Nordic Opera Company Presents: Seedlings of Peace

15.8.2025

Children's performance for saxophone, kantele, and narrator

”Things that need time to grow cannot be touched.”

What to do when there are obstacles between people and no words are found? Seedlings of Peace is a gentle story interpreted with a children’s book, a saxophone and the Finnish national instrument kantele. The story of Zofia and Alisa shows how each of us can consolidate peace instead of hatred. It guides the audience through difficult emotions to a place where friendship can grow.

The enchanting performance encourages to give more space to emotions, and the text speaks both for adults and children. The performance is based on Essi Kummu’s and illustrator Liisa Kallio’s children book of the same name.

”This text was born from the need to reconciliate. It was a personal process that turned into a children’s book as I heard the story of two arguing immigrant girls from my friend.

The girls met several times in the principal’s office to agree but the knot was too tight and wasn’s loosening up anymore. Something grew between friends and caused discord.

While writing the war in Ukraine started. I felt sad realising how many were separated from their families, or unware of the fate of the lost ones. Adding these thoughts to the story of the girls I realised why the main character Zofia was so angry and why she couldn’t reconciliate – explaining transgenerational sorrow and distresses of the war are not easy things to explain, not even for the adults.

With this book I wanted to write a route towards solidarity, safety, empathy and forgiveness. The process’ of writing and reading this piece gives me a feeling of peace and mercy, which I would like to pass on.”

– Essi Kummu, author

Duration ca. 40 min. Performed in Finnish. Age recommendation 7+