Calling all creatives - competition!
Umeå in Northern Sweden has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2014, making it the EU’s northernmost Capital of Culture ever. To celebrate, artists from all around the world are invited to compete in the categories Design, Photography and Film, in one of Europe’s biggest progressive art competitions this year. Enter the competition here
The capital of culture programme will feature events, projects, festivals and freestanding programme items and takes inspiration from the eight seasons of the Sami calendar.
Umeå’s capital of culture year is a joint venture with the four northernmost Swedish counties and Sápmi (the lands inhabited by the Sámi people). Sápmi stretches through northern Norway, Sweden and Finland and all the way out to the Kola Peninsula in Russia.
Ubmeje (the Sámi word for Umeå) is a part of Sápmi (the lands inhabited by the Sámi people) and the history, culture, occupations, religion and languages of its indigenous people.
The Sámi calendar year is a way of crystallizing the year’s changes and focusing on what is important in each phase. Find out more about the eight Sami seasons
Umeå - a youthful, cultural city
Umeå is situated on the inlet of the Gulf of Bothnia at the mouth of the Ume River, in the south of the county of Västerbotten. Umeå is about 600 km north of Stockholm and about 400 km south of the Arctic Circle.
The city has a well known university and with its 36,000 students this makes it a youthful place with a rich cultural life. And its great location means you are never far from beautiful countryside!
Caught by Umeå - A European road show coming to London!
Umeå would like everyone to participate in the shaping of Umeå2014, in a way that no other capital of culture has done before, via a European road show in the autumn 2013.
Caught by Umeå will travel through Europe in September and October 2013, with the aim to evoke curiosity and interest in Umeå and the northern parts of Sweden.
The road show is coming to London in September so keep your eyes out for more information here on the site!
Follow Umeå 2014
Follow all the action live on Twitter via #caughtbyumea or on Facebook
Northern Sweden, including legendary Swedish Lapland, is unique. Where else can you visit the ICEHOTEL?
Visit Sápmi and the Sami people and immerse yourself in their culture and customs. Experience Sami food al fresco in the Arctic Circle, have a go at reindeer sledding, go hunting and fishing with a Sami guide, all while getting to know the Sami.