In the far north of Finnish Lapland lies the town of Utsjoki. When you drive into town, you won’t see much apart from Annukan Grilli, the local pub, a rather expensive grocery store called Uulan säästö (Ulla’s savings), a legal support office called VUOIGATVUODAVEAHKKEDOAIMMAHAT in Saami, and the Pub Rastigaisa – which rightfully refers to itself as the heart of Utsjoki. The beauty of Utsjoki is in its surroundings; the sunsets seen from the Saami bridge, and the frogs hopping into ponds on the tunturi. For me, Utsjoki is a place of feeling better expressed by poetry than prose.
Look out into the forest,
See where the reindeer run
Glimpse endless swamps outreaching
Towards never-setting sun.
Seeking to find answers,
When everything is done,
But all you find is questions
Evading setting sun.
Photos © Zuri Burns
Singer, Cultural Facilitator
