The articles of this present volume Karelia Written and Sung open up various complementary perspectives on the construction of a Karelian identity during and after the Soviet era. The general picture is one of a progression towards reliance on publically produced modes of culture for the maintenance of a national Karelian identity, with literature, music and linguistic activities at the forefront. Although these activities were organised within state-imposed schemes, the local Karelians were still able to influence some of them. The papers of the Finno-Russian joint research project provide a vivid description of the work and experiences of activists who succeeded within a Soviet and Russian context in producing national representations of Karelian identity.