Kalevala is one of the most important books in Finland, is a work of epic poetry compiled from Finnish oral folklore and mythology by Elias Lönnrot. To know more about Kalevala and the literary scene in Finland, DPT18 is travelling to Kainuu region to discover and analyze the current state of the tourism industry in the region.
Kainuu as a tourism destination
Kainuu is not known as one of the main tourism destinations in Finland. South Finland and Lapland are the areas with more visitors and well known around the world. Kainuu located in the east of Finland, does not have unique tourism attraction and the accessibility to the region is not the best. But Kainuu has Kalevala.
The city of Kuhmo in Kainuu region, has been designated as a city of literature of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and is promoting the region as a literary destination. Kuhmo as a Kalevala’s birthplace also organizes annual writer visits and literary events, including activities and seminars based on the runosong tradition of the Kalevala at the The Runosong Academy. Different literary and folk festivals are also organized during the year and over 80.000 tourists visits the city every year.
Can literary tourism help Kainuu?
Kainuu region is promoting themselves as a literary destination and they have reasons for that. Kalevala, the mythic epic poetry was compiled and writed by Elias Lönnrot in that region. Eino Leino, finnish poet, also lived in that region.
Literay tourism is a niche but can make the difference from one destination to another. The UNESCO award to Kuhmo opens a door for the internationalism of the visitors and can be the key factor for the tourism industry in the region. Good marketing and networking will be essential for the development of the region.
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