union in Oulu and published together with the Oulu City Library. The Oulu City Library is also a part of the national Literacy Movement through the challenge.

The reading challenge is about reading 10 minutes at a time using different styles of reading. You can choose from 30 different styles. Part three of the challenge is about reading 30 minutes at a time, using 10 different reading styles. You can use only one style of reading per reading session. Once you have finished the challenge, you have read 300 minutes in total. Excellent job!

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/kirjastoreitti/300-minute-reading-challenge

Multilingual material for children online:

International children's digital library
Access to the best of children's literature from around the world!

Northern e-library

The library's e-materials are available on the libraries' customer terminals and on your own devices. To use most of them, you will need a library card and a PIN code.

https://outi.finna.fi/Content/ekirjasto?lng=fi

You can find for example:

PressReader
Newspapers and magazines from all over the world. Also available on the PressReader app.
Overdrive
E-books and audiobooks mainly in English.
Also available on the Libby app.
Naxos Music Library
Classical music online service. Also available on the NML app.
Medici.tv
Art music and concert recordings.
Viddla
Finnish and international movies.