When the garrison closed down in Hiukkavaara, Oulu, culture came to the barracks. In addition to the bands, many other creatives have found the area.
– First we started playing horns. Since then I’ve had a lot of different bands, more like projects. But one worth mentioning is the rock band *Stolen Organ*.
Vaara rehearses in the old barracks buildings of Hiukkavaara in Oulu, Hiukan Pihalla, where more than 250 bands rehearse.
In addition to bands, Hiukka’s Yard is home to a number of artists, carpenters, various sports and audiovisual companies. In the past, the city’s zoning plans, among other things, have created uncertainty for the continuity of cultural activities, but now the future is bright.
– I thought the electric and bass guitars were great. I convinced my mother to buy me a bass guitar, Karjalainen recalls.
The Karjalainen’s band affairs began to flow quickly. He played his first rock gig in 1968. The very next year he got into a regular gig band, which had several dozen gigs a year. From then on, \”bands are enough\”.
– There have been, among other things, many kinds of blues bands. Among the bands, I like *Finn Floyd* the most, which is still active. You can tell from the name that it’s a Pink Floyd tribute band, a good one.
The environment is changing, but cultural activities will not stop
Eemeli Vaara remembers that she started training at Hiukka Piha when she was 14 years old. At that time, the owner of the place was different than now.
– When we came here, it was dirty, messy and places full of junk. There were rumors of a threat of demolition, a bit like the atmosphere of the beginning of the end.
Korpela says that a cultural oasis has formed in the area as if by itself after the garrison ceased its operations.
– Spaces have been found here that can be put to good use in cultural activities, Korpela states.
However, there is no longer any concern about the end of cultural activities, says Korpela.
– The barracks buildings will remain, so all the activities that are here now will continue. For example, it would be a disaster in terms of band activities if everyone had to leave here.
Vaara and Karjalainen also say that if they didn’t train at Hiukka Piha, they wouldn’t know where they could train.
– It would be difficult. I think it would depend on relationships: if you have relationships with a company that knows a warehouse, it could be successful. There would be a huge shortage of training camps if these weren’t available, Karjalainen says.
However, Hiukka Piha’s environment will change in the next few years. For example, a settlement is coming to the area. This is considered only a good thing in terms of operations: there will be more services and, for example, bus connections will make traveling easier in the future.
– I miss the bus line. Even now, a bus comes a good kilometer away, but it would be easier if it turned directly into the yard, says Eemeli Vaara.
Not everyone can fit in the premises
Even though there are plenty of bands at the moment, there would be significantly more people coming.
According to Korpela, band facilities are being demolished in Oulu. For this reason, there have been several inquiries recently about whether a new training facility could be found in Hiukkavaara.
At the moment, however, the facilities are full and there is a waiting list for Hiukka Pihaan. Could the facilities be expanded so that even more people could practice their playing? According to Korpela, this would raise the rent significantly.
– If we were to build new premises, then the rent prices would go to such a level that it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to engage in band activities anymore.
According to Korpela, we are now operating with the resources that are currently in use.
– After all, we have a little over two hundred cabins even now, and several bands practice in them. That’s already quite a lot.