Lumijoki Varjakka

VARJAKKA

-The name Varjakka is derived from the Vikings, "Varians" who inhabited this certain area regularly.

-In 1588 one clan called Norgårds got this into their possession and they didn`t want to give up Varjakka, because there were good fishing waters. At that time the sea reached near a place called "Lapinkylä".

Location of Varjakka

-The original inhabitants of Varjakka persecuted the Norgårds. The Norgårds burnt a part of "Lapinkylä" when they retreated from Varjakka.

-At the beginning of the 1920s the sea showed its power when one boat shipwrecked. A local fisherman went to help the victims but his boat fell over and a few people were drowned. Now there is a monument for those people who weren`t saved in Varjakka harbour.

Old storehouses and fishermen admiring their catch

-Farmers on the area lived mainly by fishing at the beginning of the 1950s, but they also raised cattle.

*The most well-known fishermen were: Sippa, Korkala, Pieti and Martinkauppi.

-At that time fish was transported by boat in the summer and by horses in the winter. But in the 1930s people also trapped seals for their living.

Old village school in Varjakka and fishermen's sealcatch

-The local children used to go to their own school in Varjakka which was established in 1930s, but it was closed down in 1964. Nowadays the children go to school in Lumijoki village which is located about 12 km east of Varjakka. The transportation to and from is by bus.

-Fishing started to decrease in 1956, because new factories increased the pollution of the sea. Even some fishspecies disappeared. Because of this phenomenon people decided to find work elsewhere in other countries like Sweden.

Varjakka harbour

-In Finland the economic upswing began in the 1970s. The connections to Varjakka improved and the migration back turned lively.

-Nowadays most of the residents work elsewhere. Varjakka is a popular living area because of its environment.

-The professional fishing has diminished but the leisure fishing has increased.

-Varjakka has become very popular among the vacationers and their number is almost bigger than the actual residents. Varjakka is also one of the most popular communities of settlers.

-The harbour has recently been modernized into an up-to-date boat harbour accepted by the Center of Environment.

Hailuotoship on the way to Varjakka harbour and picture from harbour

-Nowadays they are trying to tempt people to come from allover Europe to Lumijoki and especially to Varjakka. Varjakka is the most developed area in Lumijoki. For example, the EU has financially supported the restoration work for the historical "Hailuoto" boat in Varjakka. There is a cafe-restaurant on the boat.

-In the winter when the sea freezes new outdoor-activities spring up, e.g. ice-fishing, skiing on the ice, winterfishing (for example seinepulling) and snowmobiling.

-The happenings and events in Varjakka include for example traditional Midsummer festival, which was celebrated in Varjakka even in the 1920s. There are some occasions together with our "Tradition Week" in Lumijoki and we also celebrate the end of summer season. In the winter there is "Moonlight skiing", "Kitehappening", and at Easter people build a bonfire called "Whitewitch" which dates back to the Middle Ages.

-Resources: Taimi Juola (an inhabitant of Varjakka), the Lumijokibook, a scratchbook