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, really? In a dreamlike experience, your guide might turn out to be Akka-Queen, who commands both ancient and new spells, the local spirit animal Kärppä, or Polar Night itself. 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.
Performance concept: Pirjo Yli-Maunula, Eira Virekoski, Alma Lehmuskallio
Script Eira Virekoski
Direction Alma Lehmuskallio, 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
Performers and co-creators:
Circus artists and dancers from Flow Productions
KOI Marta Alstadsæter,
KAAMOS Kim-Jomi Fischer
TUIRETUINEN RAKAS Viivi Forsman
NÄKKI Elisabeth Künkele
HAMMAS Nikke Launonen
RAHKO Katariina van Earle
SIIPIJared van Earle
Actors from Oulu Theatre
KULLERVO Kasperi Kola
TUIRETUINEN YMMÄRTÄMÄTÖN Merja Pietilä
TUIRETUINEN ÄLYTÖN Annina Rokka
TOIMISTO-AKKA Anne Syysmaa
KÄRPPÄ Henri Tuominen
PIRU Valtteri Tähkänen
AKKA QUEEN Elina Ylisuvanto
Production: Oulu Theatre, Flow Productions
Financial supporters: Oulu2026 – Oulu Culture Foundation, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, New Classics Foundation
In collaboration with: Oulu August Festivals, Oulu2026
International collaboration partner: still still (NED)
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Faravid’s Land is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program and cultural climate change, and Oulu August Festival.
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Performances
Pre-premiere on Wed 26.8.2026
Premiere on Thu 27.8.2026
Performances 29.8.-12.12.2026 (52 shows)
See showtimes in the performance calendar
Venue
Raksila supermarket
Tehtaankatu 1
