P I E L I N E N K A R E L I ANurmes | L ieksa | Va l t imo

DID YOU KNOW?

Koli Forum is an international discussion

forum that once a year brings together eminent leaders

from the spheres of business, politics, science

and culture.

We could start by telling you that Pielinen Karelia is home to Finland’s longest cross-country skiing trail, the most extensive complex of walk-through caves, the most gruelling of off-road marathons, and the steepest downhill slopes in the whole of southern Finland. We could then go on to say that Koli is the highest hill in southern and central Finland, its highest point rising 347 metres above sea level, and that the 7-kilometre Koli ice road is the longest of its kind in Europe’s inland waters. But these are just statistics that can in no way explain the charm of our region or prepare you for the stunning view over the lake and the esker islands from

the top of Koli. The Koli landscape that once inspired Jean Sibelius, Eero Järnefelt, Pekka Halonen and other Finnish Golden Age artists is still as breathtaking as it was in those days – come and see it for yourself!

Pielinen Karelia is characterised by its scenic lakes, wild white-water rapids, tree crowns covered in a thick blanket of glistening white snow – and thanks to the joyful Karelian take on life – by its cheerful people, and music, song and dance. One central part of our common cultural heritage is delicious food, such as Karelian pies, vatruska and sultsina pasties, and, of course, the Karelian stew. Pielinen Karelia

is also home to a vibrant Orthodox culture.

Pielinen Karelia is made up of the towns of Lieksa and Nurmes and the municipality of Valtimo. we havea population of nearly 24.000. We value traditions, but live in the present. There is a strong focus on sub-regional development and economic growth. We’re at the forefront of processing technology in the metal, plastic, wood and stone industries.

Come and visit Pielinen Karelia and bring your family and friends too – unique experiences are best shared!

Author Juhani Aho (1861–1921)

COME AND VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL FINNISH NATIONAL LANDSCAPE OF PIELINEN KARELIA FOR THE ULTIMATE

UNIQUE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE!

The splendour of Karelian nature peaks at Koli.”

Do you dream of making a home in a peaceful natural setting, where you can enjoy a slower pace of life and have a safe environment for your children to grow up in? If yes, then Pielinen Karelia is the ideal place for you! You can buy a spacious house surrounded by greenery for the price of a one-bedroom flat in Helsinki. You’ll also find services close by, and get to share in the strong sense of local community. The friendliness and hospitality of the Karelian people will make you feel welcome wherever you go.

The municipality of Valtimo can pride itself on being home to unspoilt natural surroundings and beautiful hills. If you like, you can have a house built in your own design. Both the village centre and the surrounding countryside have building plots for sale. Quaint old school houses make ideal fixer-uppers for those who want to build their own home and put their personal stamp on it.

The town of Nurmes attracts people with its idyllic residential areas and the surrounding countryside. Parts of the old town centre of Nurmes, dating back to the days when Nurmes was a market

town, will in time be converted into a business park for small businesses and remote workers. The plan is to create an environment where people can live, work and enjoy the proximity of services.

Renowned for the Ruunaa Rapids and Koli, one of Finland’s national landscapes, Lieksa offers a wide range of attractive housing options. New single-family homes and terraced houses are being planned along the banks of Lieksanjoki River, near a beautiful arched bridge.

All services are within easy reach. The Lieksanjoki River offers plenty of fishing opportunities, and the beautiful outdoor trails start practically on the doorstep of the local residents. For those interested in starting a business, Lieksa has a number of office and industrial premises to let. There is also a wide range of holiday residences and homes to choose from, for example in the beautiful Koli area. Who knows, maybe you will be one of the many people who find themselves drawn to our region, year after year!

MAKE YOUR HOME IN PIELINEN KARELIA

Find the site of your dreams at

tonttiporssi.visitkarelia.fi

Ditch your heels and put on a pair of proper outdoor shoes, for the sheer range of outdoor activities available in North Karelia will keep you busy for the entire holiday! The Karelian Circuit is a network of over 1,000 kilometres of hiking and bicycle trails, criss-crossing areas dotted by lakes, rivers, wetlands and small ponds. Some of these trails lead through the Patvinsuo National Park with its magnificent old-growth forests, captivating mire habitats and

beautiful waterways with sandy shores. What’s your route of choice?

Experienced paddlers and families alike can try navigating the foaming rapids. White-water rafting in Ruunaa is guaranteed to make your stomach lurch! Other ways to get your pulse racing include going on an ATV safari or venturing into the night to see Finland’s largest wild predators (even if it is from the safety of a hut on a pre-organised photographing trip near the eastern border!) Animal lovers can also visit the charming PikkuKili Countryside Experience Yard that has more than 200 animals, including alpaca, mini pigs, reindeer, wild boar and other furry friends.

For those with an appetite for culture, the obvious choices include the Bomba Karelian Village in Nurmes and a fascinating studio showcasing the works of sculptress Eva Ryynänen in Lieksa. In her lifetime, she produced some 500 arresting wooden sculptures, the largest of which is the Paateri chapel. A major attraction in Lieksa, the chapel is located on the same grounds as the studio. Music lovers will want to visit the Lieksa Brass Week, a regular feature on the summer calendar,

to enjoy concerts by leading Finnish brass players as well as acts from around the world. If you’re interested in Finnish history, a visit to the old battle areas preserved from the Russo-Finnish Winter War will take you back in time to events that took place over 70 years ago.

There are plenty of things to do and see even when the temperature drops below zero and autumn turns into winter. Cross- country skiing amidst enchantingly beautiful snow-crowned trees or downhill skiing at the Koli ski resort is a memorable experience for the entire family. And why not give snowmobile riding or dog sledding a try!

LAKE SCENERY, ADVENTURES AND BRASS SOUNDS

DID YOU KNOW?

A source of regional pride and identity, Lake Pielinen is

home to an endangered species of landlocked salmon that is

found in no other lake in the world.

FERTILE GROUND FOR IDEAS AND BUSINESSES TO GROW

We’re not denying big cities have a certain charm to them. But when it comes to choosing a destination for a long-awaited holiday, where do you go to unwind and get away from your busy everyday life? Exactly. To a quiet natural setting, away from the city.

You will not find trams or underground trains here, but there are fast connections to and from the capital area by train or plane. And thanks to fast broadband connections, you can do business over the Internet, and no place is too remote. What’s more, you don’t have to waste time commuting. And when you get back home from work, you can be outdoors enjoying nature in no time. Or, you can work from home and never worry about how much time you spend getting to and from work.

We like to think that essence of Pielinen Karelia is about striking a balance between the clean natural surroundings, the people and the

economic activity in the region. Thanks to a favourable entrepreneurial environment, it’s ok to think big. If you’re an entrepreneur or are planning to start your own business, Pielinen Karelia Development Center Ltd (PIKES) is there to help you find premises, develop your business idea, and more. Those who ”want to become Caliph instead of the Caliph” can buy an established company whose owner is ready to retire or looking to sell the business for some other reason.

In recent years, small business growth in Pielinen Karelia has been above the national average, with many local companies already passing the half-a-million turnover mark in their third year of operation. The biggest growth sectors have been the wood and metal industries, but we’re also seeing continued growth in the food industry sector. The Sotkamo mine has boosted the economy especially in the northern parts of Karelia. The bioenergy sector is expected to bring more jobs and

prosperity to the region in the long run. Other success stories include Reino & Aino Kotikenkä, a Lieksa-based company famous for their nostalgic slippers. Founded in 2005, the company turns out over 300,000 pairs of slippers every year, with demand showing no signs of slowing.

Check out the OSUVA enterprise

exchange to find businesses for sale in Pielinen Karelia:

www.pikes.fi

DID YOU KNOW?

The annually held Pielinen Fair offers a significant

local business platform.

FIND THE BEST SPRINGBOARDS INTO EMPLOYMENT

Pielinen Karelia offers a wide range of educational opportunities through vocational colleges, general upper secondary schools and open studies at different universities of applied sciences. University-level programmes are available through the University of Eastern Finland, located in Joensuu.

The North Karelia College in Nurmes teaches programmes in automotive engineering, mechanical and metal engineering, construction, hotel and catering, tourism, as well as electrical and automation engineering. Studies at the North Karelia College in Valtimo qualify students to work in the forest industry as forest machine operators, forest machine mechanics, and timber truck drivers, while the North Karelia College in Lieksa delivers training programmes in business and administration, tourism, social services, sports and natural sciences, among others.

In addition to vocational studies, students can aim for dual qualifications by taking courses leading to the Matriculation Examination either at their own college or at a general upper secondary school in Nurmes, Valtimo or Lieksa. The upper secondary in Lieksa specialises in natural sciences and environmental studies.

The North Karelia University of Applied Sciences offers a number of degrees in seven different fields of study. With

”I love the sense of community. Everyone knows

each other, and you can always go to people for help.”

Lila, studying to become an agrologist at the North Karelia

University of Applied Sciences

DID YOU KNOW?

In Pielinen Karelia, adult learners can undertake studies at general upper secondary schools, the North Karelia Adult Education

Centre, and the North Karelia University of Applied

Sciences.

approximately 4,000 students enrolled, it has units in both Lieksa and Nurmes.

The University of Eastern Finland ranks among the biggest universities in Finland, with a student enrolment of up to 13,000.

The multidisciplinary university is extensively involved in both national and international networks. This has helped promote development in the Pielinen Karelia area as a whole. The Joensuu campus houses the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, the Philosophical Faculty, and the Faculty of Science and Forestry.

Recreational activities offer a welcome change from student life and exams. The choice of things to do is wide. Besides the traditional pastimes of fishing, boating and hunting, there’s theatre, choral singing, athletics and cross-country skiing. Golfers put on their golf pants and hit the course to improve their handicap, while others might take advantage of the many interesting courses offered by local community colleges.

www.pikes.fi

www.pielinen.net | www.koli.fi | www.visitkarelia.fi

Helsinki

Tukholma

Oslo

Riika

Vilna

Kööpenhamina

St. Petersburg

Petrozavodsk

Valtimo

Lieksa

Joensuu 70 km

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73

6

73

6

75

75

Koli–Joensuu 70 km Nurmes–Joensuu 130 km Lieksa–Joensuu 95 km

Nurmes–Kajaani 112 km Valtimo–Kajaani 87 km

Pielinen

Nurmes–Kuopio 129 km

Nurmes–Kuhmo 79 km Nurmes–Vartius border crossing point 145 km

Nearest airports: Kajaani, Kuopio, Joensuu

Distances:Nurmes–Joensuu 130 kmNurmes–Kuopio 129 kmLieksa–Kuhmo 107 kmNurmes–Helsinki 508 km

Border crossing points:Niirala border crossing pointVartius border crossing point

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Ice road

Car ferry

Nurmes

North Karelia