Culture

In regional development, culture offers many opportunities and new perspectives. In the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, culture strengthens the attractiveness and enchantment of our region, creative know-how, regional economy, a good environment and the well-being of its residents. The operations are based on the Regional Development Act and the guidelines for the development of the region. We work on a partnership basis in close cooperation with municipalities, associations and companies in the region, as well as other stakeholders and networks.

2026 is the Year of Culture:
Oulu and the whole of Northern Ostrobothnia are working together on cultural climate change!

In 2026, Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture. There are also 39 other municipalities from Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, and more widely. The program of the year is very abundant and diverse. You can find it in the events calendar on the Oulu 2026 website. The programme will be supplemented as the year progresses.
Hear the cultural invitation, check out the programme and find your favourites!

Also note these:

• The Cultural Bank has opened in Northern Ostrobothnia. Regional coordination is the responsibility of the City of Oulu and the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Read more about the news published in the current affairs section of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
• Statement by the four provincial leaders: Cuts to regional theatres threaten well over half of Finland's rights to domestic culture.
• Culture is a new perspective in the updated climate road map of Northern Ostrobothnia. Working together on a theme It's all up to you. Culture is now part of the solution. The views of the cultural sector on the content of the roadmap were mapped at the Cultural Forum 2023. A warm thank you to all who participated in the workshop! The Climate Road Map of Northern Ostrobothnia and the related news are available on the current page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
• The Regional Councils have prepared a joint statement on the preparation of the cultural policy report. Read the statement on the news page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
• The Northern Ostrobothnia Culture Cell project has ended. Read the final report and join the art pilots on a provincial journey with the help of a story map. Read more on the Cultural Society project's website.
• KAIPO- Strengthening networks of culture in Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia The project will implement a regional cultural development task in Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia in 2024-2025. Read more on the news page of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
• The Barents Culture Report has been published. It provides information on the state of cultural life in the Barents region (Norway, Sweden, Eastern and Northern Finland) and proposals for measures to increase international cooperation. The report was commissioned by the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. Download the report for yourself (pdf).

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026. The project is common to the whole province. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is involved in making cultural climate change! Read more about Oulu 2026 on its website (oulu2026.eu).