Finnish town Kuhmo selected as Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2023

An international five-member jury has selected Kuhmo, a town in Finland’s Kainuu County and a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, as the next Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. This marks the first time that the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture will be located in Finland. Kuhmo expects the title to boost cultural tourism in the region and to support the preservation and revitalization of languages and cultural heritage across the wider Finno-Ugric world.

Key objectives of Kuhmo’s 2023 programme include awareness-raising of Finno-Ugric languages and cultures in Finland and worldwide, to support the revitalization of indigenous Finno-Ugric languages and to promote the rich music heritage of Finno-Ugric peoples.

Kuhmo is planning to hold over 100 activities as part of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2023 programme, with the Ethno Music festival Sommeloas the flagship event of the year (26 June – 3 July). Other high-profile events include Kuhmo Culture Celebrates Winter festival, a conference on indigenous Finno-Ugric languages, “On The Trails of the Big Bear”, an event exploring the role and meanings of bear in Finno-Ugric cultures, the internationally acclaimed Kuhmo Chamber Music festival and a conference on Finno-Ugric singing cultures.

Key organisations behind Kuhmo’s winning bid were Runosong Academy as the main applicant, as well as Juminkeko and the Town of Kuhmo.