The Finnish epic, Kalevala, has many stories and it’s well-known, therefore it is a great tool to use when developing literary tourism products and experiences. Tourism companies can for example develop small Sampos as memorabilia, take the tourists for walks through nature with Väinämöinen or even create smithing classes by Ilmarinen. If you are still not sure what happens in Kalevala, here’s a small reminder in a not-so-formal way:
Spot-Lit Project
Spot-Lit Project has seen the opportunity to use the Finnish epic in its literary tourism development. The project is developing literary tourism in Northern Periphery and Arctic region. To see seven different product development ideas by Spot-Lit related to literary tourism, click here.
Spot-Lit is for example producing a mobile game called VIENA – Epic Kalevala adventure. The game is based on the stories of the region. Creating a mobile game based on the Finnish epic is a great way to get the tourists engaged in literary tourism in the area.
Wild Taiga
Wild Taiga is an association, which includes around 60 tourism companies in the Kainuu area. From their website, it is easy to find different literary tourism products and experiences related to Kalevala. From there can be found for example the experience called “The songlands of the Kalevala”. The experience includes hotel stays and different activities. This experience is certainly interesting for anyone interested in the Finnish epic or the Finnish culture. You can find overall information about Kalevala from the website as well, for example in the form of videos.
Kalevala in the Kainuu area
Literary tourism products or experiences related to the Finnish epic, that I would like to experience myself:
- Hotel Kalevala
- Juminkeko
- The route of the great writers (the website is unfortunately only in Finnish)
I’m lucky, since next week we are going on a study trip, and during it I can visit the Hotel Kalevala and Juminkeko. Also, I will see at least part of the route developed, which visits the different meaningful landscapes of five of Finland’s great writers. Literary tourism products and experiences related to Kalevala are interesting for me since I’ve read it and enjoyed it a lot. On the other hand, I’m excited to see literary tourism products and experiences developed in the Kainuu area, which are from less-famous writers and a bit less known for the people.
If you are interested in learning more about me, check my previous post. From there you can read more about what I would like to do in the future and what am I expecting from this study unit.