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“There is nothing greater than the river Vuoksi, flowing over Imatra.� Kalevala, song three
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Saimaa Saimaanhovi
Immalanjärvi neitsytniemi ukonniemi
Jakka
Ojala
Räikkölä
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Imatra A Town by the Border
• Imatra is located in Southeast Finland, in the South Karelia region near the Russian border • The distance from Imatra to Svetogorsk is approximately seven kilometers • Population: 27, 835 (Population Register Centre, January 2016)
• Most famous sights: the foaming rapids, Spa Hotel Imatran Valtionhotelli, Kruununpuisto Park, the Maiden of Imatra statue and Church of the Three Crosses • Most famous events: Imatranajo, Imatra Day and Imatra Art Week as well as the international Black and White Theatre Festival. • The Saimaa University of Applied Sciences offers degree programs in the fields of fine arts and tourism and hospitality, among others • Both the South Karelia IB World School and the Finnish-Russian School of Eastern Finland operate in Imatra • The largest employers of the Imatra region include Stora Enso, the town of Imatra, and Ovako 5
Imatra is a town with two sides. The area combines both peaceful stillness and the liveliness of everyday life. The peaceful nature can especially be enjoyed on the magnificent Saimaa, but also, for example, in Mellonlahti, where the foams of the Imatra rapids run to. Guided sightseeing tours around the Imatra region can be boarded at the Vuoksi Fishing Park. The tour goes through Mansikkala, on to Imatrankoski, and from there to Tainionkoski. Tours are also conducted in Russian. Summertime brings the town to life with its annual events. Life is mostly concentrated in the Imatrankoski center. Summer is the most lively time in Imatra, with plenty of tourists arriving into town from east of the border.
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In the summertime, the center of Imatrankoski is a lovely place to unwind by sitting in the park and enjoying the brilliant flowers. The well-equipped playgrounds are popular among families with children.
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Imatran Valtionhotelli, designed by Usko Nystrรถm and completed in 1903 is not only a historically significant sight, but also offers luxurious accommodation, spa treatments, and conference facilities by the rapids. Several charming pavilions, which are open to the public, can be found in the hotel grounds. In 2014, the hotel was named the most beautiful building in Finland in a national public vote.
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The lights around the Valtionhotelli area have reached the respectable age of 112 years. Despite their age, the lights are still in active use.
The Maiden of Imatra (Imatran Impi) statue is a bronze sculpure by Taisto Martiskainen, created to honor people who have drowned in Imatrankoski. The sculpture was completed in the spring of 1970.
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The hundreds of years of thundering torrents have left their mark on the surrounding area. Giant’s kettles can be viewed by the public in the Kruununpuisto Park surrounding the ancient riverbed. The area of the ancient riverbed is located on the cape between the power plant and the Vuoksi River.
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Imatra is popular among Russian tourists and most shops in the town center also service customers in Russian. The foaming rapid of Imatra is a well-known attraction and one of the largest rapids in Europe. On the Valtionhotelli side, near the pavilion by the river bed, the names of foreign royals and aristocrats can be found hewn into the rock. These are historical mementos of Imatra’s history as the first tourist resort in Finland.
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Culture House Virta is full of life throughout the year. The versatile cultural offerings include the events of the Karelia and Kaleva halls, the main library with its services and events, the high-quality exhibitions of the modern Art Museum, and the town museum exhibiting the town’s history. The Imatra Music Institute and culture center are also located in the Culture House Virta.
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Imatra comes to life in the summertime and various different events set the pace for the summer months. Hiisi is especially on display during the Imatra Day. The Imatra Day is concentrated around the Imatrankoski center. There are plenty of market stalls to visit and activities are also organized for the children. On Imatra Day, the mayor reads the Kruununpuisto Park proclamation, with which Nicholas I of Russia created the first nature reserve in Finland, in the Kruununpuisto Park surrounding the Imatra rapids in 1842. Distinguished locals are honored on Imatra Day and the day’s activities focus on highlighting the local cultural operators and organizations.
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Makkarafest, organized by Karjalan Makkara, is one of the most awaited events of the year. Teams are challenged to a sausage making contest, where food is grilled at five different tents along the Koskenparras. The tastiest sausage and the best performance are voted by the public. The event is open to both private and company teams. 22
Each year, a new Imatran Inkeri is appointed. Imatran Inkeri has become a symbolic figure, who represents Imatra and is known throughout Finland. Each year, the Junior Chamber of Commerce appoints Imatran Inkeri, who is given a pendant made from a stone retrieved from the bottom of the Vuoksi River as an emblem. Imatran Inkeri must be a local person whose actions have benefited the town. The appointee must also have promoted Imatra in some fashion. Each Inkeri is tailored a traditional costume known as feresi, consisting of a pinafore dress, an apron, a wide-sleeved white shirt, and headdress. The author Hilja Valtonen was appointed the first Imatran Inkeri in 1970. 23
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Since 2014, Imatra Ballet has brought world-famous classics of ballet to be seen by the people of Imatra in the Karelia hall of the Culture House Virta. These classic performances have been interpreted by the Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre which has performed the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote among others in Imatra.
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The premise of the international Black and White Theatre Festival held in Imatra is to offer highquality and bold theatre that can be understood by everyone, regardless of language, culture or age. The festival is an annual summertime event that can be enjoyed free of charge or for a small fee in, for example, the Karelia hall in the Culture House Virta. On the Finnish scale, Imatra is an early music metropolis. The early music festival Vanhassa vara parempi has been organized annually in Imatra’s churches for fifteen years.
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The summertime is filled with many dance performances in the Imatrankoski center as well as the annual High Heel Race. The race welcomes everyone, regardless of age or gender. Participants are also free to express themselves by dressing up. Another possibility for self-expression is provided by the IRTI amateur theatre which organizes plays throughout the year with performers of all ages. The audiences to these plays also support the theatre. 28
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The Imatrankoski neighborhood is famous for the Imatranajo road races, which have been attended by Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read and Jim Redman, among others. This summertime motorcycle race was first held in 1953 and the event also showcases solo motorcycles from the 1960s to the 1980s as part of its programming. The official Grid Girl is chosen by the readers of the local paper before the event. Imatranajo returned in 2016, when the Imatra circuit became home to an International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) event.
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A fleeting moment during an SM Motocross race held in Imatra in 2015. The races are organized by the Motorclub Imatra. Imatra MTB is open to all mountain biking enthusiasts. In 2015, the course consisted of a 30 kilometer loop which was ridden once or twice, depending on the division. The versatile course included varying terrains, bringing differing challenges to the competitors.
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The summer in Imatra is full of different sporting events, many of which take place on a route around the Vuoksi River. Naisten Vuoksi is an annual sporting event organized by Etelä-Karjalan Liikunta ja Urheilu ry and Imatran Jyske ry which is open to everyone regardless of age. The course goes around the Vuoksi River and its length is 7.4 kilometers. Participants can run or walk around the course. Flying Finns is a running event suitable for all ages. The event includes both club and personal competitions, each consisting of five legs. Imatra Run is one of the sporting events that go around the Vuoksi River. The main distance is a half marathon, i.e. 21.1 kilometers, with dedicated divisions for both men and women. The event also includes fun run divisions by age and distance, for example, a 13.5 kilometer run for men and women.
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Atmosphere at a Saimaa Race event in 2015. Imatra Karelia Race brings forty racing boats to the usually peaceful Vuoksi. The race starts near the Varpasaari Island. The island functions as the pit area with the help of volunteers from the Vuoksi Fishing Park. The 2015 event included both World and European Championship races in the internationally popular GT15 and GT30 classes. Competitors arrived from Finland, Sweden, Poland, Great Britain, and Norway, as well as the Baltic countries.
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Atmosphere at a Fenno-Cup Finnish Championship ranking competition for H class boats, organized by Imatran Purjehdusseura ry in 2015. The race was held at the Imatra Spa guest harbor, which is located near the Ukonlinna beach.
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At the Imatra Action! event held in 2015, the public had an opportunity to enjoy various activities and competitions. The event included, among others, water sports, floating, disc golf, a bungee trampoline, sumo wrestling, water zorbing, SUP boarding, a fishing competition, paintball, and many other enjoyable activities. The event was spurred by various bands and the circus school.
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The area around Mansikkala in late fall, winter, and early spring. According to the original town plan designed by Alvar Aalto, Imatra had three town centers: Imatrankoski, Mansikkala, and Vuoksenniska. Today, Imatra’s only town center is Imatrankoski. Mansikkala and Vuoksenniska are commercial clusters..
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The Mansikkala area from above. Mansikkala is home to the town hall, Culture House Virta, and the central station. In addition to a health center, police department and TE office, Mansikkala also has several supermarkets and stores, such as Citymarket, Tokmanni, Lidl, and Rajamarket. In the summer of 2015, a new Prisma shopping center opened its doors in the area. View of the Vuoksi River from the running path on the Mansikkala side. The popular route around Vuoksi goes over the Imatrankoski and Mansikkala bridges. The length of the loop is seven kilometers.
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Vuoksenniska from above. The Vuoksenniska neighborhood is quite a large area and a quiet place to live which at the moment is favored by older people. Specialized shops are mostly located in the Imatrankoski neighborhood, but in addition to smaller shops, Vuoksenniska also has the Honkaharju hospital, Bio Vuoksi movie theater, and the Church of the Three Crosses (Kolmen Ristin Kirkko), designed by Alvar Aalto.
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View of the Vuoksi river from Sienimäki in late fall.
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With a mean daily discharge of 540 cubic meters per second, the Vuoksi River is the largest river in Finland. In turn, the Imatra power plant produces the most energy of any hydro-electric power plant in Finland. The Imatra hydropower plant’s power output is 192 megawatts. Imatran Voima Oy (IVO) was originally a power production company owned by the government, which began administering the Imatra power plant when it was completed in 1932. The designer and builder of the power plant, engineer Hugo Malm was appointed as its first managing director. The Imatrankoski dam is said to be one of the largest in Finland. On summer evenings and during festivals, the dam is opened to let the rapid run freely. In 1998 Imatran Voima Oy merged with Neste Oy, creating Fortum Oy. Fortum produces, sells, and distributes electricity and heat.
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Stora Enso’s Imatra Mills is the world largest manufacturer of liquid packaging board. The Mills consist of two units: Kaukopää and Tainionkoski. The Imatra Mills manufacture a total of one million tons of liquid packaging board for beverage cartons, food service boards, graphical boards and flexoprinted packaging. The Stora Enso group is a leading provider of packaging, biomaterials, wood, and paper globally.
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Ovako produces steel products, suitable for machining and forging, which are used in, for example, the mining and automotive industries. Steel from the Imatra plant is used in transmission systems, transformers, shafts, and connecting rods, among others. The plant has been in operation near the Russian border from 1937.
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Suomen Kerta Oy started producing cardboard items in Imatra with two plate production lines in 1987. The most well-known brand of this Finnish familyowned business specializing in place setting products and candles is Havi. Suomen Kerta Oy’s manufacturing plant has, from the beginning, been located in the ISKOTE property, which the company bought in 2010. At the same time the property was renamed the Kerta property. In addition to Havi, the Imatra factory also produces cardboard products under the Finlayson and Nanso brands. As the only factory of its kind in Europe, the waste by-product of cardboard production at the Imatra factory is further processed and recycled as 100% biodegradable food packaging. The biodegradable cardboard items are sold under the Ecotime brand.
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In the summertime, churches are filled with brides and grooms, youths waiting for confirmation, and party guests. The most well-known churches in Imatra are the Imatrankoski church, the Church of the Three Crosses, the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, and the Tainionkoski church. The Church of the Three Crosses is located in the Vuoksenniska neighborhood and the Orthodox Church is next to Sienimäki, near the Mansikkakoski railway bridge, also known as the old Mansikkala Bridge.
Imatra is home to one of Finland’s art schools and the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences also offers a degree program in Fine Arts. The university offers four year majors in photography, graphic art, painting, sculpture, and jewelry art, among others. In addition to regular teachers, the students are also taught by internationally renowned artists and art experts around the world.
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The old barn house at Siitola has been used by the art school as facilities for graphic artists and sculptors, among others. The site includes versatile equipment and facilities for artistic work. The manor house of Siitola is located next to the barn and can be rented for festive use and other events. The facilities are suitable for 30–40 persons.
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The Log-Floaters (Tukinuittajat 1947—49) sculpture by Aimo Tukiainen was originally owned by Enso-Gutzeit, but the statue was donated to the town of Imatra when the town hall was completed in 1971. The City brook, which is approximately one kilometer in length, was built around the Kruununpuisto park area, near the Imatra power plant. The brook is divided into the landscaped upper reaches and the more natural lower reaches. The upper part is situated between the power plant and Imatrankoskentie while the lower part covers the area between Imatrankoskentie and the Vuoksi River. The City brook is a vital reproduction area for the endangered trout population of the Vuoksi River. The brook is meant to revitalize the population and prevent extinction. Trout have swam in the Vuoksi since the last ice age, but building a power plant drove them into the nearby brooks. Now the trout have much more living space to produce offspring. The brook’s depth varies and its flow is 180– 300 liters of water per second, depending on the season. Fishing in the brook is strictly forbidden.
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The various outdoor flea markets have grown more popular each year. All sorts of items are sold and the tables specializing in antiques are especially popular among the buyers. For example, in the historical area of Niskalampi, a popular cafĂŠ and flea market event is held each summer in the homes and gardens of the residents.
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There are of course more modern ways to admire Imatra, for example, the model of Imatrankoski built from Lego by Ismo Aavaharju.
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In addition to the sauna and pool areas, Imatran Kylpylä Spa also offers the Spa Taikametsä, cosmetology treatments, and the Day Spa Venla. Guests can stay at the spa’s hotel rooms or in holiday apartments in the nearby Ukonniemi, close to the Ukonniemi beach. In the summer of 2014, the first mermaid in Finland, Riia, was seen at the spa.
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The Imatra ice hockey arena is called the Imatra Spa Areena and it is located in the Karhumäki neighborhood near Ukonniemi. The arena is primarily used by the hockey team Imatran Ketterä and figure skaters. The distance from the spa to the arena is approximately one kilometer. The arena has two ice rinks, nine dressing rooms, and holds 1200 spectators, with a seating capacity of 800. The arena also includes the cafe restaurant Stevia, curling facilities, a running track, a gym, and meeting rooms. 70
The Imatra swimming and sports hall offers a wide variety of facilities for different sports. The same area also includes a sports park, a bowling alley, and a disc golf course. The swimming hall is especially designed for fitness swimming and water aerobics.
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Imatran Pallo-Veikot, IPV, is a pesäpallo (Finnish baseball) club from Imatra, established in 1955. IPV trains and plays their home matches in the Ukonniemi Stadium, having previously played at the Linnala field. IPV has won the Finnish Championship in 1977, 1978, 1986, and 1991. The IPV men’s first team usually finishes quite well in the Ykköspesis league table.
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The Ukonniemi Stadium was built in 2015. The stadium can be used for pesäpallo, biathlon, and skiing, among other things. There is also a 3.3 kilometer roller skiing track next to the stadium.
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In July of 2015, the Linnala field was home to a skiing event called Lunta Tupaan before an Ykköspesis match between IPV and Haapajärvi. The 16 man invitational was held as a sprint competition on natural snow. The course went around the Linnala field, with two loops of 500 meters. The race was attended by the national sprint teams of Finland and Russia. Both the skiing and the pesäpallo match were commentated by Antero Mertaranta.
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Views from Mellonlahti in the spring. Mellonlahti is located approximately one kilometer downstream from the Imatrankoski Bridge. Mellonlahti also offers fishing with fishing licenses to the area available from the Vuoksi Fishing Park. The terrain is especially beautiful in the fall and summertime, and nature lovers can enjoy the Mellonlahti running path with 22 control points. The path also goes through Mellonmäki. Guidebooks to the running path are available at the Imatra tourist information desk.
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As the fall begins to paint the landscape with vivid colors, the surrounding area of the Vuoksi River also begins to change. The sunlight dappling through the yellowing leaves brings a wistful mood and the approach of winter can be seen as the ground is frosted on fall mornings. The nature is a big part of life in Imatra and the changing of the seasons can be observed closely.
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The Vuoksi Fishing Park is located on the Varpasaari Island, next to the Imatra swimming and sport hall. In addition to a trout pool and smoking oven, the area also offers sauna and camping facilities. The Vuoksi Fishing Park is also an ideal place to rent a boat and fishing equipment and purchase a fishing license. In the summertime, sightseeing tours of the Vuoksi River can be boarded at the park. The area is also used for various events. In the summer of 2014, people flocked to see Aki and Heli Palsanmäki from the Huutokauppakeisari TV show during the Rompetori event.
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Hiljan Piha is an open-air museum exhibiting Karelian farming community traditions with four granaries and a large main building from the 19th century. The museum also offers the possibility to explore the traditions and customs of old farming communities and look at the animals living in the yard. The local heritage society of Imatra established the museum in 1959 and donated it to the town of Imatra in 1974. At present, Hiljan Piha is managed by entrepreneur Taisto Kainulainen. 87
In the summertime, various outdoor activities, favored by both locals and tourists, are available around Imatrankoski. During the summer months, Imatra Express organizes zip lining 20 meters above the rapids. Many people also rent bicycles for travelling around Imatra. Views from the Mellonlahti running path.
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Beaches are the most awaited trip destination of the summer. Imatra has several beaches, the most popular of which are the Ukonniemi and Imatrankoski beaches. Other beaches include the Immalan liete, Immala, Rautionkylä, Lempukka, and Varpasaari beaches.
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What would summer be without horses and riding? Imatra has several riding stables open to the public. The Rajavaellus stable is a fjord horse stable, specializing in trail riding and riding events. Eventing and trail riding classes are available for horse enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Other popular riding stables include the Einola, Imatran Ratsastajat, and Harjula stables.
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The crisp fall weather and weak sunlight covering the Vuoksi river landscape create a unique atmosphere. The Tainionkoski hydropower plant on the upper reaches of the Vuoksi River during winter. The power plant was originally built by Tornator Oy in 1921, but the hydropower plant was transferred to Enso-Gutzeit in 1934. Imatran Voima purchased the facility from Enso in 1983. 94
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The Sienimäki area on a cold morning in January.
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The Immola airfield is a historically significant area on the ridge of Salpausselkä, in the isthmus of Saimaa and Immalanjärvi. The airfield is used by the Finnish Border Guard, charter air lines, Skydive Karjala ry, and Imatran Ilmailukerho. The airfield can also be used for flying model planes.
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The border crossing is located only a few kilometers from the Imatrankoski center. The border checkpoint used currently was introduced in 1998 and its main building was extended significantly in 2014. A largish checkpoint was also built for passenger traffic. The border crossing is open 24 hours a day. An old stone boundary marker is located near the border.
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Imatra — A Town by the Border © Kirjakaari, Jyväskylä 2016 Text Heidi Veijalainen
Graphic Design Kati Lähdemäki, Kirjakaari
Photos Heidi Veijalainen
Translation Karri Kaukinen, Apropos Lingua Oy
Jukka Hannula, map p. 4 Keijo Penttinen p. 17 Karjalan Makkaran Tuki ry, Jukka Moilanen p. 22 Marjo Käpynen-Hannula p. 23 Imatra Ballet, MB Arts and Marketing, pictures from Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus p.24-25 Susan Lankinen p. 26-27 Heimo Hellsten p. 32, 34 (bottom), 35, 36-37, 38-39 Jarkko Lipponen p. 33 Tommari Oy p. 34 (top) Heidi Kirjavainen p. 40-41 Stora Enso Consumer Board, Imatra Mills p. 50-51 Ovako Imatra Oy Ab p. 52-53 Suomen Kerta Oy p. 54-55 Hanna Frias, published with permission from the town of Imatra p. 65 Imatran Kylpylä Spa p. 68 (top), 69 Heinon Valokuva, Lauri Heino p. 72-73, 76-77 Imatra Region Development Company p. 74-75 Antti Pellinen, published with permission from the town of Imatra p. 75 Town of Imatra p. 101
Printing Saarijärven Offset 2016 Publisher Kirjakaari, www.kirjakaari.fi ISBN 978-952-7187-07-4
Artworks p. 13 Taisto Martiskainen, Maiden of Imatra (Imatran Impi) 1972, bronze, photo published with permission from the town of Imatra p. 60 Aimo Tukiainen, Log-Floaters (Tukinuittajat) 1947—49, granite, © KUVASTO 2016 102