Turku strongly present at the opening of Oulu's year as Capital of Culture on Jan 16–18

This weekend, the City of Oulu will celebrate the opening of its year as the Capital of Culture 2026 with an open city event. A varied programme of events will take place throughout the city over the weekend. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The first time the Capital of Culture status was granted to Finland was in 2011, when the year was celebrated in Turku. Turku is also heavily involved in the opening ceremony in Oulu. Turku will bring programme content to both the opening at the Market Square, and to the evening programme on Friday and Saturday.

Now, if ever, everyone should head to Oulu.

Mayor Piia Elo

The opening of the City of Culture Year will begin with a half-hour kick-off at the Oulu Market Square on Friday 16 January from 16:00. The Mayor of Turku Piia Elo and the Mayor of Oulu Ari Alatossava will give a speech at the event, where the baton of the Capital of Culture will be passed on. Also from Turku, Mika Akkanen will take to the stage of the Market Square to proclaim the peace of Oulu.

– Turku's 2011 year as Capital of Culture was a great success. The year was full of great events and the city's tourism revenues increased significantly. Most of all, I am delighted that the year activated and connected artists and citizens in a way that still have an impact 15 years later. We wish the same success story for Oulu. Now, if ever, it's time for everyone to head to Oulu," Piia Elo encourages.

Turku brings music, animation, and VJ art to Oulu

The Turku Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the open, no-fee evenings of the 45 Special club restaurant, together with Flame Jazz, Turku Animated Film Festival and WAM's club concept WAMbience. In addition, Turku will present the soon-to-be completed Fuuga Music Hall on the restaurant's entrance floor, the renewed WAM Art Museum, and Turku's upcoming 800th anniversary in 2029.

– We have put together a rich programme of events from the same artists, who were already involved in Turku's year as Capital of Culture in 2011. In style, they represent the 23,000 people, who took part in Turku's festive year. This was an exceptionally high number. We hope to see a similar commitment from Turku residents as we prepare for our 800th anniversary," says Suvi Innilä, project director of the Turku 800 project and Turku 2011 programme director.

Finland's oldest and one of the oldest orchestras in the world, the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, is bringing a string quartet to Oulu. Their music ranges from classical to film music and from schism to fiery tango.

Flame Jazz, which originated from the Turku 2011 Capital of Culture project, brings greetings to the new Capital of Culture in the form of ethno-jazz. Trumpeter Ilkka Arola and percussionist Juuso Hannukainen will be joined by keyboardist Jussi Fredriksson and kantele player Aino Kurje. The Flame Jazz Tagine, tailored for the event, will also perform a few songs with TFO's string quartet.

Finland's largest and most international animation festival Turku Animated Film Festival presents a collection of Finnish animation beads in Oulu. The opening weekend screenings will include award-winning films and international animation festival hits. The screening is curated by TAFF's artistic director Joni Männistö.

WAM's iconic club concept WAMbience offers a visual and musical experience, where electronic music and live video mapping combine to create a unique club experience. Musical content is provided by electronic music association X-Rust, visuals by media artist Artturi Elovirta, and production by the City of Turku's WAM Art Museum.