There is a lot of excitement surrounding the European Capitals of Culture. In fact, there are an increasing number of initiatives, both at national level, in individual countries, and at international level, involving several countries, aimed at exploring individual aspects of the European Capital of Culture programme in greater depth.

Oulu 2026, European Capital of Culture,  has announced the First Highlights for the Oulu Music Video Festival: A Never-Before-Seen Brian Eno Documentary, a Performance by Billy Roisz, and a Musical by Chantal Akerman.

To understand a city, it is necessary to understand its inhabitants. And to understand the inhabitants, it is necessary to listen to them, to collect their stories, their memories, but also their attitudes and aspirations. All this serves to better interpret the present, but also to better understand the effects that a European Capital of Culture can have on their citizens, their habits, their ambitions.

12 months of meetings, art and dialogue, with a launch event on 28 November 2025 on the Mediterranean Day, the opening on 20 March on the International Day of Happiness, and then festivals, reviews, international forums on the themes of environment and territories, digital transformations, human development and quality of life, relations and social ties, which will make the Mediterranean a platform for experimentation.

Culture is everywhere in life – and now you can share your creativity with everyone! The European Capital of Culture year will be part of day-to-day life as well as celebrations. You can now propose your programme for inclusion in the official Oulu2026 cultural programme and apply for a targeted grant to realise your project within the Oulu2026 region.