Traditions & stories

Kuhmo has a rich history and deep-rooted storytelling tradition that touches many areas of life. The epic poems gathered from the lands of Kalevala and the scars left by the Winter War speak to the region’s profound heritage and the hardships it has endured. Kuhmo’s culinary culture preserves time-honored traditions, while ancient Kalevala-inspired healing practices continue to pass down centuries-old wisdom.

Among these traditions, one stands out as especially significant and still very much alive: tar burning—a livelihood that has long been a vital part of Kuhmo’s identity and whose craft is carefully preserved to this day.