This year's cultural focus focuses on national minorities in Sweden. With particular emphasis on Sweden Finns as the Gävleborg Region and the Hofors host municipality are Finnish administrative area together with three other municipalities in the county.

The Cultural Assembly is organized every year at various locations in the county.

- It's important to meet that way and to build relationships and find good ways to collaborate, says Elenor Noble, Cultural Strategist at Region Gävleborg.

In Hofors there are 1500 of Finnish origin

As many as 15 per cent of Hofor Municipality's population have Finnish outbreaks. For the Finnish association in Hofors, it is important to be noticed and seen, for its survival.

- We spoke Finnish with our child, but when he came to school, the teachers thought it was better that we spoke Swedish with him so he could make himself understood there, says Pekka Takula.

"We older people need young people's help"

This year there will be lectures, seminars, a panel discussion, a trade show and several musical performances.

"We older people need the help of young people so that we can continue our business," says Marja Luusua, chairman of Hofors Finnish Association.

Next year, the cultural event in Hudviksvall will be organized.