Individual short term mobility from Latvia to Finland
A simple inquiry leads to a bigger venture
Elizabete: Mobility captures many things - starting from human prehistoric migration to a globalized spatial setting, where being “mobile” has never been so easy. Yet, among anthropologists, mobility seems to be an ambiguous concept. It is fulfilled with meanings, attributes, and purposes. Furthermore, mobility brings out cross-cultural interpretations, diversifying our understanding of the World. It is being shaped by us, and in return - mobility shapes us.
My FORTHEM mobility to the Ģֱ encompasses exactly that. Through my temporary movement to Finland, I became one of the many various “movers”. Similar to the tourist, ERASMUS student, NGO worker, and diplomat experiences, mobility is much more than mere physical motion. It is a story about transgressing both the geographical and cultural borders and becoming a part of the trans-local networks. And it all started with a particular intention.
I came across the FORTHEM mobility program by chance. It is one of those stories where a simple inquiry leads to a bigger venture – from having a mere idea of what my master thesis will be about, to being present at the place where I have never been to and doing “togetherness” with people that I have never met before. I received an e-mail from my home University – the University of Latvia – that FORTHEM Alliance launches a second call for short-term mobility applications. Considering the difficult times we live by but knowing the many benefits that mobility programs entail, 10 days in Finland seemed to be a personal and academic bliss.
Since I am writing my thesis on difficult heritage and how the digital solutions might emancipate difficult heritage institutions, it did not take a long time to know exactly to whom I can turn to. Having already read some of the articles by dear prof. Eerika Koskinen-Koivisto, the intention of my mobility was justified already by her research interests and immense experience in the field of Finland’s difficult heritage. One straightforward e-mail led to being present in Jyväskylä, which resulted in a rich and insightful program to meaningfully shape my experience in Finland.
Among many things I learned during my visit, I cannot appreciate more the welcoming nature of all the Finns that I met. Whenever we travel, we tend to - consciously or not - pay a lot of attention to local customs, social cues, and cultural behavior. No matter where I went, I did not feel like a stranger or an outsider. From the University setting to local bars, homes, and hiking roads - simple Hei! always continued with a delightful conversation. And exactly this aspect of the conversation best represents my FORTHEM mobility experience.
Together with Eerika, the engaging discussions followed our paths, as we went to the newly renovated university library LÄHDE at the Ģֱ Campus (), the , the , the local tea house, and the seminar for the HERIDI and SENSOMEMO scientific projects. Even during the semi-official interview for my master thesis - considering its somber, difficult, and emotional topic - the conversation struck me as being so effortless and kind. I learned a lot about the difficult heritage of Finland. Being immersed and well-equipped in the topic, Eerika guided me through the 1918 revolution (also known as the Finnish Civil War fought between socialist “Reds” and monarchy supporters “Whites”), the 1939 Winter War (the most emphasized and commemorated in contemporary discourse), the quite controversial 1940-1941 Interim Peace period, often discluded 1944-1945 Lapland War, and how these events are reimagined, connected, and perceived today. The collective trauma is still present in modern-day Finland but its magnitude depends on the region and interpretation of the national narrative. As one case, the difficult history of the Sámi people has been heavily marginalized. This introduction to the difficult side of Finland’s history inspires me to focus on further research on this topic.
To sum up, my FORTHEM short-term mobility turned into a bigger adventure than I anticipated. Besides the rather physical maneuvers between Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Turku, it all formed this colossal academic, socio-cultural, and historical experience. The travel to Finland embodied exactly those aspects that “mobility” as a concept embraces.
I want to say special thanks to dear Eerika for being my mentor for those 10 days and, hopefully, even beyond this time limit. Your enthusiasm, dignity, and kindness inspire me! Many thanks to Emma Kataja for being the student support that I needed! Thanks to the wonderful duo - Sanna Väisänen and Anna-Maria Holmstedt - for making this possible! Thanks to HERIDI and SENSOMEMO excellent team, and prof. Raine Koskimaa for responding to my urgency! Thanks to Sintija Maculeviča from the University of Latvia for guiding me through the application process! Gratitude to JYU, FORTHEM program, and Finland as a whole! Kiitos!
The most enjoyable part of academic work: to meet new people with shared interests
Eerika: For me, the most enjoyable part of academic work is that I can meet new people from other countries with whom I share mutual interests and from whom I can learn new things. Today, academic networking most often happens online, but in my view, it can never replace face-to-face social interaction and the anthropological experience of being-there. Being-there in a different country is a condensed sensory and embodied experience that brings about silent cultural knowledge.
As a Ph.D. student, I spent an academic year as an ASLA-Fulbright grantee in the U.S. The time there was in many ways a rich experience. In addition to important academic networks that continue to have a role in my career, I met with many genuine people who taught me a great deal of American foodways, traditions, and the history of immigration. Shared experiences such as cooking and hiking together left behind rich sensory memories and created long-lasting bonds. When I came back to Finland, I wanted to continue in this spirit, to share and offer similar experiences to students who come to Finland.
Studying issues related to difficult heritage also calls for being-there: materiality such as historical sites and artifacts act as a testimony of historical atrocities. The importance of visiting the historical sites and museum exhibitions that tell about controversial history lies in that they can make scholars and all citizens reflect about the darker chapters of the history of humankind and compare their histories and experiences.
During Elizabete’s visit, I learned a lot about Latvian history and came to think about the differences and similarities in the ways in which we interpret and commemorate our history. I hope to continue to exchange thoughts with her and to think about possibilities for future collaboration between our institutions. I also wish all students and staff of FORTHEM Alliance partner universities to familiarize themselves with the opportunities of this network of getting-there!
Links:
- Material and Sensory Memories: Explorations on Autobiographical Materiality.
- EU Heritage Diplomacy and the Dynamics of Inter-Heritage Dialogue project