"A floating community sauna on frozen Lake Oulu seemed as good a place as any to ask Finnish locals what they think of the European Capital of Culture bandwagon that will be rolling into their city in 2026. Two women sweltering on the top bench seemed to sweat more over my question than over the clouds of sauna steam the result of a beefy Finn ladling water on the wood-fired coals with a grim determination to broil us all."
"We know it's happening, but we haven't had many details. Outside, queueing for the pleasure of a dip in the frozen lake, the question elicited the sort of shrug rarely seen outside France. We know it's happening because the posters and signs are everywhere and people are talking about it, but we don't know exactly what is happening, said another woman, steaming in the sub-zero air."
"There are many reasons to visit the Finnish city of Oulu, which sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea: it hosts the Air Guitar world championships; is home to the world's only Screaming Men's Choir (20-40 suited, shouty men); and holds the annual Polar Bear Pitching event, where would-be business leaders pitch money-spinning ideas while standing in icy water. The presentations tend to be brief."
Oulu is Finland's fifth most populous city, located on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea, about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The city offers husky sled rides, sea, rivers, rapids, lakes, woods, nature trails, cross-country skiing and nearly 600 miles of cycle lanes. Visitors can experience the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter. Cultural oddities include the Air Guitar world championships, the Screaming Men's Choir and the Polar Bear Pitching event. Oulu leads in solar power and renewable energy and features many saunas. Locals expect the 2026 European Capital of Culture designation to bring people but lack detailed information.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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