The local archeological discoveries in Sulkava hill-fort showcase how the Finnish culture has always been influenced by the surrounding cultural regions. We introduced the findings in an inclusive event where people were able to explore ancient life with all senses and realize the cultural history. The understanding that cultures have always developed under many foreign influences helps people to better accept the new cultural influences which nowadays increasingly affect every culture.

The ancient hill-fort in Sulkava in the eastern Finland has been used as a defense fort in the late Iron Age. It is a unique and historically highly valuable place, but not very well-known. The archeological discoveries of the local life in the late Iron Age showcase how the culture in Finland has always been influenced by the surrounding cultural regions. We wanted to introduce the place and the findings for people in a memorable and inclusive way. Therefore, we organized a public event, where people can explore the hill-fort and ancient life with all senses. The second aim was to demonstrate in a new way how the landscape and cultural history could be utilized in tourism in rural Finland. Local entrepreneurs could utilize this kind of event concept in their own business too.
We asked local ancient history enthusiasts to bring the ancient costume replicas to the hill-fort. We also studied the food culture of ancient people from the region. We offered everyone a taste of Iron Ages -style food, such as like fish soup and turnips. Furthermore, we brought an archeologist to the site to tell participants about the Iron Age history and archeological discoveries in eastern Finland. With the inclusive approach, we wanted people to realize that Finland has always been a part of Europe and has always gotten cultural influences from the east, west and south. The event offered a fresh way to show the participants that Finnish culture is actually a mix of many European influences.

The history of the Sulkava hill-fort represents how our Finnish nation's history is part of the European history.
The understanding that the histories of nations have developed under many foreign influences helps people to better accept the new cultural influences which nowadays increasingly affect every culture. We hope that it can also help to create understanding and harmony between the cultures in the modern Finland and whole Europe. Thus, understanding of local rural cultural history as a part of the European story can increase the unity of Europe and cultural integration.
The event was a part of our “Bringing cultural environment visible” -project. The project is funded by Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) of South Savo and Middle Finland and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The project is executed by the Rural Women’s Advisory Organisation of ProAgria South Savo and Central Finland.