Festival of Cultures 2025
Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of diversity at the Festival of Cultures! This event is part of the University of Oulu's home internationalization initiative, aimed at promoting cultural awareness and creating enriching international experiences. Our goal is to celebrate the multicultural and international, yet distinctly Oulu-based academic community.
Event information
Time
Mon 17.11.2025 - Fri 21.11.2025
Venue location
Various locations
Location
The event week is organized in collaboration with the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, The Student Union of the University of Oulu, and Oulu University of Applied Science’s student union.
This week-long festival is designed to be an interactive event where participants can experience new cultures through engaging activities. The Festival of Cultures' events are open to all Oulu residents and visitors. Main language of the events is English. All events are free of charge but please note that some events require pre-registration. You can find more details about each event in their own event announcements that are listed below.
Welcome!
Programme of the week:
Monday, November 17
14.00-15.15 Festival of Cultures 2025 opening ceremony, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
16.00-18.00 When We Were Little in Nusantara: IndoMalay Traditional game, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
17.00-19.30 Sámi Culture Evening, L2 lecture hall
17.00-19.00 Make Sushi Roll! – Experience Japanese Food Culture, Sara at Science Garden (pre-registration, FULL!)
17.-21.11. LASTU: Interactive art exhibition, Tellus Linnanmaa lobby area
Tuesday, November 18
11.30-14.30 Study Abroad Fair, in front of the Career Centre, Linnanmaa campus
15.00-17.00 When We Were Little in Nusantara: IndoMalay Traditional game, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
17.00-18.30 Get to know the Couchsurfing Oulu & co., Sara & Vanamo at Science Garden
Unfortunately, the Lost in Translation: Latino edition, has been cancelled due to a force majeure situation. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Wednesday, November 19
11.00-14.00 Wednesday Date: Volunteer Work Fair + Overall Fashion Show and Let’s Sing Sitsi Songs! Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
12.00-14.00 Origami: Bloom with Japan, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
15.00-17.00 Design Your Own Buta: Mindful Art, Tellus Linnanmaa Frost Club
16.30-18.30 Handmade Pasta: The Heart of Italian Cooking, Sara at Science Garden (pre-registration, FULL!)
16.15-17.30 Stories from Abroad – Movie Night, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
Thursday, November 20
10.00-10.45 & 11.00-11.45 Let’s make and play “Fukuwarai”! Tellus Linnanmaa Galaxy
10.00-14.00 Sri Lanka - The pearl of Indian Ocean, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
11.00-15.00 Tatreez and Coffee, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
11.30-14.00 Study Abroad Fair, Oamk upstairs lobby area, 7A201, Linnanmaa campus
14.00-16.00 Senses of China - Chinese culture event, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage, Aspire and Cube 1
15.00-17.00 When We Were Little in Nusantara: IndoMalay Traditional game, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
15.30-16.00 UniMove: Nature Walk, Botanical Garden, meet at the main gate
16.00-17.00 Finnish Relationship with Nature – Discussion Evening, University of Oulu's Botanical garden's hut
16.00-18.00 Bingo! Adivina Quién? Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
17.00-19.00 Authentic Italian Tiramisu Workshop, Sara at Science Garden (pre-registration, FULL!)
Friday, November 21
11.00-14.00 Taste of Pakistan, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
11.00-11.30 & 14.00-14.30 Corazón Salsero, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
11.30-12.30 Rhythms of a Persian Wedding, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
13.00-13.30 J-Pop Dance Performance, Green coat racks are/central lobby of the University of Oulu
13.00-13.45 UniMove: Dance Across the World - dance class, Linnanmaa Sports Centre, music hall (pre-registration)
14.00-16.00 Cultural Threads: Exploring Kazakh Traditions through Art & Crafts, Tellus Linnanmaa Frost Club (pre-registration)
15.00-19.00 When We Were Little in Nusantara: IndoMalay Traditional game, Tellus Linnanmaa Stage
16.30-00.00 November Sauna in Koivuhaka, Leirikeskus Koivuhaka (pre-registration)
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. The Festival of Cultures 2025 is part of cultural climate change and the Oulu2026 cultural programme organized by the University of Oulu.
For more information contact: festivalofcultures@oulu.fi