Rovaniemi Theatre: Performances and experiences on the Arctic’s main stage

By Ndéla Faye

Lappia Hall, a landmark building in the centre of Rovaniemi, Finland, was designed to be the home of culture. In addition to cultural experiences, the multipurpose building provides a unique setting for all types of events.

There were a few extremely tricky years when the pandemic brought cultural events to a complete halt, but since the autumn of 2022, the arts scene in Rovaniemi, Finland, has sprung back in action and Rovaniemi Theatre has been buzzing with performances again.

Lappia Hall is a performing arts venue and conference centre in Rovaniemi, the capital city of the Finnish Lapland region, situated close to the Arctic Circle. The building is known as an important cultural hub, and it is considered the ‘communal main stage of the Arctic’. In addition to the Rovaniemi Theatre, Lappia Hall is also home to Lapland’s music, dance and art schools.

The hall was designed by world-renowned architect and designer Alvar Aalto, and the building was completed in 1975. “The building is known for its unusual roof, which has been built to resemble Lapland’s fells and hills. People from all over the world travel to see the building, and marvel at its unique design,” says Sari Alatalo, the theatre’s executive director.

Rovaniemi Theatre: Performances and experiences on the Arctic’s main stage

Rovaniemi Theatre’s executive director, Sari Alatalo. Photo: Juho Kuva

Lappia Hall is a versatile events centre, and the hall’s auditoriums and restaurants are used throughout the year for various events, such as weddings, international conferences and concerts. “The beauty of the space here is that it can be adapted to suit our guests’ needs. The foyer – or even the theatre’s main stage – can be used as a setting for a wedding ceremony, for example, while the upstairs restaurant can cater for large gala dinners, buffets and everything in between. We’ve had events where the entire celebration, from welcome drinks through to speeches, performances and evening partying, have happened here,” she explains.

The 2023 theatre line-up includes Nunnia ja Konnia; a Finnish musical adaptation of the 1992 film, Sister Act. Photo: Petri Teppo

The theatre’s restaurant specialised in Lappish cuisine, made from an array of local ingredients. Menus can be tailored to guests’ needs and tastes, and for those looking for an intimate experience, cellar restaurant Saivo can host everything from atmospheric gala dinners to intimate club nights.

The theatre’s restaurant specialised in Lappish cuisine, made from local ingredients. Photo: Petri Teppo

Theatre for all ages

Rovaniemi Theatre puts on some 20 productions a year. They include everything from musicals to children’s theatre productions, and there is something for all age ranges. This year’s line-up includes Nunnia ja Konnia, a Finnish musical adaptation of the 1992 film, Sister Act.

The theatre is Lapland’s official county theatre, which means that theatre productions travel to other towns in the region. “We are proud to tour in each of Lapland’s 21 municipalities, bringing both children’s and adults’ theatre performances to the whole region,” Alatalo says.

Cabaret performance, 2019. Photo: Tatu Kantomaa

For those seeking a bit of a different kind of visit to Lappia Hall, the theatre offers ‘set tours’, where visitors are invited to check out what happens behind the scenes in theatre productions. “This includes a visit to our wardrobe, hair and makeup departments, which is a wonderful way to get a deep-dive into the world of theatre,” says the executive director.

The theatre’s gift shop is located in the foyer, and there is a variety of Finnish and Lappish jewellery, accessories, clothing and cards on offer. Many of the items are by Finnish design brands, such as Artek, Pentik and, of course, Alvar Aalto.

“Lappia Hall is an important cultural hub for the Finnish Lapland region, and we are proud to be able to share cultural events with locals and visitors. Due to our central location, we are near all amenities and hotel accommodation, which makes it an ideal location for conferences, celebrations and exhibitions alike,” Alatalo concludes.