KAJAANI CITY THEATRE 2025

RUUMIILLENI

DIRECTOR

This contemporary play invites the audience to pause and reflect on the human body and mind in all their beauty, vulnerability, and diversity.

Ruumiilleni (For My Body) tells the story of a protagonist who writes letters to her body at different stages of life. These letters are comforting and encouraging reflections that address issues such as depression, mental health challenges, and loneliness, but also the brighter aspects of being human: warmth, compassion, and genuine connection.

“Our working method has been very collaborative. Together with the actors and artistic designers, we have tried to bring each member of the team’s voice into the creative process. I hope this has resulted in a performance in which the audience feels important,” says director Joel Härkönen.

Playwright Ella Kähärä and director Joel Härkönen have worked together since their time at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Ruumiilleni (For My Body) is their first work at Kajaani City Theatre, and Kähärä’s fourth play directed by Härkönen.

“The text of Ruumiilleni developed over several years, in bursts of inspiration. It is a lovingly curated collection of small, seemingly insignificant, painful, and wonderfully important things. The question of care is, for me, the most meaningful of all,” says playwright Ella Kähärä.

Ruumiilleni (For My Body) episodically explores the story of a woman’s body and life journey. Its thoughtful and empathetic approach raises universal questions: how to learn to accept life’s stages and meet them with compassion. The performance is like life itself—nuanced and striking. Ruumiilleni comes close to a sanctuary and invites reflection on how to accept ourselves and others as we are.

Creative team:
Script: Ella Kähärä
Direction: Joel Härkönen
Scenography: Annukka Mäntynen
Lighting Design: Henri Pyy
Sound Design: Sinikka Isoniemi
Video Design: Collaborative team
Hair and Makeup: Heidi Kaartinen
Props: Soile Savela
Trailers: Topi Lindh

Photos: Minna Hyvönen

Cast:
Milla Kuikka, Satu Turunen, Vera Veiskola, Jose Viitala

Part of the regional theatre touring program.
World premiere: 1 February 2025 at Sissilinna

The production will be performed ten times at Sissilinna, with additional tour performances across Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia.

The production was invited to the Kajaani Poetry Festival 2025

Ella Kähärä won the Origo prize for this play: https://sunklo.fi/2025/03/24/nuoren-naytelmakirjailijan-origo-palkinto-ella-kaharalle/

Duration: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes