The people’s artist was escorted on his last journey by those to whom he belonged, writes HS culture editor Juho Typpö.
Somehow appropriate: on Monday, the Queen was laid to rest in Britain Elizabeth IIthe next day in Finland Vesa-Matti Loiri.
Actor-musician Loiri was not literally royal, but in Finland his fame was roughly on par with Elizabeth II. Hardly any artist has been raised here on such a high pedestal as he; at least for millennials and older generations, Loiri was as much an artist of the “whole nation” as can be. Therefore, it is quite logical that the funeral of Loir, who died in August, was a big media event here.
Logical but also absurd. You can say that even as a journalist, even though HS was involved in creating this media event, and I, among others, about it reporting.
A few places were reserved for reporters in St. John’s Church to watch the blessing ceremony. It was absurd at all to be accredited to the church for the blessing of the deceased. Usually, as a journalist, you get accredited, that is, you register for festivals, for example.
But there was a reason for that as well. Bishop Teemu Laajasalo described them in his speech of blessing very.
“When everyone remembered the artist, I wondered who he belonged to. Who will get him? Based on decades of wonderful career and special interest, one could answer that Vesa-Matti Loiri belonged to everyone.
Vesku was a big star, but on the other hand an interpreter of Finnish feelings and a humble servant of the people. Self-respecting and determined, but deeply aware that he has been lifted up and sustained by the public’s popularity. Ordinary Finnish people. (–) There were times when he got tired of being in the public eye. But he didn’t get tired of the audience, the people who loved his performance.”
Eli Loiri was a folk artist because he wanted to be. In addition to Turhapuri and the like, he made ambitious art that interested him himself – but even more so for the public rather than for himself. Then he kind of “belonged” to everyone, as Laajasalo said.
In his speech, Laajasalo also noted how this caused problems in Loir’s relationships with his loved ones and relatives. He was not always present for those who especially needed him. In the end, Laajasalo summarized:
“Vesa-Matti Loiri belonged to the people and at the same time he belonged to his loved ones.”
This I think the duality – I can’t think of a better term – was reflected in the funeral expenses in a good way.
Every second of Queen Elizabeth’s blessing ceremony was recorded, after which the funeral procession traveled around London for more than a kilometer. A massive public spectacle.
Loir’s blessing ceremony, on the other hand, allowed only relatives and other relatives and invited guests, and because of the wishes of the relatives, it was not allowed to photograph there. The public side was that the journalists who got to the place tried to describe the occasion to the public in words, as best they could.
If they wanted, the relatives could have decided that no journalists would come. But this way, the audience also got involved in a way. Because that’s what Loiri lived for.
Since there were few people in the church in the end, the occasion felt intimate and devout. For example, great musical performances were made especially great by the fact that they were not performed for a large audience. Only for those present and above all for Loir himself. At least that’s how it was conveyed to me, an outsider.
Folk artist escorted to his last journey by those to whom he belonged. Relatives and people. In this order.
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