Bio Hyvimylly has been part of Raahe for over 85 years. The sheltered building has fallen into disrepair over the past few years, but now it’s time for a fresh start. A major refurbishment should be completed in 2026.
The future of Bio Huvimylly has been at stake in Raahe for more than 10 years. The last films in the protected building were shown in autumn 2011. Since then, it has been waiting in the cold for a decision on its future. Now, an exceptionally large cultural renovation project is about to begin in Raahe.
The theatre was taken over by the city in March, but the Bio Huvimylly association, founded in the spring, is responsible for the renovation work. It wants to renovate and reopen the dilapidated cinema and make the space more versatile.
Planning has been underway since the autumn, and preparations for the big job will begin in the coming weeks when the different working groups for the restoration project meet together for the first time.
There are many ways to raise money
– There are already work plans for the summer, but apart from that, we are working on an art track, so to speak. The Northern Opera Company is coming to visit us, and there are also concerts coming up for the spring and summer.
The events are one way to collect money for the renovation contractor, the price of which the city of Raahe has estimated at least around 800,000 euros. According to Hirvonen, in addition to events, income is also sought through crowdfunding from project supporters and public grants and product sales.
Bio Huvimilly is scheduled to open in 2026, when Oulu will be the European capital of culture. The aim is to spread its themes and effects more widely to the municipalities of northern Finland, so the reopening of the cinema, which was completed in 1937 and is now dilapidated, would fit well into the program of the jubilee year.
*You can discuss the topic until 23:00 on April 12.*
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