The Heartbeat of Huuva
Welcome to Our Circle – a space where stories, voices, and memories come together.
This is where we celebrate the people who have shaped and shared the journey of Huuva Hideaway – our visitors, our family, our friends.
Here you'll find Moments & Memories captured in guest videos, heartfelt reviews, artistic expressions, and glimpses into our Sámi heritage.
We’re also proud to share some of the recognitions we’ve received over the years – not as a way to show off, but as a reflection of the love and support from people like you. These acknowledgements are reminders that the meaningful experiences we create together truly matter.
We call this page The Heartbeat of Huuva – because it’s made up of you.
Moments and memories
Below and here we have collected some memories from previous visitors so you can learn from their stories and not just listen to what we have to say.
Stellamentor 2025
On the evening of Monday, May 5th, nine women were celebrated, recognized, and spotlighted in the world of gastronomy during a sparkling Stella Gala at Sergel Hub in Stockholm.
Criteria for Stella Gala finalists:
The award is given to individuals who possess knowledge and craftsmanship within their field, work in a sustainable way, and serve as role models and sources of inspiration in their profession.
Motivation for Pia Huuva – Stellamentor:
For warm and inclusive leadership that creates meaningful encounters between people. By generously sharing her knowledge, traditions, and life experiences, the Stellamentor of 2025 leads the way for others with both heart and care. A true example of mentorship in practice.
"To be nominated as a Stella Mentor is an honour in itself!
To then walk on stage, cheered on by a joyous crowd, and be named this year’s Stella Mentor in Sweden—among so many passionate women serving the field of gastronomy—is truly an honour and a recognition I will proudly carry with me for the rest of my life.
Not only for myself, but also as an example to girls and women in gastronomy and tourism—to show that it is possible to realize your dreams, dare to take up more space, and change reality, daily life and structures—in industries that need all kinds of people, energies, and skills to help develop the world, in both small and big ways."
Pia Huuva was one of 24 women—of all ages and professional categories within gastronomy from all over Sweden—nominated for the 2025 Stella Gala.
Swedish Lapland Award 2023
The Criteria: An inspiration or initiative that, through its genuine hospitality, elevates the destination of Swedish Lapland and makes visitors feel at home in our Arctic everyday life.
Pia Huuva is an exceptional inspirer with boundless hospitality. She shares the Huuva family’s Arctic everyday life in Liehittäjä, Övertorneå, with guests from all over the world. Driven by knowledge, guests are invited to become part of the local lifestyle, to learn and experience the Sámi and Tornedalian culture through food, beverage, sauna, crafts, arts and craft. But it doesn’t stop there. She teaches the art of Arctic warm hospitality, inspiring and engaging students and colleagues throughout the Swedish Lapland destination to develop and refine new travel reasons and experience innovations with our sought-after and unique Arctic culture at its core.
Swedish Lapland Visitors Board 2024.06.12
Slow Food Sápmi Award 2022
Huuva Hideaway, a meeting with, and in nature.
In a forest clearing in an old Reindeer corral, guests are greeted and invited to a magic experience, with traditional knowledge of Sami culture and a meal experience out of the ordinary. With the help of the guests, the table is decorated with what grows in the surrounding forest. A visit worth remembering, for all senses A meal experience advocated by Slow Food Sápmi.
Slow Food Sápmi 2022.08.15
Snell’s Stipendium 2024
Pia Huuva, was awarded the prestigious Snell’s Stipendium 2024. The award recognized Pia’s outstanding work in preserving and sharing Sámi food culture and traditions through innovative and sustainable tourism experiences in Swedish Lapland. Her passion for authentic storytelling and deep connection to Sápmi continues to inspire visitors from around the world
Sauna
Bastubaletten
Bastubaletten a Swedish documentary series on SVT Play, originally aired from 2016 to 2018 and now, returning, in 2025. Set in Tornedalen, northern Sweden, it follows five local men, including Henry Huuva, Fredrik Hangasjärvi, Daniel Wikslund, Bengt Aili and Bengt Niska, who learn to dance ballet in a sauna under choreographer Justine Kirk.
The series challenges stereotypes of stoic masculinity by blending refined ballet with the rustic, communal sauna setting. A moving exploration of identity, tradition, and vulnerability. In two languages; Swedish and Meänkieli (minority language of the region)
After two seasons, the group toured all of Sweden with their stage show Här dansar vi inte (“We Don’t Dance Here”).
If you want a unique and touching look into the heart of Tornedalen - the documentary Bastubaletten is streaming on SVT Play
Photo: SVT
Majas MotorHuuvar – Northern Sound with Soul
Born in the heart of Tornedalen, Majas MotorHuuvar is a band that blends raw northern energy with poetic storytelling. Their debut single, “Strandbastun” (“The Beach Sauna”), is now out on Spotify – a soulful, gritty track that captures the rhythm of riverbanks, summer smoke, and the northern spirit.
With roots in both tradition and rebellion, their sound is a tribute to life around the Arctic Circle – where music, much like the sauna, brings people together.
🎵 Listen to Strandbastun on Spotify
The Huuva family
Our daughter Erica is an award-winning Sámi jewelry artist who creates both traditional and modern silver pieces. Her designs are inspired by the stories, symbols, and heritage of Sápmi – where past meets present in every piece. Here you can read more about her and her business.
Our daughter Maja is a Sámi and Arctic vocal artist whose voice brings the North to life through joik and song. Her music is deeply rooted in the land, culture, and spirit of Sápmi. Here you can listen to her music.
More friends, family and memories
Swedish Lapland Visitors Board represents and promotes the tourism industry in the northernmost and arctic part of Sweden. We work for a sustainable development of the industry and manage and market the place brand Swedish Lapland. Read more here.
Heart of Lapland is an organisation that represents the eastern part of Swedish Lapland, Heart of Lapland celebrates the people, nature and culture of five river-rich municipalities – including our home, Övertorneå. Discover local stories, flavours and traditions from family-owned businesses in a still-hidden corner of the North. Read more here and here.
At TripAdvisor you can learn more about what our guests say about their time with us – from silent nature to heartwarming stories and Arctic flavours.
Through Visit Sweden we are part of Sweden’s most unique nature-based tasting experience – where drinks are infused with forest flavours. Visit Sweden also highlights the Sámi culture and traditional lifestyle, with Huuva Hideaway as one of the featured hosts.
The magazine LAND made a warm portrait of Huuva Hideaway and the magic of life in the forest, where visitors become part of the story.
Sweden’s leading business paper, Dagens Industri, visited us in Tornedalen – where wild flavours and genuine hospitality are part of the region’s future. Read the full article here.
We were also featured in Svenska Dagbladet with an article about our small but eventful village.
The Swedish Radio (SR) also visited us and told the story about our outdoor restaurant and the slow food award we received. You can listen to the Swedish clip here.
Our partner Arctic Bath shared a reel from when we visited to help create a special memory for a bride and groom.
Our super talented daughter Maja Huuva shares a lovely midsummer song.
Over de Grens - Masterchef Sergio Herman visited us, soon on Belgian screen.