Since 2015, a city has been selected each year as the Finno‑Ugric Capital of Culture, a title that celebrates the vitality of these communities. Unlike national or continental capitals of culture, which represent identities tied to a specific territory, the Finno‑Ugric Capital of Culture is a “borderless” capital: it follows peoples, migrations and communities that have kept their heritage alive even far from their homeland. It is a cultural capital of a community, not of a nation.

Hancock, the first capital outside Europe
In 2025, a historic turning point arrived: Hancock, Michigan, was designated Finno‑Ugric Capital of Culture 2026, the first location outside Europe to receive this recognition. The decision expanded the Finno‑Ugric world by officially embracing its global diasporas.

Hancock was not chosen by chance. For more than a century, it has been home to a vibrant Finnish‑American community, so much so that it is known as the pesäpaikka, the “nest‑place” of Finnish culture in the United States. About 40% of its residents have Finnish ancestry, descendants of the waves of migrants who left Northern Europe to work in the Copper Country mines. Alongside the Finns, the local community includes Kven, Sámi, Karelians, Swedish‑Finns, Tornedalians, Hungarians, Estonians and the so‑called “Finnterested,” people without Finno‑Ugric roots but deeply engaged in Finnish‑American culture.

The Tsirk, an itinerant symbol of a shared world
Representing this network of peoples is the Tsirk, the official mascot of the Finno‑Ugric Capitals of Culture: a wooden bird sculpture crafted by a Votic artisan from the Lake Peipsi region. Each carved feather symbolizes a different Finno‑Ugric group, and its name comes from the Seto word for “bird.” The symbol recalls Finno‑Ugric creation myths, in which the world is born from a bird’s egg.

The Tsirk’s journey from Narva (Estonia), the 2025 Capital, to Hancock was the longest in its history — a symbolic passage from Europe to the American diaspora.

Juhannus 2026 and the announcement of the new capital
During the Juhannus festival in Hancock, the Uralic Centre and the association Sukukansojen ystävät announced the new Finno‑Ugric Capital of Culture for 2027. Two candidates were shortlisted: Geresdlak, in southern Hungary, and the region of Kreevinimaa, in Latvia.

The verdict crowned Geresdlak, which received the Tsirk through Bogáta Timár. With this nomination, the bird symbol of the Capitals of Culture returns to Europe after the American edition of 2026.

Geresdlak: a village that preserves many identities
Geresdlak is located in Baranya County and has 808 inhabitants. Its first recorded mention dates back to 1292, and the village lies near the site of the historic Battle of Mohács (1526), fought between the Kingdom of Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

Many residents belong to the German‑Hungarian minority of Swabian origin, while numerous Székely and Šokci artists (a South Slavic ethnic group) contribute to the cultural life of the region. Geresdlak aims to showcase its unique linguistic and ethnographic heritage to the Finno‑Ugric world, where diverse traditions find new harmony.

The village is also known for a unique tradition: the gingerbread village exhibition. Every year during Advent, the entire village is recreated in miniature using gingerbread. This “sweet” version of the village can be admired year‑round and attracts many visitors.

A legacy that continues to expand
Just six months into 2026, the title has already brought new international attention to Hancock: National Geographic, Estonian World and other outlets have highlighted the story of the Finnish‑American community. Now, with the nomination of Geresdlak, the Tsirk’s journey continues, carrying the cultural torch back to the heart of Europe.

Being a Finno‑Ugric Capital of Culture means preserving and passing on a collective history shaped by migration, resilience, shared traditions and evolving identities. Hancock and Geresdlak, though distant, are now connected by a common thread: that of a community without borders, one that continues to recognize itself as a family.