"Everyone's right" pushed to be listed as world heritage

The Finnish Outdoor Association, along with other organizations, has started a campaign to put the Finnish "everyone's right" on the list of world immaterial heritage maintained by UNESCO, media reported on Sunday.

The Finnish "everyone's right" means that everyone can enter and enjoy any forest or other wild nature, without regard to whom owns the area. Owners cannot restrict entry except to the immediate vicinity of their houses.

The rights also include picking up berries and mushrooms, and fishing in the lakes. People cannot be fined for "trespassing" in Finland. However, the "everyone´s right" approves entry only on foot, on skis, bicycle or horseback, or by boat. Motor vehicles are excluded.

The UNESCO list currently has over 450 items representing 117 countries and regions, Finnish public broadcaster Yle noted. They include traditions such as acupuncture tradition from China, rumba music from Cuba and flamenco from Spain, and self defense sports Capoeira from Brazil, Yle said.

So far nothing is from Finland.

The Finnish government has earlier submitted to UNESCO the Finnish sauna tradition and the country style fiddle or violin tradition.

The promoters of "everyone's right" as a world heritage tradition have yet to secure the government backing.

Anne Rautiainen, a spokesman for the Outdoor Association, told national broadcaster Yle that immigrants and foreign visitors are amazed about the rights. She noted that only the Swedes and Norwegians have comparable free entry to nature than the Finns.