Knowledge transfer passed the baton to Kotka – Jukola’s tradition continues through collaboration
At the beginning of November, the Jukola tradition continued in Kotka as the organising team from Mikkeli handed over its experience and lessons to the next hosts. The two-day knowledge transfer meeting brought together nearly two hundred Jukola contributors from across Finland – from Kotka, Mikkeli, Sotkamo, Espoo, Kaustinen and Jämi. The event was a concrete demonstration of how knowledge, responsibility and culture pass from one organiser to another.
The tradition continues as knowledge moves
The knowledge transfer meeting is an established part of Jukola’s organising cycle. It is not a formality, but a practical workshop where learnings and solutions are passed on to the next organisers. In the discussions held at the Kotka Concert Hall, experiences were shared on management, safety and logistics – and on how the event can be made even smoother. Present were Kaukametsäläiset ry, the Defence Forces and the Finnish Orienteering Federation, as well as the organisers for the coming years: Sotkamo (2027), Espoo (2028), Kaustinen (2029) and Jämi (2030). The shared goal is clear: continuity and development.
“This is the moment when theory turns into practice – the baton changes hands, and the work continues.”
Learning and improving together
On Saturday, participants split into small groups led by the chairs of Kotka-Jukola’s committees together with experts from Kaukametsäläiset. The workshops reviewed Mikkeli’s final report and its key findings: what was done particularly well, where opportunities for improvement were seen, and how the lessons can be applied in future events.
Kotka-Jukola’s competition director, Ari Kukkonen, summed up the Jukola spirit in a familiar way:
“Every Jukola is our second best – so the next one always has room to improve.”
Kotka prepares for a major task
Representatives of the City of Kotka were also strongly involved over the weekend. The Chair of the City Council, Jouko Rauhala, emphasised that Jukola is more than a sports event for Kotka – it is a community effort that brings vitality and visibility to the region.
“ For the city, Kotka-Jukola is an event on the same scale as Meripäivät, but with different content and a different audience. It brings new life and enthusiasm here,” Rauhala noted.
According to him, Jukola’s impact extends beyond the competition weekend: the airfield area will continue to serve active people and nature lovers long after the event.
The power of community and cooperation
The heart of Jukola is volunteer spirit, and it is now beating in Kotka. Committees, clubs and volunteers form a broad network in which everyone has a role. Jukola does not emphasise individuals, but deeds and shared responsibility – working together is the foundation of everything. This culture of cooperation is Jukola’s hallmark and the secret of its success.
Preparations progress on schedule
Preparations for Kotka’s Jukola have moved into the implementation phase. Registration opened on 10 October, and there are already more than 2,100 competitors from nine countries. Volunteer recruitment is also underway and interest has been strong. The map is awaiting final checks, the courses have been approved and the controls marked in the terrain – next comes construction.
“The plans have been made, and now they will be put into practice,” Kukkonen sums up.
Kotka’s knowledge transfer meeting closed one chapter and opened another – showing once again that Jukola’s strength lies in the community, in the flow of knowledge and in the continuity of tradition.
The baton continues its journey – towards Kotka-Jukola 2026!
The Jukola spirit lives in action, learning and doing together. If you want to be part of this story, join the Kotka-Jukola team – to build, improve and continue the tradition that carries from year to year.
Welcome to Kotka-Jukola 2026!
