Tampere celebrates Kyiv Day with the theme of hope – see the programme

The City of Tampere has supported its twin city Kyiv in many ways during the war, for example with donations of money and supplies. The city also wishes to show its symbolic support by celebrating Kyiv Day in Tampere for the first time.

- The day is a testimony to the long-standing friendship and co-operation between Tampere and Kyiv. The theme of hope reflects our common aspiration for peace. Tampere continues to stand, and will continue to stand, unyieldingly behind Ukraine and Kyiv, says Mayor Kalervo Kummola.

The Kyiv Day events will kick off on Friday 24 May with the opening of an art exhibition by Tampere school classes and kindergarten groups in the Culture House Laikku. The exhibition consists of artworks on the theme of friendship and hope, created by 22 kindergartens and 12 primary schools. A large number of works were also sent to Kyiv.

The works can be viewed during Laikku's opening hours on Fridays from 9am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. The exhibition will be open until Sunday 26 May. 

In addition, a children's artwork on the theme of Kyiv and friendship will be on display at the Tesoma Welfare Centre from 24 May to 30 September as part of the Poetry as Image exhibition. The artwork has been created with the participation of the Kalkunvuori-Kalkku Day Care unit, Tesoma Open Early Childhood Education and Niemenranta Day Care Centre. 

The Kyiv Day programme will culminate in a picnic event for the whole family in  Kyiv Park, next to Kaleva Church, on Sunday 26 May from 1 pm to 4 pm. The event is organised by Tampere Cathedral Parish and Tampere Association of Ukrainians in Finland. Tampere's Deputy Mayor Pekka Salmi will open the event at 1 pm. At the event you can try Ukrainian games and enjoy music and a picnic atmosphere. 

The proceeds of an online auction of Ukrainian art will also be announced. 12 paintings by Ukrainian artist Olexandr Malinchenko will be auctioned, with the proceeds going to the Ukrainian Front for essential supplies. The works will be on display at Ratina until 25 May and can be bid for via huuto.net.

The art tram, illustrated by Kyiv art school students, will start operating on Monday 27 May. Digital screens inside the tram will display more hope-themed works from the art school, photographs by Kyiv photographers and Ukraine-themed visual art and poems by schools and kindergartens in Tampere.

In addition, the city will glow in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to mark the occasion. Throughout the spring,  Kyiv Park will be coloured by blue and yellow violet plantings, and on Sunday 26 May, Ukrainian flags will be raised in front of the Old City Hall, Sampola and the Vapriikki Museum Centre.

This is the first time that Kyiv Day is being celebrated in Tampere. Kyiv Day has been celebrated in Ukraine since 1982, the 1500th anniversary of the founding of the city. The event has traditionally been held on the last weekend in May, when the streets of Kyiv are filled with a variety of artistic performances and festival atmosphere.