The first four years of the programme saw the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture – and its tangible symbol, the Finno-Ugric bird ‘Tsirk’ – travel from Bygy in Udmurtia to the Seto village of Obinitsa (Estonia) in 2015.
The symbol of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture – Tsirk-bird – is greeted in Obinitsa, Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2015 (26.10.2014)
This was also a message for future candidates – even if you may not win the title the first time around, persistency pays off. As a result, Obinitsa became one of the most outstanding Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture to date.
Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves visits Obinitsa for the closing ceremony on 7.1.2016. Finno-Ugric Flag Square is in the background.
From Setomaa, the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture title headed to Hungary, where for the first and only time in programme’s history, the title of 2016 was held by two locations: the city of Veszprem and the village of Iszkaszentgyörgy. This year was a living proof of the idea that in the Finno-Ugric movement quality matters more than quantity – the village of Iszkaszentgyörgy delivered an excellent programme throughout the year with many innovative elements such as resident Finno-Ugric ambassadors, Finno-Ugric fashion shows, and much more.
Resident Udmurt ambassador Darali Leli in Iszkaszentgyörgy, with Hungarian friends
In 2017, the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture was held by the Karelian village of Vuokkiniemi, as a result of which the cultural capitals programme had covered three countries and four geographically and culturally distinct Finno-Ugric regions during its first four-year cycle.
Traditional Veps dance in Vuokkiniemi – Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2017
In 2017, the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture was held by the Karelian village of Vuokkiniemi, as a result of which the cultural capitals programme had covered three countries and four geographically and culturally distinct Finno-Ugric regions during its first four-year cycle.
