Beloved singer and internationally known star performer Saara Aalto will perform at the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 gala evening at Pohjankartano on June 10, 2026 as part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Beloved singer and internationally known star performer Saara Aalto will perform at the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 gala evening at Pohjankartano on June 10, 2026 as part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
We are extremely happy and honoured to welcome Saara Aalto to the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 gala evening in Oulu. The gala will take place at Pohjankartano auditorium and main lobby from 5 PM to 8 PM.
Saara Aalto’s participation makes the evening especially meaningful for us. Her strong international career, warm way of connecting with people and ability to bring different audiences together reflect the values of the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 project, where community, equality and human encounters play a central role.
The gala evening will also feature a speech by President Tarja Halonen, who serves as the patron of the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 project in 2026. Her participation brings a strong message about human dignity, equality and the importance of community.
The evening will also include a welcome speech by Piia Rantala-Korhonen. Performances will be seen from Nova Ensemble, Sounds of Oulu and Sachina Thapa. In addition, a video greeting from Antonio Alés Montesinos, Mayor of Riogordo, Spain, will be presented during the event.
Hymyilevä Oulu 26 is a year-long international photography project taking place in Finland and Spain. The project is open to everyone, and all events are free of charge. During the year the project includes photography competitions, courses, exhibitions and several community-based cultural events.
The gala evening will feature speeches, music, dance, a panel discussion, a photography exhibition and the award ceremony of the Hymyilevä Oulu 26 photography competition.
The panel discussion will focus on community, human encounters, the visibility of minorities and loneliness in modern society. Participants include Satu Saarinen, Pirjo Nikula, Anna Litewka-Anttolainen and Kristian Kaarna.
The exhibition will travel across several exhibition venues in Oulu during the summer and autumn. Venues include Oulu Cathedral, Shopping Centre Valkea, Cultural Centre Valve, Saari Library, Oulu City Theatre, Parish Hall and Oulu10.
Hymyilevä Oulu 26 is the largest community-based photography project in Oulu in 2026 and part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme. The project’s main partner is Villa Victor, with whom the project builds new encounters, community spirit and cultural dialogue.
The event is organised by Augmenters Cultural Association in collaboration with Villa Victor, the Oulu2026 Foundation, the City of Oulu and several partners.
More information:
www.hymyileväoulu26.com
