Shorunzha 2019

Shorunzha’s capital of culture year distinguished itself by strong support of authorities – on local, republican and even federal levels – to the implementation of the programme. Preparations for the cultural capital year began immediately after winning the title in April 2018, and led to a rich cultural programme for both international and domestic audiences. The cultural year led to tangible infrastructure investments, including renovation of a central road, completion of a new municipal park and a Finno-Ugric flag square.

• Opening ceremonies of the cultural year were held on 10-11 January in two parts: first in the national Shketan theatre in republican capital Yoshkar-Ola, followed by a ceremony in Uncho which included a traditional Mari celebration Shorkyol (Шорыкйол). Events were attended by delegations from Estonia, Finland, Udmurtia and Komi Republic.
• The final round of the competition for the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2020 was held in Yoshkar-Ola, with applicants from Estonia (Viru-Nigula) and Bashkortostan (village of Mishkan). Eventually the ethnic Mari village of Mishkan won the title.
• A central event of the year was an international festival of ethnic wedding traditions «Сӱан пайрем» on 14 June, attended by 30 creative groups from various Finno-Ugric and other regions of the Russian Federation.

• Stronger Finno-Ugric identity: as a result of the year, Shorunzha and the Republic of Mari El emerged as even better integrated in international Finno-Ugric cooperation, with stronger Finno-Ugric identity among the local population.
• Infrastructure investments: a central road was renovated for over 7.7m roubles and a new municipal park built for over 1.5m roubles. These investments were at least partly related to the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture.
• Finno-Ugric Flag Square, modelled after an analogous initiative of Obinitsa – Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 15 – became a landmark reminding of the cultural capital year and Finno-Ugric solidarity.