With 5 full-length performances, 10 demos and 12 production pitches, the event showcased finest work from Finland right now. Performing HEL invited both Finnish and international presenters, programmers, directors and other performing arts professionals to discover a full range of Finnish performing arts, including circus, dance and theatre, also delivered in exciting yet difficult-to-define combinations.

‘On behalf of all the organisers and partners involved in the showcase I may say that we are in the midst of a very exciting time for performing arts in Finland, making it a pleasure to showcase them to international professionals in August. Selection processes are never easy, but this time the rewarding discussions we had during the multi-stage process were truly inspiring,’ explained Project Manager Riitta Aittokallio of Dance Info Finland.

The 2019 programme selections were made by Dance Info Finland, CircusInfo Finland, Helsinki Festival, the Finnish National Theatre, the Swedish Theatre, and Espoo City Theatre.

PROGRAMME 2019:

PITCHES

Circus
Agit-Cirk: 2+2+2
Salla Hakanpää: Funis 
Recover Laboratory: 10000000% – Concerto for hoops and drums
Race Horse Company: O’DD

Dance
Johanna Nuutinen +Co: ANON – The Act of Waiting
Liisa Pentti +Co: The Body 
Sari Palmgren: Lame Tamer 
Dance Theatre Minimi: Life 

Theatre
Espoo City Theatre: Flash, Flash
Red Nose Company: Babylon
Oblivia: Verdrängen, Verdrängen, Verdrängen
Other Spaces: Great Barrier Reef 

DEMOS

Circus
Circo Aereo: Lion
Sirkum Polaris: Kulovalkea

Dance
Kinetic Orchestra: I’m Liquid 
Raekallio Corp.: Recollections 
Laura Pietiläinen/Michaela-The Queen of Fucking Everything: Blondes
Tero Saarinen Company: Third Practice

Theatre
Turunen Company: Medusa’s Room
Rossi Holopainen and Riikonen: Johnny Got His Gun
WAUHAUS: Sapiens – The story of a storytelling species 
Wusheng Company: Trog

PERFORMANCES

Circus
Ilmatila: Atlas (Helsinki Festival programme)
Kalle Nio: The Green (Helsinki Festival programme)
Sivuhenkilöt: There’s no room for my wings (Helsinki Festival programme)

Dance
Petri Kekoni Company: Erratic block (Outdoor performance)
Susanna Leinonen Company: Nasty

Performing HEL 2019 organisers:
Dance Info Finland & CircusInfo Finland

In cooperation with:
Helsinki Festival, the Finnish National Theatre, Svenska Teatern (the main Swedish-language theatre in Helsinki), Espoo City Theatre and Theatre Info Finland TINFO.

The event was supported by:
the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Consulate General of Finland New York, Embassies of Finland in Washington D.C, London and Roma, Finland’s institute in Stockholm, Finland’s Culture Institute in Denmark, Finnish Institute in Estonia, Finland’s institut in St.Petersburg, Institut Finlandais and The Finnish Institute in London.

For further information, please contact:
Riitta Aittokallio, project manager, riitta.aittokallio@danceinfo.fi | +358 (0)40 779 8115
Anni Leino, communications officer, anni.leino@danceinfo.fi | +358 (0)40 1823 722