2nd Finno-Ugric Open Forum

The Forum in Hancock continues a tradition that began in Narva (Estonia) which held the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture title in 2025.

The main objective of the Forum is to openly discuss important and urgent issues facing Finno-Ugric peoples and the Finno-Ugric movement today.

Given its location in North America, the special theme of this year’s Forum will be “Building Transatlantic Bridges”. Among else, the Forum will seek answers for the following questions:

– What can Finno-Ugric cooperation offer to the Finnish American community?
– How can Finno-Ugric communities and diasporas in North America participate in international Finno-Ugric cooperation?
– What can Finno-Ugric peoples and diasporas in Europe learn from Finnish America?

The 2nd Finno-Ugric Open Forum in Hancock will consist of three panel discussions, followed by an Open Mic session where all participants can present their views and ask questions. The Forum can be attended in-person in Hancock Central High School and remotely via Youtube livestream (details to be announced in due time).

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME:

9:00-9:30 AM – arrivals, registration

10:00-10:45 AM – Panel 1: State of the Finno-Ugric World

Moderator: Oliver Loode (Estonia)
Panelists: Vitaly Romashkin (Erzya / USA), Artem Medvedev (Udmurtia / USA), Niko Partanen (Finland), Alexandra Kellner (Finland), Anti Lillak (Estonia), Rune Bjerkli (Kven/Norway) Bogáta Timár (Estonia/Hungary – via ZOOM)

11:00-11:45 AM – Panel 2: Tradition, Internet, and Identity: Who Owns Finno-Ugric Culture in the Digital Age?

Moderator: Atte Huhtala (Finland)
Panelists: Britt-Kathleen Mere (Estonia), Gage “Touko” Keränen (USA), Mirjami Sipilä (Finland)

11:45am-1:00 PM – Lunch break

1:00-1:45 PM – Panel 3: Transatlantic dimension of Finno-Ugric cooperation

Moderator: Aleksi Palokangas (Finland)
Panelists: TBD

1:45-3:00 PM – Open mic / moderated discussion

The 2nd Finno-Ugric Open Forum is organized by URALIC Centre (Estonia), in partnership with Sukukansojen ystävät ry (Finland), Hõimulõimed NGO (Estonia), Copper Country Finns & Friends and Hancock High Schools.

The Forum is made possible thanks to a grant from Finlandia Foundation National (FFN). We are also grateful to the Estonian American National Council (EANC) for its support.

Contact: Oliver Loode (oliver.loode@uralic.org, Tel. +372 513 2992)