Luutarha (The Bone Garden)
The modern folk dance theatre piece Luutarha (The Bone Garden) is created by dance artist Elena Vuoksiola and composer Kaisa Ristiluoma. Love and death are intertwined in the work, where the Kalmanväki (the ghostly host) convey messages from this world to the afterlife. What would you be willing to do to share one more dance with your loved one?
Luutarha (The Bone Garden) represents a modern, performing Finnish folk dance theatre, inspired by the landscapes of Oulu and northern mythology. The work will feature over twenty luminous singing dancers from the folkdance ensemble Pähiät and a live band of professional musicians.
Pähiät is an award-winning folkdance group from Oulu, Finland, who performs modern folkdance pieces with a strong artistic identity. Above all, the Pähiät want to experience and convey emotions through dancing. Pähiät was awarded the Pispalan Sottiisi Folk Dance Ensemble of the Year in 2026. The recognition is one of the most significant awards a Finnish folk dance group can receive.
Luutarha (The Bone Garden) is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program and cultural climate change. The work is implemented as part of the Cultural Cooperative ILME Here to Art travel agency.
Come and experience the magical power of northern folk dance, music and mythology in a work that will leave no one indifferent!
Performances
Wed 19th August 2026 at 6.30 pm, premiere
Thu 20th Aug at 6.30 pm
Fri 21st Aug at 6 pm
Fri 21st Aug at 8 pm
All performances in Cultural Centre Valve, Valvesali (Hallituskatu 7, 90100 Oulu)
Tickets
23 € normal
30 € support ticket
18 € student, unemployed, pensioner
13 € (7–16 yrs)
Tickets from Valve Ticket Office (Hallituskatu 7, Oulu) and Ticketmaster. Order fee is added to the ticket prices when bought from Ticketmaster.
Age recommendation: 7+
Duration: 1 hour
Authors
Script, choreography, direction: Elena Vuoksiola
Music: Kaisa Ristiluoma
Lighting design: Mika Ryynänen
On stage: Pähiät – Folk Dance Ensemble of the Year 2026
The artists’ work and the production have been supported by The Samuel Huber Art Foundation, The Music Makers Fund, Oulun Valistustalo, Otto A. Malmi Endowment Fund, Kalevalaseura and The City of Oulu.
