Adventures of Harriharri – Episode III

A video game performance. Harriharri battles the forces of social exclusion in order to integrate into Finnish society.

This video game performance chronicles the life and times of Harriharri living in Helsinki. Harriharri is a newcomer to Finland who arrives with high hopes of being warmly welcomed into the culture and making new friends. He feels confident and full of initiative to contribute to the local artistic landscape. However, it doesn’t turn out quite like in Strömsö.

Through gameplay, Harriharri undergoes an unsettling introduction to Finnish cultural politics, one that shatters his naïve image of Finland. Despite his sincere efforts, he faces continuous obstacles in pursuit of integrating into Finnish society. In order to conquer the most challenging levels of the game, Harriharri must battle bureaucracies and systemic forces of social exclusion.

No matter what, Harriharri must not give up!

The game is performed live in an interactive-cinema format and narrated through rap and song. In this multiplayer experience, the audience’s decisions influence the narrative––making each performance unique. Join Harriharri on this hip hop fantasy adventure!

Creator and Performer: Harold Hejazi
Game Developers: magu & Rolands Tīss
Composer and Sound Designer: Eliel Tammiharju
Video Technician: Jokke Heikkilä

Duration: 60 min
Age recommendation: 12+
Language: English

This performance was originally produced by Stage for Contemporary Performance and supported by Arts Promotion Center Finland.

Watch the previous episodes here:
Episode I: https://youtu.be/VAMZKqDMoKA
Episode II: https://youtu.be/FP8Of8MNT_I

Follow @harriharrigame to stay updated

Content Warning: This performance explores issues of race and immigration and uses strong or coarse language that may be considered offensive to some viewers. The on-screen visuals include flashing lights and colours that may trigger seizures.

Harold Hejazi, who Fennicised his name in 2020 to Harriharri, is a Canadian artist and game designer currently living in Helsinki. In recent years, he has been using the medium of video games for live cinematic storytelling that examines issues of race, marginalisation, and contemporary multiculturalism in Finland.