Delta Life
The Delta Life culture events take you on a journey along waterways, leading to the highlight of the summer of Oulu2026: the Oulu August Festivals and its grand finale, an international weekend of celebration on August 28–29, 2026. We invite everyone to join this multidisciplinary celebration at the birthplace of the city.
Events: Encounters on Waterways
Delta Life events along the waterways feature encounters between artists and communities. In addition to art performances, the core aim is to bring people together and foster interaction. These encounters inspire new ideas and create new art.
In addition to Oulu August Festivals, events are organized in collaboration with numerous partners across the Oulu2026 area. Upcoming events will be updated in the event calendar at the bottom of this page. You can participate in person or join digitally through the Northern Culture Stream’s social media channels and website.
Artists Arise in the Delta
We follow the journey of six young artists towards the year 2026 in the documentary series Artists Arise in the Delta. The series features the dancer Ida Remsu, visual artist Marianne Kauppila, musician siblings Emilia and Joonatan Lappalainen, composer Niilo Korsulainen and pole dance artist Mandi Koskela.
You can follow the journey on the social media channels and website of the Northern Cultural Stream. The project will be condensed into a series of short documentaries, which will be released in the summer of 2026. The project will culminate in the artists’ performances or exhibitions in the Oulujoki River Delta area during Oulu August Festivals in 2026.
Follow the journey of Artists Arise in the Delta here.
Cup of Word and Poetry
We bring the region's stories to life in collaboration with the Oulu Writers Association. Local authors create literary texts inspired by the waterways. These texts can serve as a foundation for new works across various art forms. The new art created will be showcased in Delta Life events.
Explore the art on the Northern Cultural Stream website (page in Finnish).
Making things visible
The Northern Cultural Stream channel’s media content brings Delta Life to light. For us, media is not just about conveying information but also an integral part of artistic content.
Being visible and appreciated supports local identities and diverse ways of life. In Delta Life, creating art means being seen. This mission is strengthened by Northern Cultural Stream through the power of media. Our culture is made visible and remembered in Finland, Europe, and beyond.
Watch and listen (page in Finnish)
Delta Life Grand Finale 28.–29.8.2026
The artistic material gathered over the years will be showcased throughout August at the Oulu August Festivals in the Oulujoki River delta. At the end of August, we invite everyone to the birthplace of Oulu for the Delta Life celebration weekend.
The event is free for everyone. The city will be embraced, multiple art forms will be presented, encounters will happen, and something new will be offered to both residents and visitors. Welcome!