Kalevala enchants in English as well

British actor Nick Hennessey plays Joukahainen and Lemminkäinen with emotion

Nick Hennessey

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By Laura Linkomies
     
You would not suspect Nick Hennessey to be a Kalevala fan at first glance. Why would a British, 37-year-old musician with no previous ties to Finland be so inspired by the Finnish national epic?
      "To me Kalevala is an exciting combination of an unknown language, a unique culture and myths - a fitting combination for a traditional singer", Hennessey replies.
      He became familiar with Kalevala by chance at a storytellers' workshop, when someone suggested that he get acquainted with the text. It was immediately clear to Hennessey that he wanted to get to its roots, and perform it by means of traditional recitation.
     
His love for the epic took Hennesey on a trip to Kuhmo and Russian Karelia in 1999. The scenery and the stories of elderly Karelians made a lasting impression on him.
      During the trip, Hennessey was introduced to Finnish musicians and the Sibelius Academy. Urged by folk musician Anna-Kaisa Liedes, Hennessey took part in and won a Finno-Ugric poetry recitation contest in 2000.
      "Since I do not speak Finnish, I had to find a way to perform Kalevala in English. The existing translations are not in the same metre as the original version, which would not work in English anyway. The rhythm of the language is also completely different", Hennessey explains.
      "After becoming familiar with the story, I simply told it in my own words, just like it has been done for centuries. This different kind of approach seemed to impress the judges."
     
Much of Hennessey's recitation is improvisation. He accompanies himself by playing a drum, a harp, or a tin whistle, which quickly change the show's atmosphere from rolling thunder to peaceful waves on the lakeshore. The rhythmic narration follows the music, carrying the story along.
      Hennessey has performed Kalevala in Great Britain, Finland, Japan, Canada, and the United States. He has reached his British audience at literature and folk music festivals and in pubs. His strong performance has caught the interest of people to whom Kalevala is previously unfamiliar.
     
Last year, Hennessey performed in several events of the Finn-Guild. Expatriate Finns were enthralled by the charismatic performance of the tall, handsome man. On the other hand, Finns are also the toughest crowd, since they all have a preconception about the material.
      "Finns tell me that they see Kalevala in a completely different light and that they want to reread it, since they no longer see it as the same book they were forced to read in school. This is the best possible feedback for me!"
     
"I try to simplify things a bit for the British. I usually begin with the Genesis story - the world beginning from an exploding pochard's egg is an enchanting tale. After the intermission I tell the story of Lemminkäinen."
      Hennessey is living proof of how the occupation of the storyteller lives even today.
      "Even though we have digital television, multimedia, et cetera, nothing beats having an actual person directly telling you a story." Storytelling still lives, only people gather in pubs and clubs instead of around a campfire.
     
Traditions and legends have always been close to Hennessey's heart. He hails from the idyllic Alderley Edge in northern England, which has its own legend of a king and his knights, and these figures are the ones Hennessey imagined seeing when playing in the woods of Alderley as a child.
      The musician now lives in equally beautiful lakeside surroundings, and seeks inspiration by wandering on the moors.
     
Hennessey values the contacts he has acquired in Finland, and especially the support of Anna Kaisa Liedes, and professor of folk music Heikki Laitinen.
      "Finnish folk musicians are progressive and innovative. They seek influences from, for example, jazz or traditional Lappish singing. I intend to record epic songs from Kalevala in English, and I would like to do this in co-operation with Finns."
      What is certain is that Hennessey will be performing in July on a Swan Hellenic Cruises cruise, which involves numerous stops in coastal cities of the Baltic Sea, including Helsinki. Although the Finnish capital is familiar to Hennessey, he is enthusiastic about the opportunity to experience a nightless night in the spirit of Kalevala.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 28.2.2006  


Links:
  Nick Hennesey web site

Helsingin Sanomat