Academic guest from Finland in Göttingen
Dr. Heta Hurskainen is assistant professor of systematic theology at the Eastern University of Finland in the city of Joensuu focussing the ecumenical issues. She is as well ordinated pastor of the evangelic-lutheran church of Finland. From the end of August until the end of November she is working and living in Göttingen to initiate a new ecumenical research project.
Dear Heta, welcome to Göttingen! You live here now for a couple of weeks. How was your arrival? Is it your first time visiting germany?
Thank you! My arrival was just perfect. Everything was so well organized through the faculty by Mrs Barton and Mrs Wasmuth. Thanks a lot! really like the historical center of Göttingen with these specifical german half-timbered houses sorounded by hills and forest. It is my first time in Göttingen but actually i´ve been in many places in Germany yet. So it was kind of time to come here.
It was time to come to Göttingen? What´s the backround of your visit?
Göttingen has a theological focus on orthodox theology. With my faculty of Joensuu we have an Erasmus-cooperation and the previous profesor Martin Tamcke is Dr. h.c. of the Eastern University of Finland. It is just time to come here and refresh our relation. I have an idea for a new scientific project so this is what I do here: I am writing on a new research application. You have a huge and well equipped library at your faculty, which is really helpful. And here I can discus the project personel with Mrs Wasmuth. It shall be an multidisciplinary, international collaboration. So at the end of November I hope I will have a good research plan and a plan of funding.
What will the research project be about?
It is about Russian and Ukrainian immigrants in democratic countries. – No, this is all I can say about for now. The rest you´ll have to see. (smiling)
I start to become curious, well – what are the prioryties of your academic research?
I am a systematic theologian. Different to Germany Ecumenical studies is not a part of church history but of systematic theology. So I approach to ecumencal issues from the systematical perspective and intent to contextualize and combine them on an interdisciplinary way. I have focused on the Russian Orthodox Church and its national and ecclesiastical identity. I have also written about the relation between ukranian and russian orthodoxy in Finnish. That’s were Mrs Wasmuth and I got to know. We have similar research interests and are both members of the International Lutheran-Orthodox Joint commission.
In the beginning you´ve told me you speak German. Where did you learn to speak German?
In Greifswald.
For what reason you´ve been in Greifswald?
I´ve been there from 2010 to 2012. After I finished my Master of Theology, I was ordinated to become a pastor and meanwhile I organised my application to become a PHD student. Later, I got a scholarship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft at the University of Greifswald. And we agreed on co-supervised, cotutelle, binational dissertation. My dissertation focused on ecumenical social ethics. My German supervisor was Prof. Dr. Heinrich Assel and my finish supervisor was Prof. Antti Raunio.
You mentioned the Erasmus-cooperation between Göttingen and Joensuu. How can we imagine Joensuu?
The town is on a flat. It is a place where a river meets a lake. That is what actually the name Joensuu means. So, there is very big river and a beautiful lake and a lot of forest around. The town is not that old than Göttingen. Present Joensuu is founded in the 19th century.
Why would you recommend young adults to come to study in Joensuu?
It is a really friendly place. Especially because we have a faculty that focus on both, on western and eastern theology. That is unique in Finland and not that typical in general. We also have a program where you can participate on course “Studies in Religion and Theology” worth for 30 credits on English. So, it is not a need at all to learn Finnish language. I would recommend every student to spend some time abroad.
You can study lutheran theology in three places in Filandia: in Turku, Helsinki and Joensuu. The University of Eastern Finland is located in two cities. The campus of arts you find in Joensuu like the courses for Psychology, Law, History, Teaching etc. The campus of natural science is placed in the city of Kuopio, 130km far away. Around 50 students start to study theology each semester. We have a really vivit scene of student. Our Semesters last from January to May and from September to December.
Is there a difference of studying Theology in Finland than in Germany?
The church doesn’t influence the academic theology and we have a Bachelor-Master-System. There isn’t a big, final “Examen”, but the students write their master thesis.
Do you think German and Finnish theology can learn from each other?
Yes, of course. I would not say one is better than the other. We also have these five typical theological sectors. But there are not this kind of strong borders between the chairs. I think the strength of German theology is the strong focus of digging into the deep. We, especially in Joensuu, focus more on the interdisciplinary connection. So, it is good to combine the strength of both.
We’ve got an impression about your academic career and research priorities. What´s the story behind it? Where are you from and for what reason did you start to study theology?
I was born in a city that is called Varkaus. It is around 120km from the place where I work now, from the city of Joensuu where the University of Eastern Finland is situated.
I was baptised when I was a baby, but I grew up in a quite secularized family. We didn’t go to church. But my parents were really interested in culture and wanted us to get familiar also with the Finnish religious culture. We made a lot of trips to see monasteries and churches – also Orthodox –, but just to visit.
What was the reason which changed your relation to religion?
It is popular that young people when they turn into 15 go to confirmation camp, literally to camp, not to school they get the lessons. Even more kids go to this camp than belong to the church. This confirmation camp changed my view, and I got the interest into religion and my church and into theology.
To get the master’s degree, it normally takes 10 semesters, I needed 8. I was quite enthusiastic. So, I was one of the youngest pastors ever in Finland.
We´ve also talked about life general in Finland and Germany. Have you ever seen reindeers?
Yes, reindeers and elks. But reindeers you can find more in the north than in Joensuu. Oh, and it´s possible to see the northern lights in Finland. The best time is between September and March.
Is there a place in Germany you really want to visit?
The alps. I´ve been there already and I would like to go there again. They are so beautiful.
How do you spend your free time?
In September I visited the European Championships of dressage riding which took place in Germany this year. I am huge fan of dressage. You can say: where you find a horse there you can find me.
Do you have a favourite german dish?
I am almost vegetarian, so it is hard to find a typical meatless german dish but even finish. I mean, I like Ice cream. “Einen Eisbecher, bitte!” :)
| Would you prefer vine or beer? White vine. Anyway, I got to know some good german beer. That’s what Germans love to hear…;) Do you prefer caramel or liquorice? Caramel. Do you prefer tea or coffee? Tea, I don’t drink coffee. So, if someone wants you to invite you to a banquet, one needs a tasty green salat, whit vine and ice cream. Yes, perfect! (laughing) Thanks’ a lot for your time and this friendly talk. I wish you all the best for your stay in Göttingen! |  |
The interview with Dr. Heta Hurskainen was conducted on 19th of September in 2023 by Leander Knoop, student assistance of Prof. Dr. Jennifer Wasmuth. You can meet Mrs. Hurskainen in room 2.191 at the faculty of theology.