The nature influences Vaasa culture

by Ms Tarja Hautamäki

The unique UNESCO Kvarken World Heritage Site has had a large influence on the cultural life in Vaasa in many ways. The Ostrobothnian Museum has a special nature department called Terra Nova, involved in the implementation of the five-day-long international WildLife Vaasa nature film festival which is organised every second year. A local film centre called Botnia is now being started.

The modern working area for professionals within culture involves constant consideration of the relationships between work and local, national and international perspectives. Professionals working within culture must also consider the kind of image they are trying to build and whether there is enough content to build on. Terra Nova and the WildLife Vaasa nature film festival are excellent examples of how the museum has been able to respond to the challenges of modern society and use a unique nature heritage as a work tool.

As museums are institutions based on collections and are part of our collective memory, they are needed in order to help to create our identity, and to ensure the continuous development of our society. Terra Nova implements the basic task of the museums by saving and protecting the Kvarken Regionnature heritage, as well as by stimulating local development, especially in the form of a film festival.

During the festival, touring performances are arranged in schools for children and youngsters in Vaasa, and open performances are arranged for the public. Showing the films in this way brings the museum closer to people, and reaches out to audiences that otherwise wouldn't visit the museum. On the other hand, the festival occasions arranged at the museum itself have managed to persuade people also to have a look at everything else that the museum has to offer.

The Ostrobothnian Museum's Terra Nova department and the Wildlife Vaasa festival have both had a positive influence on the fact that the Kvarken region was chosen to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the summer 2006. This nomination will probably increase nature tourism in the region.

The latest innovation, where Terra Nova and the Wildlife Vaasa festival have played a part, is the creation of a regional film centre, called Botnia, which is starting its activities this spring and is partly financed by the Ministry of Education. The aim of Botnia is to specialise in nature and environmental films.