Performing arts professionals from 46 countries to gather in Oulu – Midsummer week to feature a spectacular contemporary circus programme
More than 400 performing arts professionals from 46 countries will arrive in Oulu in June as the international IETM Plenary Meeting takes place on 15–18 June 2026 as part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year. At the same time, the city will be filled with contemporary circus, performances and multidisciplinary experiences for both international guests and local audiences to enjoy.
During Midsummer week, Oulu will host contemporary circus, physical theatre, dance and multidisciplinary performances across the city, including at Cultural Centre Valve, Pikisaari and the Circus Village being built in Hiukkavaara.
The first-ever Circus Festival OU will launch on 12 June. The week-long festival brings together local, national and international contemporary circus artists and companies. The festival is produced by a collective of Finnish circus artists and groups, including Oulu-based Lumo Company, internationally acclaimed Arctic Ensemble, street performance collective TipTop Walkers, and circus artist and juggler Merri Heikkilä.
“Oulu has a contemporary circus scene that is larger than the city’s size would suggest, with a strong community of professional circus artists, curators and productions. However, the city has lacked its own contemporary circus festival – until now. Planning for the festival began over a year ago,” says Hanna Moisala from Lumo Company.
The European Capital of Culture year provides an excellent opportunity for new openings, such as launching a new contemporary circus festival. During the festival week, audiences will also see Flow Productions’ guest performance Une séance peu ordinaire by Jani Nuutinen at Aaltosiilo, an industrial building designed by Alvar Aalto where Flow has previously presented contemporary circus works.
The Oulu2026 Midsummer week programme will also feature Bang Bang Riviera!, a multidisciplinary performance combining dance, physical theatre, media art and installation art at the Pikisaari Cultural Laboratory.
The international performing arts field arrives in Oulu
IETM (International network for contemporary performing arts) is one of the world’s largest performing arts networks. Representing more than 500 organisations and professionals worldwide, the network hosts its annual flagship event in a different city each year – this year in Oulu.
The IETM Plenary Meeting will bring theatre, dance and circus professionals from around the world to Oulu on 15–18 June. It is the largest international cultural industry event of the Oulu2026 year, with more than 400 participants expected. For Finnish performing arts professionals, the event offers a unique opportunity to expand international networks, with participants from 46 countries already registered.
As part of the IETM Plenary Meeting, the Focus on Finland showcase will present 12 Finnish performing arts productions to international guests, including curators, festival directors and cultural funders.
“In Finland, it is rare to have the opportunity to meet such a large number of international theatre, dance and circus professionals in one event. Focus on Finland offers Finnish artists and companies the chance to build new international connections and find new audiences abroad,” says Eija Honkonen, coordinator of the event from the City of Oulu.
Participants of the IETM Plenary Meeting will also get previews of upcoming Oulu2026 productions, including Faravid’s Land, a co-production by Oulu Theatre and Flow Productions, and the immersive VISIO experience space being built at the Tiima Science Centre and Museum.
“At VISIO, we will present The Trial Against Humanity by Det Norske Teatret, previously shown at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz. We now have the opportunity to test VISIO as a performance venue with an international professional audience and receive feedback from people working in both content creation and performance spaces,” says VISIO curator Maria Gullsten.
More information about the event: IETM Oulu Plenary Meeting 2026 | IETM
Early bird registration is open until 18 May.
The IETM Oulu Plenary Meeting is organised by the City of Oulu and the Oulu Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the IETM network.