Is the opening of a European Capital of Culture an event that defines the title year? Absolutely! And it definitely should not follow any set formula. Every country, every capital is unique, and it is precisely the diversity of European cultures that defines us – united in diversity. This important event is not always a grand ceremony in the main square, but it should always be a manifestation of the city’s culture, a meeting with culture shaped by a vision and the unique idea behind it’s candidacy.
The ceremony in Oulu – European Capital of Culture 2026, a digital hub of the North – was an opportunity for direct encounters between residents, representatives of indigenous cultures, and guests of the ECoC. The three-day Opening Festival showcased the potential of the city and the region, as well as ideas that will be consistently developed throughout the year. Cultural Climate Change, the motto of Oulu, was felt everywhere. On a freezing Friday evening, concluding his long-applauded speech, Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, could not hide his admiration – Oulu, even cooler than you think!
Photo: Linnea Laatikainen
A particularly new feature was the idea of lounges – spaces in the city center dedicated to other European Capitals of Culture. Each capital could arrange them in its own way, and the European Commission and Culture Next also had their own lounges. We had the pleasure of collaborating with Kiruna 2029 in one of Oulu’s oldest buildings – the club and pub Ravintola Kaarlenholvi Jumpru. Over more than 200 years, the building had served as a private house, a hospital, and a restaurant, before becoming one of the city’s most popular clubs. Guests, among other events, could enjoy a concert inspired by Northern songs performed by Meri Nikuli and dance to Polish funk played by Zura, one of most renowed representatives of Lublin’s DJ scene.
photo: Maciej Rukasz
Culture filled the entire city, with over 250,000 people attending the events. At the Pekuri shopping mall, visitors could experience the outstanding photography exhibition Play from the Fotografiska Tallinn collection. The northernmost contemporary art museum, Oulu Art Museum, presented the exhibition Eanangiella. Voice of the Land. It was the first major showcase of Sámi art and craftsmanship, highlighting the diversity, resilience, and pursuit of balance characteristic of this culture as such. There was also a sense of longing for the irrevocably lost bond with nature.
Photo: Choi Hung Estate, Day two © Pelle Cass
The fifth-largest city in Finland, located almost 200 km south of the Arctic Circle, was buzzing with life. More than 200 events awaited participants: spectacular Ice Music concerts on the main stage, numerous music events, public-space exhibitions and the world’s first opera in the Sámi language. Sámi are recognized as the only indigenous people in the Nordic countries and the northwesternmost part of Russia, spanning a region often called Lapland or Sápmi. Their roots stretch back thousands of years.
Photo: Petteri Löppönen
Each event fascinated in its own way. Simple, inventive solutions also delighted visitors: small places to warm up, an ice rink and a snow playground for children in the middle of the open-air audience, and ice platforms so that the youngest could better observe the events. No wonder that, providing so much warmth and care, Finland has ranked as the happiest country in the world for eight consecutive years.
photo: Maciej Rukasz
There was also room for discussions about the future of European Capitals of Culture. Maciej Rukasz and Marta Ryczkowska participated in the international debate “How to Create a European Capital of Culture with Russia at Your Back”, dedicated to geopolitics, countering propaganda, polarization, and cultural resilience.
Oulu is 1,500 km away from Lublin as the crow flies, and a flight from Warsaw takes about four hours with a quick transfer in Helsinki. Ahead lies a full year of truly extraordinary events. It’s definitely worth being there. The full program for the title year can be found at oulu2026.eu/en/
Maciej Rukasz & Marta Ryczkowska
Photo: Iina Tauriainen
