22
Oulu2026 Countdown
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NEWS

The image shows the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen. It is an official portrait photograph. The photographer is Lasse Keltto.

President Tarja Halonen Becomes Patron of the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 Photography Project for Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026

From our programme partners
OASBB & Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso feat. Jukka Eskola: Davvi Oktavuohta – Northern Connection / visual identity Ellen-Maarit Juuso

Oulu All Star Big Band releases an album with Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso and Jukka Eskola

From our programme partners
Illustration

Oulu Music Video Festival Launches Its First European Music Video Competition!

From our programme partners
City of Turku.

Turku strongly present at the opening of Oulu’s year as Capital of Culture

From our programme partners
Midnight Sun Run Oulu -event's logo

Midnight Sun Run Oulu 2026: Route maps released!

From our programme partners
In the image: Dry(2023), a performance by Timo Viialainen at Kontula shopping center Helsinki / Image by Antti Ahonen

Performances on energy, war and issues surrounding communication – the performance artists for the ARToulu art area have been selected

From our programme partners
In the photo, Oulu Pride producer Martu Väisänen appears in a selfie together with colorful Oulu Pride participants. Photo: Martu Väisänen.

Hymyilevä Oulu 26 and Oulu Pride – Diversity makes the city stronger

From our programme partners
Woman eating a cinnamon bun and drinking coffee outside in Finland in the summer.

BBC names Oulu among the world’s 20 best places to travel in 2026 
People in Nallikari / Photo: Northern Endurance Events Oy

Running, culture and the magic of the midnight sun – Midnight Sun Run Oulu 2026

From our programme partners
Eiril Linge: Farmor forteller, 2023 (still image from a video). Photo: Eiril Linge.

The works of the Sápmi Triennial create a dialogue across borders and generations

From our programme partners
Photographer: Sami Mustonen, still from the short film Memory of the Landscape.

Memory of the Landscape – A Short Film Revealing Northern Stories Ahead of the Capital of Culture Year

From our programme partners
Eloise Gillow created the first Oulu2026 mural in Rajakylä in 2022. Photo: Mika Friman.

Seeking a Location for the Fifth Oulu2026 Mural in the City Centre

From our programme partners