Those Who Shook Hands with Death

In 2016–2022, authors, word artists and bibliotherapy counsellors Jenni Hurmerinta and Aija Salovaara organised word art groups at palliative care units and cancer associations in multiple cities. Hundreds of seriously ill people participated in the groups over the years to write about and discuss the uniqueness of life and its end point: death, which we all have to go through.

The texts created in the groups resulted in the Kuoleman kättelemät exhibition. In addition to the texts, the exhibition also includes photographs from photographer/director Terjo Aaltonen.