The Land of Faravid

The performance Faravidin maa, which intertwines theatre, contemporary circus and contemporary dance, is set in Oulu’s legendary Raksila market area. At its peak, the area’s grocery sales even surpassed those of Stockmann in Helsinki. Now the Eka-market building has reached the end of its useful life. It is to be demolished, and in the future the area will be home to a long-awaited new source of joy and pride: an experience arena, a centre promising bliss and vitality for all of northern Finland. So, does the source of Oulu’s good fortune lie hidden in Raksila? Is this where it was buried? Faravidin maa is a journey from the remains of the market to ancient Northern Ostrobothnia, and a myth about seekers and hoarders of good fortune. What is good fortune, really? In this dreamlike experience, possible guides include Akka-Queen, master of old and new spells; Kärppä, the local power animal; or Kaamos itself. The work’s mythological fiction and fascinating creatures come together with the market building, which has seen better days and still echoes with the history of Sale, Alko and flea-market activity. Faravidin maa invites audiences not only to marvel at the skills of 14 actors, dancers and circus artists, but also to cast spells for good fortune, drive away bad luck, say goodbye to the Raksila market and welcome a twisted experience arena before the experience arena. Eternal questions and mythical landscapes unfold throughout the emptied building in this immersive performance, where each audience member is free to choose their own path towards fulfilment—a pursuit approached cunningly, conjured magnificently and quietly felt with shame. A myth is a story or belief that explains things for which there is no firsthand knowledge, or whose truth cannot be proven. According to statistics, good fortune is a remarkable thing that Oulu has in abundance. Faravidin maa is written by Eira Virekoski and directed by Alma Lehmuskallio and Pirjo Yli-Maunula. The production is a co-production by Oulun teatteri and Flow Productions, in collaboration with Oulu2026 and still still (NED).