Queerhill Histories

What does Queer mean in this time and place?
How can Queer history be defined and what even is history itself?

We will share a common space where being Queer in any way is welcome to explore these topics. Together, we offer Queerhill Histories as a space to be discovered, to emerge, to take shape, and to be articulated into something new.

Each meeting has a theme or topic and the event series will be facilitated by the organisers so you can just show up — there’s no need to prepare!

Meetings will be held once a month from November 2023 to March 2024.

The event series is intended for anyone who — in one way or another — feels the desire and need to share a space dedicated to Queer people. We are inspired by the following definition of Queer, as proposed by the Institute of Queer Ecology (2019) as “an expanded understanding of Queer Community that includes nonhuman kin and prioritizes anyone subjugated, regardless of race, class, nationality, ability, income level, sexuality, gender or species.”

Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. There is no upper age limit.

We adhere to the principles of safer spaces. You can find out more here.

The concept and the event series are part of Rainbow History Month, a project organised by the Friends of Rainbow History in November 2023.

Queerhill Histories / Kvääriä Okuhistoriaa is created in cooperation with ONCE WE WERE ISLANDS, Nadja Leham and Helmi Räisänen and supported by the Friends of Rainbow History.

At our first meeting, ONCE WE WERE ISLANDS performance collective will share some of their Queer history research interests, including the 2023 project reexamining the paintings and life of Reidar Särestöniemi from a Queer perspective. We will also talk about our plans for the upcoming meetings and what we hope to discover and share together.

We ask:
How can we activate an interest in the specific Queer history of Outokumpu?
Are there any notable figures or written histories?
Are there other hidden ways to trace Queerness in the area?
How do we create layers of Queer history ourselves through our meetings?

Event information

When?
The first meeting is on Thursday, 30th of November 17:30-19:30.

Further meetings will take place once a month.
More details will be announced soon.

Where?
Outokumpu Library, Koulukatu 7, in ‘The Gallery’ room. We will meet you at the main entrance.

Language
The working languages for the project are Finnish and English. Some material will be presented in English or Finnish only. We will do our best to translate or assist with understanding where needed and to accommodate other languages.

Further questions
info@oncewewereislands.com

Accessibility information

There is a wheelchair ramp outside at the entrance. There is a three centimetre threshold at the entrance. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet. We do not have a sign language interpreter at the event. The meeting is held in a space called ‘The Gallery’, on the left-hand side of the main entrance. In the room there are windows facing the library corridor, from which one can see into the space where we are meeting.

You can participate in the meeting in a way that is suitable for you. You can either just listen, or participate in the conversation. You can leave and come back to the space in whichever way is good for you. It is OK to sit on the floor or change position. There will be snacks and soft drinks available at the meeting. The food will be vegan and nut free.

If you have more specific accessibility needs you would like us to know about or in case you have additional questions, you are welcome to write to us at: info@oncewewereislands.com