Oulu 2026 has offered a rethink of what it means to open a European Capital of Culture year.
Instead of building towards a single spectacle, the city chose to open through a distributed, three-day experience — using public space, small venues, cultural institutions and temporary installations to create an opening that unfolded across neighbourhoods and over time.
In this new article, I reflect on what this approach enables, what it risks, and what it might mean for future host cities — particularly those working in challenging climatic conditions or prioritising community-led cultural development.
