Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026, which means that a wide range of cultural and artistic events will take over northern Finland throughout the year. The program is brought to life by hundreds of contributors from Finland and across Europe.

As part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and the cultural climate change initiative, the world premiere of the Sámi opera Ovlá will take place on the main stage of the Oulu Theatre on January 16, 2026. The opera is written by Sámi playwright Juho-Sire/Siri Broch Johansen, composed by Cecilia Damström, and directed by Oulu Theatre’s Heta Haanperä. The orchestra will be Oulu Sinfonia, conducted by its chief conductor Rumon Gamba. The work highlights the perspective of the Sámi—the only Indigenous people of the Nordic countries—and the deeply painful consequences of state-led oppression, which continue to affect new generations of Sámi today.

The Oulu2026 program will also feature Beyond the Sky, an immersive art experience that blends art, science, and technology into an innovative whole. At the heart of the work is the life’s work of internationally acclaimed Oulu-based astrophotographer and visual artist Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio. In this commissioned piece, Metsävainio’s images merge with the musical language of Lauri Porra. Beyond the Sky will premiere on November 19, 2026, with additional performances on November 20–21, 2026, as part of the Lumo Light Festival 2026. Oulu Sinfonia will be conducted by Dalia Stasevska, one of Finland’s most sought-after conductors on the international stage.

You can explore more of the published Oulu2026 program on this page.