"Finnskogen" Svullrya by Rusket

Svullrya Travel Guide: 13 reviews and 23 photos

The Finnish Republic in Norway

Svullrya is the capital of the Republic of Finnskogen, which is proclaimed the second weekend of July each year, and lasts for three days. The republic has it's own president and government. The author Åsta Holth (1904 - 1999) was proclaimed president for life due to her litterary work about culture and traditions in Finnskogen and to her large contribution in preserving the same.

The rest of the year Svullrya is a small community in the municipality Grue Finnskog, 25 km from the administrative center Kirkenær.

The name "Finnskogen" means Finn Forrest. 400 - 500 years ago the large forests on both sides of the border between Norway and Sweden were used for hunting, fishing and occasionally for mountain dairy farming only. Finnish people from Savolax and Tavastland who fled from powerty and oppression were invited by the Swedish king to settle down in Värmland to utilize the forest by means of their traditional "svedjebruk": They burned down the trees and planted rye seeds in the ashes. Eventually some of the Finns moved across the border as well, bringing their old tradition, culture and language. There are people living in Finnskogen today, whose parents still spoke oldfashioned Finnish.

Origin of the name Svullrya

Finnetunet

"Svull" means something that is swollen, commonly used about lumps of ice (swollen ice). "Rye" (or ria) is a house where people used to dry grain. In Svullrya there are two streams which often cause these "svulls" when they freeze, and there are several "ryes". The main sort of grain that the old Finns used to grow was rye, but I don't know whether there is a connection, the Norwegian word for rye is "rug".

The picture shows Finnetunet, a collection of old farmhouses situated in Svullrya by one of the streams. Finnetunet is used as a museum.

Smoke hearth

One of the finnish traditions is the "røykovn", an open hearth that let smoke out into the room. The smoke filled the room and escaped through a small opening in the roof. This heating method is so effective that the fire was lit only once a day. The "røykovn" was used in dwellings as well as in the "ryes" and saunas.

Finnskogen continues on the swedish side of the border, in the county Värmland (El_Sueco's Värmland page).

Last visit to Svullrya: Apr 2000
Intro Updated Nov 13, 2005
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Reviews (13)

Sport and recreation Things to Do (3)

There are so many things to do in this area that I cannot write a tip about each and every one: fishing, hiking /... more travel advice

Guided tours Things to Do (3)

Can be arranged by any of the accomodations mentioned, or at Glåmdal Reiseliv: P.S. Do you notice the guide's hat? It... more travel advice

Museums of the Forest Finn culture Things to Do (3)

Several of the old crofts in Finnskogen are preserved and possible to visit. I have mentioned Mullikkala under... more travel advice

Lacto vegetarian Restaurants (2)

The restaurant is buffet style with lacto-vegetarian food + white meat and fish. It is a part of the spa, but it is... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (1)
Finnskogleden
Transportation (2)
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Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 11, 2005

8 photos

Finnskogtoppen Helsetun

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Comments (4)

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aussiejen Jul 17, 2006 at 4:36 AM

Lots more lovely tips. You've been very busy building your tips :)
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scottishvisitor Nov 15, 2005 at 9:20 AM

Lots of interestin info here loved the snowy pictures = thanks for your virtual tour of Aberdeen - You might fancy a real one one day
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Rusket Aug 23, 2005 at 6:04 AM

holder på å gjøre Nelaug berømt, også :-) Ikke at det er så mye å gjøre der, da, mye natur og lokaltog til Arendal. Liker å skrive om "odde" plasser.
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Saagar Aug 23, 2005 at 5:54 AM

Svullrya - nå verdensberømt over hele VT? Morsomt med slike bortgjemte republikker! Nær der jeg opprinnelig kommer fra ligger Lucky Næroset med egen flyplass og skilt til Nairobi og Moskva...