Four months to go until the start of the European Capital of Culture year. More than 500 operators are working together to create a year in which northern Finland will be the new cultural center of Europe.

Under the umbrella of Smart Tourism, the European Commission has launched two competitions to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.

Oulu, with its 39 partner municipalities in Northern Finland, will step into the spotlight as European Capital of Culture 2026. The full programme will be officially launched on Thursday 4 September 2025 in Oulu, streamed live across Europe.

After being presented at the Venice Biennale last year, the site-specific project “Disobedience Archive” makes a stop in Trencin, European Capital of Culture 2026 in a Site specific installation, designed by Zbyněk Baladrán.

From July 3 to July 13, Trenčín will become part of the largest Central European literary festival. The theme: exile literature.