Voice the Taboo by Hyvän mielen talo is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and its cultural climate change initiative, using art to make important mental health topics visible.
The open programme for late spring invites people of all backgrounds to explore difficult emotions, lived-experience mental health stories, and themes related to young people’s mental health.
In April, the Rage Crochet session at Oulu Main Library Saari examines emotions through textile art under the guidance of Helsinki-based artist Verna Häyrynen. The workshop challenges the idea of crafts as merely calming or rule-based activities, highlighting instead their potential as powerful—even rebellious—forms of self-expression. A photographic collage composed by the artist from the works created during the workshop will be exhibited at Kure Store, located in Pekuri Shopping Centre. Participants can work alone or together, calmly or intensely, in ways that feel natural to them. No prior experience in crafts is required. The workshop is open to multilingual participants, with instruction available in Finnish and English. Registration is open until 27 April.
The spring season culminates on 24 May with the MANIFESTI FASHION SHOW at Valve Hall, part of the nationwide Mental Health Art Week. The MANIFESTI working group, responsible for the youth collaboration, includes actor Minna Puolanto (Red Nose Company), documentary filmmaker Ditte Uljas (YLE), and designer Veikko Seppälä (aka Veikko De Luxe, featured in Vogue Talents).
Blending clowning and documentary elements, the show draws inspiration from mental health challenges that have been overcome. The piece manifests everyone’s right to be seen as their authentic selves.
Ditte Uljas and Minna Puolanto strongly believe in art as a means of processing mental health:
“Art asks, challenges, questions, and makes things visible. It offers audiences fresh perspectives on their own lives and provides tools for processing emotions. Through art, even difficult experiences can transform into something meaningful and healing. Art can bring positive energy to both its creators and audiences, contributing to our mental and physical well-being.”
In June, an exhibition on the theme of taboo created by ITE artists will be presented at Hyvän mielen talo. In addition, a spoken-word performance by Oulu-based writer Tuisku Koskela, created together with experts by experience, will be performed at the opening of the public “Pesä” structure by Oulu Urban Culture. The “Pesä” will also feature text works based on lived-experience stories curated by Koskela. The exact date of the opening will be announced later.
More information about the spring programme and registration instructions can be found on the Hyvän mielen talo website:
https://www.hyvanmielentalo.fi/toiminta/voice-the-taboo.html
Hyvän mielen talo is a mental health organization based in central Oulu. It provides resource-oriented activities grounded in respectful, person-centred encounters for adults who have personal experience of mental health challenges or whose loved ones are affected.
For more information:
Anni Paalanen
Cultural Coordinator
anni.paalanen@hyvanmielentalo.fi
Tel. +358 44 334 6144
