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Older Than She Looks: Oulu |
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By Patrick Nesbitt
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Thursday, 14 July 2005 |
 Photo by Patrick Nesbitt If Oulu still feels like another planet to you, then this article might just be for you. In case it hasn’t been that long that you stepped off your spaceship in this city, you must be made aware of one important fact: Oulu turned 400 years old on April 8 and is now celebrating her birthday party. Actually, the celebrations started in January and will continue until the end of the year.
We at 65 Degrees North thought you may be interested in joining some of the  Photo by Patrick Nesbitt festivities. The year is half over, but many events still remain to be enjoyed. What follows is a handy month-by-month list of carefully selected events. Some are regular yearly happenings, while others are specifically to mark Oulu’s 400th birthday. We intentionally left out events such as plays, speeches, and literary evenings, which, to be enjoyed, demand a good command of the Finnish language. Why not clip this out and stick it to your refrigerator door?
JULY
13 July - 16 July » Rotuaari Piknik - Hurry up and you’ll catch the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of Oulu in the downtown pedestrian zone – Rotuaari. ( www.rotuaaripiknik.net)
15 July - 15 Aug. » Asuntomessut - This is the famous showcase of Finnish architecture presented in a different city every year. Fifty or so new houses and condominiums at the Toppilansaari old port. Open daily 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.. ( www.ouka.fi/asuntomessut)
21 July - 23 July » Valkosipuliyö - For this one you’ll not want to be hot and in a hurry. If you’re a vampire or overly sensitive to bad breath, then stay away, for it’s Oulu’s famous Garlic Nights. Lots of tasty garlic food prepared and served out of booths on the Rotuaari and the marketplace. If the weather’s nice, standing room only. ( www.valkosipuliyo.fi)
 Photo by Patrick Nesbitt
AUGUST
- 5 August - 7 August » 17th Elojazz and Blues Festival - Get your ears tickled at various venues around the city: on the river island of Kuusisaari, the Madetoja music hall, Karjasilta church, and at various restaurants. (www.elojazz.com)
- 13 August » Klassinen yö - Come witness the magic of musicians, poets, and artists on the Rotuaari and marketplace. Among those featured will be Petrus Schröderus, Oulu’s own opera prodigy and the Prisoners, an eye-catching, mind-grabbing bunch of street performers. (www.oululiikekeskus.fi)
24 August - 28 August » Oulun musiikkivideofestivaalit - Oulu’s yearly music video festival in the downtown youth center (NUKU), the city library, and the 45 Special pub. World Air Guitar Championships. Are air-bands only for air-heads? You can find out at Kuusisaari and 45 Special. ( www.omvf.net)
- 26 August » Kortteli-haipakka - Stores will stay open until midnight. Lest you plan to shop ‘til you drop, try to take in the fireworks, ‘cause the nights are now dark again … and cccccccold! (www.oulunliikekeskus.fi)
- 27 August » Venetsialaiset - A farewell to summer with fireworks, live music, and good food in a carnival atmosphere down along the bay. (www.merioulu.fi)
 Photo by Patrick Nesbitt
SEPTEMBER
- 3 September » Juhlaviikon päätöskonsertti- Celebration week’s closing concert in the Finnish baseball stadium.
- 16 September » Tuliveistostapahtuma - Nevada’s got the Burning Man Festival. Now Oulu’s got its own version. Check out some burning sculptures/installations at 7 p.m. on the Nallikari beach.
 Photo by Patrick Nesbitt 14 October - 23 October » Kansainvälinen Oulu - 11th International Week. A refreshing taste of other cultures at various venues around the city. Main events in Pohjankartano. ( www.ouka.fi/international-oulu)
NOVEMBER
14 November - 20 November » 24th Oulu International Children’s Film Festival - A great way to escape the winter darkness – the best and most recent children’s films shown and judged in three of the city’s movie theatres. ( www.ouka.fi/lef)
19 November » Satubaletti - Need further escape? Waltz on over to Pohjankartano and be wowed by dancers from Oulu, Saint-Petersburg, Helsinki, and Tallin in a fairy-tale ballet performed at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.. ( www.oulunbaletintuki.fi)
26 November » Joulutyöpaja - Get into the Christmas spirit with handcrafts for sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Kaarretie 14. Ever tasted rice porridge and other Finnish Christmas treats? ( www.oulun-steinerkoulu.org) 29-Jan.
DECEMBER
Long live Oulu!
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