Finland Times

 

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Souvenir and gift shop Piesku Oy that Tuula Tuisku setup up in downtown Rovaniemi is playing an important role of disseminating Lappish history through traditional products since 1996.

 

Thousands of visitors go to the shop every year, buying and experiencing famous Lappish handicraft items as souvenirs.

 

Piesku Ltd began its journey with an aim to introduce Sami and Lappish handicraft tradition to visitors, especially foreigners willing to nourish memories of their trip to Rovaniemi, the official home town of Santa Claus.

 

The company offers its customers different types of traditional Lappish handicraft, traditional and modern objects for daily use, various gift items and Scandinavian design products.

 

FTimes Photo.

The company always tries to maintain the quality of its products, 90 per cent of which are made in Finland. 

 

Tuula Tuisku told Finland Times, “We always focus on the unique design and the quality of the products because we know we do not sell products only but we sell the name of Finland.”

 

“We have a collection for all types of people, including children, so that everybody can find something Lappish as a souvenir. All our products come with a history — who design them, what materials are used, their cultural and traditional connections etc,” she added.

 

FTimes Photo.

Some items at Piesku most in demand are reindeer horn-made jewellery, Lappilaiset design dolls, Toutteet’s knives, kuksas handmade wood mug with reindeer handle, reindeer hides, fur products, T-shirts, crystal products, items made from wood, Christmas decoration, products from Aarikka, felt products and trolls.

 

The Moomin products which include mugs, plates, fridge magnets, umbrellas and many other lovely items are very popular among Japanese tourists. The shop also offers traditional Sami dresses, hats, scarves, knives, drums and shoes made of reindeer skins by Sami families.

 

Talking to Finland Times, Sari Mursu, who is from northern Finland and works at Piesku, said, “It is good to nurture people’s interest in Lappish handicraft as it helps Sami people to keep their tradition alive and help a number of families to keep earning.”