DanceWorks Helsinki: A Look Back at Our First Full Year
As DanceWorks Helsinki approaches the end of its first full working year, we find ourselves reflecting on a season that has been intense, busy, and wonderfully fruitful. We have brought new contemporary ballet works to the stage, collaborated with inspiring artists, reached new audiences, and taken part in a range of events across the Helsinki region.
Here is a look back at everything we have created and shared this year.
If Shadows Are Weightless, How Come They Are So Heavy
Choreography: Minna Tervamäki
Dancers: Atte Kilpinen, Suvi Honkanen & Minna Tervamäki
Music: Iiro Rantala
This poetic contemporary ballet by Minna Tervamäki explores the paradox of how something as intangible as a shadow can carry emotional weight. Danced by Atte Kilpinen and Suvi Honkanen and Tervamäki herself, the duet moves between lightness and gravity with delicacy and depth. What made the performance truly exceptional was its live piano accompaniment by Finnish jazz master Iiro Rantala, whose improvisational presence elevated the choreography into a rare, immersive experience that many audience members described as unforgettable.
The sold-out premiere of If Shadows Are Weightless, How Come They Are So Heavy received overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback. Audiences described the work as mesmerising, powerful, and unforgettable, praising the dancers’ emotional presence and the seamless unity of movement and live music. Iiro Rantala’s piano performance was repeatedly highlighted as “gold” and “beyond comparison,” lifting the entire work into a rare, deeply resonant experience that stayed with viewers long after the performance. Many called it one of the most impressive dance works they had ever seen — with several stating their expectations were not only met but exceeded many times over.
Narcisa
Choreography: Giovanni Ravelo
Dancers: Suvi Honkanen, Kaito Kurokawa, Waltteri Voitila, Pinja Sinisalo, Katariina Luukas, Sini Sihvonen, Katerina Torp
Collaboration: Mieli Mental Health Finland / Mental Health Art Week (MHAW)
Premiered during Mental Health Art Week in May, Narcisa by the Colombian choreographer Giovanni Ravelo delves into themes of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the fragile balance between outer beauty and inner worth. The collaboration with Mieli Ry brought us into contact with new audiences — including many who had never seen a ballet performance before.
Narcisa has been warmly praised for its beauty, emotional depth, and ability to touch audiences on multiple levels. Viewers described the work as moving, modern, and unforgettable, highlighting how its themes of vulnerability and self-acceptance resonated strongly. The combination of high-level dancers and the intimate atmosphere of the theatre created a powerful experience that many felt stayed with them long after the performance. Several audience members called Narcisa a truly exceptional piece of contemporary ballet — visually striking, deeply felt, and executed with remarkable artistry.
AIR – An Evening of Two Contemporary Ballet Works
Choreographies: Minna Tervamäki (“GALE”) & Anu Sistonen (“INTO THIN AIR”) Dancers: Vilhelm Bjersér, Mafalda Fideles, Suvi Honkanen, Katariina Luukas, Sofia Repo, Oskari Kymäläinen, Jelizaveta Vorontsova
AIR combines two distinctive artistic voices into one evening of contemporary ballet: GALE by Minna Tervamäki and INTO THIN AIR by Anu Sistonen. Both works explore air as a fundamental element — its lightness, movement, and the sensation of being carried or lifted by it.
Presented at the Alexander Theatre, the evening drew in large audiences and invited viewers into two contrasting yet harmonious worlds of movement, breath, and emotion. Through shifting atmospheres, aerial elements, and evocative soundscapes, AIR created a poetic dialogue between gravity and weightlessness.
Audiences praised AIR as a beautiful, touching, and high-quality contemporary ballet evening. Many highlighted how the two choreographies formed a coherent and meaningful exploration of the element of air, with the theme expressed clearly and poetically through movement. Viewers described the dancers as exceptional and the overall performance as refined and emotionally resonant. Several noted that they greatly enjoyed both works and appreciated how differently they approached the shared theme, calling the evening “excellent,” “deeply moving,” and “a truly enjoyable experience.”
Other Projects and Performances
DanceWorks Helsinki has also been active beyond the theatre stage. Throughout the year, we have participated in events, shared our expertise, and brought dance into public spaces and new contexts.
Dance Day Gala – Martinus Hall, Vantaa
We were delighted to perform at the Dance Day Gala, an event that gathers artists from across the dance field. The evening offered us the chance to connect with new audiences and to celebrate dance in all its forms.
Esplanade Stage & Espa Summer Evenings
During the summer, we brought dance outdoors to the heart of Helsinki at the iconic Esplanade Stage. These performances engaged passers-by, families, tourists, and dance lovers — proving once again how powerful and accessible dance can be in public space.
Night of the Arts
As part of Helsinki’s Night of the Arts, DanceWorks Helsinki contributed to the vibrant citywide celebration with live dance moments that transformed ordinary spaces into stages.
Morning Ballet Classes
Led by renowned dancer and choreographer Anu Sistonen, our morning ballet classes offered dancers of various backgrounds the chance to develop technique, alignment, and artistry in an encouraging and professional environment.
Space to Move – Pilates Classes
Pilates instructor Alina Gavrilov-Bjersér led our Space to Move classes, focusing on strength, mobility, and functional alignment. These classes complemented our dance programming and supported the well-being of our growing community.
Looking Ahead: Evening of Four Duets (January 29, 2026)
We are already preparing for the next chapter. On January 29, 2026, we will present Evening of Four Duets at the Alexander Theatre — featuring excerpts from works by Minna Tervamäki and Anu Sistonen, as well as a new duet by Emrecen Tanis created for two female dancers.
Performers:
Suvi Honkanen
Atte Kilpinen
Katariina Luukas
Oskari Kymäläinen
Liza Vorontsova
Vilhelm Bjersér
Tickets are now on sale — early bird discount (-25%) is valid until Christmas Eve.
A cultural experience is a meaningful and memorable Christmas gift. 🎄Click here for tickets at lippu.fi !
Support DanceWorks Helsinki
Now is an excellent moment to join us as a supporting member. Membership (€75 for the entire year — only €6.25/month) helps us continue producing high-quality contemporary ballet and community programming.
For more information about membership and other ways to support our work, please click here.
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With warmest Christmas and New Year wishes,
The DanceWorks Helsinki Team
