Slow Down in Saami Village brochure in English

English
Slow Down in Saami Village
hce johka
o
gáregas
njárga
njuorggán
Váldde fal gulul dáppe Sámis
Photo: Åse-Márgget Holm.
Ibbá Lauhamaa and Ráste Eriksen. Photo: Studio Borga.
For a slower lifestyle
The municipality of Utsjoki is
Photo: Marko Asunmaa.
the only municipality in Finland where
the majority of residents are Saami.
The Saami villages of Utsjoki offer you
an opportunity to experience modern,
everyday Saami culture: a culture
you can live, see, hear, taste and feel.
Utsjoki­is a place where the traditional
Saami costume is still worn at a
number of festivals and events.
Photo: Tarja Länsman.
I
n their free time, more and more people are appreciating the
time and space to be themselves. The Saami villages in the
municipality of Utsjoki offer a natural environment to slow
down – to breathe freely, smell the fragile fragrances of pristine­
northern nature, savour the delicacies that our forests and
sparkling­waters have to offer.
‘Silence’ and ‘local’ have a different meaning in Utsjoki.
The vibrant Saami culture glowing in the light of the Arctic
Ocean is full of stories, things to see and experiences for every­
one – here and now. Slow down in a Saami village and hear
nature­whispering to you!
Utsjoki village – at the foot of Ailigas Fell
Giisá village hall | Ellin polku trail | Saami bridge |
Utsjoki church cottages | Ailigas science and art centre
Slow down in utsjoki
Welcome to the village centre of Utsjoki (Ohce­
johka), the northernmost municipality in Finland
and the whole of the European Union. Nature
is always present in Utsjoki. People fish all year
round, right next to the village centre. The Tenojoki
is a river famous for its salmon, and both up and
downstream from the village is excellent for
salmon anglers and rowers. The trout and arctic
charr lure many a fisherman to the neighbouring
fells in the winter.
History whispers in the wind. You can visit the
historically important Utsjoki church, vicarage
and church cottages, St. Ulrika’s sacristy, the old
cemetery and the yard on the shores of Mantojärvi.
Enjoy the local atmosphere in Giisá village hall,
where local people gather to chat in the café.
The village hall also offers a selection of local
handmade products for sale.
The wilderness calls out to you to relax. There is an
extensive network of nature trails and hiking paths
leaving from the Utsjoki village centre or its immediate vicinity. Enjoy the pristine nature and go for
a walk – for a couple of hours or a couple of days.
You can be accompanied by a local guide who will
tell you fascinating stories about the local nature­
and history, who will take care of orien­ta­tion,
equipment and provisions. Warm your feet by the
fire, have a nice cup of hot tea or coffee and take a
deep breath. Feel the stress melt away, far away.
For other experiences worth slowing down for in
Utsjoki­village centre, see www.saamivillage.fi.
Well-being in all eight seasons
N
ature and culture offer nourishment both for body and soul in
different ways, depending on the season. In contrast to the rest
of the world, there are eight seasons in Saamiland. Changes
in temperature and the amount of light, the quiet winter hibernation of
nature and its waking afresh to a new spring have set the pace of Saami life
and culture for thousands of years.
The national day of the Saami people is celebrated on 6 February,
when the sun reappears above the horizon after the long polar night.
The lighter late-winter days are often spent competing in ice fishing
contests. The Tenojoki salmon championship is traditionally held during
the Utsjoki Salmon Festival in the salmon fishing high season in July. The
Teno Marathon, run along the banks of the Tenojoki from Nuorgam to
Utsjoki, is usually organised before the ripening of the berries.
Photo: Studio Borga.
Eight seasons
Winter
Summer
51 days of Polar Night | Northern lights |
Reindeer roundups | Saami national day
70 days of Midnight Sun | Salmon fishing |
Utsjoki Salmon Festival | Teno Marathon
Late winter
Late summer
Reindeer racing | Ice fishing competitions |
Snow buntings and whooper swans arrive
Season of new fur for reindeer | Mushroom
and berry season | Glowing autumn colours
Spring
Autumn
Reindeer calves are born | Time for rejuvenation | Parting of the ice
Reindeer mating season | First snow |
Animals get their winter plumage or coats
Early summer
Early winter
Marsh Labrador Tea blooming | Collecting
willow and birch bark
Blue dusk | Reindeer roundups | Christmas
sales | Polar night begins
Photo: Timo Veijalainen / Leuku Oy.
Photo: Reijo Nenonen / Vastavalo.fi.
Slow down in nuorgam
A group of people large enough to make up a
small village lives in Finland’s northernmost village
and the northernmost corner of the European
Union. The people live from nature, tourism and
cross-border trade. Nuorgam also has several
reindeer butcher’s shops. Alaköngäs, the most
famous salmon fishing area on the Tenojoki,
attracts both Finnish and international fishing
enthusiasts to Nuorgam every year.
In addition to being famous for its salmon, the
Teno­joki is also an ancient transport route. In
order to transport larger loads, a route passing the
Alaköngäs rapids was created. This detour is now a
signposted historical path with a breathtaking view
of the Tenojoki.
Nuorgam is a paradise for hikers. You can either
explore the surroundings of Pulmankijärvi, a lake
formed of an ancient fjord in the Arctic Ocean, by
yourself or in a safari organised by local companies
all year round. The area has particularly rich flora
and fauna and offers excellent opportunities for
bird watching. Local companies also organise
safaris from Nuorgam to Varangerfjorden by, for
example, a snowmobile.
Nuorgam (Njuorggán) – the village of happy people
Lake Pulmankijärvi | Skaidijärvi trail | Alaköngäs |
Northernmost point of the EU | The Gate to the Arctic Ocean
Enjoy the magnificent landscape in Nuorgam
by skiing on top of the fells, breathing the fresh
air of Saamiland and indulging yourself with the
unbroken silence of the wilderness.
For other experiences worth slowing down for in
Nuorgam­, see www.saamivillage.fi.
Photo: Studio Borga.
Photo: Jorma Luhta / Leuku Oy.
Let nature move you
mainly located along the banks of
the Tenojoki, the river that marks
the border between Finland and
Norway. The closeness to Norway can
be seen both in cross-border trade
and in the landscape. The route to
the Arctic Ocean, Nordkapp and the
Varanger area runs through Utsjoki.
Karigasniemi and Utsjoki are linked
by one of the most beautiful scenic
routes in Finland, the Tenontie, which
runs alongside the Tenojoki.
Photo: Tarja Länsman.
Settlements in Utsjoki are
Photo: Marko Asunmaa.
T
he livelihoods of Saami are heavily based on being on the
move. Reindeer herders and their reindeer travel their
own routes on the fells, and the nomads have their trails.
You can sometimes see a reindeer carrying a nomad’s equipment
in the fells. It takes several years to train a good sledge reindeer.
Bucks are harnessed to pull sledges or pulkas in the winter.
The terrain poses a challenge for hikers, endurance
athletes, Nordic walkers, skiers, mountain bikers and snowshoe
walkers alike. There is an extensive network of signposted trails,
in addition to which the paths of men and animals criss-cross in
a number of unmarked trails. Thanks to the rare flora and fauna,
the area is a wonderland for nature photographers.
Slow down in karigasniemi
Saami, Finnish and Norwegian cultures meet in
Karigas­niemi, the crossroads of three languages
and cultures in the heart of Saamiland. Karigas­
niemi also offers the busiest nightlife in the Tenojoki Valley.
The roots of Saami livelihood lie in culture, their
own territory and the varied use of nature’s bounty.
Traditional reindeer husbandry continues to thrive
in the high fells, as does the fishing culture of the
River Saami in the Tenojoki Valley. Salmon fishing
is important, not only for the locals but also for
tourism­.
Reindeer graze freely in the fells. Karigasniemi
is surrounded by pristine nature: the wilderness
around Paistunturi, the fell area to the east and
Muotkatunturi to the south-west. Many a traveller
finds the silence of the fells soothing and the
scenery breathtaking.
Karigasniemi (Garegasnjárga) – the village of three
languages and cultures | Sáivu village hall | Sulaoja |
Skalonjuovčča trail | Kevo trail | Border shop | Tenontie
Karigasniemi is right beside the Norwegian border.
Karasjok, the nearest village on the Norwegian
side of the frontier, is just 18 km away. The village
accommodates the Karasjok Saami Museum, the
Saami Centre for Arts, and the Sápmi Cultural Park.
The waves of the Arctic Ocean are also nearby.
Karigas­niemi is within easy reach of Porsanger
fjord and Nordkapp, where you can enjoy the
high rock walls reaching for the skies and the cold
northern wind.
For other experiences worth slowing down for in
Karigas­niemi, see www.saamivillage.fi.
Photo: Jari Lifländer.
Following the local fishing tradi
T
he first fly-fishing enthusiasts discovered the marvels of
the Tenojoki in the 19th century, which can be considered
as the beginning of recreational fishing tourism in the
largest and most beautiful salmon river in Europe. The various
forms of recreational fishing, such as lure angling and fly-fishing,
are modern activities. However, for the Saami, fishing has always
been one of the main sources of livelihood.
Trapping and drift net fishing are traditional fishing
methods­that have relied heavily on collaboration between
villagers­: both require hard work but yield a plentiful catch. The
Tenojoki Valley is an excellent place to study these traditional
fishing methods.
Photot: Studio Borga.
Depending on the season,
you can explore the Tenojoki by
skiing, paddling or boating along the
ancient post boat route, immersing
yourself in the tranquil beauty of the
surrounding fells. The silence is only
broken by the powerful echo under
the Saami Bridge – something that
the youngest of the family can’t resist
trying.
itions
Respect fishing areas and your fellow
anglers
Fishing in Finland is regulated. The following
fishing regulations from the 16th century are
still valid:
1. Do not fish in private water areas without
permission.
2. Remember that you are not the only fisherman around.
3. Do not break any fences.
4. If you open a gate, please close it behind you.
5. Do not fish for financial profit. Fish for the
good health of your body and, in particular,
your soul.
6. Do not fish in large groups, as they do not
allow you to enjoy fishing.
Almost all forms of fishing require a permit or
the payment of a fee. More information about
fishing and the permits for the Utsjoki fishing
area at www.saamivillage.fi.
The most important thing is
the journey
Photo: Jorma Luhta / Leuku Oy.
The most important thing in life is the journey.
Slowing down in the Saami villages of Utsjoki – in the
northernmost corner of Finland, just a stone’s throw
from the Arctic Ocean – leaves an unforgettable
memory in the heart of every traveller. A memory
that warms your heart long after you have unpacked
your bags.
Transport connections
Utsjoki is located at the northern end of the
E4 highway that crosses Finland. The nearest
airport in Finland is in Ivalo with daily direct
flights from Helsinki. The nearest airports
in Norway are at Kirkenes and Lakselv. All
airports have car rental services. The nearest
railroad terminus is in Rovaniemi, which has a
direct coach link to Utsjoki.
Distances
1,267 km
176 km
447 km
325 km
18 km
94 km
284 km
148 km
85 km
101 km
43 km
Nordkapp
Berlevåg
Arctic Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Tana bru Varangerbotn
Lakselv
Riv
er
Alta
Photo: Kalle Junttila.
Mehamn
Ten
o
Helsinki – Utsjoki
Ivalo Airport – Utsjoki
Rovaniemi Airport – Utsjoki
Sodankylä – Utsjoki
Karasjoki – Karigasniemi
Lakselv Airport – Karigasniemi
Nordkapp – Karigasniemi Kirkkoniemi Airport – Nuorgam
Vadsø – Nuorgam
Karigasniemi – Utsjoki
Utsjoki – Nuorgam
Karasjok
Nuorgam
Utsjoki
Karigasniemi
Vadsø
Kirkenes
NORWAY
Inari
Ivalo
FINLAND
RUSSIA
saamivillage.fi
Tourist information
Further information on sights, services and
activities in Utsjoki: www.saamivillage.fi,
info@utsjoki.fi, +358 40 181 0263.
Utsjoki Touristic Image Development Project. Concept and texts: PR agency
Viestintä­toimisto Lapin Loitsu. Layout: Studio Borga. Printing: Erweko Oy 2012.
Photo: Åse-Márgget Holm. Cover photo: Studio Borga.