Even in the areas of eastern Finland that were abandoned for new land in Värmland's deep forests, the unique smokehouses, which were one of the characteristics of the so-called forestfinders, remain. But at Finnskogen they are.
However, it is not just the buildings that the people behind the World Heritage project want to raise the status of. It's the whole area, as is the culture.
- There is a living Finnish forest and a living Finnish forest culture, says project manager Birgitta Elfström.
Hope to watch TVShe makes the film with filmmaker Erik Pauser, known for his film The Borneo Case, which deals with the indigenous peoples' vulnerability and the destruction of the forest around them.
The film about Finnskogen is estimated to be around half an hour long. It will be shown as part of the World Heritage project, but the two films also hope to have it shown on television.
- Just film is the best way to get a feeling, that it is not just text, you come directly to the heart when talking with moving images, says Birgitta Elfström and continues:
- It's also a way to investigate. When working with film, you gain access to places and people that you normally do not dare to approach.
The film is ready in OctoberBirgitta Elfström not only leads the work on making the documentary film about Finnskogen, but also the whole project of making Finnskogen a world heritage site.
Behind her is Värmland's Museum, Region Värmland, County Administrative Board in Värmland, Torsby Municipality, Karlstad University, the Hembygdsförbundet, the Helmia Foundation and a secret benefactor.
The film is expected to be finished in October this year. However, any application to the UN body Unesco that Finnskogen will be granted a World Heritage status cannot be estimated until 2025 at the earliest.