A day with TEXTaiLES – Oulu Cultural Capital 2026

Discover how AI is transforming the digitisation of Cultural Heritage Textiles

Join us for a full-day public event hosted by the TEXTaiLES project at the University of Oulu, as part of the vibrant cultural programme of Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture. Open to everyone, from researchers and heritage professionals to students and curious members of the public, this is a unique opportunity to explore how cutting-edge artificial intelligence and digital tools are revolutionising the way we study, preserve, and understand textile cultural heritage.

The day is structured in two complementary sessions. The morning is dedicated to presentations and knowledge-sharing, giving attendees a thorough grounding in the TEXTaiLES project, its tools, and its place within the broader European cultural heritage ecosystem. The afternoon shifts into an interactive mode, offering both a hands-on hackathon and an open space for creative engagement.

No prior technical knowledge required, just a curiosity about textiles, heritage, and the technologies that are bringing them into the digital age.

Preliminany Programme

Morning session

08-30 – 09:00: Participants registration

09:00 – 09:15: Welcome and Opening Remarks by Sanna Lipkin & George Ioannakis

09:15 – 10:15: The ECCCH ecosystem, connecting heritage institutions across Europe

10:15 – 10:45: Coffee break

10:45 – 11:45: TEXTaiLES digital tools & services

11:45 – 12:45: TEXTaiLES use cases

12:45 – 14:00: Lunch Break

Afternoon session

14.00 – 15.00 – Warm up: Presentation of tools and tasks assignment to teams

15.00 – 16.00 – Hackathon-like event (first round) & Open space activities

16.00 – 16.15 – Coffeee break

16.15 – 17.30 – Hackathon-like event (second round)

17.30 – 18.00 – Closure & Discussion

Who Is This Event For?

This event is open to everyone. If you are a textile researcher, archaeologist, conservator, museum professional, student, or simply someone passionate about history and innovation, there is something for you here. The morning presentations are accessible to all backgrounds, and the afternoon activities are designed to be engaging and participatory regardless of prior technical experience. We look forward to welcoming participants of all backgrounds and levels of expertise.

Registration