Safety as the theme of Anti-Racism Week
Anti-Racism Week is a nationwide event aimed at the general public, inviting everyone to take action against racism. This year’s theme is safety. The event is coordinated nationally by the Finnish Red Cross.
In Tampere, Anti-Racism Week highlights the city’s work to promote equality and to combat racism and discrimination.
– Tampere does not tolerate racism. This is a city for everyone, where each person must be able to feel accepted and safe as they are, says Ilmari Nurminen, Mayor of Tampere and patron of the week.
The city supports the competence of its staff and decision-makers in matters of equality, diversity and human rights, and develops practices for addressing harassment and discrimination.
– Racism and discrimination must be tackled effectively. We need clear prohibitions and concrete ways to intervene. At the same time, we also need encounters between people from different backgrounds, where interaction helps us understand one another better, says Mikko Ala-Kapee, Non-discrimination Coordinator for the City of Tampere.
One of the city’s new approaches is the broader involvement of Tampere residents with migrant backgrounds in planning Anti-Racism Week.
– The steering group appointed by the Immigrant Council has been incredibly valuable to us. They have broadened our understanding and influenced, for example, the programme offered during the week, Ala-Kapee explains.
Full programme available in the event calendar
A sense of social safety is strengthened through events and activities where people from different backgrounds can meet and interact.
During Anti-Racism Week, the City of Tampere will organise numerous events that support equality, trust and a sense of belonging. In addition to the city, many local organisations are also contributing to the programme.
The full programme for Anti-Racism Week can be found in Tampere’s event calendar. All city-organised events are open to everyone and free of charge. The events follow safer space principles.
Building shared understanding through dialogue
For many people, the sauna is an important place to relax and spend time together. Anti-Racism Week begins with the "Sauna for Everyone" event on Monday 16 March. The discussion focuses on how Tampere – Finland’s sauna capital – can make its sauna culture more accessible and multicultural, so that people from different linguistic and cultural minorities also feel welcome.
On Tuesday 17 March, Juniversity’s Science Café will explore the theme "Racism and discrimination in everyday life – how can we address them?" The event is aimed at upper secondary students and ninth graders. Associate Professor Anitta Kynsilehto will examine how racism and ethnic discrimination appear in daily situations, and participants will discuss ways to promote safer and more equal everyday environments.
Equality and safety will also be discussed at the open Tampere Residents’ Evening event at Hervanta Leisure Centre on Tuesday 17 March from 17:00 to 19:00. The discussions will be led by Deputy Mayors Anne-Mari Jussila and Jaakko Mustakallio, together with Director of Risk Management and Safety Jouni Perttula.
The City of Tampere will introduce a new channel for reporting racism in the summer. During the evening, participants can explore the developing service and provide feedback.
The event will also include the announcement of the recipient of the "Ennakkoluuloton edelläkävijä" (Open-minded Pioneer) recognition, awarded by the Finnish Red Cross Häme District to individuals or organisations that promote equality in Finnish society.
The evening will conclude with a performance by artist Isaac Sene, who will play music based on his own experiences.
On Wednesday 18 March, Sampola Library will host author and social counsellor Ivan Maniraho from Helsinki. Born in Rwanda, Maniraho fled the civil war to Finland as a child. His works "Auringon syy" and the forthcoming "Pimeyden mustuus" draw on his experiences of building an identity between two cultures. The event will also be streamed on Tampere City Library’s YouTube channel and interpreted into Finnish Sign Language.
Celebrating world cultures with children and families
As part of Anti-Racism Week, the "Whole World Fits in Rulla" event series for children and families will take place from 18 to 22 March. Events will be held at the Children’s Cultural Centre Rulla, Culture House Laikku and Haihara Manor in Kaukajärvi.
The "Stories from Around the World" session on Wednesday 18 March features stories and rhymes in different languages and a paper doll workshop. On Thursday 19 March, Rulla’s open family club offers a story music session, the chance to try instruments from around the world, world music, and a World Buffet. On Friday 20 March, Haihara will host a Spring Carnival with art workshops, music and dance performances, and a fashion show.
On Saturday 21 March, Culture House Laikku will be filled with the Spring Bazaar. Children, families and all interested visitors are welcome to join the "World Adventurers" paper doll workshop, explore the arts and crafts market, and enjoy a puppet theatre performance and light show. On Sunday 22 March, Rulla will host two performances of the baby theatre show "Under the Waves".
The week concludes with a panel discussion on racism
The closing event of Tampere’s Anti-Racism Week will take place at the Artteli Community House on Sunday 22 March.
The evening will feature a panel discussion titled "What should we know about racism?" with Lama Kourdi, Amandeep Singh and Saara Partanen, all of whom have experience of living between two cultures.
The discussion, held in Finnish and English, will be moderated by doctoral researcher Fath E Mubeen, who specialises in refugee studies, and the city’s Non-discrimination Coordinator Mikko Ala-Kapee.
At the same time, Artteli will host a joint Eid celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Visitors can buy snacks from a multicultural food festival with dietary needs taken into account. The celebration will also include music and dance performances and activities especially for children.
