Karelia: The Lost Land of Finland (and Russia) 🇷🇺

Welcome to the journey through the region of Karelia, once a part of Finland, now nestled within the vast expanse of Russia. In this exploration, I explore Finnish heritage that lingers in the landscapes, architecture, and culture of Karelia, often overshadowed by the passage of time. I uncover the traces of a bygone era when Karelia was an integral part of Finland. From quaint villages to historic landmarks, we reveal the hidden gems that connect Karelia to its Finnish past. But this adventure is not just about history; it's also about the present. I provide an intimate look into life in Russia during the challenging times of sanctions imposed in 2022-2023. Through personal stories and encounters with locals, I gain insight into the resilience and adaptability of the people of Karelia as they navigate these turbulent times. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Finnish and Swedish heritage of Vyborg (Viipuri) 12:05 - Welcome to Karelia (Jaakkima): first contact with border guards 14:09 - Lumivaara Lutheran church 17:20 - Lahdenpohja and it's abandoned church 18:22 - Sortavala - the center of Karelian tourism industry\ 21:23 - Karelian real estate 23:00 - Abandoned Finnish cemetry 23:59 - Crazy border patrol interrogated me in a hostel 25:05 - Ruskeala mining park 27:56 - Läskelä: a hydroelectric power plant, a church and some abadnoned staff 29:20 - Truck driver speaks about life in Karelia after imposition of sanctions and Finland joining NATO 31:31 - The cross of sorrow: understanding Finnish-Soviet war 33:26 - Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) - the capital city of Karelia 38:20 - Amazing cafe with a railway layout 40:20 - Visiting Kizhi Island 50:13 - Wandering around Medvezhyegorsk (Karhumäk) during white night and looking for a ghost train 53:10 - Petroglyphs (rock paintings) of Belomorsk (Sorokka) 56:03 - Belomorkanal (White Sea Canal) 59:11 - Listening to Karelian language and reaching Arctic Circle! Summer 2023. Enjoy! You can contribute to the production of new videos via: PayPal: [email protected] Donation Alerts: https://www.donationalerts.com/r/vaga... Patreon:   / vvagabond   YouTube Memebrship:    / @ivantrainslive   Instagram: @vagafuckabond