The Orthodox Religion as a Bridge between Cultures – the Karelian Church Route
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The Eastern Orthodox religion as a cultural bridge was a tourism, business and content production project based on the Eastern Orthodox tradition and present culture, which was designed to compile and make the mutual cultural heritage of the regions available to the public.

Main activities

• Gathering of information about the or orthodox culture from the North Karelian parishes, their churches and sanctuaries, graveyards and funeral grounds, orthodox denomination in general, details about church buildings, ‘praasniekka’ festivals, icons and sacred object • Transferring the collected information into documentaries, image and audio recordings • Utilisation of modern technology in the distribution and advertising of the Eastern Orthodox church and culture, • Creating a website for the Karelian Church Route in connection with Via Karelia, • Production of a map guide for the Karelian Church Route and Runon ja Rahan tie (3000 copies)

Achievements

The projected gathered information about the orthodox culture from the North Karelian parishes, their churches and sanctuaries, graveyards and funeral grounds. Information was also gathered from the Eastern Orthodox denomination in general; details about church buildings, ‘praasniekka’ festivals, icons and sacred object. The collected data was transferred into documentaries, image and audio recordings. The project used modern technology in the distribution and advertising of the Eastern Orthodox church and culture, and the Karelian Church Route were given new web pages in connection with Runon ja Rajan tie, i.e. Via Karelia, at www.viakarelia.fi. The information about the Eastern Orthodox denomination collected in the project was included in the web pages. The project also produced a joint map guide for the Karelian Church Route and Runon ja Rajan tie, in cooperation the development project of Runon ja Rajan tie, the edition was 3000 pieces. The maps were distributed to the public through travel agencies and destinations, such as the Valaam Monastery. The project also produced a set of postcards, on sale in churches during the project. Direct cooperation between the orthodox parishes of Finland and the Republic of Karelia did not succeed, since the project could not organise the required meeting of the Finnish archbishop Leo and the Karelian bishop Manuel.