The spouse of the President of the Republic tells in his recent book how he remembered Loir in his last moments.
For Jenni Haukio, it is important to thank people already during their lifetime. Inka Soveri
While serving as the program director of the Turku Book Fair, Jenni Haukio planned a Runonlaulajat concert for the autumn 2020 fair, which would have heard Vesa-Matti Loirin and Samuli Edelmann’s music composed to poetry performed together. In the same context, an event would have been organized where Haukio himself would have interviewed Loir and Edelmann about their relationship with Finnish poetry and its roots, the tradition of poetry singers.
– My intention was also to ask Loir about the genesis of his Eino Leino music and its effects on him both as a person and as an artist. Above all, however, I would have publicly thanked him for everything he has given Finns as a music and stage artist in so many different decades, through so many of his beloved works, Haukio says in his recent book.
However, the 2020 book fair had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic.
It was decided to move the already well-prepared Runonlaulajat production to the next year, i.e. autumn 2021.
However, in August 2021, Loiri injured his hand and was on long sick leave. The production was again not realized.
– In January 2022, we received By Pete Eklund through, at Vesa-Matti Loir’s own request, to hear about his serious illness. At the same time, it became clear to me that the idea I cherished of thanking Loir publicly at the Turku Book Fair would never come true.
– That’s why, and also because the meaning of Loir’s art has been great for me personally, I decided to write him a letter, Haukio says in his book.
Haukio realized that every person should be able to hear about all the gratitude and respect that is shown towards him or her already in life.
– I think it’s both sad and tragic how often people in our culture are given value and thanks only after their death. I myself have decided to act and have also acted differently in my life, both in relation to my loved ones and also to other people whom I have valued and respected, Haukio states.
His letter to Loir was delivered on the same day that Sauli Niinistö made the last one-on-one conversation with him.
On August 10, Loir’s death was reported.
– I had just gotten into the car in Kultaranta to go to Helsinki and the National Museum, where I was supposed to participate in the closing ceremony of the summer camps organized to support the well-being of Ukrainian children who fled the war in Finland.
– In life, lights and shadows often flash very close to each other, Haukio recalls the moment of hearing the sad news.
Jenni Haukio: Your star here – The years as the president’s spouse (WSOY) will be released on May 29.