The Mukula event was organized in Jalasjärvi after a long break last August. Community spirit and working together have long traditions in Mukula's history, and the new organizers wanted to continue along the same proven line by involving local parties in the organization. The event will be organized this year as well.
In the past, the Mukula event has been a nationally significant pioneer of children's culture, and at its best, the event has had up to 10,000 visitors. The event has been organized in the 80s and 90s and twice in the early 2000s. In the spring of 2020, was involved in the activities of Mukula ry Sanna Pihlaja got excited about organizing the event. When Päivi Oksanen heard about the idea for the first time, he was immediately ready to go along and produce the event. Since the other actors of Mukula ry had previous project experience, the idea quickly arose to apply for a Leader project from Liiver to support the revival of the event.
- In the Culture for Mukuloille project, the purpose is to create community, equality and participation, to ignite the spark of hobbies and make children realize themselves, and to create a comfortable time together for families on the children's terms, Pihlaja and Oksanen say.
The implementation period of the project is until autumn 2022. The project includes organizing workshops chosen according to the children's wishes, the Mukula Stage, where the children can perform, the Mukula Theater and creating a street art route. Most of the events are focused on the Mukula week in August. The week of events culminates in a festival weekend for the whole family.
- At first, the children were asked a survey about the themes of the workshops. Fine art, parkour, filming, circus, skateboarding and scootering became the most desired subjects. By asking and implementing children's wishes, we are able to increase children's influence and participation in the community, says Oksanen.
In addition, the project includes the participation of local actors in organizing activities for the children during the Mukula week. At the same time, children have the opportunity to comprehensively get to know, for example, the area's hobby opportunities and find enthusiasm for doing things of their own.
The Mukula theatre's play, rehearsed since March, premiered during Mukula week in August 2021. Photos Mukula ry / Suvi Haapalahti.
At the moment, the organizers have their eyes on the next summer's event. Rehearsals for the Mukula theater started at the beginning of the year, the main performers of the event have been chosen and the program for the event week has started to take shape.
- Right now we are looking for parties to implement the side program for the event week. Now is a good opportunity to highlight the area's activity and various hobby opportunities, Oksanen encourages.
During Mukula week, an art exhibition will be held at Hirsipirti, located in the center of Jalasjärvi, where works made in art workshops during the coming summer will be on display. In addition, various workshops will be organized in connection with the art exhibition.
- Hirspirti's workshop offering looks really versatile this year. There will be at least crafts, a wicker workshop, Legos, cats and maybe also activities related to baking and fishing, says Pihlaja. Young people hired by Jalasjärvi 4H will help in the workshops again this year, Pihlaja continues.
In Mukula, we want to emphasize working together.
- There is certainly something for all parties and individuals to do in the preparations for the event, if you want to come and make a happy children's event. Working together brings a sense of togetherness and community, the need for which has become even more important recently, Oksanen and Pihlaja state.