As a self-identifying optimist, I wouldn’t normally be drawn to a place that proudly markets its pessimistic outlook in slogans, billboards, and even a themed café. But this summer, Michael and I stumbled across Puolanka, a small Finnish town that has turned pessimism into an art form.
Puolanka, located almost in the very centre of Finland, is a small town with a shrinking population and not much to do at first glance. It’s the kind of place you could drive past without noticing, if not for the humour that greets you on the way in.
The town slogan is right on trend
As you approach, roadside signs tease you:
Are you lost? Puolanka is next.
You can still turn around.
Well, you didn’t turn around then.
My favourite, though, was the town slogan plastered on posters and billboards:
Pettymyskin on kokemus. Even disappointment is an experience.
Doing more with less
We popped into the Pessimism House café, where we chatted with Artistic Director Tommi Rajala, busy preparing for the opening of their annual summer theatre production.
He explained that Puolanka represents many small Finnish towns, which is why the pessimism concept resonates widely. A Helsinki resident for much of the year, he’s drawn to the challenge of creating art in a place without the resources of the capital.
“Working without the usual resources means you need to draw on your creativity even more,” Rajala told me. “That’s what makes it more fun and satisfying. I believe that limitations enhance one’s creativity. ”
I believe that limitations enhance one’s creativity.
Tommi rajala
Each summer, the town stages a theatre production. This year it’s a musical. We couldn’t attend but I hope we’ll be able to next year.
The Pessimists also publish their own newspaper, rich with dry humour. One piece mapped out when the last lights in Puolanka would go out, based on population decline. Another, in the travel section, listed a number of better places to spend your holiday. Best read with a cup of coffee and a freshly baked pulla in the café, it’s both darkly depressing and laugh-out-loud hilarious at the same time.
Creativity, even in unlikely places
The Puolanka Pessimists showed me that creativity can successfully reframe a not-so-great situation. With imagination and persistence, something special can be created. The Pessimist group provides community, their newspaper turns decline into satire, and their art and theatre bring culture and life into a quiet town.
As someone working on strengthening my own creative practice, I found this visit unexpectedly inspiring.
When to visit
The Pessimist house café is open every day until 4 October 2025. If you’re travelling through central Finland and want a taste of quirky small-town humour, Puolanka is worth the detour.
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