Tampere turns blue and yellow for Ukraine's National Day

The City of Tampere will celebrate Ukraine's National Day on Saturday 24 August in a number of ways. Ukrainian flags will be hoisted in front of the Old City Hall, Sampola and Vapriikki, and the Tammerkoski waterfall will be illuminated in blue and yellow. Digital screens in the city centre will also display the colours of the Ukrainian flag throughout the weekend.

To mark Ukraine's National Day, a photography exhibition, Brave Ukraine, will open in Finlayson, featuring 120 works on the aftermath of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. The exhibition will be on display in the Media 54 building from 24 August to 4 September.

With the National Day programme, Tampere wants to show its solidarity with Ukraine and its twin city Kyiv. Russia's war of aggression will have lasted two and a half years by 24 August 2024.

"In Tampere, we remember and support the people of our twin city Kyiv and all Ukrainians who daily show strength and determination. On Saturday, we will celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage and light up the city in blue and yellow to show the world that Tampere stands for freedom and peace," says Kalervo Kummola, Mayor of Tampere.

The city of Tampere has regularly sought to help Ukraine and Kyiv during the war of aggression launched by Russia. As soon as the war began, the City of Tampere decided to donate €150,000 in goods and money to the Ukrainians. Since then, donations to Ukraine have included relief supplies, decommissioned TKL buses, a water tanker and generators. Proceeds from concerts and other events organised by Tampere's cultural operators have also been donated to Ukraine.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the twinning of Tampere and Kyiv. At Kyiv's request, the City of Tampere has focused its assistance in particular on supporting children and young people, as well as cooperation through sport and athletics.

During the year, the City of Tampere invited children and young people from Kyiv to the ice hockey camp in Tampere, the ice hockey camp and the third summer camp. Tampere has also organised a number of events and exhibitions related to Ukraine and Kyiv. Works by Tampere schoolchildren and kindergarten children have also been sent to Kyiv. At the request of Kyiv, the City of Tampere donated an ice machine, an ice hockey rink and various accessories to support ice sports in the twin city during the year. Hospital and hygiene supplies were also donated to Kyiv.