It’s been a week since the ANTI Festival finished. It was probably the best festival ever –partly because of the length of the festival and number of artists involved which really made an impact to the city but I was especially satisfied with the programme this year. Of course, as an organizer there are always areas of improvement, but the overall level of the programme was very high this year. Also the seminar was great. I felt so proud of these amazing artists, academics, guests and visitors who all gathered to Kuopio to create the festival. I want to say thank you to each and every one of you. And especially I want to thank Gregg with whom it’s such a pleasure to collaborate.

As usual, after the intense festival period, everything feels flat. I always get very emotional after the festival when all the exhaustion, pressure and expectation begin to ease off. For a couple of days I was just in tears. But by now I’ve learned that that’s part of it, part of the festival experience and although it feels tough each year, it’s something that will surely but slowly pass.

Luckily there were other things that kept me busy last week. Application deadlines, meetings, runs, exercising, other performances and reviews.

Part of me hates when the brisk but colourful autumn begins to get colder and rainier but a few days ago I had such a blissful 10k run and today an easy Nordic walk that I cannot complain. Yes, it’s quite cold but it didn’t rain on me. And yes, we are in the North, on the edge of Europe.

Next week I’m back to Acts of Clothing and very excited about it!   

Johanna