On October 16th, 2009 we took the ferry from Helsingor to Helsingborg. During the twenty minutes that the crossing takes we were saying good bye to Denmark and to IPC. We both were overwhelmed by mixed feelings: on the one hand, each of us would be leaving with sadness due to the emotions that were built in this country, mainly at IPC; and on the other, with emotional heart, because we, together, finally started a truly around the world journey. That meant, being ready to receive many stimuli both for our relationship as well as personally, but overall, felt the satisfaction of starting the engines to finish the second part of "Twelve." Our trip through Scandinavia was structured under the idea of spending as little money as possible (for of course northern Europe is very expensive) so we had the entire provision and had already made some contacts for Juan Carlos to offer Gaia (a talk-presentation developed through several audiovisuals from different places around the world, that, in its deepest sense, invite to ponder about a planet in crisis). The first place where the presentation would be offered is in Tomelilla, Sweden, at Österlens Folkhöskola, where a group of students were getting ready for a trip to Africa. There, we were greeted and looked after with warm hospitality by Göran Göransson, a nice teacher who is responsible of the African Studies area of the school. The presentation was given to his students and then we had the opportunity to get to know Göran a little more, who through the conversation was sharing some of his professional work and his passion for people and the conditions that inhabit the African continent. With no doubt, both of us said goodbye to him the next day -after having breakfast together-with a good taste in our mouths and a deep appreciation for all his attentions. The next move we did it by plane from Malmö to Stockholm. And I must say that when we landed at the airport, and to the extent that the center of Sweden´s capital begun to appear, I was overwhelmed by the beauty discovered in all directions. Maybe it was due to my low expectations, and that also, that moment coupled with the time of day, where everything wore a magical touch by the fog, the cold, the breeze of a mild but steady rain and gray buildings (with green framing the picture). We walked along the cobblestone streets near the pier where our ferry would leave towards Turku, Finland. We spent little time there, aware of that, the more I enjoyed our stroll that to my good luck was done around the art district. Undoubtedly, Stockholm surprised me and left on me the desire to know her more deeply in the future, maybe ... hopefully.
Once on board of the ship, -an impressive monster of over 8 floors, with shops, casinos and bars available to the passengers-both begun to raise expectations for Finland. But why Finland? Why did we insist on going to one of the most cold and expensive countries, if it was not within the project? Probably the answer is nostalgia. Juan Carlos' life in Finland is a very important chapter because it was precisely there that he became, or perhaps discovered himself as a Folk High School teacher in Viittakiven Opisto and where obviously had left many friends and important people in a story that I wanted to find out and that he was willing to share with me. The re-encounter began in Turku, the ancient capital of the country. Back then we knew three things: one, that we would stay at the home of a former student and friend of Juan Carlos, Emmi, who was making a bike trip in the north with her boyfriend; two, that Juan Carlos would give the presentation at Paasikiven Opisto, a design and photography school; and three, that we would visit Estelle, a sailboat and a fair trade project that has been built -and rebuilt- for more than twenty five years and that, precisely now has her eyes and heart on sailing to Mexico. The first thing was easy, getting to Emmi´s home where within just few hours, we already felt comfortable. The second one: the presentation at the school was pretty good because the students attended it with much interest. The third, however, was quite difficult, because we were on the boat and did not find anyone, the next day we went to the offices and some volunteers told us that the project manager was not around. Unfortunately it was impossible to explore more of the project ideas and intentions of traveling to our country. It was decided then that after this unsuccessful encounter we rather continue to Helsinki. Already on the capital we were looking for an apartment that a friend of Juan Carlos offered us which eventually became a warm base and which allowed us (apart from sleeping and protecting us from the increasingly strong cold), to cook, have privacy and have long and pleasant walks-by the way very romantic- to move around in the city. Few days after settling in the capital, we went to Punkaharju, to give another presentation at another school and see Heikki (who kindly lent us the flat in Helsinki). I must say that I had been warned of the natural beauty of this country and especially that region, but once being there we both were impressed to know and recognize the horizons of Finland's most famous trees: spruce, pines and magnificent autumnal browns birches reflected on the lakes that abound in the area. With this scenario we got to the school were everything was being prepared for the next day presentation, meanwhile, met the lovely Maija, director/mother of the school. Later that night we took a famous Finnish sauna in the woods and, to my surprise, we completed the tradition/experience of running to a quick dive into the cold water lake.
At Ita-karjalan Kansanopisto, once again, we were greeted with much attention, but the best part was the next day, when after the conclusion of the presentation, students made a remarkable feedback, especially when a young Afghan refugee stood up and thanked in front of the whole audience Juan Carlos´ contents of the presentation. The emotion of his words took on another dimension and gave strength and meaning to the work that Juan Carlos had been doing over the years and whom I found deeply moved by the words of the man. In addition to the presentations, a fundamental part of this trip was to meet old friends and personalities in the life of Juan Carlos in Finland. So in Helsinki we visited Tuula and her husband, also Jorma and Piki and then we went to Hameelinna to see Erkki, Tanja and their lovely children, Leena, Viittakivi´s former director and the famous and peculiar Albert and his wife Rakel. In each of the visited homes and with the various stories that were shared, I put together an image close to Juan Carlos' life during the years he lived in Finland. With all this I had the opportunity to discover that, contrary to the first cold image of the Finns, once they open their hearts and home´s doors, one finds warm and loyal people. Also, I was surprised by the structure of education in that country, which invests in knowledge and develops tools for its inhabitants. I was delighted by their forests and natural scenery. Also, this culture left strong imprint in the vision I now have for art and contemporary design.
Everything we do is done side by side, two persons in love touring the world with a project: “Twelve” and with a shared dream: to know our personal stories while creating our common one.We left Scandinavia, one of the most organized regions of the world and in contrast, facing us the proximity of another country and culture where it would be recorded the seventh child. A country that Juan Carlos had already visited several times and that for me had always been a dream. What impressions would India offer us? (one of the most diverse and contrasting countries of the world), especially after this trip to Scandinavia? That, we were about to discover.
Once on board of the ship, -an impressive monster of over 8 floors, with shops, casinos and bars available to the passengers-both begun to raise expectations for Finland. But why Finland? Why did we insist on going to one of the most cold and expensive countries, if it was not within the project? Probably the answer is nostalgia. Juan Carlos' life in Finland is a very important chapter because it was precisely there that he became, or perhaps discovered himself as a Folk High School teacher in Viittakiven Opisto and where obviously had left many friends and important people in a story that I wanted to find out and that he was willing to share with me. The re-encounter began in Turku, the ancient capital of the country. Back then we knew three things: one, that we would stay at the home of a former student and friend of Juan Carlos, Emmi, who was making a bike trip in the north with her boyfriend; two, that Juan Carlos would give the presentation at Paasikiven Opisto, a design and photography school; and three, that we would visit Estelle, a sailboat and a fair trade project that has been built -and rebuilt- for more than twenty five years and that, precisely now has her eyes and heart on sailing to Mexico. The first thing was easy, getting to Emmi´s home where within just few hours, we already felt comfortable. The second one: the presentation at the school was pretty good because the students attended it with much interest. The third, however, was quite difficult, because we were on the boat and did not find anyone, the next day we went to the offices and some volunteers told us that the project manager was not around. Unfortunately it was impossible to explore more of the project ideas and intentions of traveling to our country. It was decided then that after this unsuccessful encounter we rather continue to Helsinki. Already on the capital we were looking for an apartment that a friend of Juan Carlos offered us which eventually became a warm base and which allowed us (apart from sleeping and protecting us from the increasingly strong cold), to cook, have privacy and have long and pleasant walks-by the way very romantic- to move around in the city. Few days after settling in the capital, we went to Punkaharju, to give another presentation at another school and see Heikki (who kindly lent us the flat in Helsinki). I must say that I had been warned of the natural beauty of this country and especially that region, but once being there we both were impressed to know and recognize the horizons of Finland's most famous trees: spruce, pines and magnificent autumnal browns birches reflected on the lakes that abound in the area. With this scenario we got to the school were everything was being prepared for the next day presentation, meanwhile, met the lovely Maija, director/mother of the school. Later that night we took a famous Finnish sauna in the woods and, to my surprise, we completed the tradition/experience of running to a quick dive into the cold water lake.
At Ita-karjalan Kansanopisto, once again, we were greeted with much attention, but the best part was the next day, when after the conclusion of the presentation, students made a remarkable feedback, especially when a young Afghan refugee stood up and thanked in front of the whole audience Juan Carlos´ contents of the presentation. The emotion of his words took on another dimension and gave strength and meaning to the work that Juan Carlos had been doing over the years and whom I found deeply moved by the words of the man. In addition to the presentations, a fundamental part of this trip was to meet old friends and personalities in the life of Juan Carlos in Finland. So in Helsinki we visited Tuula and her husband, also Jorma and Piki and then we went to Hameelinna to see Erkki, Tanja and their lovely children, Leena, Viittakivi´s former director and the famous and peculiar Albert and his wife Rakel. In each of the visited homes and with the various stories that were shared, I put together an image close to Juan Carlos' life during the years he lived in Finland. With all this I had the opportunity to discover that, contrary to the first cold image of the Finns, once they open their hearts and home´s doors, one finds warm and loyal people. Also, I was surprised by the structure of education in that country, which invests in knowledge and develops tools for its inhabitants. I was delighted by their forests and natural scenery. Also, this culture left strong imprint in the vision I now have for art and contemporary design.
Everything we do is done side by side, two persons in love touring the world with a project: “Twelve” and with a shared dream: to know our personal stories while creating our common one.We left Scandinavia, one of the most organized regions of the world and in contrast, facing us the proximity of another country and culture where it would be recorded the seventh child. A country that Juan Carlos had already visited several times and that for me had always been a dream. What impressions would India offer us? (one of the most diverse and contrasting countries of the world), especially after this trip to Scandinavia? That, we were about to discover.
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