Festival of Cultures celebrates the diversity of cultures at the University of Oulu on November 9
The Festival of Cultures event is being held live after a four-year hiatus. This time, it features representatives from over 20 cultures showcasing their culture. The event includes food tastings, music and dance performances, art workshops, and plenty of opportunities to peek into the highlights of various cultures.
For the first time, the Festival of Cultures is being held concurrently with the Study Abroad Fair. The Study Abroad Fair celebrates international mobility and attracts both university students and staff to embark on journeys abroad to acquire new expertise.
The event has been organized by approximately 120 volunteers from the University of Oulu. Oulu University of Applied Sciences staff and students have also been invited to the event.
The Festival of Cultures and Study Abroad Fair is part of the University of Oulu's domestic internationalization efforts, aimed at promoting cultural awareness and creating international experiences. The goal of the event is to celebrate multicultural and international aspects while also highlighting the Oulu higher education community.
The University of Oulu is an international workplace, as approximately 36% of its research and teaching staff are foreigners. There are around 1,300 international degree students and approximately 850 exchange students.
This year, the event's program places special emphasis on the staff, offering workshops on language awareness and cultural diversity, as well as information on Erasmus+ teacher and staff exchanges. Next year, the event will be held as part of the Oulu 2026 cultural capital program.
The Festival of Cultures and Study Abroad Fair is an open and free event for anyone interested in internationality and different cultures.