Lappi may replace its century-old regional anthem

Lappi is considering replacing its regional anthem, Kymmenen virran maa, which it has shared with Pohjois-Pohjanmaa since 1906, Yle reports.

The Lapland Regional Council has asked municipalities for their positions by 30 September. If a majority supports the change, the regional assembly will decide this autumn.

A proposal by MP Sara Seppänen calls for Lapland to adopt its own anthem, suggesting Heikki Yli-Tepsa’s Lapille as the replacement. A 2019 petition also pushed for a distinct Lapland anthem.

Regional Director Hannu Takkula confirmed that the council initially questioned its authority to make the change, as there is no legislation governing regional anthems. The Ministry of Culture clarified that the regional assembly has the power to decide.

Kymmenen virran maa, composed by Oskar Merikanto with lyrics by A. V. Forsman, references rivers, nature, and Lapland’s landscapes. The proposed Lapille is more melancholic, focusing on fells, snow, and the darkness of winter.

Takkula framed the issue as a branding question, noting discussions about a unique anthem have surfaced periodically since the 1990s.