The line between reality and fairy tale

Sometimes there are situations where it's impossible to draw a clear line between where reality ends and a fairy tale begins.

I’ve been reading the book Tarujen tunturit (by Asko Kaikusalo and Yrjö Metsälä), from which the sentence above is taken. The book tells stories from Tunturi-Lappi, mainly focusing on the fells around Kilpisjärvi. It includes tales of giants, elves, and travelers from Lapland, both past and present. It also touches on the yearly cycle of the fells and life in Tunturi-Lappi.

How much of these stories is true and how much is myth is left to the reader. The line between reality and fairy tale is blurred, if it even exists.

In places where people have to live face-to-face with nature and its forces, the mind and senses become more attuned. A traveler who has roamed long enough in the northern wilderness sees the world differently. One who has experienced something believes in it.

These fells—like all fells—have witnessed countless events, both mythical and real. And if you travel there with the right, compassionate, and open mind, you might just catch a glimpse of the fells' fairy tale-like essence.

I'm deeply inspired by old Lapland stories and northern mythology. Whether or not they're true doesn't matter at all. In the past, tales of elves were told as truthfully as the trees of the forest. The fact that something can't be explained doesn't necessarily mean it isn't real.

A little sprinkle of magic into your reality today ✨

 ♥ Sanna