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Rosanne van Klaveren Reporting from Kuusamo


It was not only my first time to get to know Kuusamo and its surroundings, but also my first time to be actively involved in the Chill Survive Network. And I’m very glad I did! In a week time I found inspiration worth a month, fed my wish to focus on Finland and human relation with nature, and – perhaps most important – made new friends. As a multi-faceted group of artists, all with our own experiences and interests, we explored the local history and the contemporary mining activities. This way I learned about local building techniques, folk beliefs, mercury poisoning, radio-activity, micro-bacterial ecosystems in turf houses, visual representations of Kalevala-healings, and the tragic death of many local noaidi (shamans).

Our fieldwork included a trip to the Juomasuo mine. This open pit mine is a study location pur sang: here an Australian mining company studies the local ore as they hope to extract uranium and gold. We deeply hope they will not. No matter how much precautions the company promises to take, these kinds of mining activities are always an ecological threat. The local environment is rich, but vulnerable. Mining risks include a possible impact on the  nearby Oulanka National Park, but also the direct surroundings are worth protection. Bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines, great grey owls, golden eagles, and many other species that inhabit the Kuusamo region will agree to that, if they understood the situation. We are standing aside the open pit in admiration. Despite the slight rain, the scenery is astonishing! Turquois water reflects the surrounding pine trees and almost seem to glow from beauty. Or is that some kind of radiation? Right next to the pit, Lauri spotted a rare red orchid (Punakämmekkä) which made us all kneel for making pictures. A bit later, when we were already leaving, I kneeled again. A bundle of mushrooms got my attention. They were growing straight through the gravel road that makes the pit accessible to vehicles, and seemed to stare as intensely to me as I was staring at them. How strong! How stubborn! For a moment we were hoping that they belonged to the psilocybin family, so that they could provide more information and even bring us in contact with the deceased noaidi. But I’m pretty sure they were common inky caps. Nevertheless, they were magical to me. They showed me a powerful image of finding your way through the oppressive layer of civilization and exploitation. No matter how heavy it weighs on you: you can always grow your way out and stare back!











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