Land des Bergkönigs
A Nordic fairy tale tells the story of little Sampo, who sets out on a dangerous journey to the Mountain King to bring back the sun. For one winter day, when it was still dark and only the moon, the stars, and the Northern Lights illuminated the sky, little Sampo saw a red streak on the horizon. Hope arose that the sun might come back to life and rouse the Mountain King’s realm from the deep slumber of winter. But when little Sampo finally found the Mountain King and his retinue of trolls and dwarves after a arduous journey on the day of the Sun Festival, the king declared eternal winter and eternal night upon his land. With the exception of those who shunned the light and wished to wreak havoc at night, all creatures were shaken by this proclamation, yet only little Sampo dared to contradict the king. But just as the Mountain King was about to slay little Sampo for his audacity, she appeared - the sun - and blinded the Mountain King. With the return of the sun, which had been believed dead, all the animals’ longing for warm light was satisfied, and the land was filled with joy. Sampo returned to his parents and witnessed the sun’s return many more times.
Tierra | Land des Bergkönigs | Finland | 2026
Dawn over the wintry Urho Kekkonen National Park