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Thursday, 18th October 2007 (4816 views)

A feature in the November 2007 issue of Canadian magazine The Walrus has described the annual gold panning competition in the Lapland village of Njurgulahti as "the social event of the year".

The village, loacted in the Lemmenjoki valley, is situated in one of two areas in the region with a history of 20th century gold discovery, according to the magazine.

Following the Nazi invasion of northern Finland at the end of World War II, residents of the Lapland region began to search for gold in the area.

Now, residents commemorate the gold-seeking history at the Lemmenjoki Gold Panning Championships – featuring guest competitors from as far away as South Africa and Alaska – where contestants are judged on speed and accuracy.

The week-long event has taken place every summer since 1989 and includes a gold and mineral auction, guided tours of historic gold mines, exhibits at the town's international gold museum and country music performances.

 

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