My Oulu: Polish community is brought together by food and poetry
Agnieszka Sallinen and Ewa Hildén read the poems of Czesław Miłosz recently during Oulu’s Arts’ Night. Photo: Kajetan Żelech-Alatarvas
Jaa sosiaalisessa mediassa:
An estimation of 400–500 Polish people live in Oulu. The Association of Poles in Northern Finland strives to keep Polish traditions alive and alleviate homesickness.
An important part of keeping Polish people together are Polish culinary treats. The culture’s hospitality can be seen at the table of a café in Oulu where the poem reciters brought a bowl of chocolate candies.
The purpose of the Association of Poles in Northern Finland is to promote and cherish Polish traditions such as music and other cultural aspects.
“We usually gather around food. We also have fixed ties to Oulu’s Ukrainian population, connected by our Slavic backgrounds”, the association’s vice chairperson Ewa Hildén explains.
“There are a lot of Polish seasonal workers in Oulu as well and we help them with working with local authorities”, the association’s chairperson Kajetan Żelech-Alatarvas adds.
Five years ago, a Polish Christmas celebration was organized for children. The event was a huge success and created a basis for continued activities.
“Over 50 people came to the Christmas celebration, including some families all the way from Rovaniemi”, Agnieszka Sallinen rejoices.
Regarding culture offerings, the Oulu Music Centre will hold a piano concert on October 4 where one can hear Polish composers, such as Chopin, Paderewski, Szymanowska and Nowakowski.
Few long to return
Typical reasons for a Polish person to lay down roots in Oulu are love and familial ties, but other motives can be found too.
Sallinen came to Oulu to study classical singing and now works as a day care worker. She admires Oulu’s peacefulness, safety and beauty.
A return to Poland is not in the plans, since life flows smoothly here. Arkadiusz and Monika Ćwiek also bring up the rush hours of Warsaw, and Sallinen recalls the competitiveness of work life there.
The famed Polish poet Czesław Miłosz’s productions were recited during the Arts’ Night in Oulu. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his death. The poet was born in modern Lithuania, in Šeteniai. Back then it was a part of the Principality of Russia. The poet passed away in Poland. During his life, he lived in many parts of the world in search of a home for himself.
According to Sallinen, the Polish people of the poetry group have found just that in Oulu.