hree foreign dignitaries made Hancock a destination Friday, joining the city’s Juhannus summer solstice celebration and sharing their vision for growing Finno-Ugric connections in the United States.
Finland’s Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk and Charge d’Affaires for the Consulate General of Hungary Balint Bakondi each presented Friday morning on cooperation among the three major Finno-Ugric nations and how to build on those relationships in North America.
After their presentation, the dignitaries shared impressions of the Copper Country during their brief visit.
“I was able to walk the main street and it was beautiful — you don’t have just a concrete road, it’s those little bricks everywhere, which reminded me a lot of Europe, actually,” Bakondi said.
Prikk said he was struck by the pride residents take in their communities. “The way the nature looks, but also in many ways how proud people are about their towns and their homesteads,” he said.
Mikkola said seeing Finnish flags displayed throughout Hancock left a lasting impression. “Seeing the Finnish flags here in Hancock, I feel very grateful that people are cherishing a heritage that is not only from America, but also from Finland,” she said.
Juhannus celebrations continue Saturday with the raising of the midsummer pole, followed by the announcement of which city will carry the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture designation in 2027. Community members can get a head start on the weekend at the kokko bonfire at Hancock Beach Friday evening. More details are available online.
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