I´ve been back home in Sweden for a couple of days now and I´m still thinking about the places and the people I met under my mini-tour in Ostrobothnia, Finland. I visited retirement homes in Närpes, Korsnäs and Nykarleby where I performed my solo Kärleken till Tangon och Karaoken. These towns have a Swedish-speaking majority and very different Swedish dialects.
I noticed that every time when I was preparing my scenography to the sounds of the ”Tangomestarit” cd the room filled up quickly. A slipper started to move to the beat. A head was bobbing. Maby these songs brought back memories, maby the roses were telling them something. I could see how they were enjoying sitting there, watching and listening. Everybody were there long before my performance started. It was peaceful. They where gathering around me in a big circle. It feelt good to dance, like a big hug.
After my performance I held a sitting workshop for both the elderly and the staff, after witch we sat down for a cup of coffee and chat, enjoyed some more Finnish tango music. One day a man started singing and another day two people entered the floor to do a finnish tango. It was touching.
I feel very greatful to have been able to visit these retirement homes. Thank you so much, especially Annika Sillander at Regional dance centre of Ostrobothnia for having me back. /Lina <3