The True Story of Matti Kurikka - Socialist, Utopian and Dreamer
In Russian-controlled Finland at the end of the nineteenth century, Matti Kurrika was inspired by the mythic land of a Finnish folk epic to lead several hundred of his followers, the "People of Kalevala", in search of a utopia; a place where they could achieve the independence, equality and prosperity no longer enjoyed by them in their native country. In 1899, he arrived in what he believed would be a land of "eternal summer" - the Queensland colony of Australia - where his dream became a nightmare.
Winner of the ACT Book of the Year Award, 1999.
A compelling fictional account based on fact, 'Kurrika's Dreaming' is an unconventional biography drawing on the viewpoints of the two people who would have known Matti Kurrika best: his devoted daughter, Aili, and Risto, a disenchanted follower. Taking up the universal themes of mythology, spirituality, nationality and culture, while creatively shedding new light on the tough history of pre-Federation Australia, 'Kurrika's Dreaming' is also an insightful portrait of the excesses of human nature.
