When offices and restaurant are closed, people are moving, physically, around in large numbers (where they still can, that is, – in the Nordics, many places in Germany, for instance).

“The mass movement cannot fail to influence society. Walking in nature has changed the world before”, writes Mikko-Pekka Heikkinen, a columnist of Finland’s largest daily Helsingin Sanomat. A cool observation authorised by a collection of strong names and compelling quotes.

Never mind it’s in Finnish–Google Translate does a pretty good job!

Just a few quotes:

Walking in nature is calming. It causes pleasure, evokes emotions, prompts creation. Author Jyrki Vainonen (2014) describes the process: “Together, the senses and emotions build worlds in one’s mind limited only by the strength of one’s imagination. When walking, those experiences combine, overlap and intertwine, and the rhythm of the steps shapes into a natural form.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote that he could only properly think, write, create, or be inspired while walking. Fortunately, he was allowed to walk. His walks gave helped lay the foundation of the modern democracy.

Kant walked every single day after five in the evening. Rain or shine. He always followed the same route so accurately that his park path was later renamed the ‘Philosopher’s Corridor’.