On the occasion of Kven People's Day on 16 March, we show the film Great-grandmother's journey here at the Centre for Northern Peoples on 11 March!
The film tells the story of 16-year-old Maria Greta, who, after illness, death and hardship in the Torne Valley, embarked on the long journey to the coast of Northern Norway. There, it was said that «even the lazy could become rich».
But the story is more diverse than that. Jan Harald Tommasen has followed Maria Greta's descendants to try to find out if any of the heritage from the border areas between Sweden and Finland has been preserved. This has taken him to several places both at home and abroad. Because the question is, what does it mean to be a Kven today?
While this is the story of Maria Greta, it is also the story of the many people who moved to the coast in search of a better life. And those who also moved on, across the Atlantic. A piece of North Calotte history, pure and simple.
Great-grandmother's journey is made by Jan Harald Tommasen, who will talk about the film at 18.00 before the screening at 18.30.
Free entrance! Coffee and snacks will be served!
We also remind you of the performance Sallikaa lasten tulla minun tykö - Let the little children come to me, by Kvääniteatteri, to be performed at the centre on 21 March at 19:00.