Guide: Viivikonna should stop longing for Soviet past

Viivikonna, a former mining settlement in Ida-Viru County known as a "ghost town" and a magnet for fans of abandoned places, is gradually getting a new look. According to guide Priit Orav, who heads the Kose village community in Jõhvi Parish, the time has come to move on from Soviet nostalgia and focus on building a fresh image.

Orav has been giving tours around Viivikonna for 25 years and has led about a hundred excursions. He noted that both the settlement and locals' attitudes toward tourists have changed. Residents have long been tired of the large number of visitors and of the place becoming the focus of global social media attention.

For years, the settlement attracted tourists and filmmakers. Many YouTube videos about the abandoned village have been made by authors from different countries. "Now it is probably time to draw the line," the guide said. New private homes have been built nearby and old buildings are being renovated, giving Viivikonna an increasingly modern European look. Orav hopes the settlement will become a quiet place with low-density housing. Sillamäe, just ten kilometres away, has also transformed significantly in recent years.

Most of the larger buildings have been demolished, leaving the old school building and a few small structures. The small houses, originally built for four families, have been converted into homes for one or two families with beautiful gardens.

According to Orav, Ida-Virumaa's tourism strategy is also changing. While the focus used to be on extreme tourism and the Soviet past, the region now wants to present itself as a destination for peaceful recreation. "We want this settlement to be associated with rest, beautiful yards and a comfortable environment," he said. Viivikonna could serve as an example of turning an unattractive town into a pleasant village. Orav also stressed that Ida-Virumaa is unique for its diverse natural landscapes, including rivers, lakes, the sea, forests and bogs.