Rescheduled from March
'Way of the Cross' tradition in Easter time is an ancient one. Christians since the beginning of the foundation of their church visited the cites of the key happenings of Easter. Later on these 14 locations were established into 14 stations, that became popular destinations of pilgrimage.
In the Middle Ages the Way was interpreted in Catholic church plays. Through centuries Via Crucis has been interpretated with different means of art, in paintings, reliefs, sculptures and music. Via Crucis is made of 14 stations that contain their own biblical text and meditative pray.
Via Crucis in the Church of Kokkola is interpretated in the form of a concert with the means of dance and music. Titta Tunkkari's solo choreography and composer Jyrki Linjama's new music piece for organs play a central part of the work. The new musical score is played by Martti Laitinen, PhD in church music and cantor of the Swedish congregation of Kokkola.
Throughout history the Way of the Cross has been traveled by numerous pilgrims for different motives. The reasons may have varied from curiosity, spiritual conviction, external demands, inspiration, tradition or the common ways of the epoch. In Kokkola the dancers join the chain of pilgrims of the centuries, by forming an ensemble that gives the opportunity for the audience to experience their own personal voyage on Via Crucis, accompanied by dance, music and texts.
Dancers: Titta Tunkkari, dance volunteers from Kokkola and from the congregation.
The art work is based on Titta Tunkkari's solo work that was presented in the church of Kauniainen in April 2020.
Titta Tunkkari is a dancer originally from Kokkola. She started dancing in the Central Ostrobothnian Balletschool with Marita Nieminen. She continued her studies in Helsinki and in Paris. She studied choreography and culture production in Turku University of Applied Sciences. Titta has worked as a dancer in France, USA, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and Israel. She has danced in the Finnish National Opera. She works as a dance teacher, and frequently visits Central Ostrobothnian Balletschool giving workshops. Titta Tunkkari is the artistic director of the Helsinki based dance company and dance schooling Xaris Finland. The company was founded by the original Finnish dancers of the international Xaris Dance company (Germany). Titta is the founding member of the international company and has worked as its assisting artistic director.
Photos: Anne Mills
