Oulu City Centre Association (Oulun Liikekeskus) which is responsible for arranging the annual Garlic Festival in Oulu has decided to cancel the event this summer, reports Kaleva. The organisers are planning to expand the Garlic Festival to a more international food and travel festival again in 2009.

City councillors have also taken part in the discussion that has arisen from the sudden decision to cancel the popular event this summer. Cllr Lyly Rajala has even suggested that Council withdraw its 67,000 euro sponsorship of the Oulu Downtown Association this summer. He is worried that cancelling the event is the same as killing it.  

The Garlic Festival started 19 years ago at Rotuaari but moved to Kauppatori (Market square) in the late 1990s. According to the organisers a number of participants selling home made products have had to step down from the event throughout the years due to the ever tightening Food Act and EU rules. Closing down the event was already on the agenda in 2001 but due to its success it was decided to keep it alive and the Festival developed into a three day extravaganza. Last summer the organisers applied for an EU project for “Oulu City Centre International Events”. The project has been given the green light and funding is now to be organised. Cancellation of this summer’s Garlic Festival is also contributing financially to the funding of 2009 festival. 

Discussion on the fate of Garlic Festival or a possible replacement event this summer continues however, and one suggestion has been even the possibility of outsourcing the organisation this summer.

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