Ummikkos

About losing roots and taking them back.

One winter evening, Jonna sits in her newly purchased farmhouse and tries to learn Meänkieli, her grandfather's language, which she was never allowed to learn as a child. The language her grandfather now only speaks because the blood clot has taken away his Swedish.

Outside the window, Lasse approaches. He who once owned the same farm, he who left the village many years ago, but who is now driven back, for reasons not even he himself understands.

On the other side of the world, Markus, Lasse's son, wonders what his surname means, and why he can't seem to get used to the new sounds of the big new city.

Katarina remembers the battle they waged in the eighties. The battle for language, identity and culture. The one they waged against decades of securitization policies and shame. The battle they eventually won, but at what cost? Was it worth it?

What do your roots mean? What does your origin mean, if you had to leave your culture behind? Who are you if you are not allowed to speak your language or have never learned it? And is it possible to take back your origins?

Ummikkos is a newly written drama about the aspirations of Tornedalians from the 1940s to the present day. Stories of personal fates interwoven into a beautiful, sad and moving story of struggling, being forced, or refusing to adapt, of being uprooted. A fate shared by many Ummikkos around the world today.

Ummikko is Meänkieli for a person who does not speak the language of their surroundings. It's a word for Tornedalians, Kvens and Lantalais who have not been taught Meänkieli.

The performance is performed and subtitled in Swedish and Meänkieli.

THE COURT

At 18.00 - before the performance UMMIKOS starts - the audience is invited to FÖRRÄTTEN, a guided taste and cultural experience about the invisible minority - an educational exhibition in connection with Ummikko's tour. FÖRRÄTTEN is funded by the Ministry of Culture and is part of the reconciliation process between the state and the minority. FÖRRÄTTEN takes place between 18.00 - 18.30 on stage 4, Sara kulturhus. FÖRRÄTTEN has free admission, but tickets are required as the number of people accommodated is limited to 100.

During the TASTE, a guide will lead us through an exhibition of different experiences for all our senses.
TASTE drinks and snacks
LISTEN to songs and stories
LOOK at pictures, films, objects and texts
FEEL objects
SMELL typical scents
Be touched!

Book your place for the RACE here