Brotherus´s dance to premier in Helsinki Oodi today

The choreographer and dance artist Hanna Brotherus' "Oodi metsälle" (an ode to the forest) dance work will be premiered on Friday at the opening ceremony of Oodi, Helsinki's new central library.

Finnish forest industry company UPM supports the dance work, which depicts the birth of civilisation and literacy, said a press release issued by UPM .

The full dance work, with 207 performers, will be shown at the public opening on December 5.

The core theme of Hanna Brotherus' work is the forest. The forest is also present in the dancers' costumes, which are made from paper.

"The forest inspires and it is also a place to rest. The forest is the nature's library. Flying birds, raging winds and murmuring brooks, as well as the flora and fauna, are as rich as the people who we now welcome to the central library. In the forest and in the library, you have the freedom to meet with your thoughts and to honour science and art, wisdom and your fellow men," said Hanna Brotherus.

Altogether, the dance work features 207 performers, ranging from children to elderly people. In addition to professional dancers, students from local schools, elderly people from various parts of Helsinki and the Sibelius Academy Chamber Choir, conducted by Reijo Aittakumpu, will perform.

In addition to UPM, "an ode to the forest" is carried out in collaboration with the Finnish Association for rural culture and education.