Imatra - the city of poetry and love?

On Thursday last week, ten invited speakers gathered in the Main Library's Living Room to share their thoughts on Imatra's cultural life. It was the first discussion at Imatra of the Minun kuntani democracy project jointly implemented by several Finnish libraries. The discussion was moderated by a library expert Ari Sareslahti. Also a project worker Kaisa Halme The Lahti city library was present to present the project.

- Culture seemed appropriate as the topic of the first discussion, because we are in Kulttuuritalo Virra and I myself have wondered about the lack of cultural discussion in Imatra recently, Sareslahti explained the discussion.

The high thresholds of culture

The discussants identified several challenges affecting Imatra's cultural life and events: the decrease in the number of visitors during the corona period, the transfer of the art school to Lappeenranta, reaching out to the citizens and arousing their interest, the city's economic situation. It was found that the cost of cultural events can be a threshold issue for many, and the pretentious walls of cultural spaces may be perceived as pushy. High culture as a word can already scare you.

On the other hand, the interlocutors thought that the citizens of the municipality do not necessarily know about everything on offer, for example museums with no entrance fee and low-threshold free events. Only those who attend events know how to follow event calendars. In addition to local cultural events, streaming services and other activities that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home are competing for people's time.

- The village culture has also changed. Before, we used to go to some village all the time, now we don't go anywhere, one interlocutor characterized.

From the point of view of cultural creators, the problem was seen as the lack of organizational help and coordination, or at least the creators don't know enough about the help available. Many actors in the cultural sector do not always meet each other.

Out of the cultural bubble together

As possible development paths, the interlocutors raised interaction, doing and experiencing together, and bringing culture to where the citizens of the municipality are.

- Let's leave the places where there is normally culture. Let's go out of the cultural bubble and get closer to people's everyday life, suggested one participant.

Local culture was spoken of as a shared experience of people that takes place in a certain space. The space does not necessarily have to be a traditional cultural space, but culture, for example art, could be taken more to green areas, the city center and other places close to people. In order to implement this, the cultural makers would need practical advice from the city officials. Deepening cooperation and identifying the needs of different actors were emphasized, as well as seeking ideas directly from cultural creators.

Doing and experiencing things together was also seen as important from the audience's point of view: enjoying local culture can create a sense of community, which screen entertainment consumed alone is not capable of. The discussion suggested, for example, buying two admission tickets and inviting a friend to the events. There was also talk about raising children and young people in culture: when cultural actors, for example libraries and museums, become familiar already at school, it lowers the threshold to return to culture as an adult. The facilities offered to young people for cultural pursuits were also highlighted.

The discussants reflected that Imatra already has numerous strengths in the field of culture: Vuoksi ja koski, Valtionhotelli, cultural house, artists. It was found that Imatra Base Camp provides answers to many practical questions that perplex cultural workers. Better utilization of strengths and opportunities is needed, perhaps even recognition of Imatra's specialness. Culture is one of the city's assets and attraction factors.

- In texts from a hundred years ago, the region of Ruokolahti and Imatra is referred to as a place of poetry and love, said one interlocutor.

- We could strive towards something like that again.

Discussing using the batch break method

The two-hour discussion took place applying the Erätauko method developed at Sitra. The purpose of the discussion method is to help conduct a constructive and equal social dialogue.

- The purpose is to bring out one's own experiences. Everyone participates in the discussion as themselves, and not, for example, in a professional role. An atmosphere of mutual respect and trust prevails in the discussion, Kaisa Halme instructed the participants.

Imatra City Library will organize four more discussion events on different topics during the current year. If you would like to suggest a current Imatra-related discussion topic or take part in the discussion, please contact the library.

For more information:
Library expert Ari Sareslahti, tel. 020 617 6603, ari.sareslahtiimatra.fi (ari[dot]sareslahti[at]imatra[dot]fi)
Project worker Kaisa Halme, tel. 044 416 4139, kaisa.halmelahti.fi (kaisa[dot]halme[at]lahti[dot]fi)