THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇫🇮 My FINLAND Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_finland | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map
@@MattWhitingsEurope enjoyed so much see your video, I will check again that part very carefully if that is my grandfather home, most probably is..maybe I go this year there visit my cousin who keep that home still..Ilomantsi my birthplace so lovely to see this video , thank you very much 😊❤
Yes it really was. So lucky that I bumped into them, a few minutes earlier or later and we'd have never met and that part of the video wouldn't exist. Most people I meet don't like being on camera so it was great that she embraced it. She was super friendly and her voice was incredible!
Outstanding, really enjoyed your Travel to the historical sites of the Russo-Finnish Conflicts during the Winter War and continuation War. This is really good stuff for someone who has read about these conflicts, seeing these areas really gives you a better understanding of the difficulties that both the Finnish Army and the Soviets had to deal with back then. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
Very interesting and educational video! The wooden church was amazing and I'm grateful to the lady who was so kind to show in front of your camera and to give all that information along with his beautiful singing. As for the historical places and the horrible battles that took part there, it's good they preserved it with so many information. They should never be forgotten. Thank you for the travel. 🙏😊 ~Philip
Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! I was super lucky to be invited inside the church and even luckier to hear that voice - wonderful experience. Very true about the memorials and historical places - I was pleased to be able to document it all so that others can learn from my experiences. Thanks for watching!
Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! A couple of minutes earlier or later I probably wouldn't have bumped into them so luck was on my side that day. Great to see inside and the singing was beautiful.
It was amazing to hear her voice in the church, so glad I was invited inside. Most people don;t like appearing on the video so it was great that she embraced it! I wonder if she'll ever see the video!?
Nice videos, thank you. Familiar places. My Dad's side family line can be traced as far as 1560, back to Karelian Isthmus, Suur Jääski (between Gulf of Finland and Lake Laatokka). Next generation was in Lieksa area where my Dad was born, Mom's side of the family has lived in Ilomantsi for centuries. And I live in Kerimäki, work in Punkaharju and went to army in Hamina. Parents live in Joensuu now, spent my growing years in Lappeenranta. Studied in Mikkeli, Ex's family is from Puumala. You visited all the right places 😃 East is the place to be for me, lakes, forests, swamps..... It's berry picking time btw. Cloudberries, blueberries... Lapland and Norway for holidays 😄 I'll share these videos with my GF in Philippines, hopefully she's soon here in East Finland.
Sounds wonderful, you have a lot of good options. From the list of places you're connected to it seems I almost did a tour of your life haha 😂 . You're right though, what a terrific area - beautiful scenery everywhere you go! Thanks for watching!
Just watched this and read other comments and what can you add but just say; so well done again and, as always, super informative with enthusiasm that shines through 💯/ 💯
Me and my dad cycled there as a multi-day trip about a month ago. My family has a cabin (old farm that is mostly forests now) nearby where we were staying. I've gone there multiple times before but cycling was definitely a new experience.
Sounds like a wonderful experience! I can imagine that trail road is great for cycling on - to be fair when I realised it was an unpaved road I thought it was going to be a rough ride to the border but I couldn't have been more wrong. Thanks for tuning in!
Great video again. I also like to visit that kind of extreme points. You were lucky that you got that private demonstration of the church from cantor Päivi :) Both of my parents were born in 1932 so they were on the first grade at school when the winter war began. They both were living in that area which was taken by the USSR and lost their homes there.
Thank you! Much appreciated. It was a long but fascinating day with so much to see along the way. Sorry to hear that your parents lost their homes, what a terrifying time for all involved. Sadly not much has changed in regards to Russia invading countries around them.
@@MattWhitingsEurope as you know, about 10% of the population had to evacuate and later settle down elsewhere in the country, I guess majority of Finns today have family background that some of their relatives were affected. And yes, in the past 1000 years we have learned what kind of a neighbor we have. I am not sure if I mentioned in my previous comments on your videos that my mother lives in Imatra. Also my dad's ashes are buried there and many other relatives eg. my maternal grandparents. You have seen that town already :)
@@oh2mp Yes I stopped by Imatra on my way to finding the starting point for Route 62. This is the video --> ua-cam.com/video/_SdOueZCWv4/v-deo.html - thanks for sharing that information & interesting to hear about your mother and father.
@@MattWhitingsEurope yeah I of course have seen that video. You may want to know that my parents' families settled down to Imatra after the war and they met there when they were teenagers. Later they studied to be teachers and got jobs from a small village school in Kitee, North Karelia, where I spent my childhood. In 2011 they moved back to Imatra after living "temporarily" 57 years in Kitee as my dad joked. Later my dad has passed away, but mom is still alive and she will be 92 years old in August!
@@oh2mp Very interesting to hear about your roots. So they moved away to pursue their careers in teaching? 57 years sounds like lifetime - it's nice that they moved back to Imatra, must have always been in their hearts. Sorry to hear about your Father but it sounds like both had rich and happy lives.
Nice interview and what a beautiful voice she has. Never seen weaponry in a cemetery. Not sure the Lada had the best parking spot... Gotta be the world's most stressful boardwalk. Another very interesting video!
My father was in 2 war 1939 - 1945 time WWII and grandfather house stayed ,"burned in war" in Karjala (during the evacuation ) to the other side this days Russian side..but my grandfather build a new home which is still there in Ilomantsi ❤🇫🇮
@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt, may I call you Matt😊My Grandfather and me we did homework often together he teached to me as his granddaughter,,and my father also ..God Bless them both are in heaven 🙏🙏❤❤..I asked from my father things about war time, he was not speaking much to children about it..but I asked..Grandfather time I was too young to ask about war time from him..he lost his home during the war as I mentioned earlier...and my father and my lovely Mother were already married during the second world war..my sweet Mother was in Karjala in a cottage with our 2 children my oldest siblings,,she had so scary stories to tell ..God Bless🙏 , she past away some years ago ..❤🙏
Very interesting to hear about the stories of those who were effected and lived through those times, thanks for sharing. Yes you can call me Matt, most people do! 👍
@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt😊 good afternoon..I am a little tired still of my journey to Joensuu , was emotional trip to my parents graveyard and I didn't want to leave Karjala, there I feel more safe and happy because my roots are there and parents graves are there ..As my sweet lovely Mother told stories from war time I must say that how is the possible she survived so well as many more women without their husbands besides as they were in the war fighting..My Mother lived in a small cottage in the forest and 2 babies she had already, her stories was too much to think even that how scary middle of bomblast oh Lord 🙏, then she managed to evacuate with injured soldiers in big military car where men bleeding and hands or legs broken or away, 2 of my siblings my mother protect in her arms, I cry while write now , so sad stories .....My father survived well too , asked him how was to fight against enemy, he said some stories which made think how " scary and hard " war is..my brave father my "hero" always my tears falls from my eyes as right now when think how he had to fight in the cold snow also there in Karjala and protect our land , me and my father we understood each others well, and I miss him to protect me in my life still , not that against the enemies now but otherwise generally in life ...and I miss my sweet mother very much too..thanks Matt to read my stories ..I feel you understand well.🙏❤
@@mariamm9460 A very good evening to you. Thanks again for the real world stories, it really does put everything in perspective. Your Mother must have been tough to endure that - it often seems to me that people were built tougher back then, I guess sometimes it's a case of needs must. I'm glad you got to revisit their graves in Joensuu and spend some time with them, it sounds like they're still with you in spirit and the connection is still strong.
18:20: though most of the land that was ceded to the Soviet Union was in Viborg/Viipuri county, the land on both sides of the border here belonged to Kuopio county before 1940/44. It was also all in Ilomantsi hundred and parish.
@@MattWhitingsEurope Russia always did this, btw. Already in the 1721 peace treaty after the Great Northern War the new border cut right through parishes and villages and even private farms.
there is a finnish rhyme. osta lada ruoste pesä ja korja sitä koko kesä. buy a lada and spend the whole summer repairing it. it might be unfair kimi raikkonen had a lada and liked it
Hi Matt How are you? I am well. Today is another stinking hot day. The aircon is on What joy, not only did they unlock the church for you but doesn’t she sing beautifully. That’s is truly special. That’s cemetery is in a wonderful setting amongst the trees and not far from the lake. That road seal is first class indeed. Gosh look at those cannons. As often seems the case, the soviets/Ruskis don’t seem to care about high attrition rates of their (dispensable) personnel. Have you previously attempted to use a google translate scan of signs on Finnish, and see if you can translate into English? Sometimes I feel I can be without the signs and simply immerse myself and my imagination into the experience. Anyway. That’s enough commentary and questions. Trust you’re well. Thank you for this upload. Your work is excellent. Happy voting on Thursday. Zoltán
Hello Zoltán , glad to hear you've got the air conditioning putting in a shift - I take it the weather's still pretty hot over in your parts? The church visit was incredible, really got lucky to bump into them both and even luckier to hear her voice - what a star she is! The cemetery was unlike anything I've seen before, so wild and mysterious - there was a bench overlooking the lake and it all seemed so peaceful and calm. Great memories. I certainly have used Google Translate before, great app, I think I was just being lazy. Also, I didn't want to hand about too long as I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I will definitely be casting my vote on Thursday, I've always considered myself lucky to live in a country where I can vote so certainly don't want to waste it. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks as always for watching!
@@MattWhitingsEurope me again Your “newest” number one fan. Reviewed your channel heading and your impressive goal of travelling through all European countries. Wishing you achieve that goal however long it takes. Cheers Zoltán
Thanks very much Zoltán and pleased to have you following along on the journey! I've got to admit it's not a priority but thought it would be a good idea to set some kind of challenge or target for the channel.
Thank you. I like to think that these are exotic places to most Europeans. Certainly off the beaten path. I hope that Finns aren't the only ones watching 😊
Haha you must go! It's a wonderful adventure and there's so much to see along the way. Looking at my analytics the majority of viewers are Finnish (about 75%) but the longer the video stays up the more viewers from other countries it gets.
My birthplace Ilomantsi and went my schools threre, until 14y lived threre then my parents moved away and i was 14y old ,,but my grandfather house is still there near Orthodox Church ,I see that house i think in this video..I will visit Ilomantsi in near future..I biked until the Russian border when i was young and we played near the bord always and swimming in lakes there , had happy childhood ❤🇫🇮
Thanks for sharing that, sounds like you had a lot of good times and happy memories in your childhood. Did you say that the house was in the video? That's cool, glad I somehow managed to get it in.
@@MattWhitingsEurope you Welcome, my grandfather house is so near the Orthodox Church , maybe was build in his land, I cant say 100% need to look again, and the house been rebuild some part, there is my first cousin still living, my father brother son..he never left that home , I haven't been visiting there a few decades, really sad but now I have time much more and want to visit as soon I can..thanks reply , I am so glad about this your video that I see my childhood place and that is the Church all our family went Sundays and many family weddings, funerals🙏 , and all religious things ...I miss to visit there..never been as happy as I was in my childhood. 😊
@@mariamm9460 Lovely to hear that you still have relatives living there and that as a family you all went down to that church - such a pretty building by the lake! Wishing you all the best and hope you can make it back there to have another look around and relive some of those wonderful memories.
@@MattWhitingsEuropethank you so much, I will travel my next destination Ilomantsi, been in my mind lately so deeply yes that Ilomantsi Lake I was swimming , can't thank enough well your great video of Ilomantsi, hope you do another one too if possible 😊..have a good and lovely day , stay safe and well🙏❤
You should use the google translate app on your phone, I'd rather use the deepl translator, but I don't know if they have an application for it where you can take pictures. Really interesting video.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. I now have the Google Translate app so thanks for mentioning that. The problem was I hadn’t downloaded the Finnish language pack and i didn’t have any mobile data in places. My bad. 😞
Did you ever hear the rumor, or "conspiracy theory", that Gorbatchov offered Karelia to Koivisto, and the Finnish president refused? I'm not saying it's true, but Gorbie was kind of cool though, and I think it's mildly credible.
@@vandalfinnicus1507he himself has said that nothing like that happened. And I struggle to see how it could be credible, why would they return something they had to steal with such a cost
@@gyderian9435 Gorbatchov was different. He instigated the dissolution of the empire, and supposedly it was at that point the offer was made. I didn't say it's true. If I believed every theory or rumor, I'd have twenty different views about every stage of history I've ever read about.
Unfortunately I won't get chance on this trip but I've saved it to my map in case I'm somewhere nearby in the future. I take it you recommend Kesälahti? Anything in particular I need to look out for there?
Would love to read about the rules if you get a moment to post them. I haven't heard of taking your cap off before entering a graveyard before, however I have always removed it before entering a religious building or visiting a specific grave to pay my respects.
Absolutely right. I had seen the flight restrictions over the border zone so was careful to only fly in an authorised area. I always try to follow local laws.
I didn't fly the drone where it was forbidden. I made sure I was outside the border zone for the entire flight. Really didn't want to create a diplomatic incident.
[15:48] Oh my goodness be careful with your drone near the border line.. Both of the countries are quite strict about the laws near there.. Hopefully you got your drone back and it was not shot down.. :/
Don't worry, I was aware of the rules and checked for flight restrictions before taking off. It may appear like I flew it in the border zone but I didn't. I really didn't want to be responsible for starting World War III 😬
@@MattWhitingsEurope Well we trade run away dogs, or hunting dogs that don't have read what the blue rope means, and lost people, over the border occasionally, so it might just been a international diplomatic indident.. :/
Concerning our roads: the ones used by military/officials and/or funded by the EU, are in good condition. But outside of that? Potholes, broken bits, you name it. Our politicians have proposed that some of the roads will be changed back to gravel-based ones, as there is not enough money to keep them in decent shape. 😅
Very interesting. I've got to say I was really impressed by the road network throughout my road trip in Finnish Lakeland. I did come across a few gravel roads but if they're rarely used I can understand why the local government or council doesn't want to spend the money. For the most part though the roads were tarmacked and in great shape.
War took Finns very seriously and several times like in this narrative from 300 years ago. Texted to either Swedish or English, and the music is good too. ua-cam.com/video/XjFglWuwn6g/v-deo.html
Raseborg sub-region was the westernmost area occupied by the communists, 313 km from the current border. August 6, 1945 - Finland and the Soviet Union re-establish diplomatic relations The Japanese were caught completely by surprise upon receiving the Soviet declaration of war an hour before midnight on 8 August
Funny how reality is a bit different. The Soviets intended to annex Finland into the Soviet Union in the 1939-40 Winter War. Hence the "Finnish Democratic Republic" Soviet puppet government that they announced via TASS would be installed into Helsinki. And the leaflets dropped onto Helsinki during the first day of the war that stated that the Soviets were coming "not as conquerors but as liberators". Not to mention the invasion along the full length of the border, far from the supposed territory that the Soviets claimed to be after. The Soviets gave up on annexing Finland a couple months into the war. Then in 1944, the Soviets did managed to push the Finns out of the territory they took in 1941, but the Red Army was stopped yet again by the Finns in the summer of that year. And the last battle of the Continuation War was the 1944 Battle of Ilomantsi, where the Finns achieved the final victory in a series of victories against the Red Army, and the Soviets finally decided to give up on annexing Finland.
@ilmatar6608 so, you admitted Finland lost war and lost 11% of its territory. But Finland could have gained 21% of new territory up north if it would accept the Soviet peace plan in 1939 and move border 90 km from Leningrad. Eventually, Soviets achieved their goals in 1939 and 1945.
THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇫🇮 My FINLAND Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_finland | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map
Shouldn't it be "easterNly"?
Nope, the word is 'easterly'. I did go back and double check though so thanks for mentioning it.
@@MattWhitingsEurope enjoyed so much see your video, I will check again that part very carefully if that is my grandfather home, most probably is..maybe I go this year there visit my cousin who keep that home still..Ilomantsi my birthplace so lovely to see this video , thank you very much 😊❤
@@MattWhitingsEurope Based on obsolete form "easter", I see. The fun never ends with English language. Sorry to have bothered you.
@@mariamm9460 You're welcome, hope you make it back there to have a look around and relive some of those special memories.
That visit to the orthodox church was special. So lovely of Päivi to give a tour and to sing as well! Beautiful!
Yes it really was. So lucky that I bumped into them, a few minutes earlier or later and we'd have never met and that part of the video wouldn't exist. Most people I meet don't like being on camera so it was great that she embraced it. She was super friendly and her voice was incredible!
Nice that you visited North-Karelia. 👍
Enjoyed seeing it!
Outstanding, really enjoyed your Travel to the historical sites of the Russo-Finnish Conflicts during the Winter War and continuation War. This is really good stuff for someone who has read about these conflicts, seeing these areas really gives you a better understanding of the difficulties that both the Finnish Army and the Soviets had to deal with back then.
Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, always good to read comments like this one - makes my day!
Very interesting and educational video! The wooden church was amazing and I'm grateful to the lady who was so kind to show in front of your camera and to give all that information along with his beautiful singing. As for the historical places and the horrible battles that took part there, it's good they preserved it with so many information. They should never be forgotten. Thank you for the travel. 🙏😊
~Philip
Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! I was super lucky to be invited inside the church and even luckier to hear that voice - wonderful experience. Very true about the memorials and historical places - I was pleased to be able to document it all so that others can learn from my experiences. Thanks for watching!
Hitchhiked there about 35 years ago, doesn't seem to have changed much, thanks for the video
Sounds like you had your own adventure all that time ago. Cool that not much has changed, was all the military equipment there?
Man I'm so glad that they let you in the Orthodox church, that was incredible! Safe travels, loving the Finnish series so far! 👍
Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos! A couple of minutes earlier or later I probably wouldn't have bumped into them so luck was on my side that day. Great to see inside and the singing was beautiful.
i am an folk music
enthusiastic and i really loved her to sing.
It was amazing to hear her voice in the church, so glad I was invited inside. Most people don;t like appearing on the video so it was great that she embraced it! I wonder if she'll ever see the video!?
@@MattWhitingsEurope i am so glad that you got the experience.
Nice videos, thank you. Familiar places. My Dad's side family line can be traced as far as 1560, back to Karelian Isthmus, Suur Jääski (between Gulf of Finland and Lake Laatokka). Next generation was in Lieksa area where my Dad was born, Mom's side of the family has lived in Ilomantsi for centuries. And I live in Kerimäki, work in Punkaharju and went to army in Hamina. Parents live in Joensuu now, spent my growing years in Lappeenranta. Studied in Mikkeli, Ex's family is from Puumala. You visited all the right places 😃 East is the place to be for me, lakes, forests, swamps..... It's berry picking time btw. Cloudberries, blueberries... Lapland and Norway for holidays 😄
I'll share these videos with my GF in Philippines, hopefully she's soon here in East Finland.
Sounds wonderful, you have a lot of good options. From the list of places you're connected to it seems I almost did a tour of your life haha 😂 . You're right though, what a terrific area - beautiful scenery everywhere you go! Thanks for watching!
Kiitos hyvistä videoista 👍
Kiitos kun katsoit! 🙂
Im glad you came back during the summer season! The weather in fall wasnt the best for enjoying Finland :D
Always good to be back in Finland! Thanks for watching. 👍
Great videos, thank you 👍👍👍.
Glad you like them!
Слава Україні!
@@hulimutteri9509 честь миру
Thanks man for this!🤗🙋👍💪🇫🇮
My pleasure! Thanks for tuning in!
Just watched this and read other comments and what can you add but just say; so well done again and, as always, super informative with enthusiasm that shines through 💯/ 💯
Wow, thank you! Really appreciate you saying - I love these sort of comments. 😀
Me and my dad cycled there as a multi-day trip about a month ago. My family has a cabin (old farm that is mostly forests now) nearby where we were staying. I've gone there multiple times before but cycling was definitely a new experience.
Sounds like a wonderful experience! I can imagine that trail road is great for cycling on - to be fair when I realised it was an unpaved road I thought it was going to be a rough ride to the border but I couldn't have been more wrong. Thanks for tuning in!
Great video again. I also like to visit that kind of extreme points. You were lucky that you got that private demonstration of the church from cantor Päivi :)
Both of my parents were born in 1932 so they were on the first grade at school when the winter war began. They both were living in that area which was taken by the USSR and lost their homes there.
Thank you! Much appreciated. It was a long but fascinating day with so much to see along the way. Sorry to hear that your parents lost their homes, what a terrifying time for all involved. Sadly not much has changed in regards to Russia invading countries around them.
@@MattWhitingsEurope as you know, about 10% of the population had to evacuate and later settle down elsewhere in the country, I guess majority of Finns today have family background that some of their relatives were affected. And yes, in the past 1000 years we have learned what kind of a neighbor we have.
I am not sure if I mentioned in my previous comments on your videos that my mother lives in Imatra. Also my dad's ashes are buried there and many other relatives eg. my maternal grandparents. You have seen that town already :)
@@oh2mp Yes I stopped by Imatra on my way to finding the starting point for Route 62. This is the video --> ua-cam.com/video/_SdOueZCWv4/v-deo.html - thanks for sharing that information & interesting to hear about your mother and father.
@@MattWhitingsEurope yeah I of course have seen that video.
You may want to know that my parents' families settled down to Imatra after the war and they met there when they were teenagers. Later they studied to be teachers and got jobs from a small village school in Kitee, North Karelia, where I spent my childhood. In 2011 they moved back to Imatra after living "temporarily" 57 years in Kitee as my dad joked. Later my dad has passed away, but mom is still alive and she will be 92 years old in August!
@@oh2mp Very interesting to hear about your roots. So they moved away to pursue their careers in teaching? 57 years sounds like lifetime - it's nice that they moved back to Imatra, must have always been in their hearts. Sorry to hear about your Father but it sounds like both had rich and happy lives.
7:35 wow what a nice view!!
very nice video again. beautiful places and interesting history.
Thank you very much! I was surprised to find that little area with the military equipment and signs, and yes the view across the forest was wonderful.
There was a hook on that door To keep it open 😁 on your accomodation.
I can't believe I didn't see it at the time - must have been the knock to the head earlier in the day.
Excellent video!
Thank you very much!
Nice interview and what a beautiful voice she has. Never seen weaponry in a cemetery. Not sure the Lada had the best parking spot... Gotta be the world's most stressful boardwalk. Another very interesting video!
Thank you, the singing was incredible! I'm surprised that Lada didn't get a ticket 😂
great video again! 🖤
Thanks so much!
My father was in 2 war 1939 - 1945 time WWII and grandfather house stayed ,"burned in war" in Karjala (during the evacuation ) to the other side this days Russian side..but my grandfather build a new home which is still there in Ilomantsi ❤🇫🇮
That's cool, love how the house is still there. I bet your father and grandfather have some stories to tell.
@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt, may I call you Matt😊My Grandfather and me we did homework often together he teached to me as his granddaughter,,and my father also ..God Bless them both are in heaven 🙏🙏❤❤..I asked from my father things about war time, he was not speaking much to children about it..but I asked..Grandfather time I was too young to ask about war time from him..he lost his home during the war as I mentioned earlier...and my father and my lovely Mother were already married during the second world war..my sweet Mother was in Karjala in a cottage with our 2 children my oldest siblings,,she had so scary stories to tell ..God Bless🙏 , she past away some years ago ..❤🙏
Very interesting to hear about the stories of those who were effected and lived through those times, thanks for sharing. Yes you can call me Matt, most people do! 👍
@@MattWhitingsEurope thank you Matt😊 good afternoon..I am a little tired still of my journey to Joensuu , was emotional trip to my parents graveyard and I didn't want to leave Karjala, there I feel more safe and happy because my roots are there and parents graves are there ..As my sweet lovely Mother told stories from war time I must say that how is the possible she survived so well as many more women without their husbands besides as they were in the war fighting..My Mother lived in a small cottage in the forest and 2 babies she had already, her stories was too much to think even that how scary middle of bomblast oh Lord 🙏, then she managed to evacuate with injured soldiers in big military car where men bleeding and hands or legs broken or away, 2 of my siblings my mother protect in her arms, I cry while write now , so sad stories .....My father survived well too , asked him how was to fight against enemy, he said some stories which made think how " scary and hard " war is..my brave father my "hero" always my tears falls from my eyes as right now when think how he had to fight in the cold snow also there in Karjala and protect our land , me and my father we understood each others well, and I miss him to protect me in my life still , not that against the enemies now but otherwise generally in life ...and I miss my sweet mother very much too..thanks Matt to read my stories ..I feel you understand well.🙏❤
@@mariamm9460 A very good evening to you. Thanks again for the real world stories, it really does put everything in perspective. Your Mother must have been tough to endure that - it often seems to me that people were built tougher back then, I guess sometimes it's a case of needs must. I'm glad you got to revisit their graves in Joensuu and spend some time with them, it sounds like they're still with you in spirit and the connection is still strong.
Great video.👍🇫🇮🇬🇧
Thanks 👍
When I am watching your video , I am in Tyrjänsaari , by the lake Koitere in Ilomantsi ! Nice video !
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Tyrjänsaari sounds nice, it's an island isn't it? What's up that way?
18:20: though most of the land that was ceded to the Soviet Union was in Viborg/Viipuri county, the land on both sides of the border here belonged to Kuopio county before 1940/44. It was also all in Ilomantsi hundred and parish.
Thanks for the comment. I found the map on the first sign really interesting regarding former and current border zones, really made me think.
@@MattWhitingsEurope Russia always did this, btw. Already in the 1721 peace treaty after the Great Northern War the new border cut right through parishes and villages and even private farms.
Interesting, thanks for bringing it up.
15:35 Who has parked a good looking old Lada in the middle of a bush?
All I know is that it definitely wasn't me!
there is a finnish rhyme. osta lada ruoste pesä ja korja sitä koko kesä. buy a lada and spend the whole summer repairing it. it might be unfair kimi raikkonen had a lada and liked it
Hehe. I heard also that they have heated rear windows to keep your hands warm when pushing it! 🤣😂🤣
Hi Matt
How are you?
I am well. Today is another stinking hot day. The aircon is on
What joy, not only did they unlock the church for you but doesn’t she sing beautifully. That’s is truly special.
That’s cemetery is in a wonderful setting amongst the trees and not far from the lake.
That road seal is first class indeed.
Gosh look at those cannons. As often seems the case, the soviets/Ruskis don’t seem to care about high attrition rates of their (dispensable) personnel.
Have you previously
attempted to use a google translate scan of signs on Finnish, and see if you can translate into English? Sometimes I feel I can be without the signs and simply immerse myself and my imagination into the experience.
Anyway. That’s enough commentary and questions.
Trust you’re well.
Thank you for this upload. Your work is excellent.
Happy voting on Thursday.
Zoltán
Hello Zoltán , glad to hear you've got the air conditioning putting in a shift - I take it the weather's still pretty hot over in your parts? The church visit was incredible, really got lucky to bump into them both and even luckier to hear her voice - what a star she is! The cemetery was unlike anything I've seen before, so wild and mysterious - there was a bench overlooking the lake and it all seemed so peaceful and calm. Great memories. I certainly have used Google Translate before, great app, I think I was just being lazy. Also, I didn't want to hand about too long as I knew I had a long day ahead of me. I will definitely be casting my vote on Thursday, I've always considered myself lucky to live in a country where I can vote so certainly don't want to waste it. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks as always for watching!
@@MattWhitingsEurope me again
Your “newest” number one fan.
Reviewed your channel heading and your impressive goal of travelling through all European countries. Wishing you achieve that goal however long it takes.
Cheers
Zoltán
Thanks very much Zoltán and pleased to have you following along on the journey! I've got to admit it's not a priority but thought it would be a good idea to set some kind of challenge or target for the channel.
Thank You for visiting the border there between Russia and Our Wonderful Friends and also NATO Ally(4 April 2023)
❤️🇫🇮Finland🇫🇮❤️
You're welcome! Great experience driving all the way over to the border zone and looking out at Russia across the water. Great to get Finland in NATO!
@@MattWhitingsEurope
✅💯👍
😃
🇫🇮🇺🇦
🇫🇮 🇺🇦 🇬🇧
Thank you. I like to think that these are exotic places to most Europeans. Certainly off the beaten path.
I hope that Finns aren't the only ones watching 😊
I haven't been to the easternmost point of Finland either, if I'm honest, and I'm Finnish
Haha you must go! It's a wonderful adventure and there's so much to see along the way. Looking at my analytics the majority of viewers are Finnish (about 75%) but the longer the video stays up the more viewers from other countries it gets.
My birthplace Ilomantsi and went my schools threre, until 14y lived threre then my parents moved away and i was 14y old ,,but my grandfather house is still there near Orthodox Church ,I see that house i think in this video..I will visit Ilomantsi in near future..I biked until the Russian border when i was young and we played near the bord always and swimming in lakes there , had happy childhood ❤🇫🇮
Thanks for sharing that, sounds like you had a lot of good times and happy memories in your childhood. Did you say that the house was in the video? That's cool, glad I somehow managed to get it in.
@@MattWhitingsEurope you Welcome, my grandfather house is so near the Orthodox Church , maybe was build in his land, I cant say 100% need to look again, and the house been rebuild some part, there is my first cousin still living, my father brother son..he never left that home , I haven't been visiting there a few decades, really sad but now I have time much more and want to visit as soon I can..thanks reply , I am so glad about this your video that I see my childhood place and that is the Church all our family went Sundays and many family weddings, funerals🙏 , and all religious things ...I miss to visit there..never been as happy as I was in my childhood. 😊
@@MattWhitingsEuropethis beautiful Church is my Confirmation Church 🙏❤
@@mariamm9460 Lovely to hear that you still have relatives living there and that as a family you all went down to that church - such a pretty building by the lake! Wishing you all the best and hope you can make it back there to have another look around and relive some of those wonderful memories.
@@MattWhitingsEuropethank you so much, I will travel my next destination Ilomantsi, been in my mind lately so deeply yes that Ilomantsi Lake I was swimming , can't thank enough well your great video of Ilomantsi, hope you do another one too if possible 😊..have a good and lovely day , stay safe and well🙏❤
1:39 There's a hook for that in the wall...?
Haha how comes I didn't see that when I was there! Perhaps I was still suffering from the knock to the head, that's my excuse anyway! 😊
You should use the google translate app on your phone, I'd rather use the deepl translator, but I don't know if they have an application for it where you can take pictures. Really interesting video.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. I now have the Google Translate app so thanks for mentioning that. The problem was I hadn’t downloaded the Finnish language pack and i didn’t have any mobile data in places. My bad. 😞
@@MattWhitingsEurope No problems, maybe next time :D You can get finnish 4g/5g prepaids with unlimited data for like 30€ for a month
On the other side is the stolen land of Karelia
Did you ever hear the rumor, or "conspiracy theory", that Gorbatchov offered Karelia to Koivisto, and the Finnish president refused? I'm not saying it's true, but Gorbie was kind of cool though, and I think it's mildly credible.
@@vandalfinnicus1507he himself has said that nothing like that happened. And I struggle to see how it could be credible, why would they return something they had to steal with such a cost
@@gyderian9435 Gorbatchov was different. He instigated the dissolution of the empire, and supposedly it was at that point the offer was made. I didn't say it's true. If I believed every theory or rumor, I'd have twenty different views about every stage of history I've ever read about.
@@nami-3🤦
Fair point!
Come To Kesälahti my friend. 👍
Unfortunately I won't get chance on this trip but I've saved it to my map in case I'm somewhere nearby in the future. I take it you recommend Kesälahti? Anything in particular I need to look out for there?
Lets see what those people respond to me about the headgear debate and we will see if i have to write all the rules here
Would love to read about the rules if you get a moment to post them. I haven't heard of taking your cap off before entering a graveyard before, however I have always removed it before entering a religious building or visiting a specific grave to pay my respects.
@@MattWhitingsEurope ill write them down for you tomorrow as i have an early morning work and should really be sleeping already 👍
Thank you, I look forward to seeing them. Sleep well.
Be careful not to fly the drone in the border zone - that would be bad.
Absolutely right. I had seen the flight restrictions over the border zone so was careful to only fly in an authorised area. I always try to follow local laws.
Yes forbidden.
I didn't fly the drone where it was forbidden. I made sure I was outside the border zone for the entire flight. Really didn't want to create a diplomatic incident.
[15:48] Oh my goodness be careful with your drone near the border line.. Both of the countries are quite strict about the laws near there.. Hopefully you got your drone back and it was not shot down.. :/
Don't worry, I was aware of the rules and checked for flight restrictions before taking off. It may appear like I flew it in the border zone but I didn't. I really didn't want to be responsible for starting World War III 😬
@@MattWhitingsEurope Well we trade run away dogs, or hunting dogs that don't have read what the blue rope means, and lost people, over the border occasionally, so it might just been a international diplomatic indident.. :/
Best I keep that drone grounded hehe
@@MattWhitingsEurope Well as long as nothing bad happened to you, that is most important. :)
All's well that ends well 😁
France probaby holds the most eastern, western, and southern points of EU all at once. Consodering all their islands across the world.
Interesting, thanks for the info!
Concerning our roads: the ones used by military/officials and/or funded by the EU, are in good condition. But outside of that? Potholes, broken bits, you name it. Our politicians have proposed that some of the roads will be changed back to gravel-based ones, as there is not enough money to keep them in decent shape. 😅
Very interesting. I've got to say I was really impressed by the road network throughout my road trip in Finnish Lakeland. I did come across a few gravel roads but if they're rarely used I can understand why the local government or council doesn't want to spend the money. For the most part though the roads were tarmacked and in great shape.
@@MattWhitingsEurope Pleased to hear that!
Finns take war serioysly.
Understandable considering their geography.
War took Finns very seriously and several times like in this narrative from 300 years ago.
Texted to either Swedish or English, and the music is good too.
ua-cam.com/video/XjFglWuwn6g/v-deo.html
Sovites achieved their goals and pushed Finns nazi invaders 90 km from Leningrad. Finland lost in 1939 and 1944.
Raseborg sub-region was the westernmost area occupied by the communists, 313 km from the current border.
August 6, 1945 - Finland and the Soviet Union re-establish diplomatic relations
The Japanese were caught completely by surprise upon receiving the Soviet declaration of war an hour before midnight on 8 August
Funny how reality is a bit different.
The Soviets intended to annex Finland into the Soviet Union in the 1939-40 Winter War. Hence the "Finnish Democratic Republic" Soviet puppet government that they announced via TASS would be installed into Helsinki. And the leaflets dropped onto Helsinki during the first day of the war that stated that the Soviets were coming "not as conquerors but as liberators". Not to mention the invasion along the full length of the border, far from the supposed territory that the Soviets claimed to be after. The Soviets gave up on annexing Finland a couple months into the war.
Then in 1944, the Soviets did managed to push the Finns out of the territory they took in 1941, but the Red Army was stopped yet again by the Finns in the summer of that year. And the last battle of the Continuation War was the 1944 Battle of Ilomantsi, where the Finns achieved the final victory in a series of victories against the Red Army, and the Soviets finally decided to give up on annexing Finland.
@ilmatar6608 so, you admitted Finland lost war and lost 11% of its territory. But Finland could have gained 21% of new territory up north if it would accept the Soviet peace plan in 1939 and move border 90 km from Leningrad. Eventually, Soviets achieved their goals in 1939 and 1945.
No headgear in the cemetery please.
What? You can have whatever you want on your head in Finnish cemeteries 🙂
@@wrzzz2132 You CAN, sure. But this is an old custom of ours. Just like you should remove your hat when dining; to show respect.
@@wrzzz2132 You probably wear a hat while the the Finnish flag passes by. Ignorance is nothing to brag about.
You can wear a hat anywhere outside. When you go inside, you remove your hat.
@@Mojova1 Surely you aren't that simple?
ilomantsi is a place where only alcoholists live i hate that place
Those bears looked pretty sober to me!
Thank you. Go to the other side to St-Piter. St - Piter, has great architecture and water taxis are amazing.
Interesting, thanks.
Watch Real Russia: " Back To Old Petersburg" Boat St. Petersburg Russia
Thanks for the info, I'll take a look.