The first International Kokkola Day event will take place on Wednesday, May 11.
The event starts at Kokkola City Hall at 12:00 with the seminar Kutsuva Kokkola. The seminar provides an overview of the development of receptiveness in Kokkola. The seminar will be followed by a lecture for the general public at 13:00, titled Keys to culturally sensitive encounters and work. The lecture is held by Melody Karvonen, who is an expert in multiculturalism.
During the afternoon, it is possible to take part in guided walk tours in Neristan. The walk tours are a way to acquaint yourself with the history of your hometown in English.
International Kokkola Day culminates in an informal gathering in the early evening at the main library. The aim is, above all, for the residents of Kokkola to meet each other. There will also be performances and traditional Ukrainian delicacies.
Welcome Office volunteers are mainly responsible for the ideas for the evening program. “We have a group of active young people, who are ready to let loose and showcase Kokkola’s diverse culture. They have for an instance put together a fashion show to display wonderful traditional costumes from different cultures, as well as music performances”, enthuses Marianne Leimio-Seppä, Welcome Office Immigration Coordinator.
Parts of the program will also be streamed on Kokkola’s Youtube channel, but hopefully many will take part of the event in person.
The main organizers of the event are City of Kokkola’s Talent Coastline Employment ja Welcome Office Kokkola, i.e. the European Union and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland support the organization of the event.
“Recent events in the world have shown the importance of an open and receptive atmosphere and services that support it. We hope that this event will help bring the people of Kokkola together and also welcome new residents”, says project employee Satu Vihtari.
The event offers programs in different languages and everyone is warmly welcome regardless of language or cultural background.
The registration form and a more detailed program