On Thursday, January 16th at 6 PM, the Documentary Photo Centre will host a unique meeting and an artist talk in English with photographer Meeri Koutaniemi in connection with the exhibition “Ingrians – Hidden Stories.”
The exhibition is largely based on the journey of Lea and Santeri Pakkanen, Ingrian Finns, journalists, and father and daughter to their roots. Accompanying them on this journey from 2017 to 2019 was renowned Finnish photographer Meeri Koutaniemi, who focuses on human rights issues. Together, they travelled across Ingria and Russia, visiting former prison camps and deportation centres. Meeri Koutaniemi’s photographs capture places and people in Ingria, Yakutia, and Western Siberia, including areas where Pakkanen’s family members were deported or sent to prison camps.
Meeri Koutaniemi is a Finnish photographer and journalist born in Kuusamo, Lapland. She currently lives in Helsinki and Spain. Koutaniemi’s work has taken her to over 50 countries, where she has documented stories of human resilience and struggle.
In 2012 and 2013, Koutaniemi was named Photographer of the Year in Finland. Her photos have been exhibited in over 50 exhibitions worldwide. She has published six books based on her documentary projects.
In 2014, she won the Visa d’or Daily Press Award in Perpignan and the FreeLens Award at the Lumix Photo Festival in Hannover.
In documentary filmmaking, Koutaniemi has directed documentary series for Finnish television and worked as a cinematographer on various international documentary films. She is currently focusing on her long-term project about female genital mutilation across different continents.
The event will be held in English. Seating is limited. Admission is with an exhibition ticket. Please purchase your ticket in advance.
Holders of the Museum Card can book a ticket for €0 by entering the campaign code Muuseumikaart at checkout. Please present your Museum Card upon arrival.
Documentary Photo Centre club members can book a ticket for €0 by entering the campaign code Klubiline2025 at checkout. Valid membership will be verified at the event.
