Sodankylä is located in the heart of Finnish Lapland and has been inhabited for thousands of years, originally by the Sámi people, the indigenous population of the Arctic region. They lived a traditional lifestyle based on reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting, closely connected to nature. During World War II, Lapland, including Sodankylä, experienced destruction during the Lapland War (1944–1945), when retreating German forces burned many buildings. The town was later rebuilt, reflecting resilience, very much aligned with the Finnish spirit of SISU.

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This is where sisu comes from.

SISU is a Finnish way of life. It means inner strength, patience, and the courage to keep going when things are difficult. In Sodankylä, SISU is not a concept , it is everyday life. It is seen in how people work, survive the dark winters, respect nature, and live simply.

We promote SISU because it explains the spirit of this place better than any word. Our experiences are built around real Lapland life, fire, silence, cold, nature, and time. We don’t create shows. We share how life is lived here.

By visiting Sodankylä and joining our experiences, guests don’t just see Lapland they feel SISU and understand what it means to live in the Arctic.