Catch colourful community moments in Kotka next week as Pride Week kicks off with authors, workshops and a Saturday park celebration; here’s what’s on, where to go and how to make the most of the parade, exhibition and family-friendly activities.
Essential Takeaways
- When and where: Pride Week starts Monday at Kotka main library and culminates with a park party and parade in Issonapuisto on Saturday.
- Hands-on activities: There’s a sign-painting and badge-making workshop at Kumppanuustalo Viikari to prep for the march.
- Art on show: The "Yhteiset aallot" exhibition opens Friday at Pasaat shopping centre and runs through Maritime Day Saturday, featuring local artists.
- Main event vibe: The Saturday parade sets off at 12.30 from Toivo Pekkasen puisto and the puistojuhla begins about 13.00 with music, performances and stalls.
- Family-friendly: Expect picnic spots, local associations’ stands, craft booths, and performances suitable for a wide audience.
Start the week with words , library launch and author talks
Kick off Pride Week by popping into Kotka’s main library, where local authors will set a reflective yet upbeat tone. The opening session features writers Tiina Tuppurainen and Heidi Airaksinen, so expect conversation, bookish atmosphere and chances to ask questions. Libraries are great for quieter, thoughtful events before the weekend buzz, and this one gives the week cultural gravitas. If you like literature and community conversation, this is where to begin.
Get crafty at Viikari , make signs and pins for the march
Later in the week Kumppanuustalo Viikari hosts practical workshops: paint placards on Thursday and make pins on Saturday morning. It’s a friendly, do-it-together vibe , handy if you’d rather arrive at the parade with your own creative statement. Bring weatherproof materials if you’re planning an outdoor-ready sign, and wear something you don’t mind getting paint on. Volunteers will be around, and it’s an easy way to meet other locals before the march.
See local art at Pasaat , the "Yhteiset aallot" exhibition
On Friday the Pasaat shopping centre unveils Yhteiset aallot, an exhibition themed around community and togetherness, running through the maritime celebrations on Saturday. Artist Sanna Koskinen, known as Molly Moonstone, is among those showing work, alongside other regional creators. The display is an accessible way to experience Pride through visual arts while you’re out shopping or grabbing a coffee. If art helps you connect, schedule a slow browse between events.
Parade and park party , the weekend highlight
Saturday is the big day: the parade departs Toivo Pekkasen puisto at 12.30, moving along Keskuskatu and Ruotsinsalmenkatu to Issonapuisto, where the park party begins at about 13.00. Expect lots of community groups in their own little blocs, music from artist Eesa, a drag performance from MissB, and a social-media talk from Taija Kattelus (known on TikTok as Lauri-matilda). Bring a picnic blanket, some snacks and a small umbrella just in case , the mood is celebratory and welcoming, and organisers are expecting several hundred visitors.
Why this matters , community, visibility and local support
Kotka Pride ry organises the week with volunteers, sponsors and local backers, aiming to remind people that everyone shares the same world even as they live their own lives. Events like these build visibility for local LGBTQ+ people, give community groups a platform and offer families and allies a friendly place to gather. If you’re uncertain about attending, try a daytime event first , a library talk or the exhibition , then work up to the parade. It’s communal, colourful and low-pressure.
It's a small change that can make every local Pride moment feel more connected.
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