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Sofi Oksanen

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Sofi Oksanen
Sofi Oksanen
Sofi Oksanen
BornSofi-Elina Oksanen
(1977-01-07) January 7, 1977 (age 47)
Jyväskylä, Finland
OccupationWriter
NationalityFinnish
Notable worksPurge

Sofi Oksanen (born January 7, 1977) is a Finnish writer and playwright. Oksanen has published six novels, of which Purge has gained the widest recognition. She has received several international and domestic awards for her literary work. Her work has been translated into more than 40 languages[1] and sold more than two million copies. Oksanen has been called Finnish-Estonian Charles Dickens and her work is often compared to Margaret Atwood's novels.[2] She was born in Finland, to a Finnish father and Estonian mother.

Early years and education

Sofi-Elina Oksanen was born in Jyväskylä in Central Finland, where she grew up in the Halssila district.[3] Her father is a Finnish electrician, her mother an Estonian engineer who grew up in Estonia during the Soviet period and emigrated to Finland in the 1970s.[4] Oksanen studied literature at the University of Jyväskylä and University of Helsinki and later drama at the Finnish Theatre Academy in Helsinki.[5] Oksanen is actively involved in public debate in Finland and comments on current issues in her columns and various talk shows. She is bisexual[6] and has suffered from eating disorders.[7] In 2009 she received an award from the organizers of Helsinki Pride for her activism on behalf of LGBT people in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.[8]

Career

Oksanen's first play Puhdistus ("Purge") was staged at the Finnish National Theatre in 2007. From out of the play grew Oksanen's third novel Puhdistus (2008).[9] It ranked number 1 on the bestseller list for fiction in Finland when it was published[10] and has received numerous awards, both in Finland and abroad.

The play Purge had its American première at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, in New York City, on February 10, 2011. The text was translated by Eva Buchwald and the production directed by Zishan Ugurlu.[11]

From October 2011, the play was produced in 15 territories, with productions in Norway, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland,[12] Lithuania, Germany[13] Ukraine [14] and Hungary. It premiered in London at the Arcola Theatre from 22 February - 24 March with a new production directed by Elgiva Field.[15] In Canada it premiered in 2021.[16]

The novel has been adapted into a film – see Purge (2012) – directed by Antti Jokinen, selected as the Finnish entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards.[17]

Purge was adapted into an opera, composed by Jüri Reinvere, and it premiered at Finnish National Opera in 2012.[18]

Also her novel Baby Jane has been adapted into an opera Baby Jane.[19] The composer is Markus Kärki. Helsingin Sanomat called it an opera event of the season.[20]

In 2012, Oksanen published a map of Soviet Gulag prison camps, drawn by Niilo Koljonen, in the National Audiovisual Archive.[21]

Her fourth novel Kun kyyhkyset katosivat ("When the Doves Disappeared [fi]") was published in Finland August 31, 2012 and it was the most sold Finnish novel of the year.[22] The title refers to German soldiers catching and eating all the pigeons in Tallinn during the German occupation of Estonia.[6]

The book was translated into English by Lola Rogers: When the Doves Disappeared: A novel. (Knopf, 2015. ISBN 978-0-385-35017-4.)

Oksanen wrote a libretto for Kaija Saariaho´s opera "Innocence." The world premiere was scheduled for 2020 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The opera had its world premiere on July 3, 2021 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence as part of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.[23][24] The opera was called a triumph and a masterpiece. The international reception was overwhelmingly positive. Le Monde said it already has a place in the history of opera.[25] Oksanen's libretto was described masterly,[26] innovative,[27] palpitating [25] and thrilling. Les Echos reviewed the libretto perfect for stage and said: "From the libretto to the staging, everything promises this dark and strong work a great future in the biggest international theaters."[28] Transfuge-magazine praises Oksanen's libretto for it remarkable format and chilling efficiency:"Each character has its identity, its language, its drama, its specter."[29] After the world premiere the opera will travel to Finland's National Opera, Dutch National Opera, Royal Opera House (Covent Garden) and San Francisco Opera House.[30]

Oksanen has also written numerous articles published in international newspapers. The topics often are related to freedom of speech, women's rights, Russian politics, information war, immigration and Finlandization. In 2014 Die Welt published her article about information war from the point of view of Eastern European countries.[31]

Her novel, Norma, translated by Owen Witesman, was published in English by Knopf in the US, Atlantic in the UK and House of Anansi in Canada.

Oksanen's novel The Dog Park came out in English in 2021 published by Knopf in the US, Atlantic in the UK and House of Anansi in Canada. The translator was Owen Witesman.

Two of her novels have been adapted into movies, Purge and Baby Jane. The movie rights for When the Doves Disappeared and Stalin's Cows have been acquired.[32]

Works

Novels
  • Stalin's cows (original title Stalinin lehmät, published in Finnish 2003)
  • Baby Jane (original title Baby Jane, published in Finnish 2005)
  • Purge (original title Puhdistus, published in Finnish 2007)
  • When the Doves Disappeared (original title Kun Kyyhkyset katosivat, published in Finnish 2012)
  • Norma (original title Norma, published in Finnish 2015)
  • The Dog Park (original title Koirapuisto, published in Finnish 2019)
Plays
  • The Blue-cheeked girls (original title Siniposkiset tytöt, 2005)[33]
  • Purge (original title Puhdistus, the world premiere at the Finnish National Theatre, 2007)
  • When the Doves Disappeared (original title Kun kyyhkyset katosivat, the world premiere at the Finnish National Theatre, 2013)
  • I love you already (original title Rakastan sinua jo nyt, 2017)[34]
Lyrics/Poems
  • Too short skirt - tales from the kitchen (original title Liian lyhyt hame -kertomuksia keittiöstä, 2011)[35]
Libretto
  • Innocence-opera by Kaija Saariaho, world premiere 2021 at the festival Aix-en-Provence
Essays in English
  • A Lion in a Cage, Eurozine, 19.5.2015[36]
  • What's it like to write about Russia, 14.6.2016, UpNorth[37]
  • Your silence will not protect you, 28.2.2018, UpNorth[38]
  • My family knew all about iron curtain: it's vital to protect our right to speak out, The Guardian, 30.5.2018[39]
  • A Soviet shadow looms over the Putin-Trump summit in Helsinki, The Guardian, 11.7.2018[39]
  • Social media can work as life insurance for Navalny, Found Me, 5.2.2021[40]

Awards

  • Finlandia Prize, Finland, 2008
  • The Kristiina of the year, Kristiina-institute, Finland, 2008[41]
  • The Mika Waltari Award, Finland, 2008[42][circular reference]
  • The Great Finnish Book Club Prize, Finland, 2008[43]
  • The SSKK Recognition Award, Finland, 2008
  • The Kalevi Jäntti Award, Finland, 2008[44]
  • Runeberg Prize, Finland, 2009[45]
  • The Person of the Year, Postimees, Estonia, 2009[46]
  • The Order of The Cross Terra Mariana, Estonia, 2010[47]
  • Nordic Council Literature Prize[48] (2010) for Puhdistus
  • The Prix Femina Ètranger, France, 2010[49]
  • The Prix du Roman FNAC, France, 2010[50]
  • The European Book Prize, EU, 2010[51]
  • The French Booksellers Prize, France, 2012[41]
  • The Order of the Lion of Finland, the Pro Finlandia, Finland, 2012[52]
  • The Budapest Grand Prize, Hungary, 2013
  • The Swedish Academy Nordic Prize, Sweden, 2013[53]
  • Wolmar Schildt Award, Finland, 2015[54]
  • Premio Salerno Libro d'Europa, Italy, 2015[55]
  • Chevalier Medal of Honour by Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France, 2018[56]
Nominations
  • The Helsingin Sanomat Prize for the best debutant novel, Finland, 2003
  • Runeberg Prize, Finland, 2004[57]
  • Prix Médicis, France, 2010[58]
  • The Dublin International Literary Award (IMPAC), Ireland, 2012[59]
  • The Dublin International Literary Award (IMPAC), Ireland, 2017[60]
  • The Ambassador of Finnish Culture (The Culture Gala of the Century), Finland, 2017[61]
  • The New Academy Prize in Literature, Sweden, 2018[62]
  • Fedora Opera Prize, 2021[63]

References

  1. ^ "Sofi Oksanen". Salomons Agency. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Koirapuisto".
  3. ^ Janhonen, Ulla (2015-10-08). "Sofi Oksasen rankka sukutausta: Isoisä metsäveli, isosetä ilmiantaja". Seura.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2021-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Katzer, Judith (2010). "Sofi Oksanen: Thin ice threatening to crack". The International Writers Festival, Jerusalem. Haaretz. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  5. ^ "TeaK". Teak.fi. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  6. ^ a b Sofi Oksanen and Luke Harding (April 18, 2015). "Sofi Oksanen: 'We know about British colonialism. Russian colonialism is not well known'" (Interview with subject). The Guardian. Retrieved April 18, 2015. The novel's title refers to German soldiers who snared and ate pigeons in the Estonian capital, Tallinn
  7. ^ Larros, Heini (2005). "Sofi Oksanen - outo lintu". City (in Finnish). Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  8. ^ Pride Around the World Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, San Francisco Bay Times, Rex Wockner, published: July 16, 2009, accessed Sept 6, 2010
  9. ^ Sihvonen, Lauri. "A Body and a Blowfly". Focus on Finnish Writers. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  10. ^ "Sofi Oksanen". Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  11. ^ Helsingin Sanomat, December 19, 2010, p. C 1: "Kvartetti Euroopan kahtiajaosta" by Jukka Petäjä. — Purge at La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York Archived 2013-10-15 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Þjóðleikhúsið". Leikhusid.is. 2011-10-27. Archived from the original on 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  13. ^ "Staatsschauspiel Hannover : Spielplan. REPERTOIRE A-Z > Fegefeuer". Staatstheater-hannover.de. 2012-01-26. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  14. ^ "Очищення".
  15. ^ "Purge". Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  16. ^ "Purge".
  17. ^ Holdsworth, Nick (19 September 2012). "Finland picks 'Purge' for Oscar contest". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  18. ^ "Finnish National Opera to Bring 'Purge' to Stage". yle. 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Baby Jane".
  20. ^ "Ooppera-arvostelu | Baby Jane on syksyn oopperatapaus, traaginen kuvaus läheisriippuvuudesta". 24 October 2019.
  21. ^ "GULAG - Vankileirien saaristo". Gulag.fi. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  22. ^ "Sofi Oksasen Kun kyyhkyset katosivat oli viime vuoden myydyin kirja". Like (in Finnish). 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Sofi Oksanen suostui monikielisyyteen – työstää oopperatekstin Kaija Saariahon pojan kanssa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 21 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  24. ^ Barone, Joshua (2 July 2021). "A Reigning Opera Composer Writes of Trauma and 'Innocence'". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Opéra : à Aix-en-Provence, Kaija Saariaho se joue de " l'innocence " dans un chef-d'œuvre bouleversant". Le Monde.fr. 5 July 2021.
  26. ^ "À Aix-en-Provence, les envoûtants sortilèges d'hier et d'aujourd'hui". 4 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Un Fauteuil Pour l'Orchestre – le site de critiques théâtrales parisien » Innocence, opéra de Kaija Saariaho, mise en scène de Simon Stone, Grand Théâtre de Provence / Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence".
  28. ^ "Le choc d'" Innocence " à Aix-en-Provence". 5 July 2021.
  29. ^ "L'Innocence sublime à Aix". 4 July 2021.
  30. ^ Barone, Joshua (2 July 2021). "A Reigning Opera Composer Writes of Trauma and 'Innocence'". The New York Times.
  31. ^ Oksanen, Sofi (2014). "Wird der Westen Osteuropa wieder verraten?". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  32. ^ "Sofi Oksanen".
  33. ^ "Siniposkiset tytöt | Audio Areena".
  34. ^ Dürr, Anke (28 January 2017). "Wien Akademietheater: "Ein europäisches Abendmahl" - Rezension". Der Spiegel.
  35. ^ "Liian lyhyt hame - Kertomuksia keittiöstä".
  36. ^ "A lion in a cage".
  37. ^ https://upnorth.eu/sofi-oksanen-what-its-like-to-write-about-russia/
  38. ^ https://upnorth.eu/your-silence-will-not-protect-you/
  39. ^ a b "The Soviet shadow that over the Putin-Trump summit in Helsinki | Sofi Oksanen". TheGuardian.com. 11 July 2018.
  40. ^ "Sofi Oksanen: Social media can work as life insurance for Navalny". 5 February 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Sofi Oksanen".
  42. ^ fi:Waltari-palkinto
  43. ^ "Kirjakerho näkee Sofi Oksasen jatkavan Utrion ja Hirvisaaren perinnettä". 11 November 2008.
  44. ^ "Neljä nuorta kirjailijaa sai Kalevi Jäntti -palkinnon". 24 November 2008.
  45. ^ "Runeberg-palkinto ensimmäistä kertaa Finlandia-palkinnon voittajalle". 5 February 2009.
  46. ^ "Postimehe aasta inimene 2009 – Sofi Oksanen". 17 December 2009.
  47. ^ "Kirjanik Sofi Oksanen saab Ilveselt ordeni". 3 February 2010.
  48. ^ "Sofi Oksanen has won the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2010 — Nordic cooperation". Norden.org. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  49. ^ "Prix Femina for Sofi Oksanen | Books from Finland". 5 November 2010.
  50. ^ https://www.fnac.com/Sofi-Oksanen-auteur-du-nouveau-Prix-Roman-Fnac/cp556/w-4
  51. ^ "Purge".
  52. ^ "Sofi Oksanen receives Pro Finlandia". 3 December 2012.
  53. ^ "Sofi Oksanen 2013 | Svenska Akademien".
  54. ^ http://www.athenisfinlandiae.com/AF_tiedote_14.9.2015.pdf
  55. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-11-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  56. ^ "Sofi Oksaselle Ranskan Arts et Lettres -ritarikunnan kunniamerkki | Like Kustannus".
  57. ^ "Runeberg-ehdokkaat 2004 moni-ilmeisiä ja arvokkaita".
  58. ^ "Oksanen Wins French Literary Prize". 2 November 2010.
  59. ^ https://www.librarything.com/bookaward/International+IMPAC+Dublin+Literary+Award+Longlist
  60. ^ https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/news/1284-the-2017-international-dublin-literary-award-longlist
  61. ^ "Vuosisadan kulttuuripalkinnoista taistelevat muun muassa Muumit, Sofi Oksanen ja Robin".
  62. ^ "The Alternative Nobel: Vote opens for a surprising new literature prize". TheGuardian.com. 12 July 2018.
  63. ^ "FEDORA Platform. Press Release February 2021 SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN OPERA AND BALLET IN EUROPE a EUROPEAN NETWORK - PDF Free Download".
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