The newest mural in Espoo celebrates the City of Espoo’s cooperation with Ukraine
A new mural has been finished in Espoon keskus at Kotikyläntie 4. It is called Feels like Home, and it deepens cooperation with Espoo’s partner city Kryvyi Rih, making Ukraine more visible in Espoo. The mural was designed by young Siri Kaskeala from Espoo and Ukrainian artist Ihor Vetushynskyi from Kryvyi Rih. The mural was painted by artist Ruusa.
The City of Espoo signed a partnership agreement with the city of Kryvyi Rih in spring 2023, and Kryvyi Rih suggested a mural project already in autumn 2023 when collaboration in the field of art and culture was launched. The other co-designer of the mural, artist Ihor Vetushynskyi, has created several large murals in Kryvyi Rih, and he was selected on the proposal of the city of Kryvyi Rih.
“It is great that we can further strengthen our relations with Ukraine through Feels like Home mural, and we will continue to cooperate closely with Kryvyi Rih in the field of art and culture in other projects as well. We hope that this communally created mural will spark joy in Espoon keskus and bring our residents together to enjoy art,” rejoices Cultural Manager Tiina Kasvi.
In the project, it was important that the entire creating process was communal and participatory. Inspiration for the mural was found in open workshops led by the Espoo School of Art organised at the Entresse Library in spring 2025. Several Ukrainian families and young people participated in these workshops. Artworks related to the theme were also created during lessons at the Espoo School of Art. Siri Kaskeala, the co-designer of the mural, was also found in the Espoo School of Art. The mural was painted on site by Ruusa (Rosa Hultman) using Ihor Vetushynskyi’s method, spray painting. City of Espoo’s partner in art consulting and production was Upeart.
The overarching theme of Feels like Home mural has been the feeling of home and how it feels to build a home in a new place. Espoon keskus was selected as the location of the mural, more precisely an Espoon Asunnot building at Kotikyläntie 4, partly because many Ukrainians who have escaped the war to Espoo live in the area. According to the principles of public art of the City of Espoo, the multicultural city must offer spaces that reflect shared values where people want to meet and spend time together. As the administrative and developing centre of the city, Espoon keskus was also a suitable environment for the mural.
Creators of the Feels like Home mural:
- Ihor Vetushynskyi and Siri Kaskeala: design
- Ruusa (Rosa Hultman): painting
Partners:
- City of Espoo Cultural Unit
- City of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
- Espoon Asunnot
- Upeart
- Ruusa Art & Production
- Espoo School of Art
The reveal of the mural will be celebrated on Espoo Day in an event starting at 3 p.m. on Friday 29 August 2025 at the Entresse Library, from where guests will move to the mural located at Kotikyläntie 4.
