Artist: Osmo K. Oksanen (1916-1978)
Originally published: 1948
A high-quality post-card, printed in Finland on Finnish paper.
Size: 12 x 18 cm.
Background: During the 1930's the local and national Tourist Associations worked hard to promote Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland as an exotic destination for the adventureous traveller. Small hotels were built, among others the proud "Fell-hotel" at Pallas.During the winter of 1944-1945, after the wars, everyone in Finland was already aware of the bitter truth when the newspapers reported that 'Northern Finland will be a lost paradise for a long time'.
Similarly, Jorma Tolonen, one of the leading activists in tourism, said the following in an address to the Helsinki General Tourist Association:
'Nothing has escaped the destructiveness of the retreating German troops. The proud network of Lapp tourist cabins and hotels has been reduced to rubble. Not a single bed remains.'
Terijoki, Suursaari (Hogland), Petsamo and Viipuri- all large and well-loved tourist resorts- were now gone. Lapland was blown to smithereens. All the money was gone. The only conclusion to be drawn was that tourism had to be relocated from the east and north to the west, south and centre of Finland. The future lay in the archipelago and the lakes, it was thought - Lapland would have to wait.
True, the elegant Airisto hotel had opened for business in the Pargas archipelago in the west even during the war, but Lapland was never actually abandoned: Pallas soon got a new and appealing hotel and the Pohjanhovi hotel in Rovaniemi was also resurrected. It seemed as if tourism in the fells just couldn't be broken.
There were enough dedicated people out there who realised the importance of getting tourism back on its feet. The tourists were able to bring in precisely what the nation so desperately needed - foreign currency and international goodwill.
For all we know this must be the first poster marketing the Finnish winter and Lapland after the war.
Taiteilija: Osmo K. Oksanen (1916-1978)
Alunperin julkaistu: 1948
Laadukas postikortti on painettu Suomessa suomalaiselle paperille.
Koko: 12 x 18 cm.
Tämä juliste on luultavasti ensimmäinen Lapista ja Suomen talvesta kertova juliste sotien jälkeen.
Jo talvella 1944-45 kaikki suomalaiset tajusivat asioiden ikävän laidan, kun lehdet raportoivat turismiyhteyksissä, että "Pohjois-Suomi tulee pitkään olemaan kadonnut paratiisi".
Helsingin yleisessä turistiyhdistyksessä pitämässään esitelmässä yksi johtavista turismiaktivisteista Jorma Tolonen kertoi lisäksi: "Mikään ei ole välttynyt vetäytyvien saksalaisjoukkojen tuhoamisvimmalta. Lapin ylväs turistimajojen ja hotellien verkosto on poltettu ja raunioitettu. Ainuttakaan yöpymispaikkaa ei ole jäljellä".
Terijoki, Suursaari, Petsamo ja Viipuri - kaikki rakastettuja turistikohteita - oli siis menetetty. Lappi oli räjäytetty maan tasalle. Rahat olivat lopussa. Lopulta turismin painopiste piti siirtää idästä ja pohjoisesta länteen, etelään ja sisämaahan. Oletettiin, että tulevaisuus oli saaristoissa ja järvissä, Lappi sai luvan odottaa.
Mutta asiat eivät menneet aivan niin. Pallakselle rakennettiin pian uusi, sympaattinen hotelli, Rovaniemen Pohjanhovi rakennettiin uudelleen, tunturiturismi ei suostunut painumaan unholaan.
Riittävän monet tulisielut tajusivat yksinkertaisesti, että oli tärkeää nostaa turismi jälleen jaloilleen. Turistit toisivat sitä, mitä kansakunta kipeästi kaipasi: ulkomaista valuuttaa ja hyvää kansainvälistä PR: ää.
Художник: Osmo K. Oksanen (1916-1978)
Год публикации: 1948
Открытка высокого качества напечатана в Финляндии на финской бумаге.
Размер: 12 x 18 см
Background: During the 1930's the local and national Tourist Associations worked hard to promote Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland as an exotic destination for the adventureous traveller. Small hotels were built, among others the proud "Fell-hotel" at Pallas.During the winter of 1944-1945, after the wars, everyone in Finland was already aware of the bitter truth when the newspapers reported that 'Northern Finland will be a lost paradise for a long time'.
Similarly, Jorma Tolonen, one of the leading activists in tourism, said the following in an address to the Helsinki General Tourist Association:
'Nothing has escaped the destructiveness of the retreating German troops. The proud network of Lapp tourist cabins and hotels has been reduced to rubble. Not a single bed remains.'
Terijoki, Suursaari (Hogland), Petsamo and Viipuri- all large and well-loved tourist resorts- were now gone. Lapland was blown to smithereens. All the money was gone. The only conclusion to be drawn was that tourism had to be relocated from the east and north to the west, south and centre of Finland. The future lay in the archipelago and the lakes, it was thought - Lapland would have to wait.
True, the elegant Airisto hotel had opened for business in the Pargas archipelago in the west even during the war, but Lapland was never actually abandoned: Pallas soon got a new and appealing hotel and the Pohjanhovi hotel in Rovaniemi was also resurrected. It seemed as if tourism in the fells just couldn't be broken.
There were enough dedicated people out there who realised the importance of getting tourism back on its feet. The tourists were able to bring in precisely what the nation so desperately needed - foreign currency and international goodwill.
For all we know this must be the first poster marketing the Finnish winter and Lapland after the war.
Khudozhnik: Osmo K. Oksanen (1916-1978)
God publikatsii: 1948
Otkrytka vysokogo kachestva napechatana v Finljandii na finskoj bumage.
Razmer: 12 x 18 sm
Background: During the 1930's the local and national Tourist Associations worked hard to promote Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland as an exotic destination for the adventureous traveller. Small hotels were built, among others the proud "Fell-hotel" at Pallas.During the winter of 1944-1945, after the wars, everyone in Finland was already aware of the bitter truth when the newspapers reported that 'Northern Finland will be a lost paradise for a long time'.
Similarly, Jorma Tolonen, one of the leading activists in tourism, said the following in an address to the Helsinki General Tourist Association:
'Nothing has escaped the destructiveness of the retreating German troops. The proud network of Lapp tourist cabins and hotels has been reduced to rubble. Not a single bed remains.'
Terijoki, Suursaari (Hogland), Petsamo and Viipuri- all large and well-loved tourist resorts- were now gone. Lapland was blown to smithereens. All the money was gone. The only conclusion to be drawn was that tourism had to be relocated from the east and north to the west, south and centre of Finland. The future lay in the archipelago and the lakes, it was thought - Lapland would have to wait.
True, the elegant Airisto hotel had opened for business in the Pargas archipelago in the west even during the war, but Lapland was never actually abandoned: Pallas soon got a new and appealing hotel and the Pohjanhovi hotel in Rovaniemi was also resurrected. It seemed as if tourism in the fells just couldn't be broken.
There were enough dedicated people out there who realised the importance of getting tourism back on its feet. The tourists were able to bring in precisely what the nation so desperately needed - foreign currency and international goodwill.
For all we know this must be the first poster marketing the Finnish winter and Lapland after the war.
