A diverse Jukola Culture Week will be built around Vuokatti-Jukola, which will be held in June 2027. During the event week, visitors in Vuokatti and Sotkamo will be able to enjoy culture, sport and nature experiences.According to Anu Korhonen, Cultural Coordinator for Vuokatti-Jukola, combining the traditional Jukola Relay with Kainuu’s local culture is a unique opportunity.– Nature and culture together offer a wealth of experiences. We can bring them together into a wonderful package for Vuokatti-Jukola, Korhonen says.The host municipality of Vuokatti-Jukola, Sotkamo—selected as Finland’s most active municipality in 2025—has invested heavily in developing local culture in recent years. The idea for the Vuokatti-Jukola Culture Week was inspired especially by the local author Veikko Huovinen, whose 100th anniversary will be celebrated in 2027.T-shirts featuring a quote by Veikko Huovinen will be available for purchase in the spring through Vuokatti Sport and the Sotkamo municipal online store.– The idea of hindsight from The Thinker of Havukka-aho, Konsta Pylkkänen, fits well with the mindset of orienteers too, Korhonen notes.One of the goals of the Culture Week is to extend visitors’ stay through various side events. The detailed programme will be published in summer 2026 and will include highlights from other municipalities in Kainuu as well.
The months are passing quickly, and as of early February there are only 500 days left until the first Jukola weekend ever hosted in Kainuu, in Sotkamo.
Jessika Rolig, Head of Support Operations for Vuokatti-Jukola, says she is expecting an enormous event by Finnish and Kainuu standards when the orienteering community gathers in Vuokatti in June 2027. For Vuokatti Sport, the event is also a major undertaking in cooperation with Sotkamon Jymy.
“We have the opportunity to show what we can do after years of committed work in sports. It’s wonderful to bring the Jukola atmosphere to Vuokatti,” Rolig says.
Plans, agreements, and background preparations are now beginning to turn into concrete work in Vuokatti. According to Rolig, the long winter and late-arriving spring may pose challenges from the organizers’ perspective.
However, some functions related to the competition centre can already be built this year, and cooperation with educational institutions can also be utilized. Who knows—perhaps even the Jukola saunas will be heated before the end of the year.
“We need to be able to anticipate our work, even if the snow doesn’t melt until after May Day.”
Strong performance in Finland’s most active municipality
The Vuokatti-Jukola organizers are excited about the strength of the Jukola brand, especially after registration for the first phase of Kotka-Jukola opened with record numbers. They hope this momentum will carry into Vuokatti in the summer of 2027.
Rolig herself has competed in four Venla relays and has known the event since childhood. She believes the Jukola weekend will embrace the Vuokatti spirit through its activity and unique event area, as the hill landscapes and surrounding nature inspire people to move.
“Kainuu has its own special relationship with nature and physical activity,” Rolig says.
The host municipality Sotkamo was also named Finland’s most active municipality of 2025 in January.
