Hymyilevä Oulu 26 Gala will be held in Oulu in the Pohjankartano auditorium and lower lobby on June 10, 2026. The evening will bring together participants, invited guests, partners and the public – both from Finland and internationally.

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In the program:

• Awarding the winners of the photo competition

• Opening of the photography exhibition, presenting the most touching and telling images from the competition

• Panel discussion in plain language, on the topic of marginalization experienced by minorities and lonely people and ways to improve the situation

• Live music and performances by performers from minority backgrounds

• Speeches from international partners

• The event will be streamed so that as many people as possible can participate.

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After the gala, the exhibition will tour around Oulu for six months. At the same time, a photo competition will be held in the city of Riogordo in southern Spain, and Finland and Spain will exchange selected images so that we can compare experiences and seek common understanding across borders.

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The event is free and open to everyone.

The gala evening offers an opportunity to share stories, meet each other, and celebrate the smiles of life – you are warmly welcome to join us!