21 August 2026 | Ainolanpuisto, Oulu
Colours, brushes, floral patterns and plenty of creativity – this is what the second edition of “Colours of Folklore”, organised by the Association of Poles in Northern Finland, looked like as part of this year’s Oulu Delta Art Days and Oulu Arts’ Night.
Oulu Arts’ Night is one of the most eagerly anticipated cultural events in the city. Every year, the centre of Oulu and its surrounding areas come alive with music, performances, art and creative initiatives. Residents and visitors have the opportunity not only to watch and listen, but also to actively participate in the events and create art themselves. For our Association, this was already the fourth time taking part in this unique celebration of culture.
Following the very positive response to last year’s edition, we once again invited participants to discover together the richness of Polish folklore, especially its distinctive and colourful floral motifs. This time, however, we enriched the event with an additional attraction prepared especially for our youngest participants.
Our volunteer, Anastazja, prepared a large canvas featuring a floral pattern inspired by Polish folk art. Everyone who visited our stand could pick up a brush and add their own contribution to the shared artwork. With each new participant came new colours, patterns and ideas, and the canvas gradually transformed into a unique composition created together.
The children also had an opportunity to create something of their own. We prepared 15 small canvases for them, and Anastazja created sketches on them throughout the event, adapting the designs to the ideas of the youngest participants. Flowers, imaginative patterns and motifs inspired by Polish folklore quickly filled the small canvases with colour. The interest was so great that by the end of the event, not a single canvas was left!
Our youngest participants enthusiastically chose colours, mixed paints and created their own interpretations of traditional folk patterns. Soon, parents and other adults also joined in. Many people created together, sharing ideas and deciding collectively on the next elements of the artwork.
It is moments like these that show best how art can bring people together – regardless of age, background or artistic experience.
All the materials needed for the creative activities – paints, brushes, canvases and other art supplies – were provided by the Association of Poles in Northern Finland, thanks to financial support from the City of Oulu.
In just one hour, not only a large and colourful collaborative painting was created, but also fifteen unique children’s artworks, which their young creators were able to take home as a souvenir.
We would like to thank everyone who stopped by our stand, picked up a brush and helped us create this colourful part of this year’s Oulu Arts’ Night.
You can see the results of our shared creative work in the photos! 📸🌸🎨
