Under the North Star: Part 1

“Whether there are wars or anything else, you have to love. Get married and have children. This world would be doomed to destruction because of the actions of those great men. We little people just have to try to keep this world standing.”

Under the North Star, in two parts, is a powerful stage work about the history of the Koskela family and our nation, seen and experienced through the eyes of Alma Koskela (Tuula Väänänen). It is a story of land, work and love that endures even when conflicts and wars sweep over it. Alma guides the audience through the decades, sharing her experiences first as a mother and later as a grandmother.

Under the North Star: Parts 1 and 2 is a new stage adaptation of Väinö Linna’s (1920–1992) three-part masterpiece of the same name (1959–1962). With his trilogy, Linna permanently changed the way Finns understand their own history and pain. Drawing on his background in factory work, Linna gave faces and voices to tenant farmers and workers, bringing to light the experiences and motives of the Reds, the losing side in the Finnish Civil War (1918). With Under the North Star, he challenged the official historical narrative, which had largely been dictated by the victors, the Whites.

“Behind the threshing barn, they always lose. From behind the threshing barn, we go off to rebellion or war, to be shot or to work. Wherever we happen to be sent.”

The play is adapted and directed by Esa-Matti Smolander. Guest designers are set designer Helka Saariniemi and costume designer Iida Ukkola. Eija Juutistenaho is responsible for hair and makeup design, Jari Niemi for sound design, and Jukka Kyllönen for lighting design. A total of 13 actors from our own theatre appear on stage. The performance is in Finnish, with English subtitles.