Accessibility in Faravid´s Land

Faravid´s Land in Easy language

This page contains key information about the show in easy language, physical accessibility details for the performance space, and a social story to help you prepare for the event.

What is Faravid´s Land?

Faravid’s Land is a theater performance.

The show combines theater, dance, and contemporary circus.

The show venue is an old market building in Raksila.

The city will demolish the market building later, so this offers a unique opportunity to experience it in a new way.

What is the performance like?

Faravid’s Land is an immersive theater performance.

It means that audience members move around inside the building during the show.

You can decide which characters you follow and which direction you go.

Every viewer experiences the performance slightly differently.

What is the story about?

The show tells a story about happiness.

The plot combines Finnish myths, characters from the Kalevala, and the history of Oulu. It features characters like Kullervo, the Water Nymph (Näkki), and other mythical creatures.

You do not need prior knowledge of the Kalevala or the history of Oulu and you don’t have to visit the theater often to attend.

You do not need to understand the performance; you can simply arrive and enjoy the experience.

Do you need to speak Finnish?

No, you don’t have to speak Finnish.

The performance uses Finnish, but you can enjoy the show without Finnish language skills.

The performers rely mostly on physical expression and acting.

Movement, dance, circus, and visual elements form an important part of the experience.

This performance suits you if you enjoy:

• Theater
• Dance
• Contemporary circus
• Immersive experiences
• New types of cultural experiences

Good to know before the performance

You will move around the building during the show.

You can walk at your own pace.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Plan for a visit of about 2.5 hours.

Read more in the event description at the bottom of this page.

Accessibility in Faravid´s Land

Location

The performance takes place in a former market building in Oulu. The entrance sits between Prisma and the old Sale building. You can recognize the venue by the “Faravidin maa” window decals.

Address: Tehtaankatu 3, 90130 Oulu

Parking

Audience members can use the Prisma parking lot.

Two accessible parking spots sit directly in front of the old market building, about 100 meters from the entrance.

No separate marked area exists for drop-off traffic, but the parking lot usually offers plenty of space.

Route to the Entrance

An asphalt path leads to the entrance, mostly flat.

Winter conditions may affect accessibility along this route.

A ramp leads up to the entrance platform.

Entrance

Staff members stand at the entrance to open the door.

The door measurements are: width of 95 cm with a 3 cm threshold.

Past the entrance, the path continues past the stairs through an inner door.

From the inner door, the cloakroom and foyer lie to the right.

To the left (the old loading dock), you will find an accessible toilet and the building’s only elevator.

Physical Accessibility

The floors are hard and flat with no interior thresholds.

Doors to the performance spaces measure at least 80 cm wide, though large parts of the space remain open without doorways.

Access to one performance space requires moving down a steep travelator (slanted corridor).

The travelator does not run during the show, but it is long with a 23% incline, making it non-accessible.

Most performance spaces feature benches, chairs, sofas, or other seating. However, transitions between spaces can exceed 50 meters without seating options.

The performance involves moving from room to room, and the venue does not lend mobility aids.

Stairs and Elevator

The performance takes place in two floors.

Stairs are located in two locations: immediately after the entrance and behind the old Sale space.

Contrast strips mark the steps.

Handrails do not extend past the top or bottom of the stairs, and the handrail in the Sale staircase has gaps of about 20–30 cm in a few places.

The stairwells are dimly lit.

The building contains one elevator, located on the left from the main entrance near the old loading dock.

Users open and close the elevator doors manually.

Performers use the elevator during a few scenes in the show.

Staff will ask you to wait a moment if a scene requires the elevator on another floor.

You may ride the elevator alongside the performers.

Restrooms

During the show, visitors can use an accessible portable-style toilet without running water, measuring 1500 x 1500 mm including the toilet seat.

This accessible toilet is also gender-neutral.

The adjacent Prisma does not have an accessible toilet.

The nearest spacious toilet is located in the nearby Citymarket (about 200m away).

Additional public restrooms are located upstairs near the elevators.

Visual Accessibility

Visually impaired visitors may bring a companion, guide, or assistant to provide live audio description during the show.

The performance spaces remain mostly dim and lack directional signage. Lighting varies across rooms, including colored lights and UV light in one section. The show does not use strobe lights.

The building contains several support pillars and set pieces that can be difficult to spot in the dark. The foyer features 2 pillars, and the open space upstairs contains several. Some pillars are low contrast against their surroundings (e.g., a black pillar stands against a black floor 2 meters past the cloakroom).

A security gate is located in the middle of the hallway leading from the 2nd-floor elevator to the open space, and it is low color contrast. The 2nd-floor open space (“the forest”) also features low-hanging, light branches.

Auditory Accessibility

Performers mostly use their natural unamplified voices without microphones. The venue lacks an induction loop and creates echoes.

Following the show does not require hearing speech or understanding Finnish.

The performance includes music, ambient sounds, and some spoken content, though it relies heavily on visual and physical expression. Visitors may explore the environment and props by touch.

Sound levels vary throughout the building. The show includes both quiet and loud sounds, and the echoing space allows audio from multiple scenes to overlap.

Quiet Space

A quiet space with seating sits near the entrance by the elevator. No acted scenes take place here, though some ambient sound from the performance carries into the room. The accessible restroom is located in this same area.

Social Story – Event Description

Note: This description contains slight spoilers about the plot.

Faravid´s Land differs from a traditional stage performance.

The show takes place inside a former market building where audience members move at their own pace, encountering scenes throughout the space. Viewers follow different paths and experience unique versions of the show. Audience members should refrain from talking during the show, but making sounds is allowed.

During the performance, you may:

• Walk at your own pace
• Stop to watch interesting scenes
• Take a break whenever needed
• Use your own mobility or sensory aids
• Ask the staff for assistance
• Choose whether to participate in interactions
• Step out briefly and return. If you leave the building, remember to tell the staff that you’re planning to come back. The doors are locked during the performance.
  

Arrival

Staff members greet the audience at the entrance and can assist with the doors or directions. You can arrive early and take your time exploring the foyer and common areas before the show starts. Doors open one hour prior to showtime. You can identify staff by their Oulu Theatre t-shirts, and you can ask them questions before, during, or after the performance. Feel free to come as you are and wear whatever you like.

Before the Show Starts

Ticket scanning takes place to the right after the main door.

At ticket check, staff provide you with an amulet, which helps divide the audience into different groups after the first scene. Staff also give you special glasses (designed to fit over eyewear). These glasses identify audience members, as the performers do not wear them.

After the ticket check, you can leave your coat in the cloakroom. You may bring a small bag into the performance.

Past the cloakroom, you enter the foyer, which includes a cafe, tables, and various seating options. Many audience members wait for the show to start here. Up to 130 people attend each show, so the room can be lively and echoing. You may sit, look around, or purchase drinks and snacks at the cafe.

The entrance hall features a selfie wall for photos. Remember that photography during the actual performance remains prohibited. Please set your phone to silent during the show.

During the Performance

The show begins in the foyer/cafe space at the time printed on your ticket. In the beginning, an actor provides opening instructions, followed by a sudden scene. If you prefer to watch this opening scene from a distance, consider standing near the yellow high-top tables further from the cloakroom.

After the instructions, the show starts! Follow the group matching your amulet for the initial scene. After the initial scene, you can roam freely around the building.

You do not need to know where to go in advance. The show uses no set routes or movement instructions. Feel free to wander, stay in one room, or follow your favorite character throughout the entire show. If you feel unsure, simply follow any performer. Audience members rarely see every single scene.

You may step away from the action or take a short break at any time. Restrooms remain accessible throughout the show.

You may applaud the performers whenever you wish, and vocal sounds are welcome. Avoid standard conversation to prevent disturbing others, though assistants may describe events out loud to visually impaired guests.

What is the building like?

The building is large and contains various spaces, mostly open with unblocked doorways.

Some rooms are dense with props and scenery, while others remain spacious and open.

Environment tones shift between quiet moments and multiple simultaneous events.

Guests may touch the sets. Nearly all rooms feature benches or seats for public use.

Exploration forms part of the experience, so the venue leaves some pathways unmarked by signs.

The quiet space and accessible restroom sit to the left of the main entrance, offering seating and a break from acted scenes.

What to expect from the show?

Sounds: Sounds can become loud and sudden (e.g., a sound mimicking an electrical short circuit plays across the space right before intermission). Some rooms feature continuous background noises like humming of computers or electrical buzzing. The large, echoing space allows sound to travel from other rooms. Guests are allowed to wear ear protection or noise-canceling devices.

Lighting & Scents: The spaces remain mostly dim with varying light colors across rooms (e.g., red or green lighting, plus UV light in one room that turns white clothing bright). Scents of coffee, forest, tarred wood, or old books appear in certain areas. The show uses theatrical smoke, particularly during the final scene.

Interaction: Performers may move quickly, come close, or gently touch audience members in some scenes. An actor might look at you or speak to you, but they respect your choice if you decline to interact. You may leave any uncomfortable situation at any time.

During the intermission and after the show

The show has an intermission. The intermission is announced out loud and the performers will take a break during it.
During the intermission, you can buy refreshments from the cafe, use the restroom, and converse freely.

Toward the end of the show, all the characters’ storylines go towards the starting point in the foyer.

The performance concludes in this main space roughly 2.5 hours after start time. Afterward, retrieve your belongings from the cloakroom and exit through the main entrance.

To avoid crowds at the cloakroom immediately after the show, feel free to wait until the rush clears.

Thank you for visiting in Faravid´s Land!