The Tampere Residents’ Evening in Nekala will take place on Wednesday 15 April 2026 from 17:00 to 19:00 at the Nekala Cultural Centre Nekalab, Lounaantie 2.
The event is open to everyone and free of charge. Juice and buns will be available for one hundred people. The Tampere Residents’ Evening follows safer space principles.
The Nekala event focuses on local topics. Work on the southern comprehensive plan will begin soon. This planning process relates, among other things, to the development of the Hatanpää marshalling yard and the future land use of the area.
– During the evening, we will present this planning work, its schedule, and how residents can participate in the different stages of the process, says Regional Coordinator Jarno Koskinen, who is responsible for coordinating the Tampere Residents’ Evenings.
Another key theme of the evening is the Nekala Cultural Centre Nekalab, which opened in March 2026 in the premises of the former Nekala School.
– Nekalab is a nationally unique creative hub that will have a strongly positive impact on Nekala’s identity, Koskinen notes.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet cultural and arts professionals working at Nekalab, such as visual artist Ilkka Väätti and the cultural cooperative TIcAS. Visitors can explore the exhibition spaces, the restaurant and the event facilities, which can be rented by associations and private individuals.
The building also houses the Nekala Library as well as the metal and clay workshops of the Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region.
Tampere Residents’ Evenings are relaxed events where you can drop in briefly or stay for the whole programme.
The evenings offer a chance to meet city experts and hear directly from them about plans affecting your neighbourhood or the wider city. Questions can be asked in Finnish or English.
Some of the Tampere’s highest-level decision-makers – Deputy Mayors – also attend the events to meet residents.
– The most important feature of the Residents’ Evenings is that residents can express their views on matters under preparation. During the Nekala event, participants can share their thoughts on topics such as public transport and public art, Koskinen says.
The Nysse bus network will change in 2028. During the Nekala evening, residents can give their views on future route changes and their own mobility needs. This input will be used in planning the new network.
The Tampere Art Museum is collecting residents’ thoughts, feelings, experiences and memories related to public art in the city. These memories will be published on a new online platform showcasing public art, launching in 2026.
At the Nekala event, visitors can also learn about the City of Tampere’s housing advisory service, which any resident can contact for support with housing-related concerns.
Representatives of the Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa (Pirha) will present their free service assistant activities, intended for people who may feel uncertain or unsafe travelling alone on public transport.
TampereMissio ry will also be present to introduce its activities. The association offers a wide range of support, clubs and volunteer opportunities for Tampere residents.
Sorin Sirkus will present the work of the circus arts centre that has long operated in Nekala. Sorin Sirkus attracts children and young people from across the city to receive basic circus arts education from professionals, and it also offers various courses and activities for other age groups.
The cultural cooperative TIcAS promotes intercultural community-building through art. Its members come from around the world and represent a wide range of artistic and cultural expertise. They will present their work, which aims to improve access to art and culture and strengthen ethnic relations through concrete, local action.
The evening will also feature choir performances by Legioonateatteri’s Peace Choir, with songs about peace, solidarity and equality.
The event will culminate in a performance by singer-songwriter Samae Koskinen.
