From a Pilgrimage in Egypt to South Ostrobothnia: British Couple Lead Spiritual Retreat in Alahärmä

At the retreat held at Rantakeidas by the Lapua River, there was no shortage of tears

TEXT : From News Paper

At the end of August, a three-day spiritual retreat was organised at Rantakeidas, located by the Lapua River in Alahärmä. The retreat was led by British couple Emel Michael and Dermot McNeill.

The couple had previously organised retreats in several places, including Egypt. It was there that they met Sonja Riihikangas and Sami Vesamo, who run Rantakeidas by the Lapua River.

“Sonja and Sami took part in a pilgrimage during which we visited the pyramids and other sacred places. During that same journey, a friendship developed between us,” Michael explains.

Michael and McNeill eventually travelled to Finland at Vesamo's invitation.

“When Sami asked whether we would like to hold a retreat at their place in Finland, I initially thought he was joking. But he was serious, and so we arrived here on 26 August.”

Music at the Heart of the Retreat

Original photograph: Emel Michael has a background as a pop singer. Photograph by Emilia Aho.

A total of 17 guests attended the retreat in Alahärmä. Most had participated in the Egypt journey, but the group also included four first-time participants.

“The purpose of this retreat was to create connections between people, encourage singing and prayer, and give participants an opportunity to share their life experiences.

The aim was to let go of the past, renew ourselves and develop inner strength,” Michael explains.

Original photograph: Dermot McNeill is a trained jazz musician. He plays in Liverpool's amateur orchestra, the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra. Photograph by Emilia Aho.

Music also plays a central role in the couple's retreats, and both have extensive experience in the field.

“I am a trained jazz musician, while Emel originally worked as a pop singer. I would say that music is at the heart of everything we do,” McNeill explains.

Another Retreat Planned for Next Summer

Original photograph: Sami Vesamo and Sonja Riihikangas have invited Dermot McNeill and Emel Michael to hold another retreat in Alahärmä next summer. According to Vesamo, places are already nearly fully booked. Photograph by Emilia Aho.

Riihikangas and Vesamo have agreed with the couple that they will return to Alahärmä next summer to lead another retreat.

“We thought we should get Serla [a Finnish tissue-paper brand] to sponsor us, because there is certainly a lot of crying here,” Vesamo jokes.

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Other headlines visible in the newspaper screenshot

• Music: Emeli releases new music, a familiar couple from the amateur theatre scene appear in the video.

(Emel has shared exclusive music / videos on a platform for their retreats in Skool)