The Unknown Soldier

We live in a time of crises. We bring Juho Mantere's adaptation of the Unknown Soldier to our program because his interpretation of the classic novel highlights the human perspective, the experience of fear, distress, and uncontrollability. The work provides its own strong perspective, mirrored in the present moment. It is a stripped-down, inventive performance adapted for four actors, aware of previous interpretations.

Less than a decade had passed since the Continuation War when Väinö Linna wrote the Unknown Soldier. He drew the content of the novel from his own experiences on the front lines and borrowed the form from adventure books he had read since childhood. In his own words, he wanted to criticise the frenzy of war.

The versions by Laine, Mollberg, Smeds, and Louhimies have always revealed something not only about their creators but also about the times in which they were made. This time, the work has been taken up by a new generation of Finnish theatre. How does the message of the book appear to young creators in this era?

Premiere at Juko on November 25, 2022, and at Turku City Theatre on February 10, 2023.