Celebrate Europe Day on May 9 with international cultural experiences
In honor of Europe Day 2019, the city of Tampere is encouraging all city dwellers to experience international cultural events, explore new perspectives and influence Tampere’s and Tampere Region’s European Capital of Culture application process. On May 9, you can get inspired by the tales of a German puppet theater in the main library Metso at 10 a.m. and be entertained by a European folk dance show in front of the cultural house Laikku at 4 p.m. On May 11, Europe Day celebrations continue in Hervanta where Tampere 2026 Opinion Festival will take place at Shopping Centre Duo in Finnish, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe. This year, the theme of the European Union is “Choose Your Future." Tampere and Tampere Region is applying to become the European Capital of Culture for 2026, and the project is being developed and implemented together with residents from the region.
Everyone can take part how they wish: by responding to a survey on the Tampere Region 2026 website or at idea points in different events and via face-to-face discussions in Tampere 2026 cultural evenings. For example, on Europe Day, we encourage citizens to share their views on Tampere’s cultural scene and the Capital of Culture project at our idea point in front of the cultural house Laikku between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Furthermore, to strengthen the European sprit, the dialogue will continue with the opinion festival’s culture panel in Hervanta on the following Saturday, according to Eija Oravuo, executive producer of the Capital of Culture application team.
PROGRAM MAY 9
10:00 a.m.
German Puppet Theater: Kasperle und der Eierkopf, Main Library Metso, Fairy tale room
Tampere’s Finnish-German Association organizes an inspiring puppet show for kids, especially for primary school students studying German.
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Tampere 2026 idea point, in front of cultural house Laikku
Opportunity to influence Tampere’s and Tampere Region’s European Capital of Culture application process.
4:00-5:00 p.m.
European folk dance show, in front of cultural house Laikku
20 dancers take over the stairs of Laikku with a dance show inspired by the diverse European folk dance scene. In addition, saxophonist Kristjan Teiss shows his talent during the show. After 30 minutes, the dancers form a chain that enlivens the Pato bridge, Satakunnankatu bridge and Frenckell square. The show is organized by the dance group associations Maailmantanssi ry, Pirkanmaan Tuglas ry and Tampere Eesti Klubi ry along with the Capital of Culture application team.
PROGRAM MAY 11
12:00-2:00 p.m.
Tampere 2026 Opinion Festival, Shopping Centre Duo, Central Square
An opinion festival about the future of Hervanta’s cultural scene, organized in Finnish. The festival’s cultural panel includes community artist Khalid Imran, who works with the youth in Hervanta; Heini Leinonen, an actor at Lysti Theater; Anja Nummela, chairman of the Tampereen Hervantalaiset association; and Adam Zeidan, responsible for student associations in Student Union of Tampere University.
A Finnish city will be chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2026. The Capital of Culture application is carried out together as a region. Together with Tampere and the main partner Mänttä-Vilppula, there are already 15 municipalities from Tampere Region applying for the title: Vesilahti, Orivesi, Sastamala, Hämeenkyrö, Parkano, Pälkäne, Lempäälä, Nokia, Ikaalinen, Kangasala, Pirkkala, Valkeakoski, Virrat, Ruovesi and Ylöjärvi.
Find out more about Tampere’s pursuit to become the European Capital of Culture:
Tampere Region's application for the European Capital of Culture
https://tampereregion2026.fi/en/
Further information
Creative Director
Juha Hemanus
Tel. 044 430 9769
Email juha.hemanus@tampere.fi
Executive Producer
Eija Oravuo
Tel. 044 430 9988
Email Eija.Oravuo@tampere.fi
Head Of International Affairs
Satu Vuorinen
Tel. 040 538 8402
Email Satu.Vuorinen@tampere.fi
Article by City of Tampere