Here I can hear my own thoughts, visions and ambitions!

- I was really at the right place in life when I moved to Åland. I'm actually surprised at how well I've assimilated into Ålandic society and culture even though I couldn't even speak the language at first. 

According to Hanna, this is because she was at the right place in her life. She had already experienced a career and daily life in major cities like London and New York – with everything that entails – and was now a mother to a two-year-old. 
- Åland was perfect, and still is.

For a dance artist, the tranquility also proved to be a good breeding ground for creativity.
- Åland is a paradise island, here you can let go and relax. It feels unexpectedly good with a slower pace of life. Now I live next door to cows in the countryside. There are no street lights here, just cow dung and a starry sky.

Wearing many hats

Initially, it was love that made Hanna choose Åland. 
- I had visited Åland many times before I moved here and was familiar with the place and culture. For me, it was actually a fairly easy landing, yet moving always involves an adjustment.

At that time, she was entirely Finnish-speaking, but that's not noticeable today. After just seven years as an Åland resident, her Swedish is fluent. And she is entirely self-taught.
- I've had my career in English-speaking countries, studied in London and lived in the USA for ten years, six of which were in New York. So in the beginning when I had to teach, I first had to think in English before I could instruct in Swedish. That helped me gain fluency in the language. And it doesn't need to be perfect at first, it's enough to make yourself understood!

Nowadays, Hanna regularly holds courses in dance, yoga and wellness in Swedish. Both independently and for Folkhälsan in Åland and the Adult Education Centre in Mariehamn. Between assignments, she works as a dancer, educator, choreographer and producer. With a preference for improvisation and interactive performances.
- I like that Åland makes it possible to combine teaching with artistic work – together they elevate each other!

Valuable networks

As a newcomer without their own network, it's important to be active and ensure you create new contacts. Especially as an artist and self-employed person. Hanna explains that it took time to learn how everything works, who to contact and about what.

- For me, things took off when I was commissioned to perform a dance solo during Culture Night in Mariehamn. I got the opportunity to introduce myself and show who I am. That laid the foundation for my contact network in Åland and resulted in a school tour and collaboration with the Åland Music Institute. Now I have five projects coming up, so from nothing it has truly exploded.

Gaining time

Hanna explains that the years in New York were primarily about ambition and that Åland is characterized by humanity. 
- Åland is not anonymous and that's a reassurance. You are well taken care of, there are good resources and social structure here. Especially if you have children, they can safely run out and play.

In the beginning, it was perhaps a little too quiet, at least until Hanna decided to embrace the tranquility. For her, that means stopping and making sure to enjoy what she describes as life's core values. 
- The peace and proximity give me time savings that I can invest in my family and myself. It increases the quality of life.

New stages

The slower pace is also reflected in working life. Nowadays she doesn't only work as an employed dancer or instructor. There is also time for creating and her own productions. 
- Here I can hear my own thoughts, visions and ambitions. I can turn inward and create in a different way. That's valuable.

As a contemporary dancer, she has found her own niche, and enjoys collaborating with others. 
- In Åland there are many talented artists, composers and musicians. That opens up for various cross-artistic and boundary-pushing projects – how can voice and movement interact, for example? That type of collaboration wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been here!

The biggest challenge has really been getting into society on a deeper level.
- There are many established circles, so it's about finding your way in. For me, it was through work. I was also active in Finnish associations in Åland and Finnish music playgroups when my daughter was little.

- Then you need to be able to accept Åland as Åland and not compare it to a small town in Sweden or Finland. Åland has its own soul and its own way of functioning!