Oulu is a European Capital of Culture in 2026. The Oulu2026 culture programme in 39 municipalities is realised by local, national and international actors. The programme in Oulu is coordinated and managed by the Oulu Culture Foundation. The Foundation provides co-funding for projects. The entire culture programme will be published in 2025.
Oulu and the entire northern region of Finland will be filled with culture, art and events in the coming years. We arranged Open call 2022 that was specifically aimed for large-scale projects that take several years to prepare or carry out. Nearly 300 project proposals were received: about 90% of the proposals came from Finland, of which 65% came from the Oulu2026 region. 62 of the proposals have now been selected to complement the Oulu2026 culture programme.
In addition to the projects now selected, the Oulu2026 culture programme includes approximately 50 projects that have been involved since the application phase of the European Capital of Culture year, and the programme will expand further with the We are Culture Open Call in 2024–2025. The culture programme is divided into three themes: Brave Hinterland, Wild City and Cool Contrasts.
The majority of projects under the cultural programme are carried out under an external executive production leadership and they are selected and co-funded through the Open Calls. The next open call will be We are Culture in 2024–2025, which is call for applications for individual and communal projects.
The construction of the cultural programme will continue, and the entire programme will be published in 2025.
We will add information about the projects later this year.
Selected partners – Open Call 2022
Brave Hinterland – nature, art and life on the edge of Europe
The Association for Rural Culture and Education
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Kivilompolo Kukkakollektiivi (workgroup)
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Reality Research Center
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Oulu Safaris Oy
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Lumo Company
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ArtAr-luonnontaiteenkeskus (workgroup)
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Antye Greie
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The Northern Opera Company
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KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre (Municipality of Ii)
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The Mustarinda Association
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Kulttuuriosuuskunta G-voima / Vaara-kollektiivi
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Municipality of Kempele
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Folk Extreme Oy
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Oulu Writers Association
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Erika Benke
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Municipality of Liminka
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The Danish National Museum / Ships department
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Oulun Työväen Pursiseura ry
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Kajaanin kaupunginteatteri (Kajaani City Theatre)
Unique local flavours and experiences
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Oulu
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Pohjois-Suomen Messut ry
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Eija Ranta (workgroup)
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Foodium Oy
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Varjakan kyläyhdistys ry
Wild City – art and culture belong to everyone and everywhere
Kulttuuriyhdistys Bio Huvimylly (workgroup)
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Limingan kansanopiston kannattajayhdistys ry
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Akola Friends (workgroup)
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The Aine Art Museum / City of Tornio
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Perfect Circle Oy
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Teatteri Telakka ry
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Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde (PPCM)
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Instituto Iberoamericano de Finlandia
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MABD Oy
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Oulun Rantasaunaseura ry
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K2 Taiteilijatalo ry
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Routa Company
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Talous ja Nuoret TAT ry
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Taito Pohjois-Pohjanmaa ry (Regional Crafts Association)
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Oulu Theatre
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Kulttuuriradio Oulu ry
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Romanikulttuurin museon tukiyhdistys ry
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Pikisaaren Villatehtaat ry
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Kulttuurikiihdyttämö ry
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PROTO – Designers’ association of Northern Finland
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Vanha Villatehdas ry
Festivals in Europe’s spotlight
Varjo / Pro Piknik Festivals Oy
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OstariFestari / Höyhtyän Kulttuuriyhdistys ry
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The Irish Festival of Oulu / Irish Music Society of Oulu ry
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Concreate Urban Art Festival / Helsinki Urban Art ry
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Oulu Music Video Festival
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JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre
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Solstice Festival / four-one-seven oy
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Valentin Vaala Film Festival / Brandstein/Ilmestys Oy / Municipality of Vaala
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Puolanka Pessimism Festival / Puolanka Pessimism Association
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Kuusamo Nature Photo / City of Kuusamo
Cool Contrasts – power to create something new
Pyhäsalmen Tanssi ry
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Rauhankone ry
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Oulu University of Applied sciences
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The Ostrobothnian Contemporary Music Festival / Nykymusiikkiseura Lokakuu ry
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The Finnish Light Art Society FLASH ry
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Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu
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Screaming Men’s Choir, Mieskuoro Huutajat ry / POSK tuotannot Oy
