Commissioned
Portraits
Travel
Vaarnii
Personal work
I remember the husband of my aunt, a drummer and vocalist, always donning a mystical red blazer jacket – an emblem of a bygone era I never personally witnessed but always deeply admired.
Today, this rich tapestry of Finnish dance stage culture is on the wane. As each day passes, its echoes grow fainter, with the countryside emptying and cityscapes expanding. This unique tradition, so intertwined with the provincial soul of Finland, seems lost amidst the towering structures of urban life.
Historically, post-war Finland experienced a ban on dance. However, once lifted, the dance floors emerged not merely as venues for entertainment, but as a therapeutic landscape. These spaces became crucial outlets for wartime traumas, where the elder generation sought solace, connection, and renewal.
Yet, with changing times, the youth of today tread different paths. In search of companionship and entertainment, they've turned to avenues far removed from the secluded dance stages. Dance orchestras, for decades, have played the tunes of Finnish emotions, expressing deep-seated feelings of longing and unspoken words. But now, as the olden wood of the dance stage creaks with age, this voice seems to be getting lost.
This photography project is more than just a visual journey; it is a heartfelt tribute. An ode to the orchestras that resonated with the language of my parents' generation. Through each frame, I aim to capture the essence, nostalgia, and fading melodies of a tradition that once defined Finnish landscapes.