Experience the enchantment of the Kalevala rune lands, and follow in the foot-steps of Elias Lönnrot and other folklore collectors. Discover the uniqueness of Karelian wooden architecture. Meet rune singers and traditional artists who possess skills and knowledge passed down from generations. Europe no longer has many indigenous cultures. In Viena, an indigenous culture - the one that gave the world Kalevala poetry - still survives.

Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884) found the stories of the Finnish national epic Kalevala mainly from Viena Karelia. On his journeys he systematically collected epic folk poems sung to him by the locals. The Kalevala has had a crucial effect in the cultural confidence of the Finns. It has given the nation a treasure of knowledge about the Finnish folk mythology, archaeology, and age-old oral poetic tradition.

A border crossing experience. During this day trip we will visit the village of Sohjanakoski. Its location by the Sohjanakoski rapid connecting lakes Tuoppajärvi and Pääjärvi, two of the largest lakes of Karelia, makes it one of the handsomest villages in Karelia. At Sohjanakoski House of Culture we will listen to the songs sung by the village children, young people and grandmothers in Karelian and in Russian. We will dance Karelian round games with the villagers, and learn about the original, unique Karelian culture.