Berry-picking culture and conflicts in Finland.

The article focuses on the "Berry Tours" art project, which brought together artists, activists, and scholars to explore the cultural significance of berry picking in Finland and the conflicts arising from the use of foreign seasonal berry pickers, primarily from Thailand. Through art-based action research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the project used installations and public events to highlight the precarious working conditions of migrant pickers, local cultural values tied to berry picking, and the socio-political tensions known as the "berry wars." The exhibition was hosted at the Arctic Centre in Lapland and aimed to foster dialogue and raise awareness, though some media coverage inadvertently intensified conflicts. The project also examined challenges in integrating activist art within science communication spaces and emphasized the potential of art to engage emotions and promote environmental and social justice discussions.