Photo: Frozen People combines art and music on a frozen sea. Artwork by Niko Tiainen. Photo: Iina Tauriainen

This page provides dedicated information for international media visiting as official media guests of Oulu2026 and Visit Oulu.

25–28 February 2026 | Oulu – Kemi

All travel, accommodation, meals and transfers included in the official programme are organised for the participants.

Programme overview 

Wednesday 25 February

Arrival in Oulu
Participants arrive in Oulu according to their own schedules.

Accommodation: Scandic Oulu City or Original Sokos Hotel Arina (Check-in is available upon arrival)

18.15

For those staying at Scandic City Oulu, pick up from the hotel and short walk to Sokos Hotel Arina 

18.30

Meet at the Sokos Hotel Arina reception 

Visit to hotel including Ode to Maritime Oulu – room. The room is part of the European Capital of Culture 2026 program. It can be booked as a regular accommodation, but will also open to the public every other Sunday from 4–6 PM.

19:00 Welcome Dinner
Restaurant Frans & Camille
Hosts: Taru & Ulla

Menu highlights include: Classic beef tartare, Whitefish with brown butter and horseradish potato purée, Chocolate tasting dessert selection

Thursday 26 February

08:50

Pick-up from the hotel

09:00
Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture Introduction
Overview of themes, artistic highlights and regional context
(Location: Pekuri, Oulu2026 lounge)

09:45
PLAY – Oulu2026 x Fotografiska Tallinn
Exhibition visit

15 minute walk to Pikisaari island

11:00
Information session about Frozen People and Untamed office at Kulttuurilaboratorio (Culture Lab) by Oulu Urban Culture Executive Director Heikki Myllylahti

(possibly a bit of free time to photograph around Pikisaari)

13:00 Lunch at Mallassauna
Creamy salmon soup & berry mousse

Afternoon Cultural Visits

14:00 Proto – Designers’ Association of Northern Finland

Short break

16.15 Departure to AaltoSiilo

16:30 Visit to AaltoSiilo
With AaltoSiilo project manager Valentino Tignanelli and CEO of Factum Foundation Adam Lowe

Return to the city

18:00 Polar Bear Pitching – Final
Location: Oulu Market Square

Journalists will have a dedicated access route for filming and photography.
A warm-up area is available, but viewing takes place outdoors. Please dress warmly.

After the competition final – Media Dinner
Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Exclusive dinner with finalists and organisers. Possibility to ask the competitors for interviews.

Friday 27 February

Oulu shares the European Capital of Culture title with 39 partner municipalities. Kemi, located on the shores of the Bothnian Bay just south of the Arctic Circle, is internationally known for its icebreaker cruises and maritime Arctic identity.

Morning Transfers
09:45 Pick-up at Sokos Hotel Arina
09:50 Pick-up at Scandic Oulu City
Transfer to Kemi

Host in Kemi: Kemin Matkailu Oy
Group host: Toni Junes

11:15 Buffet Lunch – Restaurant Lumihiutale

Visit to SnowExperience365

13:15–16:15 Icebreaker Arktis Cruise

Immediately after:

16:45 Arkadia Reindeer Farm & Kota Dinner
Meet and feed reindeer
Try the traditional suopunki (Lappish lasso)
Short sleigh ride
Dinner in a traditional Lappish hut

Menu highlights: Caramelised carrot soup, Herb chicken with creamy potatoes, Finnish pancakes cooked over open fire

19:30 Transfer to Haukipudas
20:30 Check-in at Taiga Resort
Traditional Finnish sauna experience
Breakfast delivered to rooms

Saturday 28 February

Morning – breakfast delivered directly to the rooms 
After breakfast, return transfer to Oulu city centre 
Programme continues in the city 

10.00 Pick up from Taiga Resort and transfer to Oulu 

Visit to Kivisydän (“Stone Heart”)  
An underground parking and civil defence facility carved 25 metres into bedrock beneath the city centre. In autumn 2026, the space will host one of the major Oulu2026 exhibitions (Underground Clash, working title). 

Oulu City Hall Exhibitions: Earworm – Media art from Kiasma & Layers of the Peace Machine 

12:15 Introduction to Lumo Art & Tech

Oulu2026 Executive Producer Henri Turunen

 

Brunch at 13.00 
Location: Nallikari 

Afternoon 
Frozen People Festival – Daytime Visit 
Festival starts at 14:00. 
For photography purposes, we are having lunch close to the venues, and everyone can head to the festival on times that suit you the best.

Approximate light conditions: 

Golden hour: 16:30–17:30 

Blue hour: 17:30–18:10 

Late afternoon 
Possibility for a short break and rest at the hotel 

Recommendation to take photos/video of the Oulu letters in Ainola Park right next to the restaurant Kahvila Kiikku. Blue hour in right before our dinner, so in case we have good weather conditions, the scenery is very beautiful.  

Dinner at Kahvila Kiikku 18.00 – 19.00 (Experiencing Arctic Food Lab) 

MOONLIGHT BBQ (Creamy Mushroom soup, Rye Bread and butter, Fillet, Lingonberries, Small herrings & garlic aioli, Beetroot mousse, Reindeer grain sausage, Tar mustard, Pickled Cucumber, Oven baked potatoe & creamy pepper sauce, Finnish squeaky cheese and cloudberry jam)
 

Evening 
Frozen People Festival – Evening Programme 

Optional 
After-event programme at Valve Cultural Centre for those interested 

Accommodation at Hotel Lasaretti 

Sunday 1 March

Individual departures

Travel & transportation

All transfers during the press trip, including airport transfer in Oulu and travel between Oulu and Kemi, are organised and included as part of the hosted programme. No independent transportation is required during the official schedule. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Taru any time.

Language

The programme, guided tours and discussions are conducted in English.

Photography, filming and interviews

Photography and filming are allowed during the programme. Please be mindful and always respect artists, communities and cultural contexts.

Oulu2026 organisation will have an official photographer documenting the Polar Bear Pitching finals and Frozen People, and these images will be made available for media use as soon as they are ready. Interview opportunities can be arranged during the visit.

Media is very welcome to use Oulu2026 photo library. The photographs may be used in different medias in content related to Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture. The use of the photographs is free of charge.

The name of Oulu2026 as well as the name of the photographer (if provided in the information) must always be mentioned. In case of an artwork, the name of the artist and artwork must always be mentioned. When sharing photographs on social media, please tag our official channels (for example @oulu2026official @visitoulu in Instagram).

The photographs may not be used removed from Oulu2026 context or in any unlawful purpose. The photographs may not be used in any products. The photographs may not be altered or modified except for minor cropping.

Contacts during the trip

Contact details for hosts and coordinators will be provided prior to arrival. A WhatsApp group will also be created for all participants.

About Oulu and the Oulu2026 region

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026 together with 39 partner municipalities in Northern Finland. The aim is a lasting cultural climate change: a permanently richer cultural life and a positive transformation for the region. Cultural climate change brings together culture, art and technology in surprising ways, creates encounters and generates interaction.

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February weather and winter conditions in Northern Finland

February is midwinter in Northern Finland. Snow, frost and icy conditions are typical, and temperatures often range from around minus fifteen to minus five degrees Celsius, though colder periods are also possible. Wind and open river or coastal areas may make the temperature feel lower than indicated.

Daylight hours are still relatively short, but winter light, snow-covered landscapes and illuminated surroundings create a distinctive atmosphere throughout the day. Parts of the programme take place outdoors, especially during the visit to Tornio–Haparanda, where nature and river landscapes are an essential part of the experience.

How to dress and what to pack

Warm winter clothing is essential. We recommend dressing in layers, which makes it easier to adjust when moving between indoor venues and outdoor activities. A warm coat, insulated trousers, hat, scarf and gloves or mittens are strongly advised.

Through our partner, Oulu Recycling Centre Likke, we also have the possibility to provide journalists with recycled, genuine wool socks, mittens and hats. Many of the items are hand-knitted in Finland. Taru and Ulla will have the wool items with them during the trip if you need any.

Practical information 

The national languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, and English is widely spoken. In addition, three Sámi languages are spoken in Finland: North Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi.

Useful phrases

Thank you
Finnish: Kiitos
North Sámi: Giitu
Inari Sámi: Takkâ
Skolt Sámi: Takkâ / Takkā

Hi
Finnish: Hei / Moi
North Sámi: Bures
Inari Sámi: Tiervâ
Skolt Sámi: Buorre / Šiõǥǥ

Welcome
Finnish: Tervetuloa
North Sámi: Bures boahtin
Inari Sámi: Tiervâ boahtin
Skolt Sámi: Buorre boahtin / Šiõǥǥ boahtin

Timezone in Finland is Eastern European Time. 
Emergency number is 112. 
The currency is the euro and debit and credit cards are accepted everywhere. 

The Yliopiston Apteekki pharmacy is located at Isokatu 27 and is open daily from 8 to 23. 
Oulu Airport is situated in Oulunsalo, approximately a twenty-minute drive from the city centre. 
Taxi services are available through Otaxi at +358 600 30081 around the clock. 

Shopping in the city centre 

Valkea Shopping Centre 
Isokatu 22–25 
Grocery store Sokos Herkku open daily 7–23, Sunday 9–22 

Pekuri Shopping Centre 
Kauppurienkatu 15 
Grocery store K Supermarket Pekuri open daily 7–23, Saturday 8–23, Sunday 10–23 
 

Dress code 

The general dress code during the press trip is casual. Above all, please remember to dress warmly for winter conditions.

For the Tornio visit, please bring swimwear, as the programme includes sauna and ice swimming.

The programme is subject to changes.