Tampere Landmarks to Glow Violet for World Premature Babies Day

Tamperelainen reports that Tampere will light several city landmarks violet on Sunday 15 November to mark World Premature Babies Day. The purple lighting will brighten sites including Tampere University’s Päätalo and the Tammerkoski rapids. It will also light Näsinneula, the Tampere University Hospital (Tays) F building and Sokos Hotel Ilves. Organisers intend the colour to draw attention to the needs of preterm infants and their families and to stress the importance of follow-up care after hospital discharge.

This year's slogan, "Small babies, huge potential", underlines that the journey for many preterm infants continues long after they go home. Tampere University Hospital’s neonatal intensive care and observation unit treats about 350 preterm babies each year. A related school craft competition saw pupils in grades 5–9 design preemie blankets. All entries will be donated to the Tays neonatal unit on 17 November.

The lighting continues a recent pattern of illuminating Tampere landmarks for awareness campaigns, following the city's October lighting for World Mental Health Day.