Deambulations

Most of the world is heading in a direction where we experience our lives through technology, yet people in Finland seem to retain a strong connection with the natural world, and understand the role it can play in an individual’s well-being. Statistically 90 per cent of Finns choose the forest as their favourite place to be, and according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland, 96 per cent of Finns participate in outdoor recreation on average two to three times a week. Walking is officially the most popular form of exercise in Finland.

To gain an insight into the relationship that Finns have with nature, I went on four short walks with people living in different areas of Finland. Each person chose the walk and led me along the way as we discussed happiness in Finland, and any other topics that arose. Made in Helsinki, Turku, Nagu and Rovaniemi, the walks incorporate text taken from each persons responses during our conversations.

Deambulations is one of nine series that were made as part of the MAP6 collective’s Finland: The Happiness Project. The work explores themes around the United Nations’ World Happiness Report, which in 2022 ranked Finland as the most content nation for the fifth year running. Finland: The Happiness Project was published as a book in collaboration with The Finnish Institute and has been exhibited as part of The Helsinki Photo Festival and the Brighton Photo Fringe at Colonnade House in Worthing.