Geresdlak, 2027 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture published its programme

Geresdlak, the 2027 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, has launched a website in Hungarian, English, Finnish and Estonian, as well as its own Facebook page. The preliminary programme for the cultural year is also available on the website for those interested.

The Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture is an international cultural initiative aimed at promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Finno-Ugric peoples. The title is awarded to a different settlement each year — in 2027, it will be held by Geresdlak, a village in Baranya County which has maintained close ties with Finland for two decades. The settlement awarded the title becomes a centre for programmes related to Finno-Ugric culture for that year. Festivals, folk music and dance performances, craft demonstrations, conferences, exhibitions, and programmes for children and young people help different communities to come together and learn about each other’s cultures.

The programme was launched in 2013 by the Finno-Ugric Youth Association (MAFUN). The aim of the initiative is to strengthen ties between Finno-Ugric peoples, support the preservation of minority languages and raise awareness of endangered cultural heritage.

In 2026, the title is held by Hancock (Michigan, USA) — the first Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture outside Europe. The 2027 winner, Geresdlak, was announced during the Midsummer (Juhannus) celebrations in Hancock. Thus, the baton returns from North America to Europe, to a small Hungarian village.