Finnish National Theatre

”Finnish playwriting is guaranteed to be made in Finland. It can’t be subcontracted out to manufacturers abroad. That’s why I have faith in Finnish drama and its relevance for us today. The Finnish National Theatre’s autumn season once again takes a keen look at contemporary society. A recurring theme is a responsibility. Responsibility for each other, for our welfare, our environment and our future.” Mika Myllyaho, Director of the Finnish National Theatre, August 2012

2012 marked the 140th anniversary of the birth of Finnish theatre. Throughout its existence, promoting Finnish drama has been one of the main ambitions and responsibilities of the Finnish National Theatre.

The Finnish National (Finnish: Suomen Kansallisteatteri) , founded in 1872, is the oldest Finnish-language professional theatre. The birth of the Finnish National Theatre was closely linked to the political ideology of the late nineteenth century.

Finland was part of the Russian Empire, and its intellectual elite was Swedish speaking. Finnish language and art, including theatre, became the cornerstones of a cultural movement which began in the 1860’s, gradually developed political ambitions by the turn of the century, and eventually led to national independence in 1917.

For the first thirty years of its existence, the theatre functioned primarily as a touring company. The theatre did not acquire a permanent home until 1902 when a purpose-built theatre was erected in the heart of Helsinki, adjacent to the city’s main railway station.

The building design was by architect Onni Törnqvist-Tarjanne. This majestic neo-romantic edifice with its façade of Finnish granite and interiors of soapstone, marble and wood, is one of Finland’s most impressive national monuments. The theatre still operates in these premises today, and over the years the building has expanded from its original size to encompass another three permanent stages. In addition to the Main Stage (Suuri näyttämö), the theatre comprises the Small Stage (Pieni näyttämö) built in 1954, the Willensauna Stage built in 1976, and the Omapohja studio built in 1987.

In 2010 the FNT’s governing board appointed director Mika Myllyaho, who has expanded the theatre’s activities. He has adopted a policy of associate writers to whom the theatre is committed on a long-term basis.

The theatre also established a new production unit in 2010, which given the name of Touring Stage. This unit, which has no fixed stage, aims to take small-scale touring performances to locations throughout the country which have little or no access to theatre, such as schools, day care centres, homes for the elderly, hospitals, welfare reception centres, prisons and so on.

The Touring Stage’s programme focuses on topical issues which are developed through community research and interaction, reaching out and giving voice to marginalised sectors of society.

Throughout its history, the Finnish National Theatre has also maintained international links in various forms of partnership with foreign theatres and festivals. This continues today as the theatre co-operates with, among others, the Helsinki Festival to bring over cutting-edge examples of world drama.

The theatre also participates in text-based cultural exchanges and workshops, and regularly invites guest directors from abroad, to bring new perspectives to Finnish theatre.

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