Previous Congresses

1992 – 1st World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Syktyvkar, the capital of the Republic of Komi (the Russian Federation). Main organiser: the Committee for the Renaissance of the Komi People. The 1st Declaration for the Co-operation of Finno-Ugric Peoples passed.

1996 – 2nd World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Budapest, organised by the Hungarian Society of the World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples. The plenary session of the Congress, opened by the President of Hungary, was held in the Parliament of Hungary. For the first time, work in sections took place. The Sections passed their recommendations for the Consultative Committee of Finno-Ugric Peoples.

2000 – 3rd World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples in Helsinki, Finland. The sessions were held in the Finlandiatalo. The main organiser was the Finland-Russia Society in co-operation with the M. A. Castrén Society. The Congress was first time visited by the Presidents of all Finno-Ugric nation states (Estonia, Hungary, Finland). The greeting by the President of the Russian Federation was presented by Mr. Blokhin, Minister of Ethnic Affairs. Mr. Lennart Meri, President of Estonia, presented the participants with an invitation to take part in the next Congress in Tallinn in 2004. The President emphasized the need for future co-operation between the Finno-Ugric family of peoples.

See also: RFE/RL World: Analysis From Washington - Communities Linguistic and Political by Paul Goble

The honour and obligation to organize the 4th World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples has been passed on to Estonians. The main theme of the Congress to be held in Tallinn from August 15 to 19, 2004 is Youth – the Hope and Future of Finno-Ugric Peoples. The Patron of the Congress is Mr Arnold Rüütel, President of the Republic of Estonia.

The fact that the Congress will be held in Tallinn is of enormous importance to Estonia. This will allow consolidating and diversify cultural exchange with all Finno-Ugric peoples. As the Finno-Ugric peoples form the ‘cultural rear’ of Estonians, they will help us define ourselves culturally in Europe.