President Alexander Stubb will open Oulu’s European Capital of Culture year at the Opening Festival on Friday, 16 January 2026. The President will deliver a speech at 4:00 pm at Oulu Market Square.
During his visit to Oulu, President Stubb will visit Oulu Central Library Saari, the Children’s Culture Centre Kotilo, and the Oulu Art Museum’s major exhibition “Eanangiella – Voice of the Land” featuring Sámi art and duodji. In addition, the President will also attend the Fotografiska Tallinn PLAY exhibition.
The Mayor of Oulu, Ari Alatossava, considers it very significant and valuable that the President is coming to Oulu.
“The European Capital of Culture year begins in the most dignified possible way when President Stubb, who has a background in international diplomacy, opens the celebration year. The European Capital of Culture year reinforces Oulu’s position as a centre of culture, innovation, and northern vitality, and Oulu will be even better known in Europe and worldwide,” says Alatossava.
Mika Akkanen proclaims Oulu Peace
After the President’s speech, the traditional Oulu Peace proclamation will be made by Mika Akkanen. Akkanen serves as the Protocol Manager for International Affairs in Turku, the previous Finnish European Capital of Culture in 2011.
The opening moment, called “On Your Marks, Get Set, Oulu!”, is part of the Oulu2026 Opening Festival and will begin at 4:00 p.m. on the Market Square. Along with President Stubb and Akkanen, participants on stage will include Turku’s Mayor Piia Elo, Oulu’s Mayor Ari Alatossava, the male choir Huutajat, singer Saara Aalto and art group Tuluxxia.
The opening event will be streamed live and can be followed on the Oulu2026 website as well as on screens in Valkea and Rotuaari.
Nearly 200 Events to Experience at the Opening Festival
For three days, the centre of Oulu will transform into a vibrant stage for a wide range of events. The majority of the programme is free of charge and open to everyone. With an abundance of activities taking place at multiple venues, visitors are encouraged to attend more than once.
The Oulu2026 Opening Festival offers something for everyone: from concerts to ice hockey, acrobatics to car tuning, panel discussions to pub quizzes, and from art exhibitions to live music.
Festival-goers can move freely from one performance to another, drop in for a short while, or stay longer at a single location and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. It is recommended to explore the programme in advance and plan the routes according to the events that are most interesting to you. During the Opening Festival, it will be impossible to be in the city centre without encountering the festivities.
Visitors arriving at the Opening Festival are encouraged to use public transport and to allow sufficient time for getting around.
The Oulu Peace Proclamation can be read on the Oulu2026 website after it has been delivered.
Further information:
Harriet Urponen, Communications Director, City of Oulu
harriet.urponen@ouka.fi, tel. +358 40 526 6130
Annu Höttönen, Head of Communications and Marketing, Oulu Cultural Foundation
annu.hottonen@oulu2026.eu, tel. +358 44 703 4021
Further information on the President’s visit:
www.presidentti.fi
Further information on the Oulu2026 opening events:
Oulu2026 Opening Festival, 16–18 January 2026
Executive Producer Sandy Kantola, tel. +358 40 186 4071
Further information on the European Capital of Culture year:
https://oulu2026.eu
Arriving by public transport or bicycle:
Pick up tips for a successful festival weekend – Oulu2026
