“Rymättylä route”. Potatoes and herring
Basic information
Project Title
“Rymättylä route”. Potatoes and herring
Full project title
“Rymättylä route”. Potatoes and herring
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
What is the first association, when you hear about Finnish archipelago?
Rocky islands dominating in the landscape.
What kind of associations has Rymättylä for Finnish people?
Clearly, early potatoes, also called ”new potatoes”. Their taste is the best together with herring of Rymättylä!
Rymättylä new potatoes are awaited agricultural produce and, surely, heralds of summer.
About 70 % of all the harvested Finnish ”new” potatoes come from the islands of Rymättylä.
Rocky islands dominating in the landscape.
What kind of associations has Rymättylä for Finnish people?
Clearly, early potatoes, also called ”new potatoes”. Their taste is the best together with herring of Rymättylä!
Rymättylä new potatoes are awaited agricultural produce and, surely, heralds of summer.
About 70 % of all the harvested Finnish ”new” potatoes come from the islands of Rymättylä.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Naantali municipality, Finland
Urban or rural issues
Mainly rural
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Indeed, in the Turku Archipelago, South-West region of Finland, there are about 20 thousand islands. Rural communities mark a strand having immerse green economy potential for the archipelago landscape.
One of such a strand is Rymättylä.
What tells us the emblem of Rymättylä? Herrings symbolize fishing, historically an important livelihood for the locals. Stars symbolize nine largest islands of Rymättylä archipelago.
The area of Rymättylä, inhabited by 2093 persons, has a cost-line of 526 km and land area of 148 km² only.
In Rymättylä, the sea and the nature are close to.
About 70 % of all the harvested Finnish ”new” potatoes come from the islands of Rymättylä.
In the archipelago, there are suitable nature conditions for cultivation of potatoes. Because of the mild sea-side climat, the spring is often longer here, the snow from the fields melts away much earlier than on the main-land. The fields are prepared as early as the snow is away. From the shadowy places, the snow is even pushed off, so that the soil could melt faster. Planting of potatoes begins already in March. The further weeks of their growing and maturing are extremely important, demanding from the farmers punctuality and pharmacist’s accuracy. Sunny, warm weather conditions are the most essential factors for success in getting a good harvest. Therefore, following the the weather forecast has been the most practised activity by the farmers – with a good reason! Harvesting begins already at the end of April. On the first day of May, i.e., the Vappu day, it is a habit to have freshly harvested new potatoes. With herring of Rymättylä!
Formerly, Rymättylä was known as fishermen’s villages, e.g., Röölä. Over time, fishermen’s profession has gradually disappeared, role of local fish-farming has diminished here.
By learning the traditional modus vivendi of the local people, we aim to bring people closer to the nature.
By exploring the ”Rymättylä route” and learning together about Rymätt
One of such a strand is Rymättylä.
What tells us the emblem of Rymättylä? Herrings symbolize fishing, historically an important livelihood for the locals. Stars symbolize nine largest islands of Rymättylä archipelago.
The area of Rymättylä, inhabited by 2093 persons, has a cost-line of 526 km and land area of 148 km² only.
In Rymättylä, the sea and the nature are close to.
About 70 % of all the harvested Finnish ”new” potatoes come from the islands of Rymättylä.
In the archipelago, there are suitable nature conditions for cultivation of potatoes. Because of the mild sea-side climat, the spring is often longer here, the snow from the fields melts away much earlier than on the main-land. The fields are prepared as early as the snow is away. From the shadowy places, the snow is even pushed off, so that the soil could melt faster. Planting of potatoes begins already in March. The further weeks of their growing and maturing are extremely important, demanding from the farmers punctuality and pharmacist’s accuracy. Sunny, warm weather conditions are the most essential factors for success in getting a good harvest. Therefore, following the the weather forecast has been the most practised activity by the farmers – with a good reason! Harvesting begins already at the end of April. On the first day of May, i.e., the Vappu day, it is a habit to have freshly harvested new potatoes. With herring of Rymättylä!
Formerly, Rymättylä was known as fishermen’s villages, e.g., Röölä. Over time, fishermen’s profession has gradually disappeared, role of local fish-farming has diminished here.
By learning the traditional modus vivendi of the local people, we aim to bring people closer to the nature.
By exploring the ”Rymättylä route” and learning together about Rymätt
Key objectives for sustainability
By exploring the ”Rymättylä route”, people's educational and learning needs are covered in different age groups.
There is interrelation between younger and elder generations. Traditional values are maintained, the best practice is learnt.
Awareness of green economy potential of archipelago rural areas is raised.
There is interrelation between younger and elder generations. Traditional values are maintained, the best practice is learnt.
Awareness of green economy potential of archipelago rural areas is raised.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Knowledge in local cultural heritage is extended.
Sense of belonging to the archipelago community is strengthened.
Local school, local library, local museums, local professional societies are as a venue for acquiring theoretical knowledge on the initiative.
Practical activities are implemented under guidance of practitioners (farmers, fishermen).
Sense of belonging to the archipelago community is strengthened.
Local school, local library, local museums, local professional societies are as a venue for acquiring theoretical knowledge on the initiative.
Practical activities are implemented under guidance of practitioners (farmers, fishermen).
Key objectives for inclusion
This initiative involves, first of all, local people and people of all generations.
Implementation of the initiative covers the whole Naantali municipality, a part of which is Rymättylä community.
Implementation of the initiative covers the whole Naantali municipality, a part of which is Rymättylä community.
Results in relation to category
This is initial period, the outset of the initiative. Now the task is to gather information about former and present farmers, fishermen and from local people who could share their knowledge and teach the skills related to long-standing tradition of growing "new potatoes" of Rymättylä and catching fish (herring!) of Rymättylä!
Mid-term target is, within two years, organizing seminars and workshops aimed at application of combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.
The goal is, during four years, in co-opertion with the stakeholders and interested parties, to achieve that “Rymättylä route. Potatoes and herring": 1) is included, e.g., in the list of European immaterial cultural heritage and 2) Rymättylä becomes one of the European tourism destinations of excellence!
Mid-term target is, within two years, organizing seminars and workshops aimed at application of combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.
The goal is, during four years, in co-opertion with the stakeholders and interested parties, to achieve that “Rymättylä route. Potatoes and herring": 1) is included, e.g., in the list of European immaterial cultural heritage and 2) Rymättylä becomes one of the European tourism destinations of excellence!
How Citizens benefit
The benefit is healthy modus vivendi of the people of Naantali municipality.
Inquisitiveness about local nature is stimulated, in a cost-effective way.
Mindfulness is fostered.
Inquisitiveness about local nature is stimulated, in a cost-effective way.
Mindfulness is fostered.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
Community spirit.
A novel, unprecedented local tourism product, shaped by local actors, including farmers, fishermen.
A novel, unprecedented local tourism product, shaped by local actors, including farmers, fishermen.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Symbiosis of environmental, economy, historical and cultural aspects.
Immaterial heritage and skillfulness.
Immaterial heritage and skillfulness.
Methodology used
By learning the unique, traditional modus vivendi of the local people, we aim to bring people closer to the nature. By doing so, we strenghten their sense of belonging to community of Rymättylä archipelago.
How stakeholders are engaged
This is an initiative from the grass-roots, from an entrepreneur operating in a local community and being a member of an entrepreneurs's board of municipality Naantali. The initiative, is intended for engaging, firstly, local actors, local society, those 2093 inhabitants, residing in Rymättylä archipelago. Secondly, the initiative offers the chance for inhabitants of the whole Naantali municipality to explore new facettes of the nature in our municipality.
Global challenges
Ageing of society.
Educatedness of society.
Environmental awareness.
Continuity of traditions and related skills.
Educatedness of society.
Environmental awareness.
Continuity of traditions and related skills.
Learning transferred to other parties
Learning element -> local cultural heritage; preserving of immaterial heritage;
learners at a local level, then at the regional level. Third step -> country-wide. Finally - Union's level.
learners at a local level, then at the regional level. Third step -> country-wide. Finally - Union's level.
Keywords
archipelago
traditions
communities
skills
spirit
