As Finland celebrates a century since independence, a new national park is giving the country something to shout about

Posted by Jeff on Aug 29, 2017 @ 6:40 am in Conservation | 0 comments | Last modified: August 28, 2017

The Finnish are not ones to brag about their culture. Reserved and stoical, with an appreciation of dry humor, they prefer to keep things discreet. This year, however, the country will break away from its default shy-and-retiring position as it celebrates 100 years since Finnish independence, marking the occasion when the country claimed sovereignty from Russia, during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

After much fanfare about Denmark’s food and Nordic noirs in recent years, it’s now Finland’s turn to take the spotlight. And, fittingly for a country that created Forest Schools, where outdoor pursuits are championed from an early age, the headline centennial event this year is the opening of a new national park, Hossa.

This 27,000-acre patch of wilderness started as an age-old hunting ground for the indigenous Sámi people, who named it Hossa, meaning “a place far away”. In 1979, it became an official hiking area, but in June its status was cemented when it was inaugurated as Finland’s 40th national park.

Hossa is a birders’ paradise, with greater-spotted woodpeckers and golden eagles both common sightings, as well as capercaillie, whose males use the forests for an elaborate courting display, known as “lekking”. For those interested in larger creatures, there are moose, wolves and brown bears.

Reindeer are also abundant, all of which are owned and rounded up twice a year by herders. Some, such as the Hossa Reindeer Park, have developed a sideline in tourism, inviting visitors to learn about farm life or have dinner. The farm’s traditional Lappish hut, illuminated by candles and lit by open fires, is a very welcome after a day outdoors.

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