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Constructing (Un)familiarity: Role of Tourism in Identity and Region Building at the Finnish--Russian Border

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  • Alexander Izotov
  • Jussi Laine

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of tourism in the construction of (un)familiarity in Karelia at the Finnish--Russian borderland. From a historical perspective, it deals with a culturally homogenous space, which more recently became divided by the border into two nation states that differ politically, ethnically and linguistically. In the course of the Cold War, unfamiliarity was one of the tools used by the Soviet political elite in construction of national identity. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the border regime became liberalized and cross-border interaction began, familiarity became one of the key factors of the regional identity construction. The case of Sortavala, on which this study focuses, allows us to analyse how identity was constructed in official and media discourses. Although familiarity in the local context is more prominent, unfamiliarity is also at stake, not only in a negative sense, but also from a sense of curiosity about historical ties between the different parts of Karelia. This paper contributes to an understanding of EU external bordering politics. It also highlights the role of local actors in the (re-)construction and (re-)interpretation of borders. Tourism is seen as one of the facets of local identity formation. This study attempts to understand tourism-driven cross-border region-building processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Izotov & Jussi Laine, 2013. "Constructing (Un)familiarity: Role of Tourism in Identity and Region Building at the Finnish--Russian Border," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 93-111, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurpls:v:21:y:2013:i:1:p:93-111
    DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2012.716241
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    Cited by:

    1. Stoffelen, Arie, 2024. "A REVIEW OF TOURISM AND BORDERING PROCESSES: Launching the Annals of Tourism Research Curated Collection on tourism and territorial borders," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    2. Anna A. Dekalchuk, 2014. "Schengen Borders In Practice: Facts About Finland (And Russia)," HSE Working papers WP BRP 05/IR/2014, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

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