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Tampere is a city in southern Finland located between two lakes: Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. Since the two lakes differ in level by 18 metres, the Tammerkoski rapids linking them have been an important power source throughout history, most recently for generating electricity.

Attractions

Tampere is known for its active cultural life. Some of the most popular writers in Finland, such as Väinö Linna, Kalle Päätalo or Hannu Salama hail from Tampere. These are all known as writers depicting the lives of working class people. Also from working class background was the famous poet Lauri Viita of Pispala district (which is the original home of Hannu Salama too). Tampere also has old theater traditions, with such established institutions as Tampereen Työväen Teatteri, Tampereen Teatteri and Pyynikin Kesäteatteri, which is an open-air theatre with the oldest revolving auditorium in Europe. Tampereen Teatterikesä or Tampere Theatre Festival is an international theater festival held in Tampere every August.
Tampere Film Festival, the international short film festival is held every March. Tammerfest is Tampere's urban rock festival held in every July.
Tampere Music Festivals organises three international music events; Tampere Jazz Happening each November, and on alternate years Tampere Vocal Music Festival and Tampere Biennale.

Sites of interest

The main tourist attraction is the Särkänniemi amusement park, which includes a dolphinarium and the landmark Näsinneula tower, topped by a revolving restaurant. Other sites of interests are Tampere city Library Metso ("wood grouse"), Kaleva Church (both designed by Reima Pietilä), the Tampere Hall for conferences and the Tampere Market Hall.
Tampere is also the home to one of the, if not the last museum in the world dedicated to Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Lenin moved to Tampere in August 1905 and during a subsequent Bolshevik conference in the city, met Joseph Stalin for the first time. Lenin eventually fled Tampere (for Sweden) in November 1907 when being pursued by the Russian Okhrana. Lenin would not return to any part of the Russian Empire until 10 years later when he heard the start of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Pispala is a ridge located between lake Näsijärvi and lake Pyhäjärvi. It used to house the majority of industrial labour in late 19th and early 20th century. Currently it is a popular residential area and together with neighbouring Pyynikki it forms an important historical area of Tampere.
There are many museums and galleries, including:

• The Vapriikki Museum Centre which includes the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame and the Shoe Museum
• Tampere Art Museum
• Tampere Lenin Museum
• The Muumilaakso Museum, all about Moomins
• The Amuri museum of Workers' Housing
• The Museum of Minerals
• The Sara Hildén Art Museum (within Särkäniemi themepark)
• The Museum of Dolls and Costumes
• The Spy Museum
• The Arboretum
• The Central Museum of Labour in Finland