My Oulu: More municipalities have begun to plan the Capital of Culture Year 2026
The municipalities in the Oulu2026 region are planning their European Capital of Culture programs individually. “All 40 municipalities will participate in some way, within their capabilities and resources”, Regional Coordinator Birgitta Mäki states. Photo: Harri Tarvainen
Jaa sosiaalisessa mediassa:
Investments in the European Capital of Culture year are bringing more vitality to the north, states Birgitta Mäki, the Regional Coordinator of Oulu2026.
Oulu and its 39 partner municipalities will be launching the European Capital of Culture year in less than one and a half years. In some of the largest Oulu2026 region’s municipalities and cities, the plans for the celebration year have already advanced far.
“More and more municipalities have begun to excitedly plan the coming events and programs. Some plans are already implemented, which has worked as inspiration and peer support for others”, Oulu2026 Regional Coordinator Birgitta “Peipa” Mäki states.
Mäki believes that people in the Oulu2026 region are beginning to understand the significance of the European Capital of Culture year for the vitality, attraction and retaining of municipalities.
“It expedites regional development and enhances the wellbeing of citizens. At the same time, new business activities and services can emerge that will benefit citizens and visitors in the future as well.”
Participating within one’s resources
According to Mäki, the municipalities in the Oulu2026 region are in very different circumstances. More detailed plans have not yet been made in some municipalities.
“Some smaller areas must consider how and on what scale they can implement ideas”.
For example, some municipalities do not have a full-time culture producer, and the municipalities’ resources can be meager.
“Additionally, many decision-makers and public workers might have been substituted during the years, and the new workers are not yet familiar with the European Capital of Culture concept”, Mäki states.
“All 40 municipalities are participating on some level, within their capabilities and resources. They have formerly committed to participate politically.”
The hope is that the cooperation between municipalities will increase.
The Oulu2026 region includes a total of 39 Finnish municipalities and cities on top of Oulu.
Mäki reminds that municipalities are planning their Capital of Culture year events independently and are also responsible for funding. They are hoped to direct their association and culture funding as well as Participatory Budgeting funds towards the 2026 program.
The municipalities are independently responsible for different cultural funds and other funding applications. The Oulu Culture Foundation participates in some projects as co-funder.
“Many municipalities have applied for project funding and have received it too. In September a new Me olemme kulttuuria (”We Are the Culture”) program application has begun in which municipalities can participate.”
“Municipalities should concentrate their cooperation with local businesses, associations and artists, and search for new cooperation partners as well. The Capital of Culture year offers a great opportunity to highlight unique capabilities and culture in new and interesting ways.”
According to Mäki, the municipalities should communicate their plans to the citizens as openly and actively as possible. The municipalities are expected to maintain a clear event calendar for the 2026 program on their websites.
“The whole concept still seems a little foreign and distant to citizens. It is hard to understand how Oulu2026 concerns and benefits their municipality”, Mäki evaluates.
“A lot is riding on the municipalities’ independent communications. The municipalities know the best ways to reach their citizens.“
An encouraging role
Regional Coordinator Mäki states that her role is, above all, to encourage and support municipalities in their Oulu2026 preparations and solutions.
“We discuss freely and consider suitable concepts for the municipalities together. I offer ideas, give tips about cooperation partners and offer guidance about where to get additional funding if needed”, Mäki describes.
“It is great to see how people’s excitement and interest lights up. When the benefits of the project to the region and citizens are truly understood, the project begins to move forward quickly. “
In her work, Mäki has met with a lot of representatives of the Oulu2026 municipalities in four counties.
“My calendar is pretty full for the coming months too. My goal is to visit all municipalities and meet with the central Capital of Culture operators during the fall.”