societal security

It was in the mid 18th century that Finnish settlers moved to the southeastern tip on the Varanger fjord, in the eastern part of Finnmark and not far from Norway’s border to the Russian Federation, where they established the village Bugøynes. Favored by the warmth of the Gulf Stream, fishing boats can go out to the sea the whole year around, which is why harvesting marine living resources has always played a crucial role in the village's subsistence. Until the 1980s fisheries, in particular the harvest of cod, was in the center of the flourishing village development.

Since the mid 20th century, every year towards the end of March, Hetta celebrates the St. Mary's Days. Within the region, it is one of the biggest events and festivals of the local Sámi: People from all over Enontekiö and the surrounding areas, such as from the close by Kautokeino region in Norway, are coming together for this celebration in Hetta, which is the biggest village in Enontekiö – a municipality in the very north-west of Finland. The tradition of celebrating St.