The colours of Ukraine will shine brightly in several locations in the centre of Tampere on Friday 24 February. The date marks one year since Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian flags will be lifted in front of Tampere City Hall, Museum Centre Vapriikki, Sampola and Tampere Hall.
The City of Tampere will change the light curtains on Hämeenkatu street and the illumination of the Tammerkoski rapids to the colours of the Ukrainian flag. In addition, at least Kaleva Church, Tampere Hall, Särkänniemi, Original Sokos Hotel Ilves, Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere, Shopping Centre Ratina and the Koskikeskus centre will show their support for Ukraine in their outdoor lighting.
The parishes of Tampere will organise a peace prayer at 18.00 in Kyiv Park. Bishop Matti Repo will speak at the event, and Mayor Anna-Kaisa Ikonen will give a greeting from the City of Tampere.
With the flags and lights, Tampere wants to show its symbolic support for Ukraine, its twin city Kyiv and all those affected by the war.
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, has been the twin city of Tampere since 1954. Over the past year, Tampere has supported Ukrainians and Kyiv in many ways. As soon as the Russian war of aggression began, the City Board decided on a EUR 150,000 donation of supplies and money to the Ukrainians. Since then, a number of buses that have been taken out of service by Tampere City Transport have been donated, for example, and aid supplies have been transported to Ukraine. The city has also organised a summer camp for children from Kyiv and commemorated the performers of the Odessa Ballet who visited Tampere.
The European Union's Generators of Hope campaign that calls on cities to donate power generators is currently under way. You can participate in the campaign until the end of February. You can find more information about participation at this link.
Illuminated buildings:
