On June 21, the secretariat of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture announced via a video greeting from Narva (Estonia), the current title-holder, that Hancock (Michigan, USA) has been selected as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2026.
The following is the summary of the joint announcement by Oliver Loode (Coordinator of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture programme, URALIC Centre) and Katya Kuznetsova (Project manager of Narva – Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2025)
“Dear Friends! Today we are in Narva, to announce the name of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2026. We are proud that the name of the next Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture will be announced in Narva – the city that is home to many Finno-Ugric peoples, including Estonians, Ingrian Finns, Votians and Izhorians. This year, the secretariat of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture received one application. Our 5-member independent jury assessed this application very thoroughly, to make sure that it meets the expectations of the programme. And the jury made a unanimous decision. The name of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture is Hancock (Michigan, USA).
On behalf of the Secretariat of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture and Narva-2025, congratulations to the team and people of Hancock on this title! Hancock has been the centre of Finnish American culture for a long time, and soon it will take the centre stage also in the wider Finno-Ugric world. We are looking forward to sending the Tsirk-Bird [symbol of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture programme] at the end of this year on its longest journey ever. This bird will fly all the way from the banks of the Narva river across the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of Lake Superior. This is an exciting journey – not only for this bird, but for the Finno-Ugric movement as a whole. Once again, thank you to the team of Hancock, thank you to everybody who contributed to this competition. Until soon!”
