From Belfast to Finland: UNESCO City of Music Partnership Opens Doors for Local Artists

A group of Belfast musicians and performers are representing the city in Finland this week as part of a cultural exchange with the Irish Festival of Oulu.

Artists including Gráinne Holland, The Belfast Wren Boys, storyteller Eamonn Keenan and Tempest Ceol are taking part in performances and cultural events in Oulu, which is the European Capital of Culture 2026.

The visit is supported by Belfast City Council and forms part of its ongoing Music Matters programme.

Find out more about Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music status.

A group of Belfast musicians and performers have travelled to Finland this week as part of an international cultural exchange celebrating music, storytelling and traditional culture.

Supported by Belfast City Council, the delegation is taking part in the Irish Festival of Oulu, which runs from 23 to 27 September 2026.

The festival is part of the official programme for Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture and brings together Irish and Finnish music, folklore, storytelling, dance and street performance.

Belfast Artists Performing in Finland

The Belfast delegation includes:

• Gráinne Holland and her band
• The Belfast Wren Boys
• Storyteller Eamonn Keenan
• Traditional music group Tempest Ceol

All of the artists also performed during this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.

Belfast hosted the Fleadh for the first time in August 2026, when the city welcomed an estimated 1.65 million visits across the eight-day festival.

Read more about Fleadh Belfast 2026.

Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music Status

The Finland exchange forms part of Belfast City Council’s Music Matters programme and is designed to create new international opportunities for local artists.

Belfast has been a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Music since 2021.

UNESCO says the designation is intended to encourage collaboration between creative cities, including opportunities for artists, music businesses and cultural organisations to build international connections.

The Oulu project is an example of that network in action, linking Belfast’s music scene with Finland’s cultural programme.

Belfast and Oulu Cultural Partnership

Oulu is serving as European Capital of Culture 2026, with a year-long programme of arts and cultural events across northern Finland.

The Irish Festival of Oulu is now in its 19th edition and describes itself as the world’s northernmost Irish cultural festival.

Its 2026 programme includes music, storytelling, film, Irish language events, circus, dance, workshops and street theatre.

A major part of this year’s festival is Cultural Kaleidoscopes, a two-day programme in Oulu city centre celebrating both Irish and Finnish cultural traditions.

Find out more about Cultural Kaleidoscopes in Oulu.

Council Says Partnership Creates New Opportunities

Councillor Joe Duffy, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said the partnership was an important part of the city’s UNESCO work.

He said Belfast’s City of Music status was helping artists develop their careers, build international connections and reach new audiences.

The council said exchanges such as the Oulu visit help strengthen Belfast’s international profile while providing professional development opportunities for musicians and performers.

Gráinne Holland’s Band Brings ‘Tradtronica’ to Oulu

Producer J Shields has travelled to Oulu as part of Gráinne Holland’s band Duíl.

The group is performing what it describes as a “tradtronica” show, combining traditional Irish sounds with contemporary electronic influences.

The performance is based around the ancient Irish story of Macha.

Shields said creating the show had allowed the musicians to put a modern twist on traditional sounds while retaining the spirit of Irish music and celebration.

The group is performing as part of the wider Irish Festival of Oulu programme.

View the Irish Festival of Oulu programme.

Building on the Success of Fleadh Belfast

The Finland exchange follows a major year for traditional music in Belfast.

The city hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from 2 to 9 August 2026, bringing traditional music, song, dance and language to venues and public spaces across Belfast.

Tempest Ceol was among the acts confirmed for this year’s programme, performing as part of the city’s wider showcase of traditional and contemporary music.

The Fleadh will return to Belfast again in August 2027.

Belfast Expands its UNESCO Connections

Belfast has also become involved in wider UNESCO collaboration across Ireland.

The aim is to encourage cities, cultural organisations and designated heritage sites to share knowledge and develop new partnerships.

Belfast’s own UNESCO designation continues to focus on supporting local musicians, developing the city’s music economy and creating opportunities for artists to connect internationally.

Read more about Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music.

International Platform for Belfast Musicians

For the musicians travelling to Finland, the visit offers the opportunity to perform for new audiences while building relationships with artists and cultural organisations outside Northern Ireland.

It also demonstrates how Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music designation can translate into practical opportunities for local performers.

The Irish Festival of Oulu continues until Sunday 27 September.

For more Belfast arts, music and cultural news, visit Northern Ireland Online.