A puppetry performance about the Finnish poet Katri Vala, her passionate life and slow death. Katri Vala (1901–1944) was a poet, translator and a teacher. Vala wrote her vivid, sensual poetry in free verse and was one of the founding members of Kiila, a leftist group of artists and writers.

Tranquility of the black flowers depicts a woman’s metamorphosis, arising equally from internal pressure and external inevitability. She blossoms, ripens, and withers. Her body changes shape — it wilts into blood and skin and is reborn in brutal and glorious transformations.

The performance combines strong physicality and visual illusions, the wonders of puppet theater with audiovisual storytelling.

Duration: 1 hour

Recommended age: adults, 15+

Texts in the performance are in Finnish

The performance contains scenes dealing with death, loss, illness, and war.

POIESIS COLLECTIVE:

Script, direction, puppet construction, and special material costumes: Maria-Elina Koivula
Projections and set design: Jenni Rutanen
Dance choreographies: Elina Hauta-Aho
Lighting design: Sisu Nojonen
Sound design: Tuuli Kyttälä
Costumes: Susanna Suurla
On stage: Elina Hauta-Aho, Perrine Ferrafiat, and Mila Nirhamo

Supporters: WHS Theater Union, Arts Promotion Center Finland, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Majaoja Foundation, Aura of Puppets, Metropolitan Puppets