Freetime in Oulu

Welcome to Oulu minicourse

Tellus Stage 19.9.2017
Mirja Syrjälä
From last lesson: Creating Finnish welfare

• Creating Finnish welfare (youtube video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQak1327-gM
Contents
• Freetime in Oulu
Introduction to Oulu
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsIr6fJrI
Freetime in general
• Finnish people Daily rhythm
appreciate free time
• It is important to find a
balance between work
and free time WORK/
SLEEP
• Something to take your SCHOOL
thoughts away from
work/studies
• Sports, nature,
handicrafs, reading, FREE TIME
cooking...
Sports and Leisure
• There are plenty of sport centres, gyms and swimming halls in
Oulu. There are privately-owned and municipal places, the
latter usually being cheaper.
• Municipal sport centres and fields
• Joggind tracks, skiing and hiking trails
• Greenspaces and nature trails
• Visit Tourist info for different maps (bicycling, hiking...)
• Because of the hall rental fees, it is recommended to
participate in organized sport groups when doing team sports
like volleyball, floorball, basketball, and football. For example,
Liikumme yhdessä –project organizes group exercise free of
charge.
• Gyms
– Gyms owned by the city of Oulu are located in Oulu, Raatti and Vesi-Jatuli
(Haukipudas) swimming pools, Oulu Hall (Ouluhalli), Sports House (Urheilutalo),
and Linnanmaa, Oulunsalo, Vorelli (Yli-Ii) and Ylikiiminki exercise halls. Guidance is
given in most of the gyms at certain times.
http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/exercise-halls
– You can go to the gym when it´s not reserved for groups:
http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/liikunta-ja-ulkoilu/kuntosalien-yleisovuorot (in Finnish)

• Swimming
– In Oulu, there are swimming pools in Raksila (Oulu Swimming Pool), Raatti (Raatti
Swimming Pool) and Haukipudas (Vesi-Jatuli). Opening hours and more
information: http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/swimming-pools
– Price list: http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/liikunta-ja-ulkoilu/maksukaytannot1 (in Finnish)
– Water aerobics include in the entrance fee. More information about water
aerobics: http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/liikunta-ja-ulkoilu/vesivoimistelut (in Finnish)
– Swimming pool guidelines:
http://www.ouka.fi/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=daec2e8c-8472-48f5-acf3-
26879dfeb642&groupId=840372

• Ice swimming
– The ice swimming hole is located on Tuira beach, where you can find also the
changing rooms.
http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/liikunta-ja-ulkoilu/talviuinti (in Finnish)
Entrance fees to the sports centres of the city of Oulu (for
example swimming pools and gyms)
Oulun kaupungin kuntoilumaksut (esimerkiksi uimahallit ja kuntosalit)

Adults
• single ticket 5,50 €
• 10 tickets 45,00 €
• 50 tickets 200,00 €
• monthly ticket 45,00 €

Discount groups (for example unemployed and students)

• single ticket 3,20 €
• 10 tickets 25,00 €
• monthly ticket 25,00 €
Some exercise trails
Joitain liikuntareittejä
 Sports
calendar

Liikumme
yhdessä -
project
Sports pass (University Sports of Oulu)

• The Sports Pass functions as an entrance ticket to all the services,

training sessions as well as all the other welfare services. The pass
also gives you certain discounts on some course fees and on
services provided by our cooperating partners.
• The Sports Pass is a sticker which can be put on your Student Card,
Staff ID Card or personal ID card. The Pass is personal and may not
be loaned to any other person. You can set the validity of the pass to
run for either one semester, or for the entire academic year
• With sports pass you get discount for many activities organised by
the numerous sports clubs operating in Oulu
• http://www.oulunkorkeakoululiikunta.fi/en
 Libraries
• OUTI library network consists of the libraries of Hailuoto, Ii, Kempele, Kuusamo,
Liminka, Lumijoki, Muhos, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Pyhäjoki, Raahe, Siikajoki,
Taivalkoski, Tyrnävä and Utajärvi. All OUTI libraries share the same material,
customer register and library system.
• When you sign up for a library card, you will receive a document listing terms of
use, surcharges, etc.
• https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/library
– There you will find opening hours and full details on library services,
charges, etc.
– There is also the link to the OUTI web library, where you can search and
reserve items online, as well as manage your account information.
Getting a Library Card
• You can get a library card from any OUTI-library and it’s valid
at all OUTI-libraries.
– You get an ID number and password to loan books and use
OUTI-library computers and internet.
• The first card is free. If you lose it, a new one costs 3 euros.
You must report a lost card to the library.
– If you change your address, email, or phone number, you can
notify the library in person, by phone, or on your OUTI account
online. If you change your name, you must notify the library in
person.
• Bring a piece of ID with you to get a card. Children under 15
need a guardian’s signature to obtain a card.
Using Library Services
• Loan periods are 28 days for books and CDs, and 14 days for magazines, DVDs and
Blu-Rays, console games, and other short-term loans that can’t be renewed. You can
loan up to 100 items at any time.
• Be sure to return (or renew) a loaned item on time or there will be surcharges!
However, overdue children’s material does not accumulate overdue charges.
• If you don’t return items and/or pay surcharge fees, your borrowing rights will be
revoked. The decision is only reversed once you return all items and pay the fees.
• If an item isn’t available at your local library, it can be ordered from any other library
in Finland, but loan periods are still the same.
• The library complies with age restrictions!
• Remember that you can deal with most library things by phone or online.
 Art Exhibits
• Galleria Harmaja
– Art exhibitions
– Pikisaarentie 17
– Open Wed-Fri 12-18; Sat-Sun 12-16
• Galleria 5
– Art exhibitions
– Hallituskatu 5
– Open Wed-Fri 12-18; Sat-Sun 12-16
• Oulu Art Museum
– Kasarmintie 9
– Open Tue-Sun 10-17
– Guided tours available upon request
• Valvegalleria
– Hallituskatu 7
– Open Mon-Fri 8-22; Sat-Sun 10-22
– Theatre performances, concerts, dance performances, exhibitions and film
performances as well as workshops and courses related to art education take place at
the cultural centre. Cultural Centre Valve is also the scene for many events and festivals
in Oulu.
Museums
• Northern Ostrobothnia museum
– Ainolanpolku 1 (in Ainola park)
– Open Tue-Fri 9-16; Sat-Sun 10-17. Small entrance fee
– The museum's primary focus is the City of Oulu and the Northern
Ostrobothnia region of Finland.
• Tietomaa Science Centre
– Nahkatehtaankatu 6
– Varying opening hours: http://www.tietomaa.fi/info/opening_hours
– Interactive science centre for the whole family. Exhibitions change
regularly.
• Northern Photographic Centre
– Hallituskatu 7
– Open daily 10-20
– Free guided tours in English and Finnish
– Promotes and develops photographic art in northern Finland
Music
• Several places in Oulu have live music (especially rock):
45 Special, Petrellin Saluuna, Nightclub Tähti...
• Venues for classical music:
– Oulun Musiikkikeskus (Leevi Madetojan katu 1-3).
Oulu Symphony plays there and you can check event
listings and buy tickets online.
– Oulu Conservatoire is where you can study music
professionally. https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/oulun-
konservatorio/
Film
• You can see all the latest Hollywood films at Finnkino
(Torikatu 32)
• At Star movie theatre, there’s a mix of the latest
Hollywood and indie movies
• The Oulu Film Centre shows other types of movies, for
example foreign dramas, but you can also rent 16mm
films for non-commercial screenings. The OFC’s main
purpose is to advance the knowledge of film art.
– They also organize seminars and meetings with film
experts and makers.
Other Cultural Activities
• Theatre, dance, circus
• Many music festivals during the year
• List of culture links, with links to more information about
each location/event
– https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/culture-links
– http://www.visitoulu.fi/en/events
• List of courses and clubs orgniase by Oulu-opisto
Examples of the work of organizations
Vuolle Setlementti ry (Kaarretie 14, Tuira)
• Variety of courses and hobby clubs
https://opistopalvelut.fi/oulunkansalaisopisto/courses.php?l=fi#pos-1 (in
Finnish)
• Ystävyystalo (Friendship House) offers a variety of multicultural activities,
such as singing, sports, and language clubs.
• Volunteering, culture middleman..

Suomen Punainen Risti, Oulun piiri (Uusikatu 22)

• The Red Cross helps when an accident occurs and trains people to be
prepared. The organization encourages people to look after their own well-
being and to take care of each other. Offers a lot of opportunities to do
voluntary work.
https://rednet.punainenristi.fi/oulunpiiri (in Finnish)
https://www.facebook.com/sproulunpiiri?fref=ts (in Finnish)
https://www.redcross.fi/node/4974
Mannerheimin Lastensuojeluliitto ry (MLL)
• Organizes Family Cafés and other activities for families with kids for
example in Höyhtyä, Kaakkuri, Korvensuora, Kuivasjärvi, Kaijonharju,
Maikkula, Meri-Toppila, Myllyoja and Myllytulli .
https://pohjois-pohjanmaa.mll.fi/perheille/perhepesat-ja-
perhekahvilat/piirin-yllapitamat-perhepesat/ (in Finnish)
https://pohjois-pohjanmaa.mll.fi/perheille/perhepesat-ja-
perhekahvilat/paikallisyhdistysten-yllapitamat/ (in Finnish)

Hyvän mielen talo ry (Puusepänkatu 4, Myllytulli)

• This organization promotes the well-being of the mind, works to
prevent mental disorders, and supports recovery. It also offers for
example the opportunity to do voluntary work.
Volunteering
• Good way to meet new people, do something meaningful and grow your
network
• NGO’s work together with trainging and searching for volunteers
– https://www.ihimiset.fi/kansalaisille/vapaaehtoistoimintaa/avoimet-
vapaaehtoistehtavat/
– https://www.varesverkosto.fi/vapaaehtoistehtavat/
– https://www.ihimiset.fi/kansalaisille/vapaaehtoistoimintaa/tapahtumat-
ja-koulutukset/
• If you want to work with a certain assosiaction, you can also contact it
directly
Public areas and free time

• If you want to organize a public event in a public area, you need

permission. Oulu10-services helps you with the permission.
• Popular places to spend free time in or near the city centre are e.g.
Ainola and Hupisaaret park areas, Torinranta (market place) and
Hietasaari (Nallikari).
• Popular nature places near Oulu are Koiteli Rapids (in Kiiminki),
Hailuoto island (ferry from Oulunsalo) and birdwatching place
Liminganlahti (in Liminka)
Resident centres
• Oulu has resident centres (asukastupa) all around the city. The
centres are "shared living rooms" intended for everyone. You are
welcome to visit a resident centre, regardless of where you live. You
can stop to have a cup of coffee or an affordable lunch, read the
daily papers, take part in hobby activities or just talk with others. You
can also use computers free of charge.
http://www.ouka.fi/oulu/yhteisotoiminta/asukastuvat (in Finnish)
 Churches, congregations
• The Evangelical Lutheran Church
15 churches all aroud the city, • Jehovah's Witnesses
7 congregations Kiskotie 26, Nokela and Sirppitie 20, Välivainio
www.oulunseurakunnat.fi/ https://www.jw.org/en/

• Orthodox church • Seventh-Day Adventist church

Torikatu 74, Heinäpää Tuulimyllynkatu 18, Karjasilta
www.oulunortodoksinenseurakunta.fi/ http://oulu.adventist.fi/

• Catholic church • Mission Church

Liisantie 2, Koskela Hallituskatu 36, Etu-Lyötty
http://perhe.katolinen.fi/Index.english.html http://www.oulunlahetyssrk.net/english/

• Islamic community • Methodist Church

Linnankatu 23-25, the city centre Valtatie 45, Tuira
http://psiy.fi/ www.metodistikirkko.fi/oulu

• Pentecostal church
Uusikatu 78, Heinäpää
http://www.ohsrk.fi/
Peer support
• Activities organised by/at the university
– Student associations
• Different Finnish language clubs
• Foreigners in Oulu Facebook site
https://www.facebook.com/groups/349304221816616/?fref=ts
• International meeting point
– Every first Wednesday of the month at 17:30 at Villa Victor
(Torikatu 23, 3th floor), organised by the Red Cross
 General Tips to Save Money
• Buy used whenever possible. Check out second hand stores (flea market = kirpputori) or
buy stuff online at tori.fi
• If you’re looking for free entertainment, look at community calendars. There are often
free events near you.
• Restaurants are convenient, but expensive. Use student/staff restaurant possibilities
• Lidl is the cheapest grocery store, but lacks the variety of food (and other necessary
items) that bigger stores have (Prisma, S-Market, K-Market).
– Buy in-house brands like Rainbow, Pirkka, or Eldorado since they’re cheaper.
• When fresh foods near their expiry date, they are discounted 30%. These foods usually
expire the same day or the next, so check carefully.
• Walking is free, but also good for your health. Walk whenever possible.
• Biking is another good option. You can buy a new or used one and get around the city
year-round (or only during the warm months).
• Bus: buy a Waltti card from Oulu10 (Torikatu 10) and fill it with whatever ticket bundle
suits you best. You can refill most types of bundles at R-Kioski, the Waltti online store,
service points (such as Oulu10), or from the buses themselves.