1.10.2026

The Theatre Museum, Theatre Info Finland TINFO, The Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Circus & Dance Finland, and The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland (SLS) have partnered to create a new performance database for the performing arts.

Essi – The Finnish Performing Arts Database will bring together and replace the existing Ilona, Encore, Tanka, Sirkka, and Daniel databases. When completed, the database will bring together information on works and productions across Finnish theatre, opera, dance, circus, and performance art, making it easily accessible to anyone through a single online service. The database contains information dating back to the late nineteenth century and will be regularly updated with new data.

The database is an essential working tool for many professionals in the performing arts. It will create new opportunities for research, journalism, and publishing, while also supporting education and cultural heritage learning in these fields. Essi brings together stakeholders from across the performing arts sector and strengthens the visibility of their work as part of Finland’s cultural heritage.

The project partners began the planning process in 2025, and collaboration with the system provider Profium Oy started in August this year. The administration of the database is coordinated by the Theatre Museum.

The goal is to open Essi to the public in spring 2027.

Essi’s visual identity is created by Creative Designer Inka Kosonen.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Jenny ja Antti Wihuri Foundation, and the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.

Further information:

Johanna Laakkonen, Director, Theatre Museum
johanna.laakkonen@teatterimuseo.fi, +358 50 353 6588

Piia Volmari, Project Manager, TINFO
piia.volmari@tinfo.fi, +358 50 353 6588