Vesa Oja

Finglish

Finglish is a photographic documentary about Finnish Americans and Finnish Canadians. It plainly reveals the dreams, utopias and homesickness of the immigrants, and documents their Finnish-flavoured American life.

The eight-year project began in 2004, when the photographer Vesa Oja (b. 1953) left for North America, following in the footsteps of his uncle and aunt. “The story of my uncle Eino is part of the history of hundreds of thousands of Finns, who set out to find streets lined with gold in North America. There are almost 800,000 of their descendants throughout the continent. Over the generations, everyday life has become American or Canadian. Mementoes of Finland in homes consist of flags, ornamental objects and national costumes. The tools and implements of grandparents may be kept and Finnish cuisine is cherished. Younger generations learn to bake traditional Finnish pulla coffee bread, Karelian pasties or rye bread using starter passed on from a grandmother,” Vesa Oja tells.

During his many trips, he photographed hundreds of Finnish Americans and Finnish Canadians, their descendants, and places related to their history. He became familiar with the old and young folks speaking Finglish or broken Finnish, the landscapes in the Great Lakes region, FinnFests, Finntowns, and the villages of Kaleva, Toivola and Onnela. Oja heard unbelievable stories – happy, tragic and moving tales of what immigrant life was like far from Finnish shores.

A photography project of eight years finds its culmination in an exhibition, comprising some 70 photographs, soon to be shown at the Finnish Museum of Photography. Using traditional documentary methods, Finglish offers a trip through time, in which the past and the present meet, as presented with gentle humour and occasional wistfulness.

The exhibition will coincide with the publication of a photographic book entitled Vesa Oja: Finglish. Finns in North America with photographs by Vesa Oja and text by Vesa Oja and Päivi Oja. Published by MUSTA TAIDE / Aalto PHOTO Books.

Also making its debut at the exhibition is a short film, Rauntrippi Piutista Suppuriin, directed by Jenni Stammeier, which recounts Vesa Oja’s photography trips. The short documentary film sees Oja follow in the footsteps of Finns who left for North America. Oja drove for tens of thousands of kilometres and met hundreds of people. The short documentary tells the tales of Finnish Americans and Finnish Canadians, and shows photographs not included in the exhibition or the related book.

Artist talk: Photographer Vesa Oja presents the exhibition on Wednesday 15 May at 18:00. Museum entrance fee.