Parppeinpirtti History

In 1873, a Swedish anthropologist, Gustaf Retzius, traveled through Finland with his companions Erik Nordenson and Christian Loven. Retzius's journey extended to Finland, Karelia, and the Volga. Retzius had seen kantele instruments in a museum collection in Helsinki and wanted to personally meet kantele players during his journey. Finally, in Ilomantsi, he was introduced to Parppein ukko, who still played the kantele. “He walked towards us, carrying a black string instrument, a kantele, in his arms. This apparition irresistibly thrilled us. It was like a vision, a phantom that had stepped before us. It was a misty figure from the past, as if Väinämöinen himself stood before us.”

Parppeinvaara's new beginning happened at the turn of the 1950s-60s. The idea of the Runo-singer's house and the presentation of Karelian culture was realized with the completion of the Karelian house designed by Aulis Kalma in 1964. As visitor numbers increased, Kestipirtti was built next to it for restaurant operations in 1997. The need for additional space grew with the number of tourists, and in 1992, a Karelian restaurant rose to the top of the hill.

The building, previously planned as Kalevala-pirtti, was named Parppeinpirtti, and it was inaugurated in 1992. And from that moment, the story of Restaurant Parppeinpirtti began.

Today, those seeking living Karelia head to Parppeinvaara in Ilomantsi. The restaurant owner, Parppein hostess, Marjo Niiranen, welcomes guests, and the hill's radiant maidens guide guests to the delicacies. With kantele music playing in the background, bellies are filled with food from the feast table. The spirit and scents of the Karelian house evoke an ancient atmosphere, and the gaze turns to the landscape visible from the windows: Karelia, we found you.