Kukkola: Fishing Culture and Vendace Traditions

Fishing history and vendace traditions shape Kukkola’s cultural character. At Kukkolaforsen is the cultural village, where nature and history meet fishing traditions that have endured for generations. Mills, a sawmill and preserved fishing huts give this theme a tangible presence in historic buildings; the Tornedalen Fishing Museum adds another perspective, offering insights into fishing in and beneath the water. Preparing vendace over an open fire is also part of the experience at Kukkolaforsen. Visitors can get to know the area through historic buildings, exhibitions and hands-on experiences.

Fishing in the museum and underwater

The Tornedalen Fishing Museum presents fishing in the river and beneath the surface of the Torne River. It also shows the role fishing has played for people in Tornedalen over time: as an important source of food and income and as part of the culture. The exhibition features twelve different fish species filmed underwater. The museum also offers a virtual 3D model of the bed at Kukkolaforsen on mobile phones. The two displays offer different perspectives: the films focus on fish underwater, while the model shows the bed at Kukkolaforsen.

Mills, a sawmill and traces of fishing

The history of how the area has been used is also visible beyond the museum. The lower water-powered mill in the cultural village of Kukkolaforsen was built around 1840; the upper water-powered mill at Kukkolaforsen dates from the 1850s. The present-day sawmill building was constructed in 1903 and, like the mill, used the rapids’ water power. The dates place the three buildings from the 19th to the early 20th century; water power links their histories. Six fishing huts of different ages have also been preserved in the Kukkolaforsen cultural area. In the fishing area, there is a tower clock dating from 1887, which was used to keep track of the different fishing times of the fishing communities at the rapids. The huts and clock add further tangible traces of fishing history to the mills: the huts differ in age, while the clock points to different fishing times.

Vendace, fire and sauna culture

Vendace links fishing history with a vibrant food culture. For a long time, vendace has been cooked over an open fire in Kukkola on both sides of the border between Sweden and Finland. Visitors at Kukkolaforsen can also cook freshly caught vendace over an open fire; this local culinary experience can be booked. Traditional vendace fishing is still practised today using dip nets from boats and pator fishing platforms. Another bookable experience offers an introduction to Tornedalian sauna culture: at Kukkolaforsen, visitors can experience it with views of the rapids and the option to go swimming. These are different ways to engage with local culture: learning about fishing at the museum, preparing vendace, and enjoying the sauna with the option to swim.

Kukkola in the cross-border region of Tornedalen

Tornedalen provides regional context: it is a geographical and cultural region stretching across northern Sweden and western Finland. The Torne River forms a natural border between the countries there. With its cross-border fishing traditions, Kukkola is part of this northern cultural region. This regional perspective complements the view of the individual buildings and experiences in the area.

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