1. CLIMATE AND LIFESTYLE NATURE – INFLUENCES ON THE LIFESTYLE AND NATION`S CHARACTER Illuka School

2. Seasonal life We have too little sunshine We have too little sunshine Summers are short, winters are long and often quite hard Summers are short, winters are long and often quite hard Warm seasons have traditionally been spent preparing for the coming winter – stocking up warm clothes,firewood, food supplies Warm seasons have traditionally been spent preparing for the coming winter – stocking up warm clothes,firewood, food supplies Life during dark and cold periods leads to high expenses of heating, electricity and clothes Life during dark and cold periods leads to high expenses of heating, electricity and clothes

3. Seasonal character We are energetic and open in summer and live mostly outdoors We are energetic and open in summer and live mostly outdoors We are reticent in autumn and winter, stay indoors and need a lot of sleep We are reticent in autumn and winter, stay indoors and need a lot of sleep

4. Dark periods often affect depressively

5. Spirits´ time In late autumn on gray gloomy days, when there are heavy rains and storms and mud everywhere and nature prepares for hibernating, gloomy thoughts may overcome our minds In late autumn on gray gloomy days, when there are heavy rains and storms and mud everywhere and nature prepares for hibernating, gloomy thoughts may overcome our minds On the other hand, it is a good quiet time of relaxing and meditation On the other hand, it is a good quiet time of relaxing and meditation For our ancestors it was the Spirits´time For our ancestors it was the Spirits´time

6. Spirits´ time They believed the dead members of family could visit their homes again in this quiet period.There was no fear of them-they were waited for as dear guests.Today we often put a candle on the window commemorating our dead relatives-this is a good consolation They believed the dead members of family could visit their homes again in this quiet period.There was no fear of them-they were waited for as dear guests.Today we often put a candle on the window commemorating our dead relatives-this is a good consolation November 2nd is celebrated by the Church as a Spirits´Day November 2nd is celebrated by the Church as a Spirits´Day

7. Magic of light and dark Strong contrasts of alternating dark and light periods in the North have influenced us strongly for centuries Strong contrasts of alternating dark and light periods in the North have influenced us strongly for centuries The most important celebrations of the year are solstices The most important celebrations of the year are solstices

8. Winter solstice Since ancient pagan times the magic of dark and light has been celebrated on the darkest days of year, when a new hope of coming daylight has been supported by lighting candles or bonfires Since ancient pagan times the magic of dark and light has been celebrated on the darkest days of year, when a new hope of coming daylight has been supported by lighting candles or bonfires Today the celebration is connected with Christmas customs Today the celebration is connected with Christmas customs

9. Summer solstice The best time of the year has its culmination on June 23rd when all people celebrate the longest day almost without any sunset The best time of the year has its culmination on June 23rd when all people celebrate the longest day almost without any sunset No one sleeps at this night and big bonfires serve as magic again No one sleeps at this night and big bonfires serve as magic again

10. Winter Winter is cold, but it is much better than late autumn.So we long for the clean snow and white Christmas.It is not the rule for every year. Winter is cold, but it is much better than late autumn.So we long for the clean snow and white Christmas.It is not the rule for every year. Winter is beautiful and brings much joy Winter is beautiful and brings much joy

11. Oh what fun it is to ride… Skis, skates, sledges of any kind…but not only. Skis, skates, sledges of any kind…but not only. We call them Finnish sledges-very practical and popular once by going to the village shop or school. Or just for fun. We call them Finnish sledges-very practical and popular once by going to the village shop or school. Or just for fun. They are getting popular again.People still say the old design is more convenient They are getting popular again.People still say the old design is more convenient

12. Not just fun only We have to be prepared of big exercise and keep ready snow-shovels and snow-ploughs We have to be prepared of big exercise and keep ready snow-shovels and snow-ploughs

13. Prepared for winter Winter tyres are compulsory because of slippery roads Winter tyres are compulsory because of slippery roads Slippery roads must be cleaned and sanded but in reality some roads are in bad condition Slippery roads must be cleaned and sanded but in reality some roads are in bad condition

14. Prepared but not perfect We should be experienced We should be experienced Problems with 2 cm of snow in Western Europe make us laugh- but in vain,because: Problems with 2 cm of snow in Western Europe make us laugh- but in vain,because: Despite of experiences we have a too big number of accidents every winter-fatal crashes and fractures of bones Despite of experiences we have a too big number of accidents every winter-fatal crashes and fractures of bones

15. A new start

16. Awakening time Waiting for spring is programmed in the northern people´s character Waiting for spring is programmed in the northern people´s character This is expressed in our folklore and literature,songs and poems This is expressed in our folklore and literature,songs and poems Spring is the time of a new life and people together with nature feel like reborn again Spring is the time of a new life and people together with nature feel like reborn again