Faravid’s Land

Escaping from Kalevala and ending up in “paska kaupunni”  

Performance language is Finnish, but taking part of the performance does not require understanding Finnish.

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.    

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 and the New Classics fund.

Important notes about the performance  

This production contains theatrical smoke and scents.

Read the frequently asked questions as well as the accessibility information.

Flow Productions is an Oulu-based production company that creates its own multidisciplinary works and organizes the year-round Flow Circus series of visiting contemporary circus performances. Flow has become particularly well-known for its large-scale, site-specific, immersive works. At the heart of Flow’s repertoire lie humanity, roughness, vulnerability, raw emotion, as well as the absurdity and surrealism of life – and, of course, breathtaking virtuosity.

Explore the Flow Productions programme here.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. Faravid’s Land is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and cultural climate change.  

Shows and tickets
(Aug 26–Dec 12)

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