The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to inscribe the Aalto Works on the World Heritage List at its 48th session held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from 19 to 29 July 2026. The property comprises 13 modern architectural sites across Finland designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto.
The Government has appointed Minna Karvonen as Director General of the Finnish National Gallery. She has served as Director of the Division for Art and Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Education and Culture since 2018. The term in the new position will commence on 1 November 2026 and continue until 31 October 2031.
Miinan Monttu Summer Theatre. Photo: Eva Lindblom.
The Ministry of Education and Culture has added 22 new elements to Finland’s National Inventory of Living Heritage, based on a proposal by the Finnish Heritage Agency. With this update, the inventory now includes a total of 108 elements.
Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie has invited EU Member States to an informal meeting of culture ministers in Oulu on 14–15 August 2026. The invitation has also been extended to Ukraine, providing an opportunity for dialogue on all-important cooperation in the cultural sector. The meeting is being held to celebrate Oulu’s year as European Capital of Culture 2026.
EU ministers for sports have asked the European Commission to consider whether EU funding should be restricted for international sports organisations that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the development of education, science, cultural, sport and youth policies. The administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture comprises 13 agencies, including Finnish National Agency for Education, Academy of Finland and Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
In international affairs, the Ministry participates in the work of major international organisations and regional councils, implements programmes and initiatives nationally and supports cultural cooperations and expatriate activities.
