For the project: A Journey of Discovery in Art – Environmental Art Trail in Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark
Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark, one of Finland’s most distinctive natural and cultural destinations, is home to a visionary initiative that bridges art, heritage, community and sustainable tourism. For her leadership of the project A Journey of Discovery in Art – Environmental Art Trail in Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark, Katariina Van Boxtel of Skål Helsinki is honoured with the Skål Europe Sustainable Tourism Award.
Revitalising Cultural Heritage Through Art and Nature
Situated just 30 kilometres from Oulu—European Capital of Culture 2026—Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark is recognised for its striking post-glacial landscapes: forested eskers, ancient shorelines, kettle holes and dunes shaped by the Ice Age. As part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, Rokua embodies global sustainability principles rooted in geoconservation, environmental education, community participation and the strengthening of local identity.
Katariina’s project brings these values to life by reimagining cultural heritage through environmental art. A Journey of Discovery in Art transforms the geopark into an open-air cultural space where geology, traditional livelihoods and intangible stories intertwine.
Seven Site-Specific Artworks, One Shared Cultural Story
At the heart of the initiative are seven environmental artworks installed along existing hiking routes and nature trails throughout the geopark. Selected through an open, portfolio-based call, professional artists collaborated closely with residents, schoolchildren, cultural organisations and regional stakeholders.
This participatory method deepened community ownership, nurtured intergenerational dialogue and ensured that the artworks authentically represent local identity.
The installations interpret three thematic pillars of Rokua’s heritage:
- Geological heritage shaped by glacial forces
- Cultural history, particularly the centuries-old tar-production tradition
- Myths and legends, reflecting how generations have understood the landscape
By presenting these themes through art instead of traditional signage, the project creates emotional, memorable and accessible encounters with heritage—inviting visitors to discover stories in the very places where they originated.
Preserving Heritage While Inspiring Sustainable Tourism
Many of Rokua’s intangible narratives risked fading over time. Through co-creation and artistic interpretation, these stories have been revived and passed on to new generations, strengthening cultural continuity. The project also promotes low-impact tourism by enriching visitor experience along existing trail networks, avoiding new infrastructure and aligning closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Expanding Storytelling Through Film
In 2025, the interpretive experience was expanded with the short film “Maiseman muisti” (Memory of the Landscape) by local filmmaker Sami Mustonen. The film explores the relationship between people, memory and the natural environment, complementing the trail by giving voice and movement to Rokua’s geological and cultural identity.
An English version is forthcoming, widening accessibility for international visitors and partners.
Together, the art trail and film create a coherent cultural narrative that strengthens regional pride while enhancing Rokua’s visibility as part of the broader Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Measurable Impact
- 7 site-specific artworks installed across the geopark
- Artists selected competitively through an open portfolio call
- Extensive community co-creation with residents, schools and local organisations
- Locally produced film, with an international version in progress
- Increased awareness of geological, cultural and intangible heritage
- Strengthened local identity and intergenerational engagement
- Support for low-impact, year-round tourism along existing trails
- Promotion of Rokua as a cultural tourism destination linked to Oulu2026
- Achieved with minimal new infrastructure and strong sustainability alignment
A Model for Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Europe
Through visionary leadership, cultural sensitivity and deep community engagement, Katariina Van Boxtel has demonstrated how heritage preservation and contemporary creativity can coexist to enrich visitor experiences sustainably. Her project stands as a benchmark for innovative cultural-heritage conservation across Europe.
