HANCOCK, Mich. (WZMQ) – While celebrating Hancock’s Juhannus (summer solstice) festival this weekend as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, three European ambassadors have made the trip to the Keweenaw, holding a special community presentation on Friday morning.
Finland Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, and Charge d’Affaires for the Consulate General of Hungary Balint Bakondi have all come to the Upper Peninsula. The visit marks a long list of firsts for the this year’s international celebration.
“To our knowledge, there has never been this level of representation from three governments anywhere in the Upper Peninsula,” said U.P. Honorary Consul of Finland, Jim Kurtti.
The ambassadors addressed the passion and pride of European culture in the area, following in the footsteps of thousands who have had an impact on the American Dream.
“Language and culture do not end at a national border, they travel with people. They survive across generations, and here in Hancock, they have found an meaningful American home,” said Bakondi.
“Culture survives because people choose to preserve it, celebrate it, and pass it on to the next generation. The Finnish-American community has done exactly that,” said Mikkola.
Bringing this delegation together is just an example of where their relations sit and how much they have grown over time, as well as where a stable future will come from.
“This is the relationship that I believe can help us secure better and safer future to all of us,” said Prikk.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, for your hospitality, and your commitment to preserving this remarkable heritage,” concluded Mikkola.
The ambassadors will continue to visit with the community through Saturday, where festivities are planned from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. A full schedule can be found here.
