TLM10: THE LAST PEOPLE - MIINA VILO
Ever since we began ten issues ago, we have worked with photographer David Mushegain every issue to bring you a collection of some of the raddest people from all around the world. David shoots and gets to know the young kids he meets on his travels, through his friends, or just walking down the street, and we are always happy to share his discoveries with you. Our weekly postings of David’s Last People continue right here.
I met Miina Vilo at a concert in Tallinn, Estonia. I was going through the crowd taking photos when I came across Miina and was like, Oh wow, who is this? I told her, “Let’s meet up after the show.” We did for a bit and then planned to meet the next day. I was leaving to Helsinki but thought we could get a quick hour in to hang out. The next morning I talked to Miina and she said to come by her mom’s house and that we could take some photos there. I had a couple of hours so I thought that would be perfect. I arrived at Miina’s mom’s house and walked inside and knew immediately I would not be leaving Estonia that day. I called and changed my ticket and got my stuff from the hotel and went to stay with Miina and her family that night. So Miina’s mom is an energy reader. She’s intense and you can feel it straight away. I loved being at their home so much. We talked so much and Miina showed me her paintings and drawings and poems, all of which I love. We hung out in town and went bike riding and I got to see the local side of Tallinn, which I really wanted to do. Estonia is an amazing country and Tallinn is an amazing city. I had spent a little time there in the Nineties and found it so fascinating. A country that suffered so much under the hands of the Soviet Communists seemed to be alive so quickly after the fall of the Wall. Maybe it’s just the nature of the Estonian people. They seem to be a culture that perseveres. We went to visit Miina’s grandparents in the countryside and her grandpa told me stories of WWII. Estonia resisted as much as they could but they were caught in a mess with the Germans and were destroyed by the Russians in return. That is a crappy explanation, but read your history. Anyway I just think Estonia is awesome. And I think Miina is awesome. She was actually born in Finland, moved to England when she was three and then at the age of seven her family returned to Estonia. She tells me her favorite years of her life were as a child riding horses. This is her main passion. And she actually listed riding as her favorite art form. Which is cool because I did not think of it that way but it totally is. This communication between human and horse. It’s beautiful. Miina is a very special person. I mean that. You just meet people that have these souls that are so full of energy. Ahhh I just love that vibe. I’ve run into a few families in Eastern Europe and the Baltics that have that vibe. It’s a very special part of the world. I don’t know, maybe it’s the struggles they have seen. They really appreciate their freedom. I don’t know. There is something magical about that land. There is something magical about Miina. I’m so lucky to have met her. I photographed her in the garden at her grandparents’ house just outside Tallinn.
More of David Mushegain’s work can be seen at DavidMushegain.com.
