Budapest, 21th of July 2014. - The international jury has selected the best applications to the final round of the Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital of 2015. From the six participants the Estonian village Obinitsa, the Karelian village Voknavolok, and the Hungarian city, Veszprem got into. The representatives of the finalist municipalities can introduce their applications personally in Finland for the jury and for the organizers, too.

"Compared to the applications from last year we have received more detailed, expanded works, which is a success itself. I'm quite sure that each of the finalists this year could deserve the title of Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital of 2015." - underlined Oliver Loode, the Head of Programme Bureau of the Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture.

In final round two villages and one bigger city take a place. The smallest applicant is the Estonian Obinitsa, which is inhabited by the Seto people. The second biggest participant is Voknavolok (Vuokkiniemi) from the Republic of Karelia (Russia). The biggest contestant is Veszprém from Hungary, which is the first Hungarian city in the history of the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture competition.

Participants who were selected into the final round will get a chance to introduce their applications personally for the international jury of the Finno-Ugric Capital of 2015 in Helsinki on August 11. Winner will be selected by a 4-member jury that consists of Nina Belyayeva (Udmurtia), Mart Meri (Estonia) , Peter Aranyi (Hungary) and Sampsa Holopainen (President of MAFUN). The presentations of the representatives will be open to media and general public. The winner will be announced on the same day and the title of Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture 2015 will be handed over on 18 of October (Day of Kindred Finno-Ugric Peoples) in Bygy.  

„Finno-Ugric Capitals of Culture“ is an international cultural, civic and economic development programme initiated and administered by MAFUN. Modelled after the European Capitals of Culture programme, it aims to raise awareness of Finno-Ugric peoples and languages, strengthen common Finno-Ugric identity and stimulate development in selected Finno-Ugric towns and villages.