The city of Oulu has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2026.
"This is a huge opportunity for Oulu and the whole of Northern Finland," Oulu2026 project manager Piia Rantala-Korhonen said after the announcement. "I hope that Northern Finland is now clearly visible on the map of Europe."
The European panel of art and culture experts chose Oulu over two other cities on the Finnish list, Savonlinna and Tampere.
The European Capital of Culture initiative was launched in 1985 and aims to: "emphasizes the cultural diversity of Europe, increases cultural exchanges and increases European citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area," According to the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
Oulu is Finland’s third European Capital of Culture, following Helsinki in 2000 and Turku in 2011, and will share the tribute in 2026 with the as-yet-unnamed Slovak city. The two cities have been designated Capitals of Culture every year since 2007.
Oulu’s successful bid was built around three themes, "Wild city, great contrasts and bold hinterland," focusing on sustainability.
Quelle: Die nordische Seite