
In a bustling Finnish town at the turn of the century, a group of schoolboys prepares a special evening performance for their departing classmates. Their mission is to stage a play that dazzles a wide audience, complete with bright costumes, lyrical dialogue, and songs that anyone can enjoy. Yet the search for a suitable script proves tricky, and the boys must also find actors—especially girls—to fill the needed roles.
The project quickly becomes a cultural showdown when Risto Mustaparta, a fervent Finnish‑proud student, objects to any involvement of Swedish‑speaking girls. He insists the stage should echo “pure, resonant Finland,” sparking debates over language, identity, and the role of art in a multilingual community. The boys scramble to balance linguistic standards with the desire to include the local girls, leading to humorous negotiations and unexpected compromises.
As rehearsals progress, friendships deepen and youthful idealism shines through the clash of tongues. The story captures the energy of teenage ambition, the tension between tradition and change, and the heartfelt effort to create a shared celebration that reflects both personal and national aspirations.
Language
fi
Duration
~3 hours (181K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen
Release date
2020-07-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1869–1942
A journalist, teacher, and novelist from Oulu, he wrote vivid fiction about working-class life in a city being reshaped by industrial change. His books are closely tied to northern Finland and the social tensions of the late 1800s.
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