Thökk Will Weep (2022)

Three fundamental rivers, all being barriers between life and death, suffering and rebirth, is the starting point for Thökk will weep. Human sorrow and longing for consolidation when facing one’s own or one’s loved ones crossing over is reflected in religious and philosophical texts as well as ancient myths.

The rivers Gjöll, Vaitaraṇī and Styx, never unite in history, nor do they in Thökk will weep, but their role is in many ways similar, and one can imagine a possible influence. Purposely not highlighting their similarities, I have chosen three different entrances, three very different sources that give divergent roles in the composition. The aspect of unresolved destined death as shown in the old Norse tale of Baldr meets the words of Pythagoras’ invitation to reconciliation, the latter shared with Hindu religion’s cycle of death and rebirth. However, faced with the River, a righteous state of mind and body is needed in order to avoid its horrors. I let the Hindi scriptures voice the latter here.

Maja S.K. Ratkje