Oulu is a 2026 European Capital of Culture – and we got to go there for Europe Day, 9 May! On the invitation of Oulu2026 and the Oulu Sinfonia, we performed together in a multinational orchestra of 30 different nationalities.

The European Capitals of Culture programme was launched in 1985 at the initiative of Greece’s then Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri. Over more than four decades, it has become a cornerstone of EU cultural action, supporting long‑term civic and regional transformation through culture, community engagement, and international collaboration. To date, more than 70 cities have held the title, each delivering ambitious programmes that affirm local cultural identity while opening new conversations with Europe and the wider world.

Oulu2026 is shaped by three interlinked programme themes that reflect the region’s character. Wild City looks at how towns and villages grow out of the demanding northern landscape, sparking a distinctive creativity that fuels the ambitions of younger generations, while Cool Contrasts examines polarities such as light and darkness, technology and art – contrasts very present in Oulu, but which also resonate across Europe as a whole. Brave Hinterland tells stories of life on the periphery, the impact of climate change, and a part of Europe with much still to be discovered.