Finnish Drama Online

Heini Junkkaala (born 1975) is a playwright and dramaturge who lives in Helsinki. Themes central to her works include generational differences, gender diversity and the paradoxes of Lutheran faith.

One of Junkkaala's strengths as a playwright is her ability to tackle challenging subjects through stories that best works for her given target audience, whether young or old. Last March, her play Kristuksen morsian ("Bride of Christ", English and Swedish translations available), which discusses the difficulties of tolerance and the complex relationship that Christianity has with gender and sexuality, premiered to excellent reviews at the Finnish National Theatre. Only a month later, she was awarded the prestigious Nordic Drama Award for her children's play Kymmenen tikkua laudalla (Swedish translation available), which approaches a topic difficult but topical for today's children from an angle that is both familiar and magical.

Junkkaala's latest work, Toinen vasemmalta ("The Second One from the Left"), will have its September premiere at Ahaa Theatre in Tampere. The play is about the loneliness and seclusion of a teenager. Read more... Finnish Playwrights »

Heini Junkkaala's Kristuksen morsian ("Bride of Christ") is a play about the complex relationship that Christianity has with gender and sexuality. It is also a play about the difficulty of tolerance.

The play premiered at the Finnish National Theatre in March 2010, and is currently available in English and Swedish translations. Catalogue of Theatrical Works »

The Finnish Play Today
by Satu Rasila

A well-written play is a pleasure to read. A good play makes me feel better about myself; proud of the fact that I can be a colleague of such a gifted pen; proud of Finnish literature in general; relieved that our work is important, despite any general and personal doubts. Reading a bad play leads to deep frustration. What could be a bigger waste of time than reading, writing or watching a bad play? But what is the definition of a good play, or more specifically a good, new Finnish play? How can it be recognised?
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