Story Circles in KAUHAJÄRVI & LAPUA

Family Story Circle in Kauhajarvi

The term “story circle” was new to me until about three years ago. At first, it seems quite straightforward— get a bunch of people together in a room, seat them in the circle, and start asking them questions. Yes, that's the idea. .  . but there’s a lot more to it than just that. My understanding of story circles is based  on the work of Cornerstone Theater Company and  the  community events I participated in as part of my fellowship with the company in 2012. I learned a lot from that experience-- the work often begins WAY before the actual event takes place. The work is in every phone call, email, and conversation leading up to the gathering and the success often depends on the spirit, motivation, and sincerity of the initial invitation and willingness of the partners. Story circles are more than getting people together in a room. They are a process of listening, surrendering assumptions and clearly defining expectations.  

Story circles are an essential component of SISU is in the Heart. Prior to my arrival in Finland, I worked with Esa Honkimaki, the cultural director of Vanhu Paukku Cultural Center to arrange several story circle events in the Lapua region. One with a group of youth leaders, another with  a senior group interested in genealogy, and a third circle/puppet making session with a group of teenagers interested in art and theater. I also set up a few story and song sharing events with extended family members in the home of my great-grandfather’s brother in Kauhajarvi and the surrounding areas. From the beginning, a goal of this project has been to encourage inter-generational conversation, so I wanted to make sure I talked to people of all ages on my visit to my ancestral homeland. 

Youth leaders, sharing their vision of Lapua now and in ten years.

I asked many of the same questions I had asked in the circles in Fairport Harbor earlier this year-- What do you know about your great-grandparents? What values are most important to you? What would you include in a play about your community? 

I had been warned (a few times) to expect a certain kind of reticence: 

"Finns are quiet."
"It may be difficult to get people to talk." 
"Don’t worry! I’ve got some things written down just in case no one wants to speak."

But I didn't find this to be the case at all. The sessions were fun and lively and other than a few hiccups related to misunderstandings with translation from English to Finnish, the circles were a huge success and many people told me how much they enjoyed the chance to talk to one another and to get to know their peers and relatives.

Newspaper puppets with teens in  Lapua (left), and family at a song sharing event (right).

I am struck by many things from the circles-- the importance of faith and education, the Finnish distinction between family and relatives, a perceived technological divide between youth and seniors, and an uncertainty about the future. But mostly, I am blown away by the similarities between Lapua and Fairport Harbor. I heard many of the same struggles, hopes, and  concerns on my visit to Ohio.  It is becoming clear to me that while this a project about family, it is also very much a project about place. There is an element of sisu that is linked to location, in the same way that people, words, and actions shape a community.  There are many possibilities for what will happen next and if my work with Cornerstone taught me one thing, it taught me that the answers are always right there in the room. 

Many thanks to those who accepted the invitation and joined the circles in Finland this past week!

-PC 

Check out more photos of the family events at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419867471434183/

If YOU could include one thing in a play about Lapua or Kauha, what would it be?  

Email me at [email protected], or click the Share Your Stories link at the top of the page.