Finnish theatres read stories written by children in Gaza

Today, more than 60 Finnish theatres are sharing videos on social media, in which stories written by children in Gaza are read aloud. The Stories from Gaza campaign is a collective act of compassion, reminding us of what truly matters: the killing of civilians must end. No one should ever have to endure what the children in Gaza are going through.

Stories from Gaza is a humane response to an inhumane situation. Its aim is to ensure that as many people as possible hear – and pause for – the voices of Gaza’s children. These stories are real: they were written by children living in Gaza. The texts are drawn from two collections: Här var vårt hus (2025) and A Million Kites (2024).

The situation in Gaza has now persisted for nearly two years. Israel has been accused of committing war crimes, and the United Nations has officially declared a famine in the region. In the news, the suffering of Gazans is often reduced to mere numbers – but through the story of a single child, we begin to understand more intimately.

“We have been silent for far too long. A genocide is unfolding before our eyes. If history has taught us anything, it is this: evil persists because those who consider themselves good remain silent.
Through these stories, we can give faces and nuances to a reality that in many ways feels utterly incomprehensible. Children are truly living there. And dying. Our task is to share their stories — as theatre has always done.” — Matilda von Weissenberg, CEO, and Jussi Sorjanen, Artistic Director

A similar campaign took place in Sweden in spring 2025, led by Folkteatern, with more than 20 theatres involved. In Finland, over 60 theatres and performing arts organisations are participating.

The videos will be published today, 19 September, on social media using the hashtags #KertomuksiaGazasta, #BerättelserFrånGaza and #StoriesFromGaza. Follow the campaign on Instagram: @kertomuksiagazasta.

This autumn, several theatres will also host live reading events where the texts can be heard in person. At & Espoo theatre, the event Gaza Calling Espoo – Join us to pick up will be held on Saturday 15 November. The evening will be filled with art, music, stories and dialogue. Proceeds from these readings will be donated to Gaza through Médecins Sans Frontières.

Saturday 15.11. at 4 pm
& Espoo theatre, Revontulentie 8A, Tapiola

We have managed to create a live connection with Gaza.
Will you answer the call with us?

Join us for an evening with Gaza. Through readings, video messages from children, talks, and live music, Gaza calling Espoo brings the human face of Gaza closer to Finland. The event is part of breaking the silence around the genocide.

“We have been silent for too long – both Finland as a nation and cultural institutions as well. A genocide is taking place before our very eyes. If history has taught us anything, it is this: evil happens because those who see themselves as good remain silent.

This event is a small act, but it is something: to draw attention to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, suffering that was never supposed to be possible again.” say Managing Director Matilda von Weissenberg and Artistic Director Jussi Sorjanen.

The proceeds of the event will be donated to Doctors Without Borders / Gaza.

Médecins Sans Frontières Finland – Lääkärit Ilman Rajoja ry
Mobile Pay 11126 / Kertomuksia Gazasta

Or Bank transfer
Beneficiary: Lääkärit Ilman Rajoja ry
IBAN: FI54 8443 2710 0724 34
Reference/Message: Kertomuksia Gazasta

& Espoon teatteri
Ahaa Teatteri
Aura of Puppets ry
Aurinkobaletti
Carl Knif Company
Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin
Grus Grus Teatteri
Hangö Teaterträff
Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri
Improvisaatioteatteri Stella Polaris
Jyväskylän kaupunginteatteri
Kaiken keskus ry
Kajaanin kaupunginteatteri
Kansallisteatteri
KATVE [blind spot] Company
Kemin teatteri
Klockriketeatern
KOM-teatteri
Kotkan Kaupunginteatteri
Lahden kaupunginteatteri
Lappeenrannan kaupunginteatteri
Metropolitan Puppets ry
Musiikkiteatteri Kapsäkki
Oulun teatteri
Q-teatteri
Rakastajat-teatteri
Rauhan ja toivon teatteri
Red Nose Company
Routa Company
Ryhmäteatteri
sadsongskomplex:fi
Savonlinnan Teatteri
Seinäjoen kaupunginteatteri
Sirkus & Teatteriyhdistys Aura Company
Suomen kansallisooppera ja -baletti
Svenska Teatern
Tampereen Teatteri
Tampereen Työväen Teatteri
Tanssiteatteri Glims & Gloms
Tanssiteatteri Hurjaruuth
Tanssiteatteri MD
Tanssiteatteri Minimi
Tanssiteatteri Raatikko
Teatteri Hevosenkenkä
Teatteri ILMI Ö.
Teatteri Quo Vadis
Teatteri Telakka
Teatteri Vanha Juko
Teatteri Vantaa
Teatteritalo Universum
TeatteriQo
Tehdas Teatteri
Toisissa tiloissa -kollektiivi
Turun Kaupunginteatteri Oy
Unga Teatern
Varkauden Teatteri
VIIRUS
Wasa Teater
WAUHAUS
Åbo Svenska Teater

Supported by:
The Association of Finnish Theatres (STEFI)
Association of Independent Performing Arts in Finland (Esittävän taiteen vapaat yhteisöt)
Union of Theatre and Media Employees (TEME)
The Finnish Actors’ Union (Näyttelijäliitto)