Campus as a Stage: 2026 European Capital of Culture opening ceremony on the Linnanmaa campus
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture 2026 and the University of Oulu participates in creating this unforgettable cultural experience. The spear head for the university’s own 2026 culture programme is Campus as a Stage event series, the purpose of which is to showcase the broad cultural expertise of our university community and bring culture to the everyday life of our campuses and to the wider public. The series includes culture lunches, culture lectures, After Work events, various exhibitions and community art works, and art tours of the university's art collections. In the opening ceremony, you will get a small taste of these events.
Event information
Time
Thu 22.01.2026 10:00 - 18:45
Venue location
Linnanmaa campus, Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu 2
Location
Opening ceremony’s programme on the Linnanmaa campus, daytime:
10:00 The event begins in the central lobby/at the green coat racks. The event is hosted by Simo Kekäläinen.
Music and dance performance: performers are university’s staff members and alumni. Lalalow band will premiere their new song. Opening words from the University of Oulu’s rectors.
Launch of the Ribbons of Growth art installation. A powerful textile artwork created by the teacher education students will be inaugurated in the central lobby of Linnanmaa.
10:15 Culture Lecture, the Oulu University Chamber Orchestra. The university chamber orchestra plays familiar tunes at the campus' opening event.
10:45 Culture Lecture, Professor Band. New Oulu Big Bang esittää parhaita paloja ohjelmistostaan, mukana jousikvartetti.
11:15 Culture Lecture, Cassiopeia.
11:30-12:00 Culture Lunch: TeeKu, restaurant Kerttu. Engineering student choir TeeKu proudly presents: Drinking songs. Vibrant red, semi-dry, well-aged, light mocha notes, elegant. TeeKu opens Dry January by performing classic drinking songs, without forgetting alcohol-free audiences. The gig contains sulfides.
11:30-12:00 Culture Lecture: the Student Theatre of Oulu, restaurant Hilla. Story time. Who said stories are for children only? Members of the Student Theatre of Oulu create a relaxing and whimsical lunch break by reading fairy tales and stories at the university restaurants.
12:00-13:00 break
13:00-14:00 panel discussion:” What is culture?” in the lobby of Tellus Linnanmaa. Panelists discussing the topic are Professor Pirkko Paananen, University Lecturer Aino Isojärvi, Postdoctoral Researcher Markus Rytinki and Doctoral Researcher Marian Tumanyan. The panel will be held multilingually in both Finnish and English.
During the daytime event (10 am – 12 pm) in the central lobby are also Tapiiri’s art workshop and the first chance to participate in creating the Window magnet love poem. Studio Korppikela also holds a stand where you can familiarize yourself with their organization’s activities.
Art tours during the opening ceremony day on the Linnanmaa campus:
10:00 Art tour in Finnish, departure place in the central lobby.
15:00 Art tour in English, departure place in the central lobby.
Note! The art tours can take limited amount of participants. Ensure your own place and register for the tour of your choice beforehand. Link to the registration form will be published on this page closer to the event date.
Opening ceremony’s programme on the Linnanmaa campus, evening:
17:00 After Work event begins in Saalasti hall. The event is open for all, no ticket fee.
Professor Band presents: New Oulu Big Bang rocks Saalasti hall, featuring Jukka Takalo and Teekkaritorvet.
17:45 intermission
18:00 Teekkaritorvet presents: After Work Jazz. Teekkaritorvet plays afterwork jazz.
18:45 After Work event ends.
Campus as a Stage 2026 opening ceremony will also be held on the Kontinkangas campus on January 20th, 2026.
You are warmly welcome to join the celebration for the start of the European Capital of Culture year also on the university campuses!