Exploring former Finnish lands of Karelia - Russia's West Borderland

[@Qant1]

Viipuri was a "Finnish" city well before events of 1917. Officially it became part of Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812. Before that it was under russian rule for some time and before that a part of Swedish empire of which Finland was a part of. So it did not become "Finnish" in 1917 by some "occupation" it kinda always was.

[@nigelwatson2750]

One day, I would like to visit Viipuri.

[@Cikeb]

Yes, the area captured by imperial Russia in 1721 was even called "Old Finland". It was rejoined with "New Finland" in 1812.

[@Bruh-jr2ep]

Yes, the whole Karelian Isthmus was Finnish/Karelian atleast 1500 years before the Russians came.

[@amadeuz8161]

@@nigelwatson2750 You don't want to because its all rotting away like everything else that becomes part of Russia.

[@butterflies655]

Actually Finland and Sweden used to be the same country.

[@jm-holm]

Not going to lie, kinda hurts to see those abandoned Finnish graves on ancestral lands thousands of years old. And Russian-Finnish relations being what they are, they will probably be eternally forgotten on the land they once called home.

[@jm-holm]

@@ArchiNart I understand you're trying to be a provocative troll, sorry to say it isn't working. Come at us I say. Stop talking and sign up yourself. After 80 years of threats, nobody really cares about your opinion. We're prepared to defend ourselves as we have before if such a situation would arise.

[@BBBplayers]

@@ArchiNart I hope Finland will take Karelia back from occupation by the fascist ruskis.

[@raijatilles1099]

​@@ArchiNart.Finns love sweeds...how ignorant you are.

[@flowname]

@@jm-holm correction: you're not prepared. You'd be whining and asking for military aid from the US at the first moment you realise you've been too bold without a means to be bold. Look at what's happening in the middle east at the moment. Israel has asked the US for weapons support within the first 24 hours after the peasants with guns attacked them. Why do you think you're more prepared for any kind of war on your territory than Israel on their land?

[@jm-holm]

@@flowname Still all talk.

[@HarjuSiirius]

That good looking library in Viborg was designed by a world famous finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Really enjoy you content, best wishes from Estonia!

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

Aalto's buildings are notoriously difficult to be kept in shape due to his choices that effect the rainwater drainage, mostly.

[@FinUgShiet]

@@Itapirkanmaa2Tiukkaa analyysiä, ei voi ku diggaa! :'D

[@antarai9869]

Alwar Aalto's buildings are notoriously difficult kept in shape if caretakers can't or don't use any money to maintain those buildings

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

@@antarai9869Believe me, they were and are very finicky -- as he hated external water gutters and drew them on the inside -- once they freeze up, the water is all around the structures.

[@antarai9869]

@@Itapirkanmaa2 näin se on myös Paimion Parantolassa. ! Omat terveiset menivät tuonne Venäjän suuntaan... Saisivat pitää parempaa huolta tuosta Alvar Aallon suunnittelemasta Kirjastosta...

[@bashthelegend]

Vyborg feels like such a wasted opportunity, it was a major city in Finland when it was ours and it has so much history and beauty that fails to come to light today. The meeting of 3 cultures and languages in Finnish, Swedish and Russian alone is very special. It has economic potential as a trade hub between the huge St. Petersburg and Finland. Hope it can thrive in the future. My grandparents were refugees from Sortavala. Maybe I will visit there some day, but maybe not considering how even you are accosted at every turn by border guards. Who knows.

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

What actually saved the city was that the 1960s-70s Finnish builders and architects were kept well away from it.

[@vladm5920]

I visited the town just a month ago and this was the exact impression I had - a wasted opportunity of potentially a great provincial town. However, the author didn’t take the best route and missed some picturesque areas.

[@juri_xiii9977]

Filthiest City i have ever been to.. Dirt on the walls everywhere. Gangs of begging children..(Anna Markka,anna Purkka, anna Kuulakärki-kynä) Packs of wild dogs,Neglect of EPIC PROPORTIONS..! Neglect like only Ruski-Mir knows..! My Familys, AND MY Land were stolen by Russobeasts.. But we will take it ALL back sooner than later, when Russo-Nazi scum are finally dealt with. These sockless Alcoholics are weak AF..! When the Revolution 2.0 starts we will get ours, so will every other country these thieves & Rapist's pillaged back when they were still a force to be reckoned..

[@juri_xiii9977]

"Viipuri"

[@Byrzzaa]

I heard a long time ago a story about an old woman who had to flee Viborg as a child refugee. She visited the city with some group or with her children after the collapse of Soviet Union and she cried after seeing the condition of the city. The city could really have been a major economic hub of the region. Not to mention how beautiful it could have been.

[@BakedPotatoFiend]

My Grandmother was a Swedish Finn who grew up and lived in Viborg until the Winter War, I had wanted to visit at some point but as a Brit I don't see that being possible any time soon. Thanks for this video and keep up the good work

[@laakssim]

Possible it is but maybe not recommendable. Just apply for a tourist e-visa and take a bus from Helsinki.

[@DecibelAlex]

@@laakssim I heard from my father's neighbor who is Russian that the bus ticket is ridiculously expensive at the moment so probably best to wait for better times

[@vladm5920]

I know Brits and Americans who live in St Petersburg on a permanent basis, renew their visas, etc. You absolutely won’t experience any problems coming to Russia, even now. My American friend actually visited Vyborg by himself (took a train from St Petersburg) and his Russian isn’t that good. I don’t think the buses from Estonia/Finland are that expensive now.

[@jere1023]

wouldnt recommend taking ur money there even if it becomes possible some day

[@TuhannenTomppeli]

@@jere1023 This is already an old comment, but if things change for the better in Russia, the country could be a very different place.

[@AlfaGiuliaQV]

A finn here. It was really interesting to hear the truck driver´s point of view. Apparently people on that side has little knowledge about how things work on this side of the border. While it is true that much cross border business was made in the forestry industry, Finland has enough produce to sustain itself. As far as electricity goes, we also are self sufficient and are grid connected to the rest of the nordic countries, so he doesn´t need to worry for us :)

[@dansihvonen8218]

In Finland, you can travel close to the border zone without being questioned by border guards. Maybe that is the russian definition of living in an asshole ... 31:27 😄

[@gorschik]

Also "they wanted to join NATO" - the driver can't connect obvious dots about his fuhrer invading neighboring country and Finland being left with no choice but protect itself. Typical way of thinking in Russia btw, and they have no problem that the s.c. "special military operation" was started to prevent NATO expansion close to Russian borders, but in the end working exactly the opposite yields.

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

If OL3 would not have started late last year, we would be in trouble. The lost 1,470 MW capacity was replaced by the 1,600MW reactor.

[@AlfaGiuliaQV]

@@Itapirkanmaa2 it could be mitigated wit import of hydropower from Sweden, but you're right, it was a close call. I don't think our electricity import from Russia was ever that big anyway.

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

@@AlfaGiuliaQV Well over 1GW recently, only worth a few hamsters running. Hydro comes mainly from Norway through Sweden.

[@large_crab]

Wow Vagabond, compared to your earlier videos your English has improved amazingly! Your vocab is better than most people I talk to daily. Inspires me to keep up with my Russian learning.

[@gentleken7864]

'The Winter War' and the 'The Unknown Soldier' are two incredible Finnish films about the war with Russia in Karelia, set in 1939 and 1941 respectively. No Hollywood BS, just great films.

[@ronmcclellan4608]

Awesome info - thanks!

[@walterschnipsel6334]

Those movies where the first I was thinking about when I saw in the thumbnail Karelia.

[@molotovribbentrop2839]

@@Maria_Nizhny_Novgorod Nope, as Finland didn't actively take part in it. Are there Russian films of the Genocide of Ingrian Finns, few years prior when you demanded Lebensraum from Finland? "The genocide of the Ingrian Finns (Finnish: Inkeriläisten kansanmurha) was a series of events triggered by the Russian Revolution in the 20th century, in which the Soviet Union deported, imprisoned and killed Ingrians and destroyed their culture.[3] In the process, Ingria, in the historical sense of the word, ceased to exist.[4] Before the persecution there were 140,000 to 160,000 Ingrians[5][6] in Russia and today approximately 19,000 (including several thousand repatriated since 1990.[7]) From 1935 onwards, the genocide manifested itself in deportations of entire Ingrian villages, mass arrests and executions, especially in 1937 and 1938 associated with the Great Purge. The reason for the genocide was the skeptical attitude of the Soviet Union towards the Ingrian people due to their close cultural and historical relations with Finland. At the same time, many other ethnic groups and minorities were also persecuted.[3] The destruction process targeted at Ingrian Finns was centrally managed and considered. Russian legislation in the 1990s refers to it as genocide. The aim was, in particular, to assassinate the male population. Tens of thousands of Ingrians died due to deportations and in labor camps.[8]"

[@voido68]

​@@molotovribbentrop2839🥱

[@voido68]

​@@Maria_Nizhny_Novgorodhe's spamming one message to every comment😂

[@d-d-i]

My grandfather was born and lived in a small village at the shore of Laatokka before the Winter War in the late 20's. The only thing he told about those times was that when the war started, they were just going to have lunch at home, when Finnish soldiers rushed into the house and asked them to leave immediately with them. They couldn't take any belongings with them, and the lunch soup was left boiling at the stove, that was his last recollection of his original home. His mother threw him to boy school in Finland, and herself traveled into Russia for decades. Grandfather had a hard life without a good home, but managed to live up to respectable age of 83, worked as a respected metal worker/welder for decades, took me to fishing trips in the summers and was a self-taught accordion player.

[@kerrosateria0347]

I am Finnish and my great-grandfather was from former Finnish karelia. He have fought in winter war and continuation war against Russia. He survived and lived long in Finland after wars. I have always had a dream to go to my great-grandfather's home place wich is left in ruins due to wars and evacuations. Would be interesting to see the local town in there (Kurkijoki).

[@restinpeacekurt]

Hey, thats my dream too! My granfather was from Lahdenpohja and My grandmother was from Tervajärvi, they met during evacuation and was together more than 70 years.. i remember My grandpa telling stories about jatkosota when i was kid and i wasnt so interested back then, maybe i was toi young... I would give anything to talk with them now but its too late... Especially with my grandpa about being volunteer in contiation war as 15 years old.. and i would like to visit those places he was talking about. Rest in peace Heimo and Aino K.

[@joingermany2669]

hi,kerrosateria)now there are many tourists from Suomi here in Sortavala:)from Sortavala to Kurkiyek 80 km, an hour and a half by car:)you can gather a company and come here for the weekend 😀

[@SomeOneElsePirskap]

My grandfather fights aganst your at that war. He was seriously wounded and never told anything about that war

[@paavoviuhko7250]

My father fought in the war and was from Kuolemanjärvi , between Petersburg and Viipuri, now part of Russia. The family relocated to Canada in the late 50's. I can pick up some of the Karelian language a little better than I can understand Russian.

[@SomeOneElsePirskap]

@@paavoviuhko7250 if you decide travel in some day, can IM me

[@noreply-7069]

7:03 No. Those are not Catholic churches, it is Evangelic-Lutheran Church (Protestant). Finns and Swedes aren't Catholic.

[@f.g.220]

My Grandfather fought up there in WW2, he was 19 years old then. He could never tell me story's about his time there, so i thank you for showing me this beautiful part of an awesome country. many many thanks :)

[@YourGrandMomy]

"He could never tell me story's about his time there" Oh, I wonder why my fellow westoid... maybe because he was a part of the forces, whom held Leningrad in the siege? No? =)

[@reinokarvinen8845]

lucky for leningrad that the finns only stopped at the border otherwise leningrad would have fallen according to most military historians@@YourGrandMomy

[@pippastin]

Everyone in Finland knows people who have Karelian ancestry. This is definitely bittersweet. But very interesting. Thank you for showing us these places. Greetings from Finland!

[@Omenankuor1n]

To that truck driver: things haven't been better over here and no we don't need your electricity. I have not seen any form of NATO control and definitely no border guards harass me when I go to the eastern border.. Anyway, it's really nice to see this region and I always wanted to visit, but now I'm not sure I'll have a chance anytime soon. You make such excellent content and I am very happy that I found these!

[@daddydallas4789]

Oh well the Finnish and American government have recently already signed contracts that allows the USA to build up military bases on Finnish soil, gonna happen very soon.

[@siljasjodin]

My family is from Pälkjärvi, north of Ladoga and Sortavala and evacuated after the war to areas around Joensuu in north Carelia of Finland, where I'm born. They got 2 weeks time to move, leaving our homes behind for the unknown in Finland. They made 7 km a day by whatever means; Walking by foot, cattle cars, you name it. They took with them what they managed to carry, but a lot was left on the roads. As the border was closing very fast, every 7 km per day for two weeks, some Carelians who didn't bother evacuate, stayed in Russia. There are some few of these villages still today, but I dont know if the places and its people are died out. In Finland there are very active evacuated Carelian associations, very ambitious in keeping the history and traditions alive. Also performing an annual 'Evacuation Walk' in respect of remembering their fate of abandoning our home site to Russia. The Carelian associations also made annual trips to their family places, just roaming around with the help of GPS, as there's not much left as landmarks. The Carelians also have their own cemetery in Helsinki where you can wish to be buried, if you have Carelian roots. It's a very beautiful place, definitely worth a visit. When I see the Carelian sceneries in this video, something resonates deep inside me, probably an ancient echo, sounding from the past, in my genes.

[@MsThePrettiest]

Why you family went to Findland? My Karelian grandma stayed in the USSR and was against Germans during the second world war

[@NexusLore]

@@MsThePrettiest because the USSR was a genocidal shithole, look up the Stalin's terror on Karelian people.

[@nuevaesperanzadeca2094]

@@MsThePrettiest "against Germans during the second world war", meaning, helped illegal occupiers of the Fair Land to occupy it. "Why?" - the Finns knew what the Soviets were capable of.

[@ilmatar6608]

L@@MsThePrettiest Your grandma was *with* the Germans during WW2 because the USSR and Germany both invaded Poland together in 1939.

[@molotovribbentrop2839]

@@MsThePrettiest Because Russians murdered almost all of them. "The genocide of the Ingrian Finns (Finnish: Inkeriläisten kansanmurha) was a series of events triggered by the Russian Revolution in the 20th century, in which the Soviet Union deported, imprisoned and killed Ingrians and destroyed their culture.[3] In the process, Ingria, in the historical sense of the word, ceased to exist.[4] Before the persecution there were 140,000 to 160,000 Ingrians[5][6] in Russia and today approximately 19,000 (including several thousand repatriated since 1990.[7]) From 1935 onwards, the genocide manifested itself in deportations of entire Ingrian villages, mass arrests and executions, especially in 1937 and 1938 associated with the Great Purge. The reason for the genocide was the skeptical attitude of the Soviet Union towards the Ingrian people due to their close cultural and historical relations with Finland. At the same time, many other ethnic groups and minorities were also persecuted.[3] The destruction process targeted at Ingrian Finns was centrally managed and considered. Russian legislation in the 1990s refers to it as genocide. The aim was, in particular, to assassinate the male population. Tens of thousands of Ingrians died due to deportations and in labor camps.[8]"

[@jyrkijyrki9392]

Great video, as always! Cool to see there are still a lot of Finnish remains in Karelia. Would love to visit this side when politics calm down, idk about the over exited border guards though.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Kylää

[@mrobocop1666]

Russian didn't close the borders for EU citizens or stopped issuing visas. It's what EU done against Russian citizens so the new Iron curtain is tried to be erected by Europe, not Russia. Even US is fine with Russian citizens. So you can always come to Russia and be welcome, especially in Finno-Ugric republics of Russia

[@PolosLatinos]

Of course, if Russia doesn't say "davay zyemlyu, Finlandiya"

[@jblackslayer]

I am Costa Rican 🇨🇷 and i was in Karelian in 2017's winter, the border patrol was asking me many questions and about my plans there, but they didn’t bother me as much as they bothered you.

[@lucabra5907]

I was there this summer and at border no problem with Finns as well with Russians

[@restinpeacekurt]

My grandparents were evacuated from town near lake Laatokka. My grandfather was messenger at continuation war at age of 15. He was almost hit with mortal rounds, but gladly he survived and lived a full life. At hes last years he visited their old home at Lahdenpohja (current name Lakhdenpokhya or Лахденпохья). To hes surprise their old house was still almost non damaged but in bad condition because neglect.. They lost alot of land and their home and cows/pigs/horses and chickens. They was evacuated just before russians started to bomb that area, only with their clothes on and two horses and carriage...

[@М.Столић]

At that time, the Finns paid a heavy price for their anti-Russian policy. It looks like history is repeating itself now.

[@raysmcnays]

@@М.Столић The russians paid with blood for their lust for power and plans for expansion.

[@axllii]

​@@М.СтолићI think it is more appropriate to say "the Finn's paid a heavy price for Russia's anti-Finnish policies."

[@Crimson50]

@@axllii haha by "anti-Russian" he means not wanting to be conquered and subjucated by them, AGAIN

[@axllii]

@@Crimson50 I agree. I'm just trying to move the interpretation of Finnish policies from Russia-centric to the Finnish-centric. I.e. Finnish policies are pro-Finnish, NOT anti-Russian. Most people don't intuitively understand the difference.

[@noelbowerman1562]

It's always nice to learn about parts of the world, most of us won't get a chance to visit. A good job with the filming

[@warecamel]

Thank you for the video. The extended family from my grandmother's side had to flee viborg during WWII and eventually moved to Helsinki. It's differently a geopolitically important area that has been disputed for centuries with a vibrant community of people originating from different cultures. I'd definitely like to visit some day.

[@m1ro]

37:35 Otto Wille Kuusinen was a Finnish communist and traitor/quisling figure. He was born in Laukaa, Central Finland. After the communists lost the Finnish Civil War, he fled to Russia and formed the Finnish Communist Party. During the wars with the Soviets, he partook in the so-called Terijoki Government, which essentially existed as a puppet cabinet that would've replaced the legitimate Finnish government had the Soviets been able to topple it during the Winter War. That endeavor failed, so he was placed in charge of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic.

[@lucabra5907]

Nice monument of him in Petrozavodsk

[@Normaldude10174]

As a half Finnish person whose family originated from the area, the shot of that grave yard of the Lutheran church resonated with me. So peaceful.

[@mikaveekoo]

That library was designed by Alvar Aalto, a world famous Finnish architect.

[@adolfhuovinen2848]

Спасибо тебе за интересный видеоролик. Много знакомых мест и места и дома выглядят лучше, чем лет 10 назад. Всего тебе из Финляндии!

[@justcurious3514]

I think this is my most favorite video. I learned so much and I loved everywhere that you went. Thank you for all your hard work. This is a very cool video.

[@claykkari]

Fascinating to see the lands of my ancestors. Cheers from Finland.

[@Krisu1993]

Thank you this video trip for Karelia❤ It was very interesting! Greetings from Finland❤

[@PhilThomasTrains]

Fascinating video. I can't wait to visit, hopefully very soon. Keep up the good work 😊

[@droge192]

Your English vocabulary is excellent, and every video is so educational and enjoyable. You deserve 110 million subscribers!

[@blpblp-tj7ux]

i am a huge fan and have enjoyed all of your videos, but this one is above and beyond..beautiful locations, fascinating history, and your delightful personality. Nice work!

[@JustKoala]

I love these documentary style videos you do. Great job!

[@nacekozo]

I love your coded messages

[@morgoli2916]

37:25 Otto Wille Kuusinen was a finnish communist politician. One of the founders of SKP (Communist Party of Finland). After losing the finnish civil war, he went to soviet union. He had a high position in Soviet Union's politics. During winter war. Stalin made puppet regime out of Karelian SSR (Terijoki Government). In which he made Otto as it's leader. Which purpose was, if whole finland would be annexed. Finnish land would be joined to the puppet regime of Terijoki's government as a Finnish SSR. I guess that statue was made as a memorial for Otto Wille Kuusinen during Soviet times. Otto was born in Laukaa, near jyväskylä. Not in Petrozavodsk.

[@spnkysy791]

Thank you for such real interesting work. I forward them to others.

[@javaiddar2217]

Incredibly good vlog, thanks for sharing.

[@hazuusan]

My grandfather was born in Karelia, Uusikirkko. He had to flee to Finland with his family after Soviets invaded his home when he was just four years old. This was an interesting watch!

[@azoique]

That library in the beginning was designed by, and features some furniture classics from Finnish Architect and Design legend Alvar Aalto. His furniture (like the chairs you can see in the video) are still being produced today by a company called Artek. Some original chairs are really expensive auction items.

[@WalksInCamera]

Really interesting and great to find out about the history of this region. Thanks for sharing!

[@Slykkpkins]

Another great video about places i never knew about. I am learning new, different cultures. Good videos you make. Thx.

[@dmdj8588]

Very interesting subject. What a video. Thanks for the content!

[@fullspektrum435]

This one was super interesting! Please adventure in Karelia more! I would love to see north of kostomuksha, especially Voknavolok and Kalevala. I visited there 15 years ago and i really miss the area a lot, it was beautiful.

[@awitchwith3diplomas426]

I'm from western Finland, the Vyborg girl school was moved to my hometown after the wars and was eventually turned to the a co-ed school that I went to secondary school in. It's a weird connection, but makes me interested in the history of Vyborg. I hope I get to visit some day. This video made me emotional for all the lost history and opportunity.

[@JoelDIAndersson]

The Petrozavodsk railway station is one of the most iconic in Russia! Also nice to see the library in Viborg made by the famous Aalto! By the way, the abondoned cemetry in Sortavala had Swedish names on its graves. Great video!

[@chrisknebel1541]

For real....your Videos being one of my most favorite on KZbin nowadays! Big props from Germany! 👌

[@ilokivi]

The eastern half of southern Karelia was taken by the USSR in March 1940 after a war of unprovoked aggression, and not "reclaimed" by Russia as claimed at 1:38. "Some Finnish architect" designed Viipuri library at 5:32, namely Alvar Aalto, one of Finland's most famous architects worldwide.

[@GeneralWinter9]

There is no such thing as unprovoked aggression.

[@Mari-ok6xg]

​@@GeneralWinter9 Well in this instance there was.

[@johnislander7956]

It's nice that the russian border guards are fully employed and busy. I guess it brings a bit of entertainment in their dull work of standing by a border post when they can just call random citizens and ask of their whereabouts and then tell their colleques to also call that person. Life needs a purpose! Btw an interesting tour. You pronounce the Finnish place names pretty well

[@anvold5152]

Don't you think that it's because of current border situation there many migrants from Asia and Afica trying to go to Finland thru Russia?

[@johnislander7956]

Nope. Firstly the video has been filmed in summer far before the migrant situation. Secondly, it is obvious that the russian border guards allow the migrants to freely move in the border zone without asking any documents. In fact the authorities help the migrants by giving them bicycles and lifts to the border. Did you see them offering mr. Vaga Vagabond a bicycle? Actually the whole migrant crisis is orchestrated by russian authorities. They force the migrants to the border hoping they'll leave Russia by seeking "asylym" in Finland. As they fail to cross the border they will be conscripted in the Russian army and sent to Ukraine @@anvold5152

[@crocodilopolis]

you think constant surveillance and control is a good thing?

[@frankintx699]

Great video, Ivan! As the saying goes, one is never too old to learn. Thank you.👍

[@jsv8898]

Contrary to what you say in your video, Vyborg was a Finnish city well before 1917, both ethnically and culturally. It had never been Russian before 1944. My grandfather got a sniper bullet to the head in 1940 somewhere in the Karelian Isthmus. My family from my dad's side is from what is now Russian Karelia. This video is both interesting and sad for me to watch. But that region is now gone and it is what it is.

[@Razzle_Dazzle-]

Good joke😂

[@o__o6452]

@@Razzle_Dazzle- what's so funny about this to you?

[@vladm5920]

Vyborg remained under Swedish rule until it was captured by the Russians during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). Under Russian rule, Vyborg was the seat of Vyborg Governorate until it was incorporated into the newly created Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917, after which Vyborg became its second-most significant city after Helsinki.

[@jsv8898]

​@@vladm5920even under Russian rule, it was ethnically and culturally Finnish/Swedish. Same way the grand duchy of Finland was never culturally or ethnically Russian, but under Russian rule.

[@mrobocop1666]

@@jsv8898 if not Russia, which created Grand Duchy of Finland as separate entity, Finland wouldn't be a thing today. Maybe just another Russian republic

[@timothysibley337]

Very interesting, thank you. My Son , who is Finnish and who’s great mother was from Karilia, has a very big interest in this area. Very informative!

[@BeritSaukko]

Thank you for this interesting and beautiful video. I have never been to Karelia, but over the years I have watched documentaries and videos from there.I don´t have family roots there, but I love Karelia regardless.

[@fortuna7469]

Great video, thanks! That library in Wiborg was designed by Alvar Aalto, the world famous Finnish architect. Students and researchers of architecture travel from all over the world to Finland to see buildings designed by him.

[@SalkkaritHistoriaa]

greetings from North Karelia 🇫🇮🇷🇺

[@jarabaa]

The library was not designed by just "some architects". Completed in 1935, it is one of the most important and famous modernist buildings in the world, and the architect was of course Alvar Aalto - one of the greatest architects and designers of the 20th century.

[@JohanKesti]

Yep, the author really didn't do any of his homework before recording this video. As a side note, the library renovation was partly funded by international funds. The lacking restauration progress was speeded up when the then Finnish president T. Halonen brought it up with Putin on state visit business.

[@theharshtruthoutthere]

@@JohanKesti lets analyse the lies which are world wide believed: lie: schools are of use (fact. schools keep slavery alive and stands for dumbing down the population of mankind) lie: moon and mars landings, (fact: even masons know they cannot leave - earth is closed system, unless you want to drown, there is no other place created for us to live in.) lie: news channels share truth (fact: these are for politic propaganda) lie: voting matters (fact: politic propaganda) lie: money has a value of its own (fact: it is just a tool of this world, which value has been agreed upon world wide) lie: NASA lies (globe and all....) (fact: NASA stands for TO DECEIVE) - you havn´t searched - have you? lie: the lgbtq++++ propaganda (fact: it is a part of masonry depopulation agenda, 500 000 000 souls, thats their goal.) lie: Evolution and the dinosaurs. (fact: mankind is not hybrid kind) to keep stating that there was an evolution, then we ain´t humans, we aint then mankind, we are then hybrids. Are you a hybrid? Lie: holidays (xmas, Halloween, new year eve and so on) (fact: PAGAN HOLIDAYS, to praise BAAL, the god of this world) lie: U.F.Os (fact: they are demons/evil spirits in high places, against whom we fight daily = spiritual warfare) lie: rules and laws rule the world (fact: signs and symbols of masonry do) lie: believe in being educated (fact: found daily living with the lack of knowledge) lie: religions are ways to heaven (fact: JESUS CHRIST is only way to heaven. Religions, no matter its name = masonic garbage) lie: our dead loved ones stay around to “ghost” (fact: hunting and ghosting is job of demons, not of humans. We, humans, come from GOD and return back to HIM and all the stories of having been seen a ghost - terrifying, scary, dark, cold - again no job of analysing been done here by you- right?) Lie: Humans have no immune system and we need vaccines as these save lives (fact: humans HAVE IMMUNE SYSTEM and vaccines are created for one or two purpose: to kill or to cripple) lie: there is no GOD (fact: There is GOD, who redeems sinners and we are directly created by GOD, Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.) to keep claiming that there is no GOD and we aint created directly from the dust of the earth, we soon run out logic, regardless to we place “evolution” in our claims or not.) lie: 911 was terror attack (fact: 911 was an inside job, meaning the work of your loved government) 17 lies, should i go on?

[@markbyrne7203]

he's taking in many places, visiting lots of sites all produced and edited solo. no way can he know every last detail of what he sees.

[@Emppu_T.]

What an epic trip! Thank you for this very interesting and informative thing!

[@kyk1682]

Awesome content, thanks for your insight and taking us along for the journey. Stay safe and keep exploring. Kind Regards from Detroit, Michigan.

[@laakssim]

We climbed to the belltower of the Lumivaara church and rang the bell :) My both grandmothers were from Karelian isthmus.

[@nis4953]

Do the stairs to the bell tower still standing? The last time I visited some stairsteps looked pretty dangerous already. Even though I'm not a superstitious person, but I stopped myself from ringing the bell since I thought it would be disrespectful somehow. (but I don't judge, I understand that this isn't functioning chruch anymore)

[@ivantrainsLIVE]

@nis4953 there is a paid entrance nowadays. 1000 RUB to ring the bell.

[@nis4953]

@@ivantrainsLIVE I hope that collected money are going to be spent for the restoration, or at least for making the place safe, since some parts of the floor were about to bend down almost to the basement.

[@manjunathmnm]

Hello from India. I visited Ruskeala Park of Karelia near Finnish border early June this year..​@@ivantrainsLIVE

[@artemakin]

"Occupation" is not the best word to describe people who lived on that territory at least from the Middle Ages if not earlier, long before Russians got there. Rather the USSR was an occupant who started an agressive war to join those lands.

[@ivantrainsLIVE]

I didn't put negative connotation into this word. For me it sounded as a synonym for "ownership". Maybe I chose the wrong word?

[@SorbusAucubaria]

@@ivantrainsLIVE using the word occupy implies controlling area/houses you don't have legitimate ownership. Like enemies conquer and occupy lands and houses that previously belonged to others. Or someone breaking in a house and starting to live in it without permission of the owner. I think most Finns think that Kareliea and Viipuri belonged to Finns as they had lived there hundreds if not thousands of years, long before Russians or Swedes. Finns had legitimate ownership of the area and the lands were conquered and occupied by first the Swedes and later by Russians.

[@vladm5920]

@@SorbusAucubariaRussians conquered the lands from the Swedes fair and square, and they let Finns continue to live there autonomously (ie still use Finish as the official language, choose their local leaders, etc). However, it was during the communist rule that many were deported, oppressed, and the lands were taken. Sure, it’s blamed on Russia, but many of the Soviet leaders or soldiers weren’t even Russian. Stalin himself was an ethnic Georgian from Georgia. Millions of Russians were killed by the communists. So it’s not like modern Russia was directly and solely responsible for this.

[@SorbusAucubaria]

@@vladm5920 the land belonged to Finns, it was always finnish homeland, it was the Swedes and the Russians who were occupiers, not Finns. Now, there is a peace deal and finns recocgnise the lands inside Russia belong to Russia now, but Finns weren't occupiers while we lived there, because Finns had legitimate claim to the lands and homes they inhabited.

[@VakarLijo]

@@vladm5920 Instead of trying to whitewash your history, wouldn't it be more beneficial for Russians to reflect on it on a deeper level? Perhaps your people could lose some imperialism and stop wars like the one your country has waged in Ukraine?

[@peterharrer3261]

The Belomorskaya -- aka the White Sea Canal -- is the Vagabond video I've been waiting for. However, its role in your journey through Karelia seemed merely a footnote. I think I understand why. The canal took so much to build and cost so many lives. And the result? A series of nautical locks that are neither wide enough nor deep enough to accommodate the commercial traffic it was intended for. Your intriguing examination of the history of the region -- Swedish, Finnish, Russian -- was by far the most interesting part, including the little known Russo-Finnish War of 1940.

[@davidhunter9282]

Another Awesome educational video thanks brother! Love the old world architecture and your train hopping you capture in your documentaries.

[@hapmon8114]

My grandfathers family was from Karelia, I've always wanted to know more about the land there so this was great to watch since I can't go there! Thank you:)

[@raziel0729]

When Vagabond uploads, i hit like before watching.

[@TastyEmpire51]

That kizhi island is beautiful. Maybe i will visit someday.

[@ThomasStephenForster]

Shame that the Russian government has become so Authoritarian and morally corrupt. This is a very beautiful place and deserves to be open to visit for peoples of the world, and serve to create economic prosperity for the Russian people.

[@clarathain903]

I really appreciate your videos. Its nice to have the history of the areas explained. Thank you

[@turbomunch]

Damn. Easily your best video yet. Like a time machine.

[@TraLaLaBuMs]

love your videos bro... all the best from Serbia

[@alfromwork]

That library reminded me of Bauhaus style buildings! Very cool! I like when cities have a mix of modern an classical architecture.

[@JSEITSONEN]

What a great video from Karelia and Viipuri/Vyborg, We are very grateful to VAGA VAGABOND to see familiar views from other side of the border. We have not been able to visit Vyborg and Kamennogorsk/Antrea during these sad times at the moment. My parents were both born in Antrea in late 1930´s and we have been visiting there quite frequently from early 1990´s.

[@davidpeongutierrez9925]

Hey Vaga, I just wanted to thank you for the content in your channel. Since I discovered it not-so-long ago, I didn't have de opportunity to watch all of your videos (yet). Nowadays I'm living in Japan and one of my dream trips since I was a teenager was visiting Sakhalin, and thet's the way I got you known. I've always spent several hours discovering new places through Google Maps and setting landmarks of the places I'd love to visit ever, places that you have visited tho (like Norilsk, th church of Luuminvaara and so). I just wanted to thank you because I love your content, your sincerity towards recent happenings (you don't seem straightminded), the eloquent way that you film your videos, the cleverness of your explanations and to intoduce us about those amazing "corners fo the world". Keep on with this!

[@ATHFShakeZulah]

I love watching your content. This was your best video to date. You go to fascinating places I can't ever go to, and I love trains journeys. I appreciate seeing some of what you see. Thanks.

[@alce1681]

Hello from finland i been watching lit of your videos for longtime nice to see how things look on that side of the border all good for you mr vagabond and lets hope things calm down 👍🏻

[@mikkomalinen2641]

Excellent documentary! My grandmother was born in Karelia during Grand Duchy times and I have always wanted to visit there. Can't help but feel sad seeing what was once the most beautiful part of Finland in such a bad condition. Viipuri would have been easily best city of modern Finland if it had not been lost. Best regards from North Karelia!

[@Albiinomajava]

Not only did the infrastructure deteriorate under the Soviet occupation, they also "cleansed" almost anything Finnish away from the region. People, language, names. Stories and pictures of the former Karelia make me really sad, it was beautiful once and lots of families had to leave their hometowns.

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

The Finnish architects of the 1960s-1970s would have destroyed Vyborg. Now at least it can be rebuilt and has been rebuilt.

[@thepinusnigra]

@@Albiinomajava what are they "cleansed", even most of original names of towns/villages were kept. Saying as local.

[@TaneliE]

​​​​@@thepinusnigra Don't worry there won't be Z operation to Viborg😅. Finnish citizens were cleaned out. Those who stayed were relocated to east and rest fled to west and the city went through russification. Finnish language disappeared. City's history was also rewritten and many buildings are in a bad shape due to a lack of early restoration. Although it is nice that there are still some buildings left, because alternative could be what happened in Helsinki.

[@thepinusnigra]

@@TaneliE the least I think of any kind of 'operation' against Russia or Vyborg to be specific. Yeah, historical part of city indeed in bad shape(if to exclude main attractions like main square next to sweden town hall and fortress, main streets. But, there's nothing spicy about it, as most of stuff was also made during Empire times. Russian government treats bad own puzzle of history as well when it comes to anything outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Although historical heritage was kept in much better shape in Soviet times. But it's a common pattern to most post soviet countries.

[@tendlouhej]

I spent some time in both countries, Finland and Russia. There are amazing places and Karelia certainly is one of them. @vagabond, I do enjoy your videos. If you will ever travel to central Europe, let me know and let’s have a beer!

[@sakarioksanen9233]

Thanks a lot for your wonderful video. Its athmosphere is nice and relaxing, and at the same time it is informative. You visit interesting places with fascinating histories, and meet ordinary people. Good stuff!

[@Sniperboy5551]

I love this channel, I wish it had more subscribers! At least I’ll always be one of the OGs!

[@taneliharkonen2463]

I thank you for this video as a Finn! It was so awesome to see the signs of finnish and swedish life. The nature and landscape somehow seems so familiar there. I have to admit it is very hard to watch at the same time.. My grandmother was born and lived in Käkisalmi on the western shore of Laatokka when she was young. She is still barely alive, and always tells stories how Laatokka waves sound different than Saimaa, although she learned to love Saimaa so much as well. That angry driver has no idea what he is talking about.. Nothing has changed in our minds in 100years. Russia is the bigger brother that we have always been a little afraid of since he is a little unpredictable in his actions. These last ones we just cannot support. We would like to be friends and partners, but the trust is very hard to build when he is very abusive to its close ones in a regular basis. That is the only reason to withdraw tourism, businesses and support from russia. I would love to come visit the origins of my family. And by the way Ääninen or Lake Onega cannot be the biggest lake in Karelia, since Laatokka is almost double the size reaching to be the biggest one in the whole area of Europe. But still thanks for the video! Lets hope to reach consensus some day...

[@ilmatar6608]

Russia is forever an enemy of Finland. Pretending otherwise is hilarious.

[@fadeaway822]

as a Russian I want to thank you. I hope someday things will get better and we'll live like a good neighbors. I'm a fan of Finnish national romantic style in architecture. I enjoy every trip to Vyborg. Uno Ullberg, Allan Schulman etc.

[@taneliharkonen2463]

@@fadeaway822 I hope so too.. All the best!

[@userusispompilius]

Шторма на ладоге очень сильные, там тяжело даже на больших круизных судах

[@anvold5152]

I thought “What is Laatokka?” before finally guessed, that it’s a Ladoga lake.😂

[@flacch]

Good stuff. As a finn I have thought about visiting Viipuri but your videos are second best option. Thank you sir.

[@hereandthere4751]

ive been watching since like 5k subs, Congrats on the 100k subs bratam! Keep Going!

[@keeto123456]

Thank you for this. Always wanted to see Karelia. Thank you for your work.

[@petriisoaho]

Cool cafe with the trains..Leningrad express! Nice video!

[@Banditt42]

Great video, thanks.

[@roarrvr]

as a half karelian and half russian thank you for a video about our republic!!

[@kirsimatikainen6527]

Greeting from South Karelia 31:52 🇫🇮from Finland. My grand parents were origin from that part of Karelia were you are traveling now, Great film!

[@edwardcone6860]

Thanks again for your enlightening, informative videos of Russia. They are very interesting. Keep up the good work!

[@jw.-]

Thank you Ivan for another interesting video :D

[@g0blinU]

Very interesting video! I'm from Helsinki but have never been to Viborg, which really annoys me. And right now it's a bit hard to go there... Hopefully I can visit at some point in the future.

[@nigelwatson2750]

This is how I feel. I'm a Brit living in Pori.

[@man_of_the_north1]

It is not problem. You can get e-visa to Russia.

[@vladm5920]

It’s not as bad as you think. I know many Americans and Brits who live in St Petersburg. One of my American friends visited Vyborg a couple of months ago by himself, he doesn’t even speak much Russian.

[@valdemort7983]

Don't worry, if you can't visit Russia, Russia will visit you at your home. Considering your country's aggressive policy against Russia, it won't take long time from now.

[@nigelwatson2750]

77th brigade 100% guaranteed@@valdemort7983

[@kallekonttinen1738]

Graves are not from 1918 but from winter war 1939-40 and continuation war 1941-44. In film you can see name Väinö Kuismin. There are two Väinö Kuismin from Jaakkima who died in these wars. Other is buried to Ylivieska and other burial place is not registered. Probably he is there at Jaakkima. Väinö Kuismin was 30 year old artillerist from Finnish army and occupation was farmer. He died 17.12.1939.

[@mike_dunno]

The library was designed by Alvar Aalto, propably the most famous Finnish architect ever.

[@Gabaja21]

Only recently discovered your content. All of it fascinating and informative. Particularly liked your furtive ‘side eye’ to camera whilst the driver you caught a ride with was venting his spleen!

[@gdebouillon]

Thank you for showing us Karelia. It's beautiful!

[@ЕвгенийГубарьков-д6ж]

Иван, отличный фильм. Я бы даже не назвал его документальным, а научно- познавательным. Твоё мастерство подачи материала растёт не по дням, а по часам. Я, не зная языка, смотрел и всё понимал и балдел от удовольствия. Большущее спасибо Ваня за фильм!

[@bronte826]

This was one of your best videos. Hearing about the history and what's going on now gives me a whole different perspective than what they would have us believe here in the west. Thanks and keep these type of videos coming.

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

The original (or 2nd) 1913 Vyborg station was totally destroyed in the war. The current Soviet Neoclassical style building is from 1953.

[@davidharrison3173]

You do an awesome job. You deserve many more subscribers.

[@juusoroininen2413]

Thank you for this interesting video! My grandpa had to evacuate as a kid from lake ladoga to helsinki in 1939 and this is actually a first video i have seen of our lost territories present day👍

[@Puistokemisti]

37:33 My grandfather, who visited Petroskoi in the 80s or 90s, pissed on the root of that statue. A fitting gesture to Kuusinen

[@socitour]

Former Finnish lands, which are former Soviet lands, which are former Russian lands, which are former Swedish lands

[@okkimgreenhead6554]

The Warriors from present-day Sweden who fought in Eastern Europe were called Varjager (Swedish spelling) or Rus. Varjager (Swedish spelling) were called people in Eastern Europe who were not slaves. The name was often used for Swedish Vikings, but could also apply to other people from the Nordics who lived in the area or were traders like the Danes,Norwegians. The name Rus stayed with the Finnougric tribes that was left for Rurik to unite as nation. Väringar (Swedish spelling) was a name of warriors who were hired soldiers in the Byzantine Empire. The Värings, many of whom were Vikings from the Nordics, took part in wars and were also bodyguards for the emperor. Rurik. (Varjager) * Varjager = Viking Age Scandinavians, above all Rus or Svear (swedish spelling) in general. So the name of Russian people,have officially been declared later and a indignious people or original Slavic tribes of Rus never existed.

[@sergioviatsky9483]

The Karelians lived no worse than the Finns. Then came the russians and divided our peoples and territories. And there is little left of the culture of the Karelians.

[@castybean]

Karelia! never heard of it before. Nice tour! Will checkout your other videos

[@DavisRoadProductions2025]

Kiitos/Tack/Thank You Very Much for posting this video; I have told everyone on Twitter to check it out; my ancestors came from there; I am writing about it now...