Wikipedia
Paanajärvi is a rural locality (a settlement) in Kemsky District of the Republic of Karelia, located along the Kem River. Nowadays Paanajärvi belongs to the Vääräkoski municipality. Paanajärvi is also called Vanha Paanajärvi (The old Paanajärvi) to make a difference to the new settlement of Paanajärvi which is located 1.5 kilometers further away. The population of the village was approximately 100 in the year 2000.
Paanajärvi has preserved its old Karelian village outlook and is regarded as an important and endangered representative of the old style villages of Karelia. The plans to build the Valkiala hydroelectric power plant would destroy the village under a huge water reservoir. The proposed hydroelectric plant would not inundate Uusi Paanajärvi, but the settlement would become an island. Paanajärvi is one of the most valuable old style villages in Karelia and the only one remaining along the Kem river.
In the year 1996 Paanajärvi was selected to the World Monuments Watch (WMW) list of 100 most endangered sites. Paanajärvi village was also on the list from 1998-1999 and 2000-2001, after which the threat was considered to have passed. Due to its endangered status the village has received restoration funds from the Samuel Henry Kress foundation.