Reidar Särestöniemi

"Diary of a willow grouse"

Pentti Raunio was the parish vicar in Kittilä 1957-69. In the early years he became acquainted with the home and family of Reidar Särestöniemi, his parents Alma and Matti and their sons Reidar and Anto. The priest visited the farm at Särestöniemi often. When the completely unknown Reidar was leaving for Leningrad and his art studies, he exhibited his works in the rectory 28/09/1957 as a way to make money for the journey. His parents also bought some works.

Särestöniemi remained an important part of of Raunio's life and Reidar never forgot his first patron. The vicar's fondness for Särestöniemi's art was well known in Kittilä. When Raunio's time in Kittilä came to an end and he was moved to Säkylä, the parishioners wanted to give the popular vicar a gift - a painting by Reidar Särestöniemi. Names and donations were collected in all the villages in Kittilä and in the end the gift book included more than 1 300 names. The first ones to sign were Alma and Matti Särestöniemi and Reidar and Anto Särestöniemi. "Diary of a willow grouse" was gifted to Rauha and Pentti Rauniolle at the fairwell celebration at the parish hall in Kittilä 25/05/1969.