Young girl navigates challenges of displacement in new adaptation of Rosa Liksom’s “Väylä” at Kemi Theatre in Finland

A young girl makes her way from the turmoil of the Lapland War to Sweden, carrying beloved reindeer from her home. The escape is arduous for both humans and animals, and arriving in a foreign country poses its own challenges. This girl’s story is depicted in author Rosa Liksom’s novel “Väylä,” which was nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Fiction and became a popular favorite in the 2021 Finlandia awards. The novel sheds light on the experiences of Lapland refugees during wartime.

The narrative has now been adapted for the stage, with the premiere taking place today at Kemi Theatre. The adaptation and direction are by Tuomo Rämö, who has a personal connection to the theme, as his own family experienced evacuation during the war.

In the leading role is Sirpa Filppa, a seasoned actress who retired from Kemi City Theatre two years ago after a 40-year career. Filppa hails from the Tornio River region, where her mother also fled with her children to safety.

The theatre chose Filppa for the role for several reasons, including her familiarity with the regional dialect, which mirrors Liksom’s own upbringing. After reading the novel, Filppa hoped for a chance to participate in this production, feeling a strong connection to the story.

“Väylä” addresses themes of displacement that are unfortunately relevant today, as ongoing global refugee crises echo the experiences of those living through the Lapland War 80 years ago. The stories of northern refugees have been largely overlooked, overshadowed by tales of evacuees from Karelia, but now they find new resonance in this unique theatrical interpretation.