Tampere supports Kyiv and citizens of Kyiv on Memorial Day of war – Ukrainian colours light up the city on February 24

The city of Tampere will fly Ukrainian flags on Memorial Day of war in front of the Old City Hall, Sampola and Museum Centre Vapriikki. The colours of the Ukrainian flag will also illuminate Tammerkoski rapids, and main street Hämeenkatu via the light curtains above the street. In addition, at least Tampere Hall, Näsinneula, Kaleva Church, the main building of Tampere University, Original Sokos Hotel Ilves and Finlayson will also be decorated in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag on Saturday 24 February. 

The Mayor of Tampere, Kalervo Kummola, will take part in a prayer meeting organized by the parishes of Tampere on Saturday, starting at 15:00 in Tampere’s Kyiv Park.

- We must not forget that the war in Ukraine continues. Our twin city Kyiv is also a target of continuous air strikes. Our regular support for Kyiv and Ukraine will not waver, and we want to show our unwavering support for Ukraine in their struggle for independence and European values through various smaller and larger actions," Mayor Kummola says.

The city of Tampere has supported its twin city Kyiv in many ways during the war. As the war has dragged on, the city of Kyiv has asked Tampere for cooperation especially in the field of sports, and in supporting children and young people of Kyiv. 

During the winter holiday week, the city of Tampere, Tappara ry and Ilves ry will organise an ice hockey camp for children from Kyiv in Tampere. The camp, organised in cooperation with the city of Kyiv and the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation, will be attended by 31 young hockey players and their coaches. 

- Our colleagues in Kyiv have hoped for cooperation especially in the field of ice sports, where we have world-class expertise. I would like to express my special thanks to Tappara and Ilves for their cooperation and willingness to help children of Kyiv by organizing this camp. I am very happy that these young people will have a chance to get top coaching in Tampere, and get away from the war for a while," says Mayor Kummola.

There is currently an acute shortage of ice sports facilities in Kyiv. In the autumn, the city of Kyiv expressed its wish to the city of Tampere to donate an ice resurfacer, an ice rink and other ice sports equipment. The city of Tampere is responding to this request by donating to Kyiv a spare ice resurfacer and a rink, as well as other spare equipment. In addition, hospital supplies worth around 10 000 euros will be donated to Kyiv in cooperation with Tuomi Logistiikka. 

The programme of the 70th anniversary year of twin city agreement between Tampere and Kyiv will continue in March with a photo exhibition "Kyiv - the unbreakable heart of Europe" in Ratina tunnel gallery. The photographs on display tell the story of life in Kyiv and the surrounding area during two years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. The exhibition will be on display from 5 March to 31 May.