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ECIC #31 – Saariselkä

Who Shapes Our Digital Future? Church, community and digital sovereignty in the age of AI.

As artificial intelligence reshapes our digital world, new questions emerge about trust, authenticity, power and responsibility. How can churches navigate these changes while fostering meaningful connections and authentic communication?

Next ECIC Conference will meet in Finland September 20.-23. 2027. 

 

Venue and accommodation: Tievatupa.

Adress:  Tievatuvantie 69, 99830 Saariselkä

Registration Fees and Payment 

  • Early Bird Registration (until 31.1.2027) 495€
  • Normal rate Registration (from 1.2.2027 ) 530€
  • Local participant, no accommodation 325€
  • One day participant 150€
  • Attending fee for spouses, accommodation in a same room  including expeditions 395€

Institutional membership fee 25€

The registration fee includes accommodation at Tievatupa, conference programme, meals during the conference and the excursion to Siida, including bus transportation.

Travel to and from Rovaniemi or Saariselkä is not included.

Invoices will be sent to registered participants from January 2027 onwards, with a two-week payment term.
 
REGISTRATION OPEN

How to get there?

Getting to the next ECIC conference at Tievatupa in Saariselkä, Finland, will be a beautiful journey into the heart of Finnish Lapland. September is also ruska season—the time when the Lappish landscapes turn bright red, orange, and gold.

Here is a clear, step-by-step travel guide you can share with attendees traveling from across Europe.

Saariselkä is located far north in Finnish Lapland. While it feels wonderfully remote, it is very well-connected by air and road.

Option 1: By Air to Rovaniemi airport and bus to Saariselkä

Rovaniemi Airport (EFRO/RVN) is another option with more and cheaper international flight connections, but it is a 3 hour drive/bus ride (260 km) south of Saariselkä.

  1. Fly into Rovaniemi (RVN)
    • Book a flight either via Helsinki or straight from your local European airport
  2. Rovaniemi airport to Tievatupa
    • ECIC local organisers are ready to help with arranging the car or bus transportation from Rovaniemi to Tievatupa. (3 hours drive)

Option 2: By Air to Ivalo airport and a short bus ride

Ivalo is a small airport that is closest to Tievatupa/ Saariselkä

  1. Fly into Helsinki (HEL)
    • Attendees should book flights from their local European airports to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland’s primary international hub.
  2. Connecting Flight to Ivalo (IVL)
    • From Helsinki, take a domestic flight on Finnair straight to Ivalo Airport, which is the closest airport to Saariselkä (about 30 km / 20 miles away).
  3. Ivalo Airport to Tievatupa:
    • Airport Shuttle / Bus: Shuttle buses are scheduled to meet every arriving Finnair flight. The bus takes about 25-30 minutes to reach Saariselkä.
    • Taxi: Taxis are readily available right outside the small terminal. A taxi to Saariselkä typically costs around €60–€80.
    • Rental Car: Several major car rental desks operate at Ivalo Airport for those who prefer to drive.

Option 3: Train to Rovaniemi+ Bus/car

For attendees looking to lower their carbon footprint or experience a bit of romance on the rails, the Finnish railway system (VR) is fantastic.

  1. Fly or Ferry to Helsinki
    • Arrive in Helsinki via air or a car ferry (e.g., from Tallinn, Stockholm, or Germany).
  2. The Night Train
    • Take the comfortable, double-decker night train from Helsinki Central Station up to Rovaniemi. This overnight journey takes about 11.5 hours, and passengers can book private sleeping cabins.
    • You can also transport your car in the train
  3. Bus or car to Saariselkä
    • Upon arriving at the Rovaniemi train station in the morning, attendees can catch a direct long-distance bus (operated by Matkahuolto or Eskelisen Lapin Linjat) heading north to Saariselkä / Tievatupa. The bus ride takes about 3 hours.
    • ECIC local organisers are ready to help with arranging the car or buss transportation from Rovaniemi to Tievatupa. (3 hours drive)

Option 4: Driving

If attendees are driving from Northern Europe or taking their car on a ferry across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki:

  • The drive from Helsinki to Saariselkä is roughly 1,060 km and takes about 12–14 hours of pure driving time.
  • The route follows Highway E75 (Highway 4) directly north through the country, straight into Saariselkä. The roads are excellent and the scenery—especially passing thousands of lakes and autumnal forests—is spectacular.
  • It is also possible to transport your car in the night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and then drive the last 3 hours from Rovaniemi to Tievatupa.