Fenno-Ugria yearbook 2025 published

Fenno-Ugria’s latest yearbook focuses, among other things, on fascinating political documents: Hannele Valkeeniemi, Director of the Finnish Institute, provides an overview of Russian influence operations in Finland, drawing on a relevant report by the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office titled “Pehmeästi pedattu mutta kova nukkua” (Softly made, yet hard to sleep on). Patrick O’Rourke provides a summary of the “Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report” on the status of the Saami in Finland. Barbi Pilvre presents an overview of the report commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Fenno-Ugria on the situation of Finno-Ugric peoples in Russia for 2022–2024/25. Jaak Prozes discusses Finno-Ugric peoples in Russia in 2025.

Ekaterina Kuznetsova, director of the Narva House of Ingria, presents an overview of Narva as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in 2025. Janno Zõbin introduces the culture of American Finns in connection with Hancock, the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture.

Rogier Blokland reviews Patrick O’Rourke’s doctoral dissertation on the Livonian language, while Anna Kuznetsova provides an overview of Maria Fedina’s doctoral dissertation on Komi urban culture, which was defended at the University of Helsinki. In addition, there are excerpts from ethnologist Edgar Saar’s unpublished fieldwork diaries on the Khanty people, as well as Paul Ariste’s notes—previously available only in manuscript form—from his research expeditions to the Votes.

Also included are book reviews: among others, Aimar Ventsel’s assessment of the book “Soomeugrilased eestlaste pilgu läbi” (Finno-Ugrians Through the Eyes of Estonians), published in collaboration between Argo Publishing and Fenno-Ugria, as well as Maarja Vinkel’s review of the ETV television series “Meie hõimlased” (Our Kin), produced with the participation of advisor Jaak Prozes, articles on anniversaries and jubilees, and event reviews by authors such as Orsolya Sild, Anti Lillak, Edina Csüllög, and others.

The editor-in-chief of the yearbook is Taisto Raudalainen; the language editor is Kristi Kingo; the cover designer is Piret Räni; and the layout is by Siiri Timmerman. The publication of the yearbook has been supported by the Kindred Peoples’ Programme, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.

Availability

The book will be presented, and authors and contributors will receive their author’s copies on Wednesday, 3 June, starting at 6:00 pm at the Fenno-Ugria office in Tallinn following the Fenno-Ugria annual meeting. The yearbook will also be on sale at the Pärnu Literature Festival in Koidula Park on 15 August and at the Fenno-Ugria booth at the Kadriorg Literature Street Festival on 12 September.

“Soome-ugri sõlmed 2025” will soon be available at the Apollo bookstore, where previous yearbooks are also on sale.

If interested, the book can be purchased for €20 at the Fenno-Ugria Foundation office by prior arrangement at info@fennougria.ee.