Secretariat of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture programme has embarked on its first-ever transatlantic mission – to present the capitals of culture programme in Hancock, Michigan – the centre of Finnish American culture in the USA.
In line with the special theme of the competition for the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2026 – “Widening Finno-Ugric Horizons”, secretariat of the cultural capitals programme has begun its first visit to North America, which will focus on Hancock, Michigan.
Hancock is a city in the Houghton County of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a population of 4500. Hancock is widely considered as a cultural capital for Finnish American, and it is home to the Finnish American Heritage Centre (https://fahc.finlandiafoundation.org/). According to the most recent federal census, about 40% of Hancock’s population claimed Finnish ancestry.
During the visit, the secretariat of Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture will visit key institutions and stakeholders of Hancock and the surrounding region, in order to present the cultural capitals programme and to discuss opportunities for Hancock’s potential future participation in the programme.
Secretariat of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture is grateful to Mr. Jim Kurtti, Honorary Consul of Finland in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, for hosting us during this historic trip for the international Finno-Ugric movement.
