Come together
Upcoming gatherings, this year’s activities and the earlier event archive. The latest details come from the association’s and partners’ social channels.
Coming up
Gatherings announced through the association’s and partners’ social channels.
Details checked on 25 September 2026. Check the original post for changes.
Weekly Sunday demonstration for Ukraine
A weekly walk through central Oulu. Current arrangements are coordinated in the WhatsApp group.
- Time and place
- Toripolliisi → Valkea → Odessan kyltti, Oulu
Ukrainian Cultural Café
A joint Villa Victor and PPUY post invites visitors to discover Ukrainian traditions, language and music through performances, dance, quizzes, coffee and Ukrainian sweets.
- Time and place
- Oulu10, Torikatu 10, Oulu
Women’s circle: friendship between women
A small group led by psychologist Oleksandra Khimchuk to explore friendship and personal boundaries. Places are limited.
- Time and place
- Help Center Oulu, Torikatu 12, 90100 Oulu
- Languages
- Ukrainian
- Admission
- €20 / €15 for PPUY members, payable on site
Event archive
A timeline based on the association’s annual reports, website and posts. An announcement and recap of the same event appear as one item.
2026
27Defenders of Ukraine Day and Cossack heritage
A gathering to honour Ukraine’s defenders and explore the history and values of Ukrainian Cossack heritage.
Kumppanuskeskus, Kansankatu 53, 90100 OuluUkrainian Encounters: visual art
Art historian Natalia Kortšyna explores Ukrainian visual art, with live Ukrainian music by the Sokoly guitar group.
Turusen Saha, Pikisaarentie 10, 90100 OuluKuusamo hiking trip
A shared bus trip from Oulu to Pieni Karhunkierros, bringing the community together in northern nature.
Ukraine’s Independence Day in Oulu
A celebration at Rotuaari marked 35 years since the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, with greetings, volunteer recognition and music by Soloveiky, SoNata and Sokoly.
Ukrainian Flag Day march
A ceremonial march from the Toripolliisi statue to Valkea in Oulu.
OuluUkrainian Encounters: It’s All About U
At Turusen Saha, guests explored Ukraine’s history and present, heard Sokoly and SoNata, and saw the association receive a certificate from Oulu Pro-Ukraina ry.
Lukuleikit children’s club
At KOTILO, children staged The Mitten, drew characters and created stories together in Ukrainian.
Ukraine exhibition at Rotuaari
The City of Oulu and Ukrainian Embassy opened the 14–23 August exhibition; PPUY shared the announcement.
Rotuaari, OuluBook club summer gathering
The book club gathered in Ainola Park for games, conversation and time together.
Ukrainian Encounters: varenyky
The July gathering brought people together to make potato and cherry varenyky.
OuluUkrainian songs: reclaiming heritage
A Ukrainian Encounters evening explored the history of Ukrainian songs, with performances by Sokoly and the Soloveiky choir.
Family trip to Lännentila
The association organized a family day at a farm near Oulu, with time outdoors, animals, music and company.
Women’s circle: energy and inspiration
A supportive discussion about personal energy and inspiration.
OuluAnimation course for children
An animation course for Ukrainian children aged 7–10 began in June and continued into July.
OuluSummer meeting of the Čytailyky children’s club
Children drew imaginary creatures and invented stories for them in Ukrainian.
OuluBook club summer picnic
The group played games, spoke Ukrainian and took part in a culture quiz in Ainola Park.
Ainolan puisto, OuluVyshyvanka march in Oulu
The Sunday solidarity march was held in traditional embroidered shirts.
OuluThird Čytailyky children’s club meeting
Children read, played, drew and practised Ukrainian at KOTILO.
KOTILO, OuluLohikäärmevahdit book launch
Association representatives attended the Oulu library book launch and received copies for Ukrainian teenagers.
Oulun kaupunginkirjastoUkrainian Encounters: Beyond the Rubble
Journalist and filmmaker Jay J. C. Buckley discussed life near Ukraine’s front line and presented his work.
Turusen Saha, OuluBirdwatching trip to Liminganlahti
A group trip to the Liminganlahti visitor centre guided by researcher Mykyta Peregrym.
LiminganlahtiAssociation annual meeting
The association’s annual meeting at Kumppanuuskeskus.
Kumppanuuskeskus, OuluUkrainian Encounters: Easter traditions
Ukrainian Easter traditions, live music and a pysanka workshop for Finnish and Ukrainian guests.
Turusen Saha, OuluUkrainian Encounters: war anniversary
The community marked four years since the full-scale invasion with candles and discussion.
Turusen Saha, OuluOpening Ukrainian Encounters gathering
The first evening of the monthly Oulu2026 gathering series took place at Turusen Saha.
Turusen Saha, OuluMacramé doll workshop at Oulu2026
The association held a children’s craft workshop during the Oulu2026 opening festival.
KOTILO, OuluSolovejki choir and wreath workshop at Oulu2026
The choir performed at Valkea and the association held a Ukrainian wheat-wreath workshop.
Valkea, Oulu2025
12Members’ Christmas gathering
Members and children met for a Christmas celebration with a visit from Santa.
OuluDefenders of Ukraine Day
An Oulu gathering focused on Ukraine’s defenders.
OuluUkraine’s Independence Day in Oulu and Kuusamo
The 34th anniversary celebrations included music, greetings and recognition of volunteers.
Oulu, KuusamoMeeting with Ukraine’s Ambassador
Association representatives met Ukraine’s Ambassador to Finland to discuss community needs.
SuomiBook club’s third summer picnic
The summer season ended with games, a quiz and time together at Kesäteatteri.
Kesäteatteri, OuluBook club’s second summer picnic
The summer gathering included games, a quiz and conversation in Ukrainian.
OuluBook club’s first summer picnic
Books were exchanged and the group played and talked in Ukrainian in Ainola Park.
Ainolan puisto, OuluNordic Ukraine Advocacy Summit
An association representative joined the Nordic Ukraine meeting in Oslo on 6–7 June.
OsloVyshyvanka Day march
The community marched through central Oulu in embroidered shirts; the Solovejki choir performed near Valkea.
OuluAssociation annual meeting
Members discussed activities, finances and the election of the board.
OuluPysanka and spring-wreath workshop
PPUY and the Polish association of Northern Finland shared Easter traditions.
OuluLight for Ukraine remembrance
Candles were lit for victims of the war on the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
Oulu2024
25Members’ Christmas gathering
Members and community volunteers gathered for a Christmas celebration.
OuluMalanka New Year performance
Ukrainian volunteers staged a traditional Malanka performance at Cultural Centre Valve.
Valve, OuluOulu city walk
The final guided city walk was part of a four-walk series.
OuluSlavic Culture Day
PPUY joined a culture day organised by the Polish association at Valve.
Valve, OuluUkrainian National Unity Dictation
Ukrainians in Oulu gathered to write the annual radio dictation.
OuluCulture Day at Oulu City Hall
The community joined Many Faces of Oulu with music and an introduction to Ukrainian culture.
Oulun kaupungintaloDefenders of Ukraine Day
The gathering at Hietasaari Seelari included a remote conversation with Ukrainian defenders.
Hietasaari, OuluUkrainian Culture Day at 1Bar
PPUY and BLOOM held workshops, shared Ukrainian food and presented the Solovejki choir.
1Bar, OuluOulu city walk
The third guided walk introduced participants to Oulu’s history and culture.
OuluUkraine’s Independence Day
Celebrations at Rotuaari in Oulu and in Kuusamo featured music and a chain of unity.
Oulu, KuusamoTrip to Hailuoto
Children and adults explored the island’s nature, history and craft traditions.
HailuotoBook club summer outing
The third outdoor book club meeting offered games and Ukrainian language practice.
OuluTrip to PowerPark
The association arranged a family day at the amusement park in Härmä.
HärmäBook club summer outing
The second outdoor book club meeting combined games and conversation in Ukrainian.
OuluKalimeenkierros hiking trip
Participants walked forest paths, practised outdoor skills and gathered around a campfire.
KalimeenkierrosBook club summer outing
The first of three outdoor summer meetings of the book club.
OuluOulu city walk
The second guided walk introduced participants to Oulu’s history and culture.
OuluFishing day in Ylikiiminki
A day organised with ProAgria Oulu and local fishing associations.
YlikiiminkiOulu city walk
The first of four guided walks held during the year.
OuluVyshyvanka march
The community celebrated Ukrainian embroidery traditions with a march in Oulu.
OuluMotanka doll workshop
Children and adults made traditional Ukrainian motanka dolls.
OuluPysanka workshop
A Ukrainian–Polish workshop introduced the art of decorating Easter eggs.
OuluLight for Ukraine remembrance in Oulu
The community lit candles on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
OuluLight for Ukraine remembrance in Kuusamo
A separate remembrance gathering was held in Kuusamo on the same day.
KuusamoSerhii Shevchenko book presentation
The author presented his book Empire of Terror at a literary gathering.
Oulu2023
26Beauty and wellbeing day
Hair and beauty services were offered to Ukrainian refugees at D-asema.
D-asema, OuluHimmeli ornament workshop
Participants explored the shared traditions of Ukrainian straw spiders and Finnish himmeli ornaments.
Aleksinkulma, OuluVertep Christmas play
The Solovejki choir and volunteers staged a traditional Ukrainian Christmas play at Valve.
Valve, OuluUkrainian Film Day: Mavka
The Ukrainian animated film Mavka was screened at Valve.
Valve, OuluUkrainian Film Day: Dovbush
The Ukrainian historical film Dovbush was screened at Valve.
Valve, OuluOulu city walk and Lumo festival
A guided walk explored light installations, city history and Finnish Christmas traditions.
OuluVisit to Kalajoki
The group visited the town, a Ukraine-themed exhibition and a Ukrainian theatre performance.
KalajokiTrip to Kierikki Centre
Participants explored Finnish prehistory and archaeological finds.
KierikkiDefenders of Ukraine Day
The gathering at Aleksinkulma honoured the fallen and connected remotely with Ukrainian soldiers.
Aleksinkulma, OuluArt of Healing exhibition
Valkea displayed paintings and embroidery by Ukrainians living in Oulu and Kuusamo.
Valkea, OuluUkraine’s Independence Day
The Rotuaari concert featured speeches, Ukrainian music and a chain of unity.
Rotuaari, OuluChildren’s celebration in Kempele
PPUY joined a children’s celebration organised by Help Center Oulu and held workshops.
KempeleVisit to BusinessAsema
The group learned about the services of BusinessOulu, FabLab and International House.
BusinessAsema, OuluReflector workshop at FabLab
Participants designed and made Ukraine-themed reflectors at the University of Oulu.
FabLab, OuluChildren’s day in Kaakkuri
PPUY and Kaakkurin Kauneuskeskus arranged free services and a social day for children.
Kaakkuri, OuluTalk on plants of Northern Finland
Researcher Mykyta Peregrym spoke about regional plants and nature observation.
Aleksinkulma, OuluVyshyvanka march
The community marched in traditional embroidered shirts from Toripolliisi to Valkea; the Solovejki choir sang.
OuluAssociation introduction session
A Finnish and English session introduced PPUY to local residents.
OuluPysanka and Petrykivka workshop
Participants explored Ukrainian decorative techniques at Aleksinkulma.
Aleksinkulma, OuluEaster decoration workshop
Ukrainian and Finnish participants shared Easter decorating traditions at the Orthodox parish.
OuluAssociation introduction for Ukrainians
The newly founded association presented its work and plans at BusinessAsema.
BusinessAsema, OuluSanginjoki outing
Volunteers and their families explored the forest and snowshoeing with partner organisations.
SanginjokiEducation opportunities for Ukrainians in Oulu
An information session presented further education and retraining options.
OuluFull-scale invasion anniversary remembrance
The 24–26 February programme included prayer, a film screening and a Rotuaari remembrance.
OuluTaras Shevchenko language and literature test
Ukrainian pupils took part in an international language and literature test.
OuluUkrainian Day at the Orthodox parish
The day brought together baking, music, Ukrainian food and crafts.
Oulu