
Draggkamp | Tug of War Happening
On the 8th of September 2011 at 17:00, 250 inhabitants of Kiruna created a red rope spanning the 3 kilometers estimated as the ‘crack line’ that will occur in 2012 caused by the Iron mine’s proximity to the city.
This rope was made out of personal red pieces of clothing that the participants brought with them. As the rope was formed, memories of the place where the participants stood and that will no longer exist in the near future were shared. A picture of everyone’s feet was taken and the participants were divided into teams who then played the ‘rope pulling’ game ‘Tug of War’. Drinks were served after the happening.
This crack line will separate one of the oldest parts of the city (including the Hjlmargarden, the LKAB hotel, the railway station) and many residential buildings from the rest of Kiruna. In this Happening, the people formed a collective body and stood at a symbolic spot.
How would it be to physically confront the crack?
The people engaged in the ‘rope pulling’ game were invited to reclaim their role in the political economical push-pull game that will decide the future of their town.
Will the crack be the cause of a crack in the memory and history of the town?

Press and Documentation
The Swedish regional newspapers NSD and Norrbottens-Kuriren were already reporting on the Happening before it took place. When Lina Issa came to Kiruna for the first time, as can be read in NSD, she was surprised by the reticence of the inhabitants when it came to the moving of their city and their feelings connected to this future. Everyone referred only to the economical and political consequences of the moving and she noticed a feeling of tiredness around the issue.
That is why Lina Issa wanted to create a chance for the people to talk about their memories, their future and their feelings; to be part of the process and not only to wait until somebody else decided about the future of the town. Lina Issa did not intend to tell people what they had to say or feel. She wanted to establish a space and a possibility for them to both mentally as well as physically feel the changing. Furthermore, she was hoping by doing so to activate reflections and discussions.
To read more about Lina Issa’s thoughts and motivations click here or continue reading for more information, photos and an audio sample!
Continue reading "After Lina Issa's Happening: A Review" »