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Art Competition Brings Kalevala into the Present as Part of the Oulu2026 Programme
The Juminkeko Foundation, based in Kuhmo, Finland, is organising an international art competition as part of the official Oulu2026 cultural programme. The theme of the competition is “The Endless Journey of the Rune – Kalevala Reimagined,” with the aim of inspiring artists and advanced amateurs to interpret the stories and themes of the Kalevala from a contemporary perspective through various forms of visual art. The competition invites participants to create new perspectives on Finland’s national epic and to promote the awareness of Kalevala’s cultural heritage through art.
The competition is open to all artists who are EU citizens or residents of EU countries, with no age limit. Entries may include painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic art, or photography. Works must be new and previously unpublished. Participation is anonymous to ensure fair assessment. Each participant may submit one or more works. In the first stage, photographs of the works must be submitted electronically to the organiser by 30 April 2026. The works selected for the second stage must be physically delivered to Kuhmo by the end of May and will be presented in a group exhibition at Juminkeko as part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme.
The competition will be judged by a jury consisting of visual artists and Kalevala experts. Evaluation criteria include artistic quality, technical execution, interpretation and originality of the Kalevala theme, as well as the aesthetic and cultural value of the work. The grand prize is €2,000 and the opportunity for a solo exhibition at Juminkeko. Detailed rules, submission instructions, and contact information are available at www.juminkeko.fi. Questions about the competition can be sent to taidekilpailu@juminkeko.fi.
The competition is organised with the support of the Juminkeko Foundation and Oulu2026.
Additional information: https://www.juminkeko.fi/en/
