Piia Rantala-Korhonen has been selected as the Chief Executive Officer of the Oulu Cultural Foundation and Samu Forsblom as the Programmer Director of the Foundation. The Oulu Cultural Foundation’s Board made an unanimous decision regarding these selections. Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in the year 2026. European Capital of Culture (ECoC) is one of the best known activities of the European Union.

VTT in collaboration with Cross-KIC New European Bauhaus and the Oulu2026- the city of Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026 initiatives will bring together young and experienced consumers in a co-design event.

“The panel recommends that the city of Oulu is selected to become a European Capital of Culture in 2026".

The international jury chose Oulu as the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. The jury announced the winner at a press conference yesterday at 12.00. Competing for the title of European Capital of Culture alongside Oulu were Savonlinna and Tampere. The victory of Oulu will be celebrated together with the citizens on 8th August at Varjo-Piknik summer party in Oulu’s Kuusisaari. 

In 2026, a Finnish city will become a European Capital of Culture. Oulu, Savonlinna and Tampere are the three finalist cities candidates for the title. On 23 April 2021 they submitted their application to be European Capital of Culture in 2026. The panel visits to the candidate cities will be organized in May 2021. The name of the European Capital of Culture will be announced on 2 June 2021 when the panel meets in Helsinki.