The Oulu2026 area is full of stories! Significant history, human stories, phenomena and revolutionary events. Fascinating stories based on real events can be listened to or read on your phone on the streets of Oulu or on your sofa at home.
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1. The sound of the North
On the trail of popular music
Ten nostalgic short stories about the phenomena, waves, places and people of popular music in Oulu. The stories are written and read by Esa "Katz" Nissi, a musician known from the band Radiopuhelimet. On the map, the stories are placed near the actual locations where they took place and can either be read or listened to. The stories are Kuusrock, Metallikaupunki, Rattori-lupi, Rauhala, Leipätehdas, Pikisaari, Valve, 45 Special, Madetojan Music High School and Shit Town.
You can follow the route on the map on atla.fi. The city also has tiles with QR codes that can be scanned with your own mobile device to access the route directly. The stories are self-contained and can be experienced in any order you like.
The founder of Kuusrock Markku Hänninen, Vesa Ranta of Sentenced, bouncer legend Jorma Karhumaa, Jarno Mällinen of Radiopuhelimia, Petri Sirviö of the Male Voice Choir Huutajien will share their views and memories, event expert Taina Ronkainen, youth work expert Paula Kariniemi, 45 Special's Ilpo and Roope Sulkala, Madetojan Music High School student Ella Huttunen and Oulu underground culture expert Marlene Hyyppä.
Stories in plain English
From this link click to read and listen to stories in plain language.
Northern sound route map
2. The route of the tar stories
Oulu tar stories
In historic Oulu, you can now have an adventure on the Tar Stories route! The stories, written by Katariina Vuori, are based on authentic places, events and people from the golden age of the Oulu tar trade. A digital map will help you find ten tar-related places and you can follow the route map on your mobile device. A plaque has also been placed at the event locations, and by scanning the QR code, the story opens up for you to read or listen to. If you wish, you can also access the stories on this page.
The route of the Tar Stories starts at the Lever border and ends at Toppila harbour. However, the stories are self-contained and can be experienced in any order. At the story points Hahtiperä, Merikoski, Laiva Toivo and Tervahovi it is possible to see the sites with augmented reality on your own mobile device. The stories are available in Finnish, English, Swedish, Swedish and Gaelic.
Oulu River tar stories
The Tar Stories route continues with three stories along the Oulu River to events in Muhos, Utajärvi and Vaala. The stories can be found by following the digital map of the Tervatariini route. The stories can also be found on this website.
Stories of the Oulu River has been implemented by Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark / Humanpolis Ltd as part of the project Fascinating Stories for the Rokua Geopark area, funded by the Regional Development Fund of the European Union and the Finnish Government.
Stories in plain English
From this link click to read and listen to stories in plain language.
The route of the tar stories3. The Pateniemi track
The Pateniemi Trail is a community-based trail created by the Pateniemi School in Oulu, which tells about the history, nature and cultural heritage of Pateniemi. In addition to presenting the sites, the trail includes visual material and interview videos with old residents and experts from the area. The trail also features drawings, poems and stories about Pateniemi by pupils.
The Pateniemi track will make use of e-learning environments and collaboratively produced educational content. Pateniemi raitti also inspires young people to get outdoors. Its content and methods are suitable for all ages. Implementation: Pateniemi School in cooperation with the Pateniemi Association.
The power of northern stories
The Northern Stories Route and Northern Sound are pilots of the Northern Stories for Attraction project. The project was implemented by the Oulu Cultural Foundation. The aim was to develop new ways to create themed routes using easy-to-use technology in the Oulu2026 implementation area. Showcasing the cultural heritage of the area and offering free experiences will strengthen the local identity of the inhabitants of the area in their everyday environments and also create a tourist attraction. The stories were identified together with experts and local residents. The project was completed in April 2024, but the routes will live on.
Project promoter: the Cultural Foundation of Oulu rs., main financier: the Federation of North Ostrobothnia
Toteutusaika: 1.3.2023-30.4.2024
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