Sunday's Muse Matinee

In the multicultural event, Oulu residents with immigrant backgrounds will talk about themselves and their lives through words and poems.

Olga Makarenko

Psychologist and writer Olga Makarenko arrived in Oulu from Ukraine in August 2022. Her first novel was published in the same year. Makarenko has worked with Ukrainian refugee families, for example by organizing events and art activities. She has also founded a Ukrainian refugee choir. Muse Matinee will premiere Makarenko's music video Till Midnight in Oulu, in which she talks about what she has experienced due to migration and war. Mariupol pianist Viktor Tšyž helped create the music.

“The music video shows my favorite places in Oulu. The places make me feel grounded, even though I feel lost. The central element of the video is my grandmother’s scarf from Ukraine. She survived World War II, and the scarf is a symbol of hope for me. My friend Tuomas Kaapa and I have been working on the video for two years, and today we are excited to share it with the public for the first time.”

Bassam Loulou

Bassam Loulou was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1957. He studied Arabic literature at the University of Aleppo and has worked as a teacher, freelancer, and journalist. Loulou has also made documentaries and founded a children's magazine.

After the outbreak of the Syrian war he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he collaborated with the Women's Union and UNICEF on various projects. As the civil war escalated, Bassam sought asylum in Germany, where he organized cultural events and continued to write. However, he became the target of a smear campaign and was forced to move again.

In Finland, Loulou encountered a different story. Finland became not only a place of refuge, but also a symbol of hope, kindness, and rebirth. By participating in cultural events, he sees an opportunity not only to showcase his art, but also to express his gratitude to the Finns in the most heartfelt way.

Gunnar Andrésson

Gunnar Andrésson was born in Iceland in 1983 and has been living in Oulu with his family since 2018. At Muse Matinee he wants to share a moment of historic view through poetry from the old Icelandic saga's and also a personal message about importance of being optimistic in life.

Harman

Harman is a band blending the rich traditions of Anatolian ethnic music with Western influences. Performing folk songs in Turkish, Kurdish, and Finnish, musicians create a unique fusion of cultures. Combining traditional instruments with modern arrangements, their music connects diverse roots and tells shared stories. The mission of the band is to honor the past while reimagining it for today, celebrating the universal language of music that unites us all.

Nova Ensemble

Nova Ensemble blends Persian music with contemporary, traditional, and folk elements, creating atmospheric and emotional soundscapes with a multicultural spirit.

Accessibility: barrier-free access, barrier-free toilet in the basement, access by elevator. (Door locked, can be opened from the information desk).

More information about the accessibility of the venue can be found here.