Finno-Ugric Information Session

Finno-Ugric committee to host information session

What exactly is Finno-Ugric? Why is Hancock so steeped in that culture? And how can I get more involved?

Answers to these, and any other questions local folks might have, will be available at a casual information session scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26 at Griffin Café at 208 Quincy Street in downtown Hancock. In particular, organizers expect this event will show community members, local businesses and civic organizations how they can get involved as this community prepares to host an international celebration of a magnitude not seen in more than a decade.

Anyone with any level of interest – regardless of cultural background – is encouraged to come to the café, order a tasty treat and develop a better understanding of what makes Hancock and its surrounding area so Finno-Ugric that the world has taken notice.

The headline event celebrating Hancock’s status as the world’s Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture for 2026 is Juhannus (Midsummer), which will take place June 17-21 in and around Hancock. This festival will feature several international guests, including both Finland’s and Estonia’s ambassadors to the United States, as well as a variety of programming and entertainment that’s perfect for the entire family.

“We were selected as the first Finno-Ugric cultural capital outside of Europe, so that speaks to how authentic our expressions of our culture are here,” said Jim Kurtti, the honorary consul of Finland for the Upper Peninsula and the chairman of the Juhannus planning committee. “We’re excited by the many guests we have coming from away, and want to share that excitement with our friends and neighbors here and share with them all they ways they can be a part of this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

For more about the Juhannus celebration, visit hancockfinnougric.com.