Rauno Korpi and Esko Roine among leaders of Tampere's gubbgång — informal walks for older men
A series of informal walks for older men in Tampere will be led by local figures Rauno Korpi, Esko Roine, Heikki Salo and Ari Hjelm, starting 19 May.
The series kicks off Tuesday 19 May and will feature local figures Rauno Korpi, Esko Roine, Heikki Salo and Ari Hjelm. Each walk is tied to a location with personal significance to its guest.
Organiser Jari Venhovaara told Tamperelainen the idea sprang from online video clips showing older men walking with their hands behind their backs — a gesture he recognised from his own life. Venhovaara, a former exercise instructor who spent 25 years working in Parikkala before moving to Tampere in 2022, felt a lone organiser wouldn't attract enough participants, so he recruited people from Tampere’s culture and sports scenes and partnered with the Finnish Red Cross Tampere branch.
Routes are chosen for their personal significance to each guest. Walks will include short pauses for conversation and a brief interview with the guest.
The series opens 19 May at 17:00 from Hakametsä Ice Hall with Rauno Korpi. On 2 June, Esko Roine will meet participants at 17:00 in front of Nappari House. Ari Hjelm leads a 14:00 walk from Ratinan Stadium on 7 July. The final walk, led by Heikki Salo, takes place at 14:00 on 14 July from Pispala School.
Catch the full story over at Tamperelainen
