{
  "id": 1498733,
  "title": "Who will continue the run of UMK successes? Applications now open",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/who-will-continue-the-run-of-umk-successes-applications-now-open",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T05:00:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yle News Finland",
    "slug": "yle-news-finland",
    "url": "https://yle.fi/a/74-20233929?origin=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UMK submission period closed on Monday, 24 August, at 00:00. The Contest for New Music, UMK, is a singing competition organized by Yle, aimed at discovering new Finnish artists and songs for potential representation at the Eurovision Song Contest. Since its inception over a decade ago, UMK has gained significant popularity and become a crucial platform for Finnish music creators. Notable UMK winners like Liekinheitin, Takatukka, Lululai, and Liekinheitin have achieved great success, both domestically and internationally.\n\nTapio Hakanen, Chair of the UMK professional jury, expressed hope that the past year's UMK and Eurovision successes would inspire Finnish music creators. The 16th New Music Competition, UMK27, is scheduled to take place at Tampere's Nokia Arena on 20 February 2027. The final lineup of artists and songs will be revealed in January, as per tradition. The winning artist will represent Finland at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, performing before a global audience of hundreds of millions.\n\nMikko Silvennoinen, known for his commentating on UMK and Eurovision, was appointed as UMK's new executive lead producer this summer. Silvennoinen expressed excitement about the upcoming season and his new role, emphasizing the unique experience UMK offers. For the upcoming season, Silvennoinen is seeking songs that allow artists to shine, with the performance built around the song leaving a lasting impression that no one else could replicate.\n\nApplications for UMK27 are now open. Interested artists have until the end of October to submit their entries.",
  "summary": "UMK27 applications are open 17–23 August 2026. Apply now!",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}