The couple arrived elegantly at the book party, where they gave a descriptive interview to Iltalehte about their everyday life as artists and now as writers.
Choreographer Hanna Brotherus and musician Mikko Kuustonen reveal to Iltalehti how their own writing processes affect their relationship and what autumn brings.
Brotherus wrote his autofictional debut novel Ainoa kotini in 2021. In September, he will publish another book called Henkeni edeste. Kuustos, on the other hand, published his Autobiography in April.
How has writing both books reflected in their everyday life?
– In the way that I have to be away from lust quite a lot, Kuustonen commented with a laugh.
– I’m much more sensitive to the fact that you have to have the right kind of atmosphere and space, which varies a lot, Brotherus explains with a smile.
– The space is 200 meters and there must not be other people in it. I came here, but Hanna followed, Kuustonen acknowledges in the interview. The comment makes Hanna laugh.
Mikko Kuustonen and Hanna Brotherus acknowledged each other gently during the interview. Matti Matikainen
The corona time completely emptied the couple’s calendars of their own expenses, so both had time to realize their long-simmering dream of a book. Both of them started the writing process around the same time by chance.
– These were actually not connected to each other in any way. Corona time calls an empty space from other art making. There was room to start thinking, says Brotherus.
– It is true. The calendar was emptied of other things, so it was time to tackle things like this, which I had kind of been waiting for. It has been an extremely interesting process, where both are going through their own lives at the same time, Kuustonen reflects.
Through their writing processes, the couple has gained depth in their self-knowledge, but also in their relationship. They have supported each other while going through things for their books.
– Yes, it has been rewarding on many levels. Learned something new about myself and the other, Kuustonen’s sum.
Writing has felt natural to both of them, although it has required time in different ways. Both have used their careers and skills to write on the basis of. Still, they haven’t felt that they’re jumping into a new role, even though books are the couple’s recent conquest of territory in their working life.
– Hanna is a choreographer and writes from that starting point. I’m a musician and a songwriter and I’m trying to write a longer text. It’s great that you get the chance to do that, Kuustonen specifies.
– Choreography is writing a dance. In a certain way, writing is the opening of a dance and it is a bit like poetry. There are no exact boundaries, Brotherus describes how he feels about his role as a writer.
Brotherus and Kuustonen have held one since 2018. The life of an artist can be seen in their everyday life. Matti Matikainen
In the future, both plan to write. It requires that they give each other space, because Kuustonen is not a writing camp person, according to his own words. However, autumn also brings other patterns than books.
Brotherus is currently doing choreography for Svenska Teatern and in the fall he will go to Vaasa City Theater to work with immigrant youth. There may be new songs from Kuustos. And according to his own words, he also finally gets to be at home.