A1 Journal article (refereed)
Under the Savo Sky : A Philosophical Time-Travel Mosaic (2023)
Itkonen, M. (2023). Under the Savo Sky : A Philosophical Time-Travel Mosaic. European Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 9(2), 168-180. https://revistia.org/index.php/ejls/article/view/6144
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Itkonen, Matti
Journal or series: European Journal of Language and Literature Studies
ISSN: 2411-9598
eISSN: 2411-4103
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 14/11/2023
Volume: 9
Issue number: 2
Pages range: 168-180
Publisher: European Center for Science Education and Research
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
Persistent website address: https://revistia.org/index.php/ejls/article/view/6144
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93127
Additional information: English translation by Glyn Hughes
Abstract
Using his words, the essayist endeavours to build a mosaic-like Kuopio. To do so, he also needs the help of photographs. A time-trip will reveal the multifaceted nature of Kuopio, constructed from small pieces. The Savo sky is like a large existential mirror, reflecting past, present and future time. The vaulted mirror of life above the landscape reveals the everyday moments of various generations. Interspersed among the flickering images are glimpses of the joys and sorrows of individuals and of the whole nation. Individual and community are presented both alongside and nested inside each other. The market place, as a time-square, acts as the space where events unfold. It resembles an existential theatre where various sequences of events take place. An essayistic or philosophical time-travel mosaic means a flâneur’s wanderings through the existential stream of Kuopio city life. As an anonymous observer, the traveller notices many kinds of things. From these he formulates a coherent and confidently worded overall picture. In this way, an intellectual-artistic self-portrait of Kuopio takes shape. The role of the essayist is demanding: he must be able to act as a contemporary observer, critic and artist. He can therefore also be seen as an omniscient narrator – simultaneously both as a reader and a writer. The essayist thus lives and tells an existential story – a story of the forms of ’kuopioness’ across time. It is a story worth each and everyone of us listening to.
Keywords: cultural philosophy; philosophy of education; social philosophy; cultural history; axiology; ideologies; urban studies; time travel; essayistic literature
Free keywords: time-travel mosaic; time-square; travel literature; verbal and pictorial gaze; essayistic tradition
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 1
