My Oulu: “Unique balance” in Oulu inspired Dutch Erik Bukkems to write a book
Erik Bukkems is planning to return to Oulu. Photo: Harriet Urponen
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Erik Bukkems may be the biggest Oulu fan in the Netherlands. He is fascinated by Oulu’s combination of calmness, space, and freedom. His book Mijmeringen in Oulu became a tale of the writer’s inner journey inspired by the northern environment.
The Dutch Erik Bukkems came to know Oulu originally through an online URBACT youth project.
”I got curious and started looking up the city, reading about it, and somehow it just stuck with me. At some point, I decided to go to Oulu myself, and that’s where the writing began.”
Bukkems’ book Mijmeringen in Oulu (Musings on Oulu) is a personal and contemplative travel book. The author describes it consisting of short sections in which he shares his thoughts and experiences of Oulu.
”It’s about my search for meaning, calmness, and understanding myself a bit better. It’s not a typical travel guide, it’s much more about the inner journey than the destination itself”, Bukkems describes.
Erik Bukkems’ book is a personal and contemplative travel book. Photo: Erik Bukkems
Bukkems is intrigued by the combination of calmness, space, and freedom in Oulu. One of his favorite things about the city is walking from the city centre to the Nallikari Beach.
”There’s something almost peaceful and meditative about it. Life in the Netherlands often feels fast and busy to me, while Oulu has this unique balance. It’s a city, it has energy, but at the same time it feels calm. That balance really draws me in”, Bukkems describes.
The book has proven helpful for readers
Bukkems, who lives in Eindhoven, is the founder of Eindhoven Maatjes. It is a social initiative that organizes low-threshold social encounters, such as walks, game nights, and barbeques. Its goal is to bring people together and reduce loneliness.
”My first trip to Oulu came at a time when I wasn’t doing great mentally. Being there gave me the space to slow down and reflect. I’ve always believed it’s important to talk about how you’re really doing, instead of keeping everything inside. While I was in Oulu, I started writing down my thoughts. That slowly turned into a book: a mix of reflections, doubts, and personal thoughts, but also a way for readers to experience the city through my eyes.”
Bukkems self-published his book in the Netherlands in February 2025 and it has been translated into Finnish with the help of artificial intelligence. According to Bukkems, the book has received national media attention, for example on the Dutch national Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.
”But what means even more to me is the response from readers. Some people told me it helped them open up about their own feelings, and that’s exactly what I hoped for when I wrote it.”
Cooperation between Oulu and Eindhoven?
When Bukkems visited Oulu for the second time, he understood how much the city and Eindhoven have in common. Both are tech-driven cities, with histories connected to companies like Philips and Nokia.
Erik Bukkems handed a copy of his book to Mayor Ari Alatossava. Photo: Harriet Urponen
Once Bukkems returned to Oulu, he wrote his second book in the city. It is a sequel to the first Oulu book.
”I’d love to translate it into Finnish again and share it locally. My plan is to come back in December to write a third book and complete a trilogy in Oulu.”
Bukkems’ plans go beyond just books.
”I also think it would be really interesting to create something that connects Oulu and Eindhoven more, maybe through a social or community-based project. And honestly, I just really love the city. I always joke that I might be one of Oulu’s biggest ambassadors in the Netherlands”, Bukkems declares.
The book can be ordered online at www.Mijmeringen.nl.