Sofi Oksanen Explained

Sofi Oksanen
Birth Name:Sofi-Elina Oksanen
Birth Date:7 January 1977
Birth Place:Jyväskylä, Finland
Occupation:Writer
Nationality:Finnish
Notableworks:Purge

Sofi-Elina Oksanen (born 7 January 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 has often been compared to Margaret Atwood's novels.[2] Oksanen is actively involved in public debate in Finland and comments on current issues in her columns and various talk shows.

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 is an Estonian engineer who grew up in Estonia during the Soviet occupation and through marriage was able to move 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]

Career

Oksanen's first play "Purge" (Puhdistus) was staged at the Finnish National Theatre in 2007. From out of the play grew Oksanen's third novel "Purge" (2008).[6] It ranked number 1 on the bestseller list for fiction in Finland when it was published[7] 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 10 February 2011. The text was translated by Eva Buchwald and the production was directed by Zishan Ugurlu.[8]

From October 2011, the play was produced in 15 countries, with productions in Norway, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland,[9] Lithuania, Germany,[10] Ukraine,[11] and Hungary. It premiered in London at the Arcola Theatre from 22 February to 24 March with a new production directed by Elgiva Field.[12] In Canada it premiered in 2021.[13]

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.[14]

"Purge" was adapted into an opera, composed by Jüri Reinvere, and it premiered at Finnish National Opera in 2012.[15]

Her novel "Baby Jane" has also been adapted into an opera "Baby Jane".[16] The composer is Markus Kärki. Helsingin Sanomat called it an opera event of the season.[17]

In 2012, Oksanen published a map of Soviet Gulag prison camps, drawn by Niilo Koljonen, in the National Audiovisual Archive.[18]

Her fourth novel "When the Doves Disappeared" (Kun kyyhkyset katosivat) was published on 31 August 2012 and it was the most sold Finnish novel of the year.[19] The title refers to German soldiers catching and eating all the pigeons in Tallinn during the Nazi German occupation of Estonia during World War II.[20]

The book was translated into English by Lola Rogers: "When the Doves Disappeared: A novel". (Knopf, 2015. .)

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 3 July 2021 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence as part of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.[21] [22] The opera was called a "triumph" and a "masterpiece" in the press, and its international reception was overwhelmingly positive. Le Monde said it already has a place in the history of opera.[23] Oksanen's libretto was described masterly,[24] innovative,[25] palpitating [23] 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 theatres."[26] The magazine "Transfuge" praised Oksanen's libretto for it remarkable format and chilling efficiency: "Each character has its identity, its language, its drama, its specter."[27] 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.[28]

Oksanen has also written numerous articles published in international newspapers. The topics are often 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 former Eastern Bloc countries.[29]

Her novel, "Norma", translated by Owen F. 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 F. 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.[30]

Personal life

Sofi Oksanen and her husband, Juha Korhonen, were married in 2011 in Helsinki.[31]

Works

Novels
Plays
Lyrics/Poems
Libretto
Essays in English:

Awards

Nominations

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sofi Oksanen. Salomons Agency . 4 February 2017.
  2. Web site: Koirapuisto. Salomonsson Agency. 2 July 2023.
  3. Web site: Janhonen. Ulla. 2015-10-08. Sofi Oksasen rankka sukutausta: Isoisä metsäveli, isosetä ilmiantaja. 2021-12-11. Seura.fi. fi.
  4. Web site: Sofi Oksanen: Thin ice threatening to crack . Katzer . Judith . 2010 . The International Writers Festival, Jerusalem . Haaretz . 4 February 2017.
  5. Web site: TeaK . Teak.fi . 2014-03-23.
  6. Web site: A Body and a Blowfly . Sihvonen . Lauri . Focus on Finnish Writers . November 12, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090709130829/http://www.finlit.fi/fili/en/spotlight/sofi_oksanen.html . July 9, 2009 .
  7. Web site: Sofi Oksanen . November 12, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080924221254/http://www.wsoy.fi/sofioksanen/puhdistus/ . September 24, 2008 .
  8. Helsingin Sanomat, 19 December 2010, p. C 1: "Kvartetti Euroopan kahtiajaosta" by Jukka Petäjä. — Purge at La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York
  9. Web site: Þjóðleikhúsið . Leikhusid.is . 2011-10-27 . 2014-03-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131013165814/http://leikhusid.is/Syningar/Leikarid-2011-2012/syning/1136/hreinsun . 2013-10-13 .
  10. Web site: Staatsschauspiel Hannover : Spielplan. REPERTOIRE A-Z > Fegefeuer . Staatstheater-hannover.de . 2012-01-26 . 2014-03-23 . 2013-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014081353/http://www.staatstheater-hannover.de/schauspiel/index.php?m=30&f=03_werkdetail&ID_Vorstellungsart=0&ID_Stueck=247 . dead .
  11. Web site: Очищення.
  12. Web site: Purge . October 28, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110810195641/http://www.sofioksanen.com/theatre/purge/ . August 10, 2011 .
  13. Web site: Purge.
  14. News: Finland picks 'Purge' for Oscar contest . 19 September 2012 . 19 September 2012 . Variety . Reed Business Information . Holdsworth . Nick .
  15. Web site: Finnish National Opera to Bring 'Purge' to Stage . 2010 . yle. 4 February 2017.
  16. Web site: Baby Jane.
  17. Web site: Ooppera-arvostelu | Baby Jane on syksyn oopperatapaus, traaginen kuvaus läheisriippuvuudesta. 24 October 2019.
  18. Web site: GULAG - Vankileirien saaristo . Gulag.fi . 2012-12-04 . 2014-03-23.
  19. Web site: Sofi Oksasen Kun kyyhkyset katosivat oli viime vuoden myydyin kirja. 2013 . Like . 5 February 2017 . fi.
  20. News: Sofi Oksanen and Luke Harding. Sofi Oksanen: 'We know about British colonialism. Russian colonialism is not well known'. April 18, 2015. The Guardian. April 18, 2015. Interview with subject. The novel’s title refers to German soldiers who snared and ate pigeons in the Estonian capital, Tallinn.
  21. Web site: Sofi Oksanen suostui monikielisyyteen – työstää oopperatekstin Kaija Saariahon pojan kanssa . Helsingin Sanomat . 21 January 2015 . 4 February 2017 . fi.
  22. News: A Reigning Opera Composer Writes of Trauma and 'Innocence' . 5 July 2021 . en. The New York Times . 2 July 2021 . Barone . Joshua .
  23. News: Opéra : à Aix-en-Provence, Kaija Saariaho se joue de " l'innocence " dans un chef-d'œuvre bouleversant. Le Monde.fr. 5 July 2021.
  24. Web site: À Aix-en-Provence, les envoûtants sortilèges d'hier et d'aujourd'hui. 4 July 2021.
  25. Web site: 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.
  26. Web site: Le choc d'" Innocence " à Aix-en-Provence. 5 July 2021.
  27. Web site: L'Innocence sublime à Aix. 4 July 2021.
  28. News: A Reigning Opera Composer Writes of Trauma and 'Innocence'. The New York Times. 2 July 2021. Barone. Joshua.
  29. News: Wird der Westen Osteuropa wieder verraten? . 2014 . Die Welt . 4 February 2017 . de. Oksanen . Sofi .
  30. Web site: Sofi Oksanen.
  31. Web site: Sofi Oksanen meni naimisiin Seurasaaressa . 8 August 2011 .
  32. Web site: Siniposkiset tytöt | Audio Areena.
  33. News: Wien Akademietheater: "Ein europäisches Abendmahl" - Rezension. Der Spiegel. 28 January 2017. Dürr. Anke.
  34. Web site: Liian lyhyt hame - Kertomuksia keittiöstä.
  35. Web site: A lion in a cage. 19 June 2015. www.eurozine.com. 2 July 2023.
  36. Web site: Sofi Oksanen: What It's Like to Write about Russia . 14 June 2016 .
  37. Web site: Sofi Oksanen: Your Silence Will Not Protect You. 28 February 2017.
  38. Web site: The Soviet shadow that over the Putin-Trump summit in Helsinki | Sofi Oksanen. TheGuardian.com. 11 July 2018.
  39. Web site: Sofi Oksanen: Social media can work as life insurance for Navalny. 5 February 2021.
  40. Web site: Sofi Oksanen. Salomonsson Agency. 2 July 2023.
  41. [:fi:Waltari-palkinto]
  42. Web site: Kirjakerho näkee Sofi Oksasen jatkavan Utrion ja Hirvisaaren perinnettä. 11 November 2008.
  43. Web site: Neljä nuorta kirjailijaa sai Kalevi Jäntti -palkinnon. 24 November 2008.
  44. Web site: Runeberg-palkinto ensimmäistä kertaa Finlandia-palkinnon voittajalle. 5 February 2009.
  45. Web site: Postimehe aasta inimene 2009 – Sofi Oksanen. 17 December 2009.
  46. Web site: Kirjanik Sofi Oksanen saab Ilveselt ordeni. 3 February 2010.
  47. Web site: Sofi Oksanen has won the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2010 — Nordic cooperation . Norden.org . 2010-03-30 . 2014-03-23.
  48. Web site: Prix Femina for Sofi Oksanen | Books from Finland. 5 November 2010.
  49. Web site: L'Éclaireur Fnac, le média du choix éclairé .
  50. Web site: Purge.
  51. Web site: Sofi Oksanen receives Pro Finlandia. 3 December 2012.
  52. Web site: Sofi Oksanen 2013 | Svenska Akademien.
  53. http://www.athenisfinlandiae.com/AF_tiedote_14.9.2015.pdf Tiedote
  54. Web site: .: Salerno Letteratura :. - PREMIO SALERNO LIBRO d'EUROPA . 2018-11-22 . 2018-11-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181123023035/https://www.salernoletteratura.com/en/axProgramDetails.php?programId=290&lng=E . dead .
  55. Web site: Sofi Oksaselle Ranskan Arts et Lettres -ritarikunnan kunniamerkki | Like Kustannus. www.sttinfo.fi. 2 July 2023.
  56. Web site: Runeberg-ehdokkaat 2004 moni-ilmeisiä ja arvokkaita. Kaleva. 2 July 2023.
  57. Web site: Oksanen Wins French Literary Prize. 2 November 2010.
  58. Web site: Book awards: International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Longlist | LibraryThing .
  59. Web site: Allen & Unwin - Australia .
  60. Web site: Vuosisadan kulttuuripalkinnoista taistelevat muun muassa Muumit, Sofi Oksanen ja Robin.
  61. Web site: The Alternative Nobel: Vote opens for a surprising new literature prize. TheGuardian.com. 12 July 2018.
  62. Web site: FEDORA Platform. Press Release February 2021 SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN OPERA AND BALLET IN EUROPE A EUROPEAN NETWORK - PDF Free Download. docplayer.net. 2 July 2023.

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