The city of Hancock in Houghton County has been named the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. The designation celebrates communities that preserve and promote Finno-Ugric cultures, languages and traditions. Representatives from the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture group and the previous year’s winner, Narva, Estonia, gathered to congratulate Hancock on June 21. Past recipients of the honor have been closer to Finland itself in countries like Hungary and Russia. In the next year, the city will work with the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture group to cast an international spotlight on Hancock with cultural exchanges, performances, lectures and festivals expected to draw visitors and partners from across the Finno-Ugric world.