The so-called backwoods writer Ilmari Kianto is an important part of the history of Finnish literature andSuomussalmi. Th e aim of the project was to design and establish a permanent, nationally and internationally knowncultural centre, the Kianto Institute. Th e institute would cherish Kiantos literary and other cultural heritage andpresent the local and Karelian traditions. Th e starting point for the project were Kiantos enthusiasm about WhiteSea Karelia, which started in 1896, his numerous travels there and his subsequent resulting valuable works, whichentice a traveller to explore White Sea Karelia. Th erefore, the object of the project was also to design and test culturaltrips to White Sea Karelia and Kainuu under the theme Ilmari Kiannon jalanjäljillä (In the Footsteps of IlmariKianto). Another aim was to increase the knowledge about the cultural and literary traditions of Suomussalmifrom the perspective of cultural tourism. A high-quality Kianto Exhibition was planned in the premises of theSuomussalmi vocational college, as well as enriching and developing the Kianto collection and renewing the webpages of Kianto. Kiantos production had been previously researched relatively little, so another starting point for theproject was to awaken research interest; the project also included research work and cooperation with various partiesand the organisation of related events. Achievements: The activities of the Kianto Institute were developed with regard to constructing permanent structures to the cultural centre, cultural tourism, cherishing Kiantos spiritual and literary heritage and supporting the local cultural identity. Following the project outline, a permanent high-quality exhibition was constructed from the objects of the Kianto Exhibition at the Main Library of Suomussalmi, archived material and objects and other material acquired by the project. The project also implemented temporary exhibitions, seminars and other cultural events. Three publications were completed during the project, and assistance was given for making one publication. The project also created web pages about Kiantos life and production: http://poro.koillismaa.fi /kiantoinstituutti. The project co-operated with local parties, as well as with parties from both East and North Finland and from Russia. The project consolidated the cooperation in the municipality of Suomussalmi and, in particular, Kalevala, creating connections with the cultural department of the town of Kostomuksha, the University of Petrozavodsk, the authors and influential literary figures in Karelia and the cultural press of Karelia. Cultural tourism in the Republic of Karelia and Kainuu was promoted by, among other things, designing and making test trips, the experiences of which also produced a travel guide entitled Kiannon keht (Kiantos Circles). The project managed to create versatile operational models and activities for the cultural centre in Suomussalmi and there was also involvement in a discussion concerning the future of the cultural life in Suomussalmi. The cultural strategy of Suomussalmi for 2006-2010 includes continuation of the project under the name Kulttuurikeskus Kianto (Kianto Cultural Centre). Permanent financing for the cultural project has not been arranged, but the activities initiated in the project will be continued by the cultural and tourist services of the Suomussalmi Municipality, the Main Library of Suomussalmi and the Kianto Institute.