The Power of Equality & Edge
The history of Tampere moves back and forth between edge and equality. The power of the rapid and the availability of workforce attracted the cotton mill to Tampere. The industry born from international expertise has made Tampere a wealthy city with diverse culture. The prosperity of Tampere has flourished wealth all around the Tampere Region.
The city has historical merits to become the Capital of Equality since it rised from the fights of civil war to a city who fights on behalf of equality. But, what could this mean now and in the future? We take care of the regional equality of the Tampere Region, the rights of all citizens and the accessibility of culture. We want to become the international forerunner and advocate of all forms of equality. We want to be an example to the whole Europe.
MORE EDGE
There’s powerful edge in the history of Tampere and the Tampere Region. It’s also present in the city today, whose culture faces its challenges head-on. It can be seen in the courage to be real and to challenge the existing structures. It is visible in the versatility of different cultures like the vigour underground culture. Is the present edge of Tampere about humour dealing with topical issues, courage to swim against the current or modesty in facing its own sore points and global challenges?
sore points of the region • global challenges • industrialisation and technology • sub- and countercultures • underground • humour • stubbornness
MORE VILLAGE HOPPING
In the Tampere Region, we don’t fancy artificial hospitality. Instead of networking, we favor to talk about village hopping. By hopping, we want to encourage people to work and enjoy together, to move between municipalities sustainably and deepen their knowledge of each other and their cultures. Hopping means visiting and welcoming new people, to and from places nearby and afar. With a small community mentality, how can we strengthen local identity and reflect contemporary Europeanness?
Tampere Region • regional equality • cooperation between municipalities • sustainability • ecological tourism • waterways • local food • international interaction
MORE SAUNA
Sometimes it is hardest to see up close. In sauna people sit side by side as equals, stripped of all titles – one of the iconic images of Finland. Culture is like going to sauna, isn’t it? Spending time together, just sitting, or doing, in a way that curbs loneliness and creates open and unceremonious discussion? How to create culture that allows people to become themselves, that enables sharing thoughts as well as slowing down and enjoying the silence – in a Finnish way?
meeting people as equals • loneliness • public discussion • joy • democracy • environment • health and well-being • clean nature • silence
MORE PLAY
Everyone has the right to joy and play. When we create and experience culture, the whole world is our playground. Theatre and music, playing and games enable us to communicate beyond cultural borders. Games and play are present at the ice rink and the “Pikku Kakkonen” playground as well as in the rising gaming industry and on the Tampere Region arts scene. How can culture help us solve current problems, such as social exclusion of children and teenagers? How could playing be a vital part of adults’ lives? How can digitalisation make culture more accessible for everyone?
different fields of art • hobbies • sports • games • experience economy • digitalisation
Why do Tampere and the Tampere Region want to become a European Capital of Culture? Because we cherish our values and want to:
1
improve the quality of lives of ourselves, our friends and visitors,
2
remind ourselves and each other to take care of other people as equals like we take care of ourselves,
3
promote human presence and interaction in the midst of global digitalisation,
4
share more joy, experiences and comfort as well as all forms of equality with each other,
5
raise the esteem and significance of our culture and increase our international visibility,
6
fight against the climate change, and fight for sustainability and for the future generations.