Oulu, Finland, a 2026 European Capital of Culture
In addition to Trenčín, Slovakia, Oulu, Finland has been awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2026, thanks to its dedication to fostering a “Cultural Climate Change” to address global challenges. Located in northern Finland, Oulu is known for its strong technology sector, innovative cultural scene, and close connection to nature along the Gulf of Bothnia. The city is visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 false-colour image acquired on 9 January 2026.
Launched by the European Commission in 1985, the European Capitals of Culture initiative highlights cities throughout Europe for their cultural richness and diversity. Selected through a competitive and thorough process, the programme fosters a shared European cultural identity while supporting local and regional development.
Galileo and Copernicus support cultural heritage by providing high-precision satellite positioning and Earth Observation data which enable accurate documentation, monitoring, and preservation of historical sites. This information helps detect environmental and structural changes over time, supporting informed conservation and risk-management strategies.
