Kajaani’s cultural heritage support literary tourism
Kajaani is the regional centre of Kainuu, with a population of almost 38 000; Pietari Brahe had found the city in 1651. Kainuu is the home of many famous Finnish writers, such as Eino Leino, Ilmari Kianto and Veikko Huovinen. However, the history and culture of Kajaani itself are vibrant and worth exploring. For instance Kajaani has many cultural heritage destinations such as public monuments and memorials, Kajaani town theatre, or Kajaani art museum. Kajaani is also the home of Elias Lönnrot and Eino Leino – the two famous Finnish writers. Kajaani’s literary tourism appears to have good criteria to develop more in the future; an investigating trip will prove this conclusion.
The expectation in Kajaani as a literary destination
Kajaani’s attraction
Kajaani offers a diverse cultural offer for both adults and children. Kajaani has many heritage attractions like Kajaani’s castle or Eino Leino House. These destinations are all historical and cultural attractions of Kajaani that will contribute to Kajaani literary tourism.
The first attraction of Kajaani is the Eino Leino House; this destination is also the essential criteria of literary tourism contribution for Kajaani. Eino Leino is the Finnish Emperor of Poetry who was born on 6 July 1878 in Kajaani. Eino Leino spent his childhood in the Hövelö house, which is the foundation of Eino Leino House. The Eino Leino House exhibits photos of the life and works of Eino Leino and hosts an Eino Leino book exhibition and includes a café and a shop for related books and other cultural products.
Unlike the Eino Leino House, The Kajaani Castle is not attached with a famous character, but it had been attached with notable events. Firstly, the Kajaani Castle was built in the 17th century and was destroyed in the Great Northern War in 1716. Secondly, in the 1660s, the castle controlled Swedish frontiers in the east and protected the Gulf of the Bothnia coast. In addition, the castle had also been used as a prision; famous prisoners in the castle included doctor Johannes Messenius and poet Lars Vivallius.
The marketing potential for literary tourism
Kajaani could apply global travelling trends of 2021 to promote literary tourism. Kajaanu can use “The expert guide” and “The citizen travellers” as promising promotion for literary tourism. In “the expert guide” trend, the guide could share professional knowledge about Eino Leino’s poetry or Kajaani castle event with tourists. As well as the first trend, “the citizen travellers” could help the tourists contribute to the Kajaani’s cultural heritage and show the tourists role in developing sustainability in Kajaani’s literary tourism.
An investigate trip
All of the potential of literary tourism in Kajaani is just a prediction based on the information provided by the Visit Kajaani website. The marketing trends that contribute to literary tourism in Kajaani is also just an expectation. Therefore, it is essential to have an investigate trip to better understand Kajaani’s literary tourism situation. The Kainuu region trip will help to determine the development strategy and vision about Kajaani’s academic tourism. Read more about the pre-experience of the Kainuu region trip here.