The Oulu Cultural Events Association is preparing for the era following the European Capital of Culture year. The association is streamlining its board operations toward a more strategic direction.
At its annual general meeting on April 14, 2026, the association re-elected Paavo J. Heinonen to continue as Chairperson of the Board. Four other members were elected to the board: Pirjo Yli-Maunula and Jenny Kilponen will continue their terms, while Mikko Heikkinen and Heikki Riikonen were elected as new members. Joining from outside the association’s immediate membership, Heikkinen and Riikonen bring valuable expertise from various sectors.
”The Oulu August Festivals, with its hundreds of events, remains at the heart of the association’s activities. We are developing this aspect together with our members through production meetings that focus on practical problem-solving and collaboration. The board’s role is to look toward the future and define the association’s role and significance after the European Capital of Culture year,” says Pia Alatorvinen, the association’s Executive Director.
This year, the long-term project Delta Life will culminate at the birthplace of Oulu from August 27–29, 2026. This free outdoor event is one of the highlights of the European Capital of Culture program. A total of 25 000 visitors are expected over the course of three evenings.
“Producing an entirely new, multidisciplinary work has required a significant step up, both mentally and financially. The implementation of this project concretely reflects our association’s primary value: cooperation. The association is small, but we operate efficiently within multidisciplinary networks. The next big task for us, and for all other operators in the region, is to utilize and sustain the new connections and expertise brought by the European Capital of Culture project,” Alatorvinen summarizes.
The Oulu Cultural Events Association coordinates the Oulu August Festivals network, which consists of its members, and produces its own events for the festival’s program. Additionally, the association develops the cultural events sector more broadly through various projects, including initiatives in accessibility and cultural tourism. The association also provides production services; current clients include the Oulu All Star Big Band and the Mieskuoro Huutajat (Screaming Men’s Choir).
The association’s non-profit activities are funded by the City of Oulu, the Oulu Culture Foundation, the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and the Economic Development Centre for North Finland.