Culture lights up the dark

This year, even November will not be bleak. Capital of Culture events will light up every week and make the polar night fun. The public will be invited to such places as the library, theatre and the new Logomo Hall, which will open at the end of the month.

Turku’s year as Capital of Culture has seen many open-minded, cross-disciplinary performances. These will continue at the Sibelius Museum on 4 November with the video art concert IRKI – three sonic visions. Part of the Musicam Video project, the works at the concert are the result of collaboration between musicians and visual artists, combining video, film and audio tape.

Music will also play an important part at Turku Main Library’s Polar Night Weekend on 11–12 November. The library will offer adventures in the dream world, slightly scary omens and visiting performers. The library will be open until midnight on Friday. Performers during the Polar Night Weekend include, among others, the bands Magenta Skycode and Kaamos, poet Caj Westerberg, performance artist Leena Kela, author Rakel Liehu and the Sandman.

14–20 November, Aladdin’s Lamp – Kindling will celebrate children and young people’s right to culture. Kindling is the largest children’s culture event series in the Capital of Culture programme. The project will be carried out by the Aladdin’s Lamp network and the City of Turku Cultural Services. During the week, the international Kindling artist group will visit schools and day-care centres to arrange thirty workshops. The main event, open to all, will be held at the Vimma Art and Activity Centre for Youth on 20 November. In addition to enjoying performances produced by children and young people, visitors can themselves take part in workshops.

Theatre, circus and opera

On 9–19 November, the New Baltic Drama festival will feature four premieres showcasing fresh theatre from the Baltic Sea region. The performances are based on a drama writing competition announced in 2009. The winning entries have been adapted into performances by Turku City Theatre, the Swedish Riksteatern, the Russian Baltiski Dom and the Estonian Linnateater.

“These performances, which will be seen on the Sopukka stage, are highly different in terms of theme and production style. However, there are also shared elements of humanity, isolation and human rights,” says Raija-Liisa Seilo, Director of Turku City Theatre.

November 9 will see the premiere of Varietee Kasataide’s contemporary circus performance Pirjo’s Best Day Ever. Incorporating circus art, cinema and animation, the performance recounts an ordinary day in a lonely woman’s life that takes an absurd turn when the shadows she sees come to life.

The TIP-Fest puppetry festival, taking place on 18–22 November, is a joint effort by Turku-based puppetry professionals, supplemented by splendid international guests. The programme will consist of visual theatre performances for both children and adults, workshops, seminars, clubs and puppet exhibitions. The action will take place at venues like the Adventure Park, TEHDAS Theatre and Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. In addition, Six Fingers Theatre’s microscopic theatre festival Mikromarathon will offer surprises to the public in various parts of the city throughout TIP-Fest. The festival will also feature the premiere of STILL/LIFE – around 12 worlds in 1 hour, a project produced by TIP-Connection that involves Turku-based puppet theatre-makers animating miniature models made by 12 young Lithuanian set designers.

November in the Capital of Culture will culminate in the historical opera Eerik XIV, which has been commissioned by the City of Turku from composer Mikko Heiniö and writer Juha Siltanen in honour of the Capital of Culture year. The title role of young King Eric will be played by celebrated Swedish mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant, and Karin Månsdotter will be played by the excellent soprano Helena Juntunen. The opera is directed by Erik Söderblom, and the musical performance will be conducted by Leif Segerstam. The performance will open the large new Logomo Hall, utilising the diverse opportunities offered by the modern facilities and providing the audience with a novel, strong opera experience.