Helsinki children born in 2020 and 2021 can experience the magic of music and theatre

Two partners in the Kulttuurin kummilapset programme are joining forces for the second time. Helsinki City Theatre, the cultural godparent of Helsinki children born in 2021, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the cultural godparent of children born in 2020, are jointly producing a concert performance of Pekka ja susi for their godchildren. The production will be performed at the Helsinki Music Centre and on Helsinki City Theatre’s Main Stage in late September and early October.

“The new music composed by Jukka Nykänen is exuberant, and orchestrator Marko Hilpo has shaped it in a way that keeps the audience engaged. The new songs offer a fresh perspective on the story of Pekka ja susi,” says Jari Eskola, General Manager of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Pekka ja susi is a familiar story to many, which is precisely why it has been so fascinating to find our own perspective on it. We have explored what dance and movement can bring to the music and what new meanings they can reveal within the story,” says director-choreographer Johanna Elovaara.

“Our process has involved a great deal of play, experimentation and shared discovery, with the entire creative team enthusiastically exploring and building this world together. I believe that same curiosity and joy will also come across to the audience.”

In addition to performances for the godchild families of the orchestra and theatre, there will be a public performance of Pekka ja susi in the Helsinki Music Centre’s Concert Hall on Thursday 17.9. at 18.30.

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Pekka ja susi 

This joint production by Helsinki City Theatre and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra pays tribute to Sergei Prokofiev’s original work while bringing new music, dance and theatrical magic to the story.

It is morning on the farm where Pekka lives with his grandfather. Grandfather has already started work, and the farm animals are awake. Pekka is a brave boy, but despite his grandfather’s warnings, he does not always remember to close the gate. This morning is no exception. The duck who lives on the farm is delighted to venture beyond the yard for once and splash about in a puddle—but what happens when a wolf emerges from the nearby forest? Fortunately, Pekka is not only brave but clever too, so there is no cause for alarm.

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Mikael Loponen, with direction and choreography by Johanna Elovaara. Sanna Niemeläinen is the dramaturg and lyricist, Elina Kolehmainen is responsible for set and costume design, and make-up design is by Aino Hyttinen. Appearing on stage with the orchestra are Satu Sopanen, Martti Manninen, Raili Raitala and Pekka Louhio. The new music is composed by Jukka Nykänen and orchestrated by Marko Hilpo.

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Kulttuurin kummilapset

Kulttuurin kummilapset is a free cultural service for families in Helsinki. Every child born in Helsinki in 2020 or later is assigned a cultural organisation as their godparent, giving the child and their family a personal connection to the arts. Determined by the child’s year of birth, the cultural godparent organises two free cultural events for the children each year until they start school. The events are designed with the children’s age in mind and are suitable for all families. The Kulttuurin kummilapset service is administered by the City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Division. The programme is made possible by a grant from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is the godparent of Helsinki children born in 2020. The orchestra launched its godchild programme 26 years ago, and the initiative has since grown into a collaboration between the City of Helsinki and around 30 leading arts and cultural organisations. Helsinki City Theatre is one of the theatre godparents of Helsinki children born in 2021.

The Kulttuurin kummilapset programme aims to promote well-being and equality among families in Helsinki and to support children’s growth and development through art and culture. It makes it easy for families to see, hear and experience their home city and discover its cultural venues.

Children receive an invitation to become a Kulttuurin kummilapsi from their maternity and child health clinic. Families can register for the programme online at kummilapset.hel.fi.

#pekkajasusi #kulttuurinkummilapset #helsinki @hktfi @hkt_yleisotyo #helsinginkaupunginorkesteri #helsinkiphilharmonic @helsinkiphilharmonic @HelsinkiPhil

Public performance of Pekka ja susi in the Helsinki Music Centre’s Concert Hall:
Thu 17.9.2026 at 18.30, tickets 8–27,50 € from the orchestra’s website or the Helsinki Music Centre box office.

Kulttuurin kummilapsi performances on 5.10.2026 at 16.30 and 18.30 on Helsinki City Theatre’s Main Stage.

The performance runs for approximately 45 minutes. Recommended age: 5+.

Press release image: illustrator Hanna Vaskivuo

Further information:
Helsinki City Theatre, Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Head of Communications and Public Relations Marja Istala Kumpunen, marja.istalakumpunen@hel.fi, 050 555 3551
Kulttuurin kummilapset, Senior Planning Officer for Children’s Culture Laura Arala, laura.arala@hel.fi, 040 162 6387