Intangible cultural heritage
Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark is located on the border of three provinces, and there are clear differences in the culture, traditions and dialects of the regions. Where a South Ostrobothnian stretches words by adding letters, a Satakunta resident does not utter the last vowels. The gems of the food tradition are e.g. Kakko bread from northern Satakunta and dumpling soup from South Ostrobothnia.
Traditional events, fairs, exhibitions and competitions celebrating local culture, art, people and nature take place around the Geopark. For example, folk music events (Spelit) are regularly held in Southern Ostrobothnia, in Kihniö’s Aitoneva the peat production season traditionally ends in the Mud festival Kurajuhlat, Jämi has a long tradition as a venue for aviation shows and many well-known ski competitions have been held in the area for decades.
There are also common features in the area: for example, outsider art (known as ITE, acronym for itse tehty elämä = self made life), sahti and people. Outsider art can be admired in the municipal centers, along the roads or in the ITE art park on Alpo’s Savannah. Sahti has traditionally been made in both Southern Ostrobothnia and Northern Satakunta, and there are award-winning sahti brewers and even a Sahti academy in the area. The people of the Geopark area are known for their honesty, outspokenness and entrepreneurship. What is promised is done properly.
(Image of a glass of sahti: www.aitojamakuja.fi / Julia Kivelä )