My Oulu: “Every day and every night, Ukrainians hear the noise of drones in the sky”
A drone shot down in Ukraine was displayed next to the Rotuaari stage during the exhibition opening. For the duration of the exhibition in August, it can be found on Rotuaari at Kirkkokatu 23, in front of Nahka Albert. Photos: Pasi Rytinki
Jaa sosiaalisessa mediassa:
A Russian attack drone shot down in Ukraine and brought to Rotuaari has attracted many interested onlookers. At the opening of the drone exhibition Ukrainian Deputy Minister Tetyana Filevska reminded the audience that Ukraine is fighting for European values.
”Slava Ukraini!” rang out spontaneously on Rotuaari pedestrian street on Friday afternoon last week after the local brass band Vaskiveikot had performed the Ukrainian national anthem. Many Ukrainians in the audience wiped away tears.
The crowd had gathered for the opening of the drone exhibition. Until the end of August, Rotuaari is displaying a Russian Geran-2 attack drone shot down by Ukraine.
The Ukrainian national anthem moved the audience.
The opening ceremony was attended by ministerial guests, as Finland’s Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie was hosting an informal meeting of EU culture ministers in Oulu. Representatives of Ukraine had also been invited to the meeting. Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Culture Tetyana Filevska thanked the people of Oulu and Finland, on behalf of her government and the Ukrainian people, for their solidarity with Ukraine.
”The war started by Russia does not stop at Ukraine’s western border. This is a war against Europe and European values – a war against dignity, freedom and creativity”, Filevska said.
Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Culture Tetyana Filevska said that the war cannot be won without European cooperation.
She noted that Rotuaari could be hosting an exhibition of Ukrainian art. Instead, visitors are confronted with a weapon of war that destroys people and culture: a 3.5-metre-long, 200-kilogram attack drone that has become part of everyday life for Ukrainians.
”Every day and every night, Ukrainians hear the noise of drones in the sky. When my children go to sleep in Ukraine, we can never know whether we will wake up the next morning. One day, my children and their friends brought a piece of a similar drone into our courtyard. The war is everywhere”, Filevska said.
”Ukrainian soldiers in eastern, southern and northern Ukraine are doing everything they can to protect peace and well-being in Europe. They are fighting for us and for all of you”, Filevska said, stressing that international solidarity and cooperation are still needed to achieve peace in Ukraine.
The drone will be on display at Rotuaari until 30 August.
Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie believed that displaying the attack drone in the heart of the city would provoke thought and discussion among the people of Oulu.
”It is a powerful reminder that a brutal war is still continuing in Europe”, Talvitie said, echoing Filevska’s view that Ukraine defends European values every day.
Drone exhibition on Rotuaari at Kirkkokatu 23, in front of Nahka Albert, from 14 to 30 August 2026, daily from 1 pm to 7 pm, weather permitting. Admission is free. For safety reasons, the exhibition is not on display outside these hours.