Next is Poland. You still have time to turn away.
If we are bad, then we are the best in badness.
The Pessimists of Puolanga continue the legacy from Kainuu.
There have been enough stories about Puolanga since the British broadcasting company BBC reported in 2019 that Kainuu County is the most pessimistic place in the world and a dying city.
A skiing hero who turns 60 on Saturday Tuulikki Kemppainen (formerly Pyykkönen) is an experience expert. He has lived in Puolanga all his life.
– When I was about 20 years old, I considered whether I should move away, Kemppainen recalls.
The thoughts quickly disappeared.
– My roots are here and I have settled here. If I momentarily feel bad in Puolanga, I go somewhere else. Every time I’ve been around the world, it’s been nice to return home, he announces.
The BBC story talked about a dying city. That means a significant migration loss.
When Kemppainen was born in 1963, Puolanga had just under 6,000 inhabitants. In 2022, according to Statistics Finland, there were 2,380 inhabitants.
– People are leaving the remote villages, and summer return migrants will not replace them. Agglomerations are inhabited by aging people, Kemppainen describes.
The woman, who gained a reputation as a good-natured type in her skiing career, approaches the publicity Puolanga receives with a smile.
– It’s incredibly good when we know how to take it with humor.
Proud mother
This is where Tuulikki Pyykkönen skis in the 1997 World Championships. PDO
Since his skiing career, Kemppainen has worked in Puolanga municipality in sports. The current job description is exercise counselor. The work covers moving people of all ages.
– We have a new and great sports hall. There are running tracks and a gym. Our sports venues are very competitive compared to many big cities.
Puolanga’s network of ski trails is high-quality and quite comprehensive.
– Skiing is still close to me. Sometimes I also go hunting on skis. I go for walks with our dogs.
Kemppainen has one son with her husband.
– We are happy and proud of him.
Once on the podium
Kati Pulkkinen (left), Tuulikki Pyykkönen, Riikka Sirviö and Satu Salonen celebrate the relay World Championship bronze in Trondheim in 1997. IL archive
From the end of the 1980s to the end of the 1990s, the Pole was one of Finland’s top skiers, although the team included world stars throughout their careers Marja-Liisa from Kirvesniemi and Marjo Matikainen from
The 1989 World Championships in Lahti reflect Kemppainen’s career well: he took the 6th and 7th places in the traditional 10 and 15 kilometer races, but Matikainen, Kirvesniemi and Pirkko Määtt grabbed the triple wins.
– I wasn’t sorry that I didn’t celebrate like my teammates. In Lahti, I was even surprised by my own rankings.
In the World Cup, the woman skied in the top ten chess 13 times and reached the podium once.
– It was a very fast-paced race, where it seemed to be a tie. I lost Jaana Savolainen. Bitter disappointment, bitter disappointment, Kemppainen smiles at the five-kilometer traditional race of the 1989 World Cup in Salt Lake City.
– Just not. Jaana and I are still very close, he adds.
Skiing in a skirt
Tuulikki Pyykkönen and other Finnish national team women skied in a skirt in 1993. IL-Archive
One special feat during Kemppainen’s career happened in the early 1990s, when Finnish female skiers competed in tricot skirts.
– Maybe it was too long a skirt.
The outfit was black and orange.
– I’m an enthusiastic person for all kinds of things, so I didn’t feel it was a bad thing. Too bad I’ve lost it.
Kemppainen skied 20 consecutive prestigious race starts without a medal, until Finland won bronze in the 4×5 kilometer relay in Trondheim in 1997.
– It was the highlight of my career. All in all, I left a good taste of my career. I couldn’t do better.
In 1997, he coached the Finnish women’s team Kari-Pekka Kyrö.
– A good coach who had a lot of knowledge and skill.
Kyrö has publicly assessed that doping has been closely present in top international skiing.
– It’s pointless to deny it: surely someone has used it, says Kemppainen.
– No one ever presented me with anything, and I have not encountered the substances, he adds.
“I’m not getting old”
Tuulikki Pyykkönen’s style sample from the 1991 World Championships in Val di Fiemme. PDO
Kemppainen will spend his anniversary working on his passion, as he will be watching the Ruka World Cup in Kuusamo.
– Time has passed quickly, but even though I’m getting older, I’m not getting older, he laughs.
Ruka offers kisamakkara, but does a woman like Puolanga’s keeper’s dish with turnip milk?
– I’m an omnivore, but I can’t eat very much of it. Potty milk is better.