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Escaping from Kalevala and ending up in “paska kaupunni”.
A performance weaving together theatre, contemporary circus, and contemporary dance, Faravid’s Land takes place in Oulu’s legendary Raksila supermarket area, which in its golden age surpassed even Helsinki’s Stockmann in grocery sales. Now the old Eka-market building has reached the end of its lifespan and is set to be demolished, making way for a long-awaited new source of joy and pride: an experience arena promising bliss and vitality for all of northern Finland.
So, is the fountain of Oulu’s happiness lurking here in Raksila? Has it been buried here all along?
Faravid’s Land is a journey stretching from the remnants of a supermarket to ancient Northern Ostrobothnia as well as a myth of those who seek and those who conceal happiness. What is happiness exactly, and why must it be hidden? Kullervo disguises happiness as pain, Akka-Queen tries to conjure it, whereas Kärppä scurries it swiftly out of sight. The giant Jotuni dreams, and Näkki tries to tempt the spectator into the depths. The work’s mythological fiction and its captivating creatures merge with the past-its-prime supermarket building, which still echoes with the history of Sale, Alko, and flea market activities.
Faravid’s Land invites the audience, not only to be shaken and stirred by the skills of the 14 actors, dancers and circus artists, but also to cast spells of fortune, banish misfortune, bid farewell to the Raksila supermarket, and welcome a twisted experience arena before the experience arena. Eternal questions and mythical landscapes grow through the emptied building in an immersive performance where the spectator can freely choose their own path towards fulfilment, which is pursued slyly, conjured powerfully, and blushed at quietly.
A myth is a story or belief that explains things for which there is no first-hand evidence or whose veracity cannot be proven.
Happiness is a marvellous thing, something that, according to statistics, exists in great abundance in the city of Oulu.
Faravid’s Land is written by Eira Virekoski and directed by Alma Lehmuskallio and Pirjo Yli-Maunula. The production is a collaboration between Oulu Theatre and Flow Productions, in partnership with Oulu2026 and still still (NED). The work is supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
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Premiere: August 27, 2026
Location: Raksila supermarket, Tehtaankatu 1
Script Eira Virekoski
Direction Alma Lehmuskallio and Pirjo Yli-Maunula
Set design Kalle Nurminen
Costume design Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila
Light design Jukka Huitila
Sound design Anssi Laiho
Make-up and Hair Design Melina Matinlompolo
Production: Oulu Theatre, Flow Productions
Financial supporters: Oulu2026, The Finnish Cultural Foundation
In collaboration with: Oulu August Festivals, Oulu2026
International collaboration partner: still still (NED)
Performers: Actors from Oulu Theatre Valtteri Aaltonen, Annika Aapalahti, Merja Pietilä, Annina Rokka, Henri Tuominen, Elina Ylisuvanto and Kasperi Kola and circus artists and dancers Marta Alstadsæter, Kim-Jomi Fischer, Elisabeth Künkele, Nikke Launonen, Katariina Van Earle, Jared Van Earle and Milla Virtanen.
The presentation is accessible. The performance is suitable for audiences of all languages.
