||
News

Oulu Pride offers cultural experiences for everyone

Oulu Pride takes place on the first week of August. Oulu Pride and Oulu August Festival continue their festival friendship this year, both rooting for each other and equality. All the colors of the rainbow will shine on the Bright City of the North, when Oulu Pride celebrates diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Oulu Pride is an event for everyone. The event’s goal is to promote and increase the visibility of the rights of sexual and gender minorities. The theme of this year’s Oulu Pride is International LGBTQIA+ rights.

"Equal rights belong to everyone in the world, but there are still many countries where rainbow people face discrimination, hatred and injustice. There is still a lot of work to be done to improve things in Finland as well," says Martu Väisänen, the producer of Oulu Pride.

International rainbow rights can also be seen in Pride’s programme: there are international panel discussions and other content. Everyone is welcome to Pride, no matter where they are from.

Culture and art as a tool to better equality
In case it is hard to choose one’s favourites from the programme, Väisänen gives a few highlights:

"Cultural evening in Restaurant Tuba on Thursday 4 August is already a classic! This sympathetic and cozy event will certainly attract different people interested in culture. You can also try some of our other cultural contents, such as painting stones and tying flower wreaths, participate in a queer-spirited song and dance workshop, try shibari safely, or come and make rainbow beaded animals.” Most of Pride's programme also have free entry.

Even though the range of events is extensive, easily accessible and open to everyone, participating in Pride can still feel difficult in some way. Väisänen sends warm greetings to everyone who is considering whether to participate or not:

"Pride is for all of us who want a more equal city and environment. The more of us are marching and participating in other Pride events, the stronger our voice is for love and equality. We won't define you, you define yourself, and thus you are welcome to march with us – together we are more!

Oulu Pride on 1–7 August 2022. More info and the whole programme at Oulu Pride website here (in Finnish). Oulu Pride is also on Instagram.


Latest news

chevron-down