Agora – Two Mermaids in an Empty Pool is a playful monument to extravagance, art and friendship

Whether it’s Rome or Helsinki, people have always gathered in squares around various monuments, such as fountains, to celebrate together. This idea has served as the impetus for the performance Agora – Two Mermaids in an Empty Pool, which will be seen on the stage of the Contemporary Performance in April.In the work by Minna Lund, one of the most followed directors of the new generation, and the working group have appeared in front of the Helsinki City Theatre an art donation by an unknown artist, which has been decided to be temporarily erected on the stage of Studio Pasila.

“I’ve been really interested in public artworks, which are primarily in squares. I’ve been particularly interested in the history of Havis Amanda and why the nation gathers around the statue to celebrate, even to tear down the statue,” says Lund.

Communality and the basic questions of life at the heart of the works At the same time as Agora, Lund’s other much-praised directorial effort, Diptyk, will be seen at the Viirus Theatre. Even though the works are very different in terms of atmosphere and tempo, the director still sees a lot in common with them.

“In many of my works, I ponder the importance of community and some fundamental question about the continuation of life – that is, how to be together, how to stay together and how to stay alive. However, the style and way of telling the story of the presentations is different. What you couldn’t put in the Diptyk, you can see in the Agora. At the beginning of the year, I’ve been gathering a kind of energy kit for this performance, which will be an insatiable spring rejoicing.”

The director says that she hopes that the performance will move people in one direction or another. In other words, it would do what art at its best would do – make things something other than insignificant.

“I hope that the performance will invite the audience to participate in some magical game and encourage them to trust that when you give, you receive, and when you go along, wonderful things can happen. I hope that people would dare to join in the enchantment of mermaids,” says Lund.

The cast includes Emelie Zilliacus, Salla Loper and Leenamari Unho. The set design is by Riku Suvitie, the costume design by Ella Snellman, the lighting design by Tuomas Honkanen, the sound design by Axel Ridberg and the camouflage by Noora Laukkanen. The dramaturg of the performance is Martta Jylhä.

Agora – Two Mermaids in an Empty Pool premieres on 29.4.2025 and performances until 10.5.2025 at Studio Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 3). Tickets: basic ticket €25 and student ticket €12.50 (Mon-Thu) #agora #nykyesityksennäyttämö @hkt_nykyesityksennayttamo @hktfi

Agora’s performances are licensed to serve alcohol in the auditorium, which is why the performance is prohibited for children under 18 years of age.

Helsinki City Theatre’s ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm. Ticket offices First Line 2, Mon–Fri 12–17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (performance days) 11–18.30 and one hour before the performance (ticket offices during summer break 17.5.- 28.7.2025) and Lippu.fi, Mon–Sat 9–21, Sun 10–16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi

Photo: Jussi Ulkuniemi. In the photo: Salla Loper and Emelie Zilliacus.

Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:

Emmi Linnankivi, Communications and Marketing Manager for the Contemporary Performance Stage, emmi.linnankivi@hkt.fi, 050 440 1612
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja, 00530 Helsinki