HD-video, six different parts, 13´00min, 2012
The premise for the videowork is ” Song of The Hungry Land”, the province anthem of Kainuu.
When the song was completed in 1911, people of this region still remembered the famine of 1866-1868 and hunger was still a reality for the disadvantaged.
I involved the immigrants of Kajaani to sing new versions and interpretations of the hymn.
New Finns coming from Sudan, Congo and Somalia living in Kajaani sing this anthem together, in finnish language,
but they also wrote new verses to the song, in their mother tongue, drawing on personal experiences.
Five different stories tell about the difficult journey to a far away country, longing home and the beloved ones.
What does the word ‘national identity’ mean in our global village today?
Can we share what is precious with those that also have a need for ot?
http://www.av-arkki.fi/en/works/song-of-a-hungry-land-new-verses/
http://www.art-agenda.com/shows/marianne-gr%C3%B8nnow-and-anne-siirtola-at-effearte-milan/
http://www.lahteilla.fi/fi/page/ars-ars-11
http://www.forumbox.fi/fi/calendar/494/603-anne-siirtola—song-of-a-hungry-land-new-verses-%282011%29/
Anne Siirtola 