Discovering North Karelia – home of ancient traditions and enchanting nature

North Karelia’s unique food, music, art and mythology can be traced back centuries, but are still tangible in Karelian culture today. Located in the heart of Finnish Lakeland, the region is a true hidden gem.

Located in eastern Finland, North Karelia is perhaps best known for its national parks and beautiful untouched forests and wilderness. It is home to some of Europe’s oldest bedrock, and the stunning nature has served as inspiration for many renowned Finnish artists.

In many ways, North Karelia can be seen as a meeting point of Eastern and Nordic cultures. Its unique food, dialect, music, art and mythology have been rooted in the history of this area for centuries. “The Karelia region has a longstanding tradition of storytelling and singing, and some of the stories featured in Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, were collected from the province. The places described in the Kalevala can be experienced right here,” says Minna Rautiainen-Cimrin, communication and marketing manager at VisitKarelia.

Unique traditions and sites

The calming effects of Karelia’s nature have been utilised in the region’s long standing shamanistic traditions. One local company offering guided tours of ancient sacred sites is House of Bear, where owner Helena Karhu offers guided journeys to sacred nature sites. “We still have a strong connection to our ancient traditions, such as our sauna traditions, oral poetry, singing and spells, knowledge of herbal medicine, traditional handicraft and our close relationship with nature,” Rautiainen-Cimrin explains.

Photo: Harri Säynevirta

Karelian people are known for their friendliness and cheerfulness. “There is always a seat for guests at a Karelian table, as we say,” Rautiainen-Cimrin laughs. Karelian cuisine is unique, and the region’s many restaurants and country inns serve a range of fresh, local fayre made from seasonal ingredients. There are plenty of fresh herbs, berries, mushrooms and fish directly sourced from the surrounding forests and lakes. Perhaps the best-known Karelian food are the Karelian pastries, made from rye flour and filled with rice or potatoes, and best enjoyed warm alongside some egg butter.

Karelian pastries, made from rye flour and filled with rice or potatoes, are best enjoyed warm alongside some egg butter.

Of course, a trip to Finland wouldn’t be complete without visiting a sauna. The sauna tradition in Finland is centuries old, and the fact that there are an estimated three million saunas in a country with a population of just 5.5 million gives an indication of just how important it is to Finns. In North Karelia, Äksyt Ämmät, a local destination management company, organises ‘guesthouse to guesthouse sauna tours’, where guests can try out four different saunas alongside a sauna tasting menu.

Activities in the heart of Finland’s Lakeland

With more than 2,200 lakes this region is a part of the Finnish Lakeland area. The forests and lakes of the region offer visitors a wide variety of accommodation for a rural break. There’s everything from remote log cabins to impressive country houses.

Without doubt, this is a nature lover’s dream. With the region boasting four national parks, there is no shortage of outdoor activities all year round. Visitors can choose from hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, rapids, foraging and camping, as well as snowmobile rides, ice fishing, skiing and husky safaris in the winter.

For visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of some of Finland’s wildlife, this is also the place to be: the forests are home to elk, lynx, brown bears, and golden eagles. Moreover, there is a big focus on sustainable tourism and on allowing visitors to switch off and enjoy everything the region’s nature has to offer. “The region has a versatile landscape, so whether you are looking for a chilled-out family holiday or an adrenaline-fuelled paddling trip down rapids, the Karelia region has got you covered,” Rautiainen-Cimrin says.

In many ways, the Karelia region remains one of Finland’s hidden gems. “You won’t find hordes of tourists here. Our untouched nature and authentic culture are one-of-a-kind. It’s an ideal place for relaxing by the water and getting a feel for the culture here. We invite everyone to come and enjoy the magic of North Karelia, and try out what living like the locals is like,” the communication manager concludes.

Web: www.visitkarelia.fi
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