The Silent People of Finland
The Silent People is an amazing but a bit bizarre looking art work
on a field on Highway 5 about 25 km. north of the town of Suomussalmi,
Finland. The work consists of about 1200 scarecrow like figures wearing
colourful clothes with their heads made of peat. These amazing scarecrows are
creation of artist Reijo Kela and these were first displayed in 1988 in a field
in Lassila, a neighbourhood of Helsinki. Later in 1994 these were on display in
the Market Place of Helsinki's Senate Square, then on the banks of the river
Jalonuoma, Ämmänsaari and finally moved to this location in 1994 itself.
The clothes of these scarecrows are changed twice a year
using the clothes collected from donation. Reportedly some visitors to the
location occasionally exchange their dresses with those of the scare crow
figures.
No one knows the artist's idea behind the Silent People. The
artists has not given any explanation and refuses to give any answer. He feels
that the viewer should form their own conclusion. Some view it as a state of
psychological withdrawal some as forgotten people. The area was a scene bloody
battle during the Winter War (1939-40) between the Finns and Soviet Russia.
Stripped of the heads and clothes more than 1000 wooden crosses would be seen in
the field. Many therefore feels these as a tribute to those who lost their lives
in this tragic war.
Image from Flickr is by /kallu
Image from Flickr is by narnua
Image from Flickr is by /kallu
Image from Flickr is by hfb
View location in Google Street View
Main source of info: suomussalmi.fi
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