Pictures about the revitalisation process

Building the Vuokkiniemi school Preserving the oral tradition Building the Vuokkiniemi church Electrification of Venehjärvi Protection of the Vienansalo forests Revitalisation of the folklore festivals

Memorial to rune singers Research trips New generation of artists in Viena Rescue of the Paanajärvi village Recording of the folklore

When the Akonlahti old folklore festival Petru was allowed to be held in 1993 for the first time since the village's destruction in 1958, it was a moment of both joy and sorrow for former villagers. For years, not even the former inhabitants were allowed to visit the village located in the border zone. Although returning to the homestead was cause for celebration, the sight of the burned-down village was also a cause for tears. At the time of evacuation, the architecture of Akonlahti had been the most beautiful in all of Viena.