”Kainuu will keep sailing smoothly with the flow”, says Regional Development Specialist Helena Aaltonen, who retired from the Regional Council of Kainuu in May. She has been following the long growth path of cultural and tourism sectors in Kainuu from her post for almost a quarter of a century now, from year 1995.
”The cultural identity in Kainuu is strong. Many fields of arts are represented in the region and we have many international art festivals compared to our small population”, says Helena Aaltonen, wishing that the significance of culture as a driver for economic development would be more and more recognised. Theatre and dance are appreciated as art forms in Finland and for example our poem singing tradition and the modern game industry are rising to international awareness. Literature characterises the Kainuu region. Kalevala was born here, ase well as the master pieces of Eino Leino, Ilmari Kianto, Isa Aspi and Veikko Huovinen. Therefore, Helena has been bringing the idea of international literature tourism to the region.
”We can be proud of our Kainuu. This is a region of persistent and hardworking people, a region of creative people and people trusting in theirselves. We should keep singing the regional hymn in the end of events also in the future. Culture shall rise the community spirit through joint action”, says Helena Aaltonen and waves her hand as she leaves for her well deserved retirement on her last day in end of May.
Contact Us
Helena Aaltonen may be reached on address helena.vuokatti@gmail.com after her retirement.
In matters related to tourism, culture and communications in the Kainuu region you may contact Regional Development Specialist Minna Komulainen.
