Helsinki Dance Company prepares for its 50th anniversary with a photo exhibition presenting the history of the company
In 2023, Helsinki Dance Company celebrates its 50th anniversary. In honour of the approaching anniversary year, a photo exhibition presenting the history of the dance company will open in the lobby of the Helsinki City Theatre’s main stage on 1 November.
The HDC 50 photo exhibition includes images of 113 dance works from 1969–2022. Admission to the exhibition is free and it is open in connection with performances on the main stage until the end of the spring season 2023. The opening of the exhibition will take place on 1 November, the same day as the premiere of Valtteri Raekallio’s dance piece Lomonosov’s Engine on a small stage.
"The HDC 50 photo exhibition highlights the extent to which the art of dance has been a self-evident part of the Helsinki City Theatre’s repertoire for more than fifty years. At the same time, it is a tribute to all the wonderful works and creators that Helsinki Dance Company’s journey has included," says Antti Lahti , the director of the dance group.
In 2023, there will be a real celebration of dance on the big stage. The main work of the anniversary year is the unique Special Night by Anton Lachky, who represents the absolute top of European contemporary dance, which will premiere on 8 March. The work features 11 dancers and there are only five performances of it.
"In the anniversary year, we are happy to greet the legendary history of the group and at the same time move forward. The most important thing is to keep moving, create something new and continue the journey piece by piece," Lahti continues.
Helsinki Dance Company is the only dance company in Finland that operates in connection with a permanent professional theatre. Founded in 1973, the group has performed on all the stages of the Helsinki City Theatre and toured in Finland and abroad. The dancers of the group have participated in the City Theatre’s musicals and plays as dancers, singers, actors and choreographers. The artistic directors of the group have been Jorma Uotinen (1987–90), Carolyn Carlson (1991–92), Marjo Kuusela (1992–96), Kenneth Kvarnström (1996–99 and 2010–13), Ari Tenhula (2000–02), Nigel Charnock (2003)–05), Ville Sormunen (2006–09), Jyrki Karttunen (2013–17) and Antti Lahti (2020–). Antti Lahti’s original two-year term as director has been extended until 31.7.2024.
See information about all the performances of the dance company over the years: Performances of the Helsinki City Theatre dance group and Helsinki Dance Company
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja, 00530 Helsinki