Photos from Muikkufest Fish Festival

This text has been copied from the newsletter of Low Impact Fishers of Europe:

"Snowchange Cooperative in Finland celebrate their winter seining fishery

Our Finnish members from the Snowchange Cooperative based in South East Finland organised a popular festival last weekend in Tohmajärvi to celebrate their winter seining fishery, which is carried out under the ice, called Muikkufest, (muikku is the local name for vendace or Coregonus albula, which is the fish that they primarily catch.) According to SnowChange, this celebration was also the opportunity to generate "seasonal excitement" among the local community, and to share knowledge on different aspects regarding this special fish and fishery as it is something that many people, especially under 30, have little knowledge of.

The program included documentaries, presentations, an interview with Karoliina Lehtimäki, a young fisherwoman, a fish market and tasting, live music and a photo exhibition. A talk on Nuu-Chah-Nulth indigenous people's fisheries and culture was also organised with Nuu-Chah-Nulth visitors."

See photos below!

The restaurant served our own version of fish & chips

Tero held a lecture about the winter seining tradition in Puruvesi Lake

Karoliina was interviewed by Noora about her experiences as a young fisherwoman and winter seiner

People came to learn more about winter seining fishery and the Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture, to eat local fish and to enjoy live music

Karoliina hosted a fish processing workshop

John and his family came all the way from Vancouver Island and shared about Nuu-Chah-Nulth culture

Hasaatuk performed her beautiful songs

The evening was finalized by a gig from Tanssiva Karhu