In October, streets of South Hervanta were brightened with color as eight electrical boxes were transformed into artworks. The vibrant pieces were created by artists with immigrant backgrounds. The project was carried out in collaboration with street art expert Piritta Suominen from Katutaidetoimisto / Next Level Street Art.
“The purpose of the project is to support integration. The idea is to make our residents’ many cultures visible in the urban space and to create opportunities for intercultural encounters and dialogue,” says the producer of the project Emma Peura. The colorful artworks reflect the artists’ own cultural backgrounds, often combined with Finnish symbolism. Sujitha Ravi describes participating in the project in her own neighborhood as a truly meaningful experience: “Hervanta has been home to my family for many years, and I’m happy to share a piece of my Indian heritage with the community. These artworks truly represent the international spirit and sense of connection in the area, and many passersby stopped to chat while I was painting my box. Art has a wonderful way of connecting people regardless of their background.”
The works have been made into an Art Walk Map that you can download as a pdf-attachment (below the text). The artworks can also be found on the street art map of the Tampere region (link below).
A photo exhibition, More Alike Than Different, was also created based on the artworks and their stories. The exhibition was displayed at Cultural House Laikku during Anti-Racism Week in March 2026. A portable version of the photo exhibition is available and can be borrowed free of charge for display at your own event. The portable exhibition consists of nine A2-sized foam board panels suspended from a rope. The exhibition fits into a large reusable shopping bag and is lightweight to transport. For more information, please contact Emma Peura at [email protected].
