Espoo focuses on Ukraine on Europe Day

The 9th of May is an important day to us Europeans – it reminds us of peace, cooperation and everything we can achieve together. To us in Espoo, today is also important because it marks two years since we signed a partnership agreement with the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih.

“Europe Day reminds us of the importance of peace and cooperation. For us, the partnership agreement is a concrete expression of solidarity and hope – values on which we are building the future Europe,” Mayor Kai Mykkänen says.

In the afternoon, Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Dibrova and Mayor Mykkänen will participate in the charity event organised in Tapiola by general upper secondary schools.

“It is symbolic that Kryvyi Rih and Espoo signed their partnership agreement on Europe Day. As Ukraine continues its struggle for European values – democracy, human rights, mutual respect, and the right to become a full-fledged member of the European Union – the cooperation between the youth of Ukraine and Finland holds particular significance,” says Olga Dibrova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland.

The event is organised by Etelä-Tapiolan lukio, Haukilahden lukio, Otaniemen lukio and Tapiolan lukio. Students from other schools will also take part in the event. The event includes a football match between a team put together by Ukrainalaisten Yhdistys Suomessa and a mixed team of students from different schools. There will also be a charity buffet, and the proceeds will be used to support Kryvyi Rih.

Espoo’s Growth and Learning Sector has actively promoted cooperation since autumn 2022.

All general upper secondary schools in Espoo have a twin school in Kryvyi Rih. In addition to concrete assistance, we have offered both mental and cultural support to Ukrainian schools and students in the middle of the war. This cooperation is driven by students’ creativity, systematic approach, and empathy.

“Our schools have had a great deal of contact with the schools in Kryvyi Rih, including online lessons together. This allows our students to support the students in Kryvyi Rih in these difficult times. All encounters are valuable, and the football match will also strengthen the bond between Finland and Ukraine and perhaps bring some joy to people,” says Director of Upper Secondary Education Tapio Erma.

Espoo’s general upper secondary schools have organised collections with students, their families and local businesses. The items donated include clothes, hygiene products, flashlights, blankets, power banks and batteries. The proceeds from charity sales, support cafés and badge workshops have been used to purchase supplies and to cover transport costs. Collecting cans and bottles and directing Taksvärkki Day proceeds to charity have given students a concrete way to help.

Contact between schools has been regular and diverse. Video calls and online English lessons allow both students and teachers to interact with each other. Discussions have focused on studying, hobbies, the matriculation examination, and applying for further studies. Students have also shared their experiences through art and architecture courses. Teachers have prepared information packages on the history, geography, language and culture of Ukraine. Students have sent greeting cards, videos and small gifts, for example in connection with Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Europe Day. In addition, Finnish students have played friendly matches with Ukrainian refugees living in Finland.

The City of Espoo’s Cultural Unit started its cooperation with Kryvyi Rih in 2023. It has acted as a link between the Espoo Music Institute and Kryvyi Rih Music School No. 10. The two music schools are planning a pedagogical exchange. The aim of the cooperation is to share both countries’ folk music and its arrangements.

The other ongoing cultural project is a mural project carried out in cooperation between an artist from Kryvyi Rih and the Espoo School of Art Kuvis. The mural is expected to be completed later this year.

In addition to general upper secondary education, cooperation has expanded to include universities and vocational education. Aalto University, Metropolia and Omnia are involved in developing common priorities, such as digitalisation, mobility and pedagogical methods that will benefit learners in both countries in the long term.

Expanding cooperation into the business sector is one of the future priorities.

Video message from Ukrainian students at Leppävaaran lukio(external link, opens in a new window). The video has subtitles in Finnish.

Otaniemen lukio’s Project Ukraine on Instagram  @otaniemiprojectukraine.