26.06.2025
Statement on the name change of the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia
We are proud of our country. The exhibitions and artefacts of the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia maintain the material heritage, history and culture of the region. Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture next year. This important event has been prepared together with 39 municipalities across the provincial borders. It is a collective effort of the whole region.
History and culture do not know the municipal boundaries, but in the case of the Museum of Northern Ostrobothnia it seems to be different. The reason for the name change has been that it has been difficult for tourists and international museum colleagues and partners to understand the name of the museum in English. It is about maintaining the cultural identity of the province. It's not usually based on what people from other parts of the world don't know about us yet. The mission of the museum and the Capital of Culture year is to open and tell it.
The responsibilities of the North Ostrobothnia Museum are provincial. The name of the museum must tell you what its collections and activities are all about. According to the Museums Act, the museum has regional expert services. The museum's collection work covers the entire region of Northern Ostrobothnia, and its collections have been compiled from the region. The museum's activities are not limited to the museum building in the centre of Oulu, but include special museums from a wider area. The museum's researchers work throughout the Northern Ostrobothnia region. Why should the name of the museum be reduced to Oulu?
The Nomenclature Committee took a negative position on the name change. The change of name of the museum should have been discussed throughout the region. People need to know their roots. This is what the North Ostrobothnia Museum has done as a regional museum.
If you don't know history, you can't understand the present.
Lyly Rajala
Chairman of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
Regional Counsellor
Oulu
Lauri Nikula
President of the Provincial Government
Oulu
Jouni Jussinniemi
1st Vice-Chairman of the Provincial Council
Pyhäjärvi
Jarmo Haapaniemi
2nd Vice-Chairman of the Provincial Council
Municipal Counsellor
Kempele
Esa Aalto
Vice-Chairman of the Provincial Government
Oulu
Matti Heikkilä
Chairman of the Provincial Cooperation Group
Kuusamo
Additional information: Lyly Rajala, Chairman of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
