Finnish American Heritage Center

06/22/2026

🌲☀️ A midsummer gift, just for you ☀️🌲

Our Performer of the Year, Ruut, has released an exclusive Juhannus anthem — and it's pure magic.

Let this melody sweep you away. Picture the hush of a Finnish forest, the glow of the midnight sun that never quite sets. This is what midsummer feels like.

🎶 Watch & listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTk2jsB8rzg

YouTube exclusive from the Finnish-American artist, Ruut, touring a...

06/20/2026

From all of us in City of Hancock, we want to wish our friends and relatives from across the Finno-Ugric world a very happy midsummer! Hyvää juhannusta! Head jaanipäeva!

06/20/2026

Join us in and around the Finnish American Heritage Center today June 20th as we celebrate Juhannus in Hancock.

🌼 10a - Flower crown making North Wind Books at the Finnish American Heritage Center
📖 10-11a - Finno-Ugric Zine making, FAHC hall
🪵10a-12p - Wood carving demos, FAHC outdoors
🧶10a-2p - Weaving and handspinning demos, FAHC Gallery
😎 11a - Midsummer pole raising ceremony, Quincy Green
🎶12-2p - Jam session led by Oren Tikkanen, FAHC hall
💪 1p - Wife carrying contest, Quincy Green
♨ 3p - International Sauna Games, Quincy Green
💃🏼7-10p - Community dance with live music by Lauluaika and the Northern Stars Sami Girls, FAHC hall

06/20/2026

🇫🇮 Today the Finland flag is flying at the Finnish American Heritage Center in memory of

William (Bill) Kilponen. 🇫🇮

From: Karen Kilponen-Fix and family

William (Bill) Kilponen P.E. passed away February 1, 2026 in Northville MI, he was 88 years old. He was surrounded by his family, Kathleen (Hellman) Kilponen, his daughter, Karen Kilponen-Fix and son, Ronald Kilponen.

Bill was born on March 24, 1937 in Hancock, to William Kohlemainen and Ina Kohlemainen. His father was killed in an auto accident shortly after and Bill was adopted by Reino Kilponen. Bill attended Hancock High School and after graduation enrolled at Michigan Technological University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

In retirement, Bill was asked to travel to other countries to aid in the manufacturing of paper products. He worked in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria. During his work life and retirement he traveled to Finland multiple times. He learned Finnish as a child at home and in the church. He enjoyed his grandchildren, photography, woodworking, and the outdoors.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughter Karen (Robert) Fix, son Ronald (Annie) Kilponen and five grandchildren Nathaniel and Elliott Fix, Kyle (Sarah), Andrew and Dana Kilponen.

06/17/2026

This Thursday, June 18, leaders, scholars, artists, and community members from across the Finno-Ugric world will gather in City of Hancock, Michigan—the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture—for the 2nd Finno-Ugric Open Forum.

Continuing a tradition that began in Narva, Estonia, this year's forum will explore the urgent questions shaping the future of Finno-Ugric cooperation, identity, language, and culture.

Together, participants will discuss:

✨ What can Finno-Ugric cooperation offer the Finnish-American community?

✨ How can North American Finno-Ugric communities and diasporas participate in international collaboration?

✨ What can Finno-Ugric peoples and communities in Europe learn from Finnish America?

Hosted as part of the Juhannus celebration program, the forum will feature expert panel discussions, international speakers, and an open mic session designed to foster dialogue and connection across borders.

Finlandia Foundation National is proud to support this important gathering through our grants program, helping strengthen cultural exchange and ensure Finno-Ugric voices continue to be heard for generations to come.

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
📍 Hancock Central High School, Hancock, Michigan
💻 Attend in person or via livestream

HancockFinnoUgric.com

Copper Country Finns and Friends Fenno-Ugria Sukukansojen ystävät Uralic Centre Visit Keweenaw

06/16/2026

The 4th Annual Folk School at Midsummer Exhibit is now installed and welcoming visitors Finlandia Art Gallery in the Finnish American Heritage Center through August 19th.

We hope you can join us for the opening reception this Wednesday, June 17th from 7-8:30pm. Folk School band Kuparikielet will start off the evening with live music from 7-7:30, followed by brief remarks to open both the Folk School exhibit and the Akseli Gallen-Kallela exhibit in the FAHC Community Hall.

06/12/2026

Our 4th Annual Folk School at Midsummer Exhibition will be on display in Finlandia Art Gallery June 17 - August 19. The exhibit displays work by 25 students and instructors of the Finnish American Folk School.

Join us for an opening reception on Wednesday, June 17 from 7-8:30pm. The reception will kick off our Juhannus celebrations and take place in conjunction with the opening of an archival exhibit featuring works of painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela that are part of the Finnish American Heritage Center archive collection.

Cover image is Weathered Vessel by Brooke Hilman

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

We're seeking a few flower-loving volunteers to gather and drop off 4-6 buckets of fresh wildflowers for our Juhannus crown making activities on Saturday, June 20. Folks can drop off flowers (in buckets of water) outside North Wind Books on the evening of Friday, June 19 or before 10am on Saturday, June 20. The flowers will available to the public starting at 10am on Saturday to create their own personal midsummer crown. Questions? Call 906-370-3722.

06/09/2026

Something extraordinary is happening in Hancock, Michigan this Juhannus, June 17-21.

From ambassadors to artists, scholars to musicians, cultural leaders to emerging voices—people are traveling from across the United States, Finland, Estonia, and beyond to gather in the Copper Country for a truly historic celebration of Finnish and Finno-Ugric culture.

Scroll through to see just some of the incredible individuals joining us: including Her Excellency Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the United States (Embassy of Finland in the U.S.).

And this is only the beginning.

There are far too many remarkable people involved to fit into one post, so if you’re attending and don’t see yourself featured yet, let us know you’re coming—we want to celebrate YOU and help share the incredible network of people making this event so special.

This is more than a festival weekend. It is a cultural moment. A gathering of heritage, creativity, scholarship, language, music, ideas, sauna culture, and community—all coming together in one place.

We cannot wait to welcome you to Hancock.

Special thanks to our incredible partners:
City of Hancock
Visit Keweenaw
Copper Country Finns and Friends
Uralic Centre
Fenno-Ugria
Sukukansojen ystävät
Lauluaika
Sheila Coughlin
Hõimulõimed

More info at: finlandiafoundation.org/Hancock2026