Finland 2011 5€ Karelia - Historical Provinces

The provincial coins series reflect tones of everyday life in Finland’s historical provinces.

Karelia is one of nine historical provinces in Finland.


On the reverse side of the coin there is the historical province's coat of arms and the face value, 5 EURO.

Karelia provincial coin inspires thoughts of a province in which many Finns have ties. The provincial coin captures the tradition of Karelian birchcraft.
 
Many Finns have their roots in Karelia. Traditional Karelian dishes, such as Karelian pasties (open rye pastry cases filled with rice), are popular delicacies throughout all of Finland.

The history of the province is a tumultuous one, but there will always be a place for Karelia in the hearts of Finns. The traditional folk song of Karelia captures the love that Finns have for the province:

In our lovely Finlandia
Could there be a dearer land,
Than is our beautiful Karelia,
Song's vast homeland!

P.J. Hannikainen

There are nine historical provinces in Finland: Åland, Tavastia, Karelia, Lapland, Ostrobothnia, Satakunta, Savo, Uusimaa and Finland Proper.