From the book
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As I’ve already mentioned, major Korelian occupation is grain farming. They used to be state farmers, so they have plenty of land, however the land is not useful everywhere. There are many lakes and marshes in Korelia as in the entire Olonets region. In some places soil is so rocky so that handling it is extremely difficult. Ridges of Finnish rock formations are seen on every step, and sometimes cross the rivers forming waterfalls… Bedrock, wood and water are the major treasures of Korelia. Korelia is indeed rich with forest, which is protected by the law. A few years back, Olonets’ lumber was logged and sold at large scale. The logging was of such vast proportions that the land risked total deforestation. A law was put in place to forbid logging for locals. Not permitted to sell lumber and having no need for it, Korels don’t know its value and often barbarically destroy it. They cut and burn the trees, right on the spot not to be burdened with its transport and to fertilize the soil, which they then plough and seed. . . . Korels often work as labourers in manufacturing plants, dig ore, float and move firewood and produce charcoal. Korelians are not as good as their neighbours – Russians doing these jobs. Above all, Korelians are farmers and spend all of their lives in the field, which does not always reward their endless heavy labour. Translated by Margarita Matthew, 2024 |