100 years of Finnish-Japanese friendship
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan, contemporary circus artists from both countries came together for a new collaborative project. The project began in May 2019 with Ilona Jäntti’s workshops in Setagaya Public Theatre and Setouchi Circus Factory. The workshops also doubled as auditions and 5 Japanese artists were chosen for the performance.
The finale of the project was a collaborative performance Air that premiered in Namiki Square Theatre in Fukuoka in November 2019.
Director: Ilona Jäntti
Composer and musical director: Hideaki Takahashi
Circus performers: Kei Asanuma, Sumie Naga, Kojiro Meguro, Shioli Yamamoto, Aki Yoshida, Ilona Jäntti
Musicians: Choka Ogata (biwa), Han Sori (Korean Traditional Percussion Group), Titipon Kanteewong (Northern Thai traditional instruments), Hideaki Takahashi (piano)
Producers: Chikara Sugawara, Hirona Koga/Michiko Tanaka/Atsumi Sakai, Saori Mikami
Finnish collaborator: Sanna Vellava
Produced by: Fukuoka City Foundation for Arts and Cultural Promotion, Setouchi Circus Factory, Setagaya Public Theatre
Supported by: Finnish Institute in Japan, Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities, Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation
Residency in Finland: Cirko
Photos: Road Izumiyama
