2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture is Hancock, Michigan, USA

On 21 June, the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture was announced in Narva, the 2025 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in Hancock, Michigan, USA.

Hancock is a town of 4,500 people located in what is known as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Houghton County.

Hancock is known as the capital of Finnish-American culture. It is home to the Finnish American Heritage Centre, the Finnish American Folk School, and the Finnish American Reporter newspaper.

Both in Hancock and the surrounding area (Copper Country), Finnish heritage events such as juhannus (Midsummer Eve) and S. Henrik’s Day (heikinpäivä, 19 January) are organised throughout the year.

Hancock was selected by a five-member independent jury on behalf of the Uralic Centre in Estonia, following an application and presentation by the city.

“The title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in the US opens new bridges. Not only is it a chance for Hancock to introduce Americans to Finno-Ugricness, but it also gives us here in the East an insight into how our kindred peoples live on the other side of the ocean,” said jury chair Britt-Kathleen Mere (NGO Hõimulõimed).

According to Oliver Loode (Uralic Centre), Coordinator of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture, the selection of Hancock as the next Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture is in line with the strategy of broadening the geography of Finno-Ugric cooperation by involving countries, peoples and communities not previously involved in the movement.

“The United States has strong communities of Finno-Ugric peoples, including Finns, Estonians, Hungarians, many of whom are already working together. The selection of Hancock as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture will give this a new impetus and create opportunities for new transatlantic cultural contacts,” said Loode.

Residents of Hancock learned the news on the final day of the traditional Midsummer celebrations.

“What a wonderful way to end the juhannus celebrations with the news that Hancock has been selected as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture!” commented Jim Kurtti – Honorary Consul of Finland in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and one of the driving forces behind Hancock’s application.