Turku will soon host timely discussions, fresh perspectives and inspiring encounters. Europe Forum brings decision-makers, experts and citizens together on 26–28 August 2026. Over 1,500 people have already registered – there’s still time to join!
The impressive programme of the three-day event, which is open to everyone and free of charge, invites participants to take part in discussions on the future of Finland and Europe under the theme “Values, innovation and security as the foundation of the EU’s success”.
Europe Forum highlights questions of security, sustainability and the economy – topics that are particularly important at a time when stability and cooperation can no longer be taken for granted. The programme includes more than 50 events and 200 speakers.
– Europe Forum has grown into Finland’s leading arena for discussion on Europe and the EU, and Turku offers a wonderful setting for the event. What makes the forum special is that high-level expert discussion is combined with an open city event: the events are free of charge, and the discussion is brought to places where people move around. This year, I am especially looking forward to the discussion on what kind of Europe will be built during the EU’s next funding period, what issues we as Finland want to emphasise in the EU, and what role cities and regions will play in this whole, says Mayor of Turku Piia Elo.
– The number of registered participants shows that the EU and how we promote our interests there are of great interest. The latest Eurobarometer sends the same message: according to it, a record-high 76 per cent of Finns believe that EU membership is good for Finland, says Matti Anttonen, Chair of Europe Forum Turku.
Topical policy outlines and future perspectives will be presented by, among others, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand, Timo Pesonen, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, Hiski Haukkala, Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, and Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Action. Members of the European Parliament arriving in Turku include Mika Aaltola, Li Andersson, Eero Heinäluoma, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ville Niinistö, Maria Ohisalo, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Aura Salla, Pekka Toveri and Sebastian Tynkkynen.
Register to attend on site or take part online
You can attend Europe Forum on site at Turku City Theatre and Hansatori, or online at www.europeforum.fi. The event is open to everyone and free of charge. Registration for the programme sessions at Turku City Theatre is required at www.europeforum.fi. No registration is required for the Speakers’ Corner public event at Hansatori.
The Finnish and Swedish-language programme sessions will be simultaneously interpreted into English in real time. Recordings of the event will also be available afterwards on YouTube.
This year, the programme on Europe Forum’s Main Stage can also be followed live on Yle Areena on all three event days. The content will be available as a recording for 30 days in the Avoin areena series.
Speakers’ Corner public event invites discussion at Hansakortteli on 27 August
Europe Forum also invites the general public to take part in Speakers’ Corner, which will be held at Hansatori in Hansakortteli on Thursday 27 August from 14.00 to 17.00. Turun Sanomat will also stream the event live on its website.
The event will feature thoughts from Members of the European Parliament Ville Niinistö, Li Andersson and Aura Salla, among others. Young people’s views on the future of Europe will be presented by Eetu Hakulinen, Chair of P-klubi, and Alma Jokinen, Finnish EU Youth Delegate of Nuorisoala ry. The role of the media as a pillar of a functioning democracy will be discussed by Rami Nieminen, Editor-in-Chief of Turun Sanomat, Laura Saarikoski, Chief Ombudsman of the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, and radio journalist Harri Moisio. The event will be moderated by Markku Jokisipilä, Chair of the Board of the Schuman Society, Professor and Director of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies at the University of Turku. The event is open to everyone and free of charge, and no advance registration is required. See you in Hansakortteli!
Quizzes, music and exercise in connection with Europe Forum
In addition to the official programme, this year’s Europe Forum will also feature a more relaxed side programme.
On the forum’s opening day, Wednesday 26 August, the European Commission Representation in Finland invites everyone interested in quizzes to test their knowledge of Europe at neighbourhood restaurant Arvo from 19.00 onwards. At Bar Kuka, starting at 19.30, participants will dive into the world of music and EU themes in a music panel. The panel members are Mika Akkanen, Head of International Affairs at the City of Turku; Pieta Päivänen, Chair of European Youth of Finland; Samuel Tammekann, Senior Specialist at European Movement Finland; and the panel’s regular member, musician Jori Hulkkonen.
On Friday 28 August, the Consulate of Sweden in Turku will organise the God morgon Åbo morning run. The run starts at 7.30 in front of Turku City Theatre. Participants can join according to their own fitness level, either walking or running, and the route returns to the same place.
Join us and set your course towards the future of Europe!