A delegation from the Committee on Culture and Education will travel to Oulu, Finland, from 21 to 23 September.
The mission will begin with an overview of the conception and implementation of Oulu2026 in a meeting with Piia Rantala-Korhonen, CEO of the Oulu Culture Foundation and responsible for promoting and organising the activities.
The second day is dedicated to visit legacy projects. In the morning, MEPs will visit one of the largest cultural investments made in Oulu, the brand new Museum and Science Centre Tiima. In the afternoon, they will attend a presentation and exchange of views on the repurposing of this first modernist industrial building in Oulu and the role of educational collaboration in the process. The AaltoSiilo, a remaining building of the Toppila cellulose factory, designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto in 1931, is being transformed into a multi-purpose public space, serving as a hub for cultural and experimental exchange. The Silo is a partner of the New European Bauhaus initiative.
Throughout the day, MEPs will meet with the chairmen of the City Council and of the City Board, the mayor Ari Alatossava, the chairman of the board of the Oulu Culture Foundation, among other representatives of cultural organisations and associations, with whom they will discuss cultural policies.
The last day will focus on visits to the Central Library Saari and Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo, as well as the Oulu Theatre and the city of Oulu’s project portfolios.
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“I look forward to fascinating exhibitions, vibrant cultural centres and meaningful artistic exchange. European Capitals of Culture show Europe at its best: diverse, creative and connected across borders. I am curious to see how Oulu is developing its own cultural vision. The programme is a powerful symbol of what EU cultural policy can achieve,” said Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), chair of the Committee on Culture and Education and head of delegation.
List of participants
Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE)
Viktor WEISZ (EPP, HU)
Manuela RIPA (EPP, DE)
Hannes HEIDE (S&D, AU)
Joanna SCHEURING-WIELGUS (S&D, PL)
Background
Oulu, Finland, shares the title of European Capital of Culture 2026 with Trenčín, Slovakia.
European Capitals of Culture are formally designated four years before the title year. This long period of time is necessary to plan and to prepare such a complex event.
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