The Pilke* Science Centre is a memorable and interactive place to visit for people of all ages whether the reason for your visit is work, study or vacation. The exhibition at the Science Centre tells about sustainable use of northern forests and about the forests’ diverse yields, products and commodities. Pilke’s life is rooted in the present moment and in the bright future of forest multiuse.

The exhibition of Pilke transfers knowledge through investigation and doing. The exhibition is like a happy pile of chopped firewood (pilke in Finnish) and includes the following themes: Forest from Trees tells about the ecology and biology of forests; A Tree Is Falling focuses on forestry and forest economy, on a tree’s journey starting in the forest and ending in various downstream processing destinations; All from Wood illustrates the various forms of wood use from familiar building purposes to medicines and perhaps to foods beneficial to health; Men and Women of the Forests opens a cultural viewpoint to the uses of forests and their significance; Welcome to Sahanperä reminds the visitor about the area’s local past – “in times past on this ground there was Sahanperä, a notorious place where those entering outnumbered those who returned…”

*) Pilke = 25–50 cm long piece of firewood chopped from a log of wood or a slender tree trunk (also the word klapi is used); another meaning for pilke is ‘twinkle’ or ‘sparkle’ in the eye, referring to playfulness