Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies Future Symposium

Programme

Venue: University of Lapland

DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME

Tuesday 23 September 2025

Pre-symposium programme
10:00–14:00 Guided walking excursion to Kuninkaanlaavu, Beyond Arctic
12:00–15:00 Intuitive painting with natural pigments, Tanya Kravtsov
13:30–16:30 Tuning in video session in Mauri Hall, no registration needed

Symposium starts
16:00–17:00 Registration
17:00–17:15  Welcome and introduction in Esko & Asko hall
17:15–18:15  Keynote by Professor Gro Birgit Ween in Esko & Asko hall
18:15– Welcome reception and Opening of the exhibitions in Agora

Read more about the exhibitions;
Definition of Forest
If We Grew Fins
Arctic Light: From Lapland to New York and Back

Wednesday 24 September 2025

08:00–09:00 Registration
09:00–11:30  Sessions I
11:45–13:00  Lunch, Petronella & possibility to visit the exhibitions
13:00–14:00  Keynote by Professor Ragnhild Nilsson, Esko & Asko hall
14:00–14:30  Coffee/tea
14:30–17:00  Sessions II

19:00–  Dinner at Lähteentien Pirtti

Thursday 25 September 2025

08:00–09:00 Registration
09:00–11:30  Sessions III
11:45–12:30  Lunch, Petronella
12:30–13:30  Keynote by BioARTech Laboratory, Esko & Asko hall
13:30–13:45  Closing words
13:45–  Coffee & farewells

Post-symposium programme 

15:00–  After-Symposium beers at Kauppayhtiö
18:00–  After-Symposium sauna at Kesärafla Sauna

Programme updated on Tuesday 16.9.

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Excursion details

Tuesday 23 September 2025 

10:00–14:00  Guided walking excursion to Kuninkaanlaavu, Beyond Arctic 

Landscapes of Rovaniemi
On this tour we will start from Rovaniemi and drive by Minibus 15 minutes away from the city to experience beautiful landscapes of Rovaniemi. We will have a short hike to the top of the hill to where we can fully appreciate the forests and rivers of Rovaniemi. On the spot we can also build a fire and enjoy some snacks together prepared on open fire.

Length:
3–4 hours

Start time:
10:00am

Price:
102€ per person
(Min. 4 participants / Max. 16 participants)

Tuesday 23 September

12:00–15:00  Intuitive painting with natural pigments, Tanya Kravtsov

The workshop includes an outdoor walk, collecting fallen materials from the forest for creating natural brushes. The participants make their own brushes and paint with natural pigments prepared in advance (for instance blueberries, and other materials collected by Tanya during summer). The workshop is held in a forest behind the University - it is small but cozy, and it is easy to go indoors if the weather gets rainy.

Tanya Kravtsov is an artist and doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Art, University of Lapland. Originally from southwestern Siberia, she has been based in Rovaniemi since 2016. Throughout her artistic journey, she has explored visual arts, ceramics, and embroidery. Her research and artistic interests include art-based research methods, northern craft traditions, connectedness with nature, and traditional ecological knowledge. Currently, Tanya is involved in the VillaInno project (2023–2026), which focuses on revitalizing wool craft traditions.

Her artistic practice includes various workshops using natural materials, such as landscape painting with blueberries, bracelet weaving with birch bark, plant imprinting in clay, and embroidery with naturally dyed wool yarn. She believes that embracing the wisdom of our ancestors and restoring our bond with nature can help us feel more rooted while fostering a slower, more grounded, and sustainable way of living.

Length:
3 hours

Start time:
12:00am

Price:
38 € per person
(Min. 8 participants / Max. 15 participants)

Thursday 25 September

18:00–20:00  After-symposium Sauna, Kesärafla Sauna

The foundation of the Kesärafla Sauna is a beautiful and large wood-heated sauna by the Kemijoki River. The sauna features a wood-burning stove that provides heat for up to 35 people. There are separate shower facilities for women and men. You can take a refreshing dip in the river from the dock or enjoy the clear evening sun from the terrace.

Length:
3 hours

Start time:
18:00am

Price:
30 € per person
(Min. 20 participants / Max. 35 Participants)

We thank most sincerely the following organizations for their support for the conference:

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