Oulu2026

Capital of Culture project Oulu 2026

In finnish, read here: Utajärven kunta - Oulu2026

The municipality of Utajärvi is involved in the Oulu 2026 project both independently and together with the municipalities of Muhos and Vaala through the Oulujokilaakso cultural team, formed in cooperation with Humanpolis. Further information below:

Oulu is the 2026 European Capital of Culture (ECoC).

The central theme of the activities is cultural climate change, and the most important goal of Oulu2026 is to create and bring culture, well-being and vitality to the northern region. Cultural climate change combines culture, art and technology in surprising ways, creating encounters and generating interaction.

Northern Finland will be the stage for European culture in 2026, and now is the time to elevate culture, cultural creators and artists to their rightful place and to recognize the importance of culture for the vitality of regions. The status of European Capital of Culture is significant for all of Finland and Finnish culture.

The Capital of Culture year is full of cultural celebrations, and the culture of northern Finland in particular is widely visible in Europe. The Capital of Culture's influence reaches 39 partner municipalities.

Utajärvi as part of the Capital of Culture year

Utajärvi Homeland Week

The Utajärvi Homeland Week has been held in midsummer for several years now. The idea is to offer local cultural expertise to experience, and to bring performances from elsewhere to the beautiful milieu of Utajärvi that tickle the senses in many ways.

Untorock

Untorock offers a diverse lineup of artists and a high-quality festival experience in and around the Utajärvi Ice Arena. Untorock is organized by Unto ry in collaboration with the Utajärvi municipality.

In the flow of stories - landscape from Oulujärvi to the gates of Oulu (joint project of Utajärvi, Muhos, Vaala and Humanpolis)

On the last weekend of August 2026, in the Rokua Geopark area – in Muhos, Utajärvi and Vaala – you will experience a unique celebration of cultures and community in the Stream of Stories - let yourself be carried away by the current.

Discovery trip to art - projects implemented in advance as part of the Capital of Culture year (joint project of Utajärvi, Muhos, Vaala and Humanpolis)

"Discovery Journey into Art" is a project that creates a permanent, site-specific collection of artworks in the Rokua Geopark area. The project highlights the cultural heritage and nature of the area, and is part of the broader Oulu 2026 program. The artworks are placed in natural and cultural environments, and the project aims to strengthen community and pride in the area.

For example, you can spend a day wandering from piece to piece in stunning landscapes, surrounded by fine art. Or, for example, explore the interesting history of the Geopark area online, which is collected in the story bank on the Geopark website.

Räsymatto project

A community environmental art piece will be created with local youth, which will include various rag rugs painted on the roadway for a distance of approximately 60m. The design area is in a central location, enhancing the area's amenity for the daycare center, school, and Uta-Tuva. The project will be implemented together with the Utajärvi 4H association and the municipality's cultural services.

Hydropower plants: Ala-Utos + Liederkreis-Oulujärvi

The media work projected at the Aittokoski and Pälli power plants combines two experimental opera works.

Ala-Utos is an experimental opera short film created by composer-musician Anna-Sofia Anttonen and dramaturg-director Jenni Kinnunen , in which there is no singing at all. The materials for the work were filmed and recorded in June 2024 at the Ala-Utos power plant in Utajärvi. The soundscape of the work is built on the sounds of the power plant, and its images consist of documentary material.

Art for Villages - community and environmental art exhibition project

A project coordinated by the municipality of Utajärvi, implemented together with the Rural Education Association in 2023-2024, and funded by TAIKE. The project brought art into the everyday lives of villages and residents, and strengthened local identity and community. Village artists from various fields (professionals and ITE artists) were hired for the villages, who worked together with the villagers to create physical, long-lasting outdoor artworks.

You can take a day trip to Utajärvi to see all these works and at the same time get to know the landscapes of Utajärvi more broadly.

Stay up to date with other diverse events and cultural activities in Utajärvi Municipality during the Capital of Culture year 2026 by following our event calendar.

Further information: Cultural producer of Utajärvi municipality Antti Viitala, 040 6430920/antti.viitala@utajarvi.fi

To the Oulu 2026 website, click here.
You can access the program search here.

Project social media channels:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Oulu2026Official/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oulu2026official/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Oulu2026offici

latest update 11.11.2025 11:59