2026 European Capitals of Culture, Oulu and Trenčín have symbolically been handed over the title by 2025 ECoCs, Chemniz and Nova Gorica, their programme still full on. For 2026, Oulu promises a ‘Cultural Climate Change’ and Trenčín sparks ‘Curiosity’ to explore cultural diversity.
By Eirini PolydorouThe cities of Oulu (Finland) and Trenčín (Slovakia) will be European Capitals of Culture 2026. 2025 ECoCs, Chemnitz and Nova Gorica, while offering a rich programme of events and activities for December, have already handed over the title to the new ECoCs.
Oulu as the 2026 European Capital of Culture brings together 39 municipalities in the north region of Finland. From art to tractors and music to world peace, the ECoC’s programme highlights ‘Cultural Climate Change’ and offers a versatile range of events of different sizes and styles, for their creators and visitors.
Trenčín spotlights the ECoC title as an opportunity for culture to transform the city not only in 2026, but also in the decades to come. With ‘Curiosity’ at its heart, the ECoC’s programme aims to revitalise untapped places, develop imagination, experiment with experiences and gain education or work benefits, while connecting with Europe.
The symbolic ceremony took place on 5 December 2025 in both cities of Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy, reflecting Nova Gorica 2025 as the first borderless European Capital of Culture, with a joint cultural programme implemented by two cities from two different countries sharing the title. The programme's mission 'GO! Borderless' was to give voice to the combined heritage of a modernist city and a thousand-year-old city, transcending their boundaries on a journey of post-World War II reconciliation and with a positive impact on the growth of European suburbs, as essential pieces of the EU mosaic.
With the motto “C the Unseen”, Chemnitz 2025 aimed to reinforce the role of civic society through community-driven cultural projects and build a network of “European makers of democracy”. The city had announced success already during the first six months of the ECoC. Before its closing event on 28 November, Chemnitz had attracted around 2 million visitors and organised more than 2.000 events, providing one more example to verify a recent report’s findings that the ECoC title brings visitors and investments, among other benefits.
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Image 1 featuring Chemnitz finale Bergparade by Mark Frost - Courtesy of Chemnitz 2025
Image 2 featuring Oulu2026 by Tero Suutarin - Courtesy of Oulu2026
Image 3 featuring Trenčín2026 - Courtesy of Trenčín 2026
