Rollator March to Close Part of Hämeenkatu in Tampere on May 8
A nationwide Rollator March that began in Tampere last year will pass down Hämeenkatu on May 8; participants gather at Koskikatu at 13:30 and set off at 14:00 toward Laikunlava for a programme of around an hour.
The event began in Tampere last year and drew up to 2,000 participants. This year it expands to more than 30 municipalities across Finland, the City of Tampere reports.
Founders Outi Mäenpää and Jari Pirhonen said in a press release that there is clear demand for the march; people are worried about the state of elderly services and want to make their concerns heard.
According to the City of Tampere, participants will gather on Koskikatu at 13:30 and set off at 14:00, taking a roughly 500-metre route across Hämeensilta Bridge to Laikunpuisto. The organisers say rest areas and accessible toilets will be available along the way.
Organisers invite residents, organisations and businesses to join in promoting older people’s dignity and rights. The City of Tampere adds that Tarja Jokinen will use the slogan “Ageing rules.”
At Laikunpuisto, a programme will begin around 14:30–14:45 and run for about an hour. Mayor Ilmari Nurminen (Social Democrats) is scheduled to deliver the city greeting and attend.
The line-up includes Rientolan soittokunta and performances by Costello Hautamäki and Karoliina Blackburn. Vicar Harri Henttinen from Vesilahti parish will give a speech, and the Tampere elderly council will present a statement.
The route is barrier-free and suitable for wheelchair users and prams; participants may join with or without rollators. Simultaneous marches are planned in cities including Helsinki, Oulu, Turku, Jyväskylä and Rovaniemi.
Catch the full story over at Tamperelainen
