Culture
There are very few culturally historical places that have survived in Lapland. The cultural breaks, caused by war and social change, have been very significant on the region. There was, however, time to pass on the traditional culture, and new cultural productions may be seen in the life of the area and in its cultural sights. In many places, new and old live hand in hand.
The rivers travel along the transport routes in Pelkosenniemi and Kemijärvi, and with these, a number of cultural influences travelled widely. The river was the connection to the West and the Baltic Sea, North to the Arctic Ocean, and East to the White Sea, and South right through to Laatokka. The Municipality of Pelkosenniemi at the junction of three great rivers on the northern side of the border of Lapland as defined by the King of Sweden, the Sompio Lappish Village was a significant area for housing, commerce and building traditions right up to the beginning of the twentieth century, when agricultural livelihoods and large-scale reindeer husbandry dominated the region’s business structure. The Pyhätunturi region has plenty of evidence of Stone Age inhabitation, a sacrificial spot and public baptism sites. The Pyhäjärvi village and Fell village still have strong permanent inhabitation.
Ancient remains (deer hunting): The great reindeer economy gained strength in Lappish villages and also Pelkosenniemi in the nineteenth century. Before this time, reindeer were used as a means of getting around and for carrying loads, meat was obtained from common hunts for deer. The hunting grounds located e.g. on the sandy ridges of Pelkosenniemi still have evidence of some pit traps if you look around carefully enough. The base map for the region includes marking of the location of some of these pit traps.
Local products and souvenirs in Kemijärvi:
- Bread makers: Kiuaspulla Ltd, Kursulainen Ltd. Products are sold in local food shops.
- Fish, reindeer, berries, etc. are sold especially in KauppaPaikka, address Kirkkokatu.
- Children's clothes are made and sold in Paapero, address Kirkkokatu 8.
- Souvenirs: Post Office / Vapaudenkatu 4, Kukkatori / Vapaudenkatu 1, ABC shop / Pajulantie.