In an innovative artistic venture, Finnish artist Riiko Sakkinen has hidden 200 five-euro notes within red-covered books at the Oulu City Library. This initiative is part of the ARToulu art area and the European Capital of Culture year program. The project aims to attract visitors to the library, particularly those who do not typically frequent such places, thereby fostering greater community engagement with local culture and art.

Despite Sakkinen's hopes that the hidden money would draw more visitors to the library, feedback from library staff indicates that it has not significantly increased foot traffic. Pauliina Bomström, a service supervisor at the library, mentioned that while some of the hidden bills have already been discovered, there hasn't been a notable uptick in library usage. This highlights the challenge of engaging new audiences in cultural spaces, even with such eye-catching and interactive efforts.

Sakkinen, who spent three hours hiding the bills, has ensured that each hidden note is stamped, numbered, and signed by him, adding a unique artful touch to the transaction. His work, titled "Punaiset kirjat" (Red Books), not only represents a playful engagement with the public but also raises questions about the relationship between art, money, and accessibility in community spaces. The incident serves as an intriguing case study in modern art strategies aimed at increasing public interaction with cultural institutions.