First performances of the international contemporary theatre festival Baltic Circle will start on Wednesday November 16th.  The festival introduces new trends and talents from international and Finnish stages of contemporary theatre where also Helsinki is well represented. From the Helsinki-based Reality Research Center come two performances: the world premiere of Drama reloaded: Yarma based on Federico García Lorca’s poem Yarma and Staged Larceny which explores the possibilities of theft as an art form. Two graduates from Theatre Academy Helsinki Ojanen & Iivanainen have prepared a girls’ point of view, a do-it-yourself performance on the essence of ice-hockey, Fat Bastards.

Also taking part in the festival is the group Nya Rampen, founded 12 years ago in Helsinki and currently residing in Berlin. Premiering at the festival is the group’s new piece Worship! dealing with questions of belief and belonging which are discussed through Shakespeare and thoughts of Nietzsche. It is not the first time Nya Rampen brings different angles to established interpretation. Watch the trailer which also serves as a good example of the bold and thought-provoking approaches of contemporary theatre (source: Nya Rampen/Baltic Circle).

Worship! trailer from Nya Rampen on Vimeo.

The annual festivals are still the highlight of the Baltic Circle –project which was created by a group of Finnish theatre professionals in 1996. Since then Baltic Circle has promoted intercultural exchange primarily in the Baltic Sea region bringing together theatre professionals and audiences to meet and network. Helsinki serves as home for the festival already for the eighth time.

Most performances if not carried out in English provide English subtitles. Ask for tickets at Q-teatteri or Lippupalvelu.  

Source: Queennaive/Baltic Circle

Every festival has an after party. Baltic Circle is no exception. The official festival after party is hosted by the Baltic Circle Festival Lounge at Universum. Doors open at 9pm and entrance as well as Lounge performances, including works by performance groups from Iceland, Finland and Estonia, are free of charge. The festival offers free bus transport to the Festival Lounge from Suvilahti, Media Center Lume and Cable Factory after the last performances of the day.

Remember also these! Festival guests can meet the weekend with a Festival Brunch at the Q-teatteri on Saturday and Sunday at noon-2pm. A ten euro food ticket gets you food, a glass of sparkling wine and a live art performance. If you became a fan of the festival do check also the redesign festival collection BALTIC RE-CIRCLE which can be purchased at the design and art store Myymälä2 in the center of Helsinki as well as at the festival.