Media — Jumppatytöt

Reviews ✨

GYMNASTICS GIRLS RECEIVE STATE AWARD FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION 2025!

“This piece of documentary theatre is based on the personal experiences of Katariina Havukainen, Inkeri Hyvönen and Ella Lahdenmäki in the world of aesthetic group gymnastics. Written and directed by the cast, the play gives a voice to the hundreds of thousands of Finnish girls and women who have moved in gymnastics circles.

It is not merely a story about sport. The audience do not need to be gymnasts to recognise themes of problematic body image, poor leadership or bullying. The play emphasises the right of young people to grow up in peace.”

- Ministry of Education and Culture

(The State Award for Public Information is Finland's highest recognition for outstanding work in making knowledge accessible.)

Gymnastics Girls in Smolna after receiving The State Award for Public Information

Gymnastics girls in Estonian magazine Eesti Päevaleht. Picture by: Ilmar Saabas

Press:

"The audience is bursting as the dramatic, dark pathos of the Gymnastics Girls' performance grows into aerobic fireworks in a fraction of a second. Endorphin rushes through the entire gymnasium."

- Emma Vainio / Helsingin Sanomat

"The year's biggest theatrical sensation was created by three women."

- Hilla Körkkö / Uusi Juttu

In English:

YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company)

-> Full text in English here - read the story behind the performance

HBL (Finnish newspaper written in Swedish)

-> Review with English translation available

In Finnish:

Helsingin Sanomat (Biggest news paper in Finland) / Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kainuun Sanomat / Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kulttuuritoimitus / Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐