Tukkilaiskisat Explained

Tukkilaiskisat (Tukkilaiset) is a traditional timber rafting competition in Finland.^[1] Originally tukkilaiset referred to log drivers.

Recent sites where Tukkilaiskisat took place are Ii (Raasakkakoski), Kuusamo (Käylä), Laukaa (Kuusaankoski), Ylitornio (Kattilakoski), Imatra (Tainionkoski), and Lieksa. The 2017 championship was held in Torniojoki. Participants can be experienced or novices.^[2]

Dates for summer 2024

Kuhmo, 8.-9.6.2024

Ii, Raasakkakoski 29.6.2024

Kuusamo, Käylä 13.7.2024 The Lumberjack competition in Kayla^[3]

In popular culture

• Koskenlaskijan Morsian, (1923 film) produced by Erkki Karus.
• Laulu tulipunaisesta kukasta, (book) by Johannes Linnankoskis.
• Tukkijoella, (book) by Teuvo Pakkalas

Both books were also adapted into films.

• Me tulemme taas (2008 book) by Mauri Hast and Pekka lanko
• Tukkilaisen tulo ja lähtö (1996 book) by Hanna Snellman^[4]

Notes and References

1. finnish
2. Web site: Log driver competitions - Elävä perintö -wiki .
3. https://www.ruka.fi/en/events/lumberjack-competition
4. https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10224/4767 infopage finnish