Minister Talvitie to Meet EU Culture Ministers in Oulu

Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie has invited representatives of the EU Member States to an informal meeting of culture ministers in Oulu on 14–15 August 2026. Ukraine has also been invited to participate, providing an opportunity for dialogue on necessary cooperation in the cultural sector. The meeting is being held in honour of Oulu2026, the European Capital of Culture year.

The main theme of the meeting is the protection of artistic freedom and cultural rights in the age of artificial intelligence. Participating countries will share their experiences of cultural policy measures that have proven effective. A total of 15 countries will take part in the informal meeting of culture ministers, together with Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Culture and representatives of the European Commission.

As part of the accompanying programme, participants will visit the AaltoSiilo, designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto. Its restoration is a key legacy project of Oulu2026 and part of the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. Participants will also be introduced to other major sites of the European Capital of Culture year, including Saari Central Library and Kotilo Children’s Cultural Centre. Guests will experience local food culture at the communal Summer Night’s Dinner event.

“Culture is everything that brings us together and strengthens our sense of community. This idea is also directly connected to the original aim of the European Capitals of Culture: to strengthen mutual understanding and cultural connections between Europeans. It is wonderful that we can take part in Summer Night’s Dinner, one of the main events of the Oulu2026 year, featuring a kilometre-long communal dining table,” Minister Talvitie says.

Ukraine will have a strong presence at the weekend meeting. On Friday, Minister Talvitie will open an exhibition organised by the City of Oulu and the Embassy of Ukraine in Helsinki to celebrate the sister-city relationship between Oulu and Odesa. During the weekend, the Minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Tetyana Filevska. The meeting will cover Finland’s measures to support Ukraine in protecting its cultural heritage and supporting the cultural sector.

The City of Oulu and the Oulu Cultural Foundation are involved in organising the meeting.