Laulu väelle Vellamon (A Song for Vellamo’s Folk) was the piece that launched Teatteri Sujo’s residency programme in August 2023. The week-long residency gave rise to a contemporary dance piece by artists Juho-Paavo Rantonen and Minna Tikkanen, which drew its inspiration from Aino of the Kalevala and from the mythologies of water.
Minna Tikkanen was responsible for the direction and choreography, while Juho-Paavo Rantonen composed the music and also performed as the second dancer.
Laulu väelle Vellamon explored the story of Aino and the mythologies behind the Kalevala on three levels. It told Aino’s story, looked at Elias Lönnrot’s writing process as he compiled the Kalevala, and reflected on what the epic means today. The company was particularly fascinated by the folk tales and stories from which the figure of Aino took shape, and which influenced the making of the Kalevala. At the same time, the piece imagined a sequel to Aino’s story: what happened in Vellamo’s realm after she drowned. It ended with the dances of Vellamo’s folk, and the audience was invited up onto the stage to dance along.
Company
- Director and choreographer
- Minna Tikkanen
- Composition, music and performance
- Juho-Paavo Rantonen
- Lighting design
- Topi Marin
- Set design and jellyfish
- Anu Nummelin
- Photos
- Topi Marin, Jaana Innanen and Tommi Lehto
Gallery
16 photos
Questions?
Ask us about our projects, or come and join Sujo