Squeezed in between the vast oil fields of Siberia, a fenno-ugrian Khanty people try to keep on living their life. The performance Last Morning Star gives them back their long lost voice - and by doing so, creates a historic theatre accomplishment.

 

The performance is based on the novel ‘Khanty, or the Star of the Dawn’ by the Russian author Yeremey Aypin. It tells about the tragic collision between the systematized and search for oil during the Soviet era and the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples. The story of the Khanty people is a strong statement calling for respect of diversity and protection of people and nature, and gradually expands to concern what human activities are doing to the future of the planet Earth in a broader context.

The Last Morning Star is directed by Ari-Pekka Lahti who won the Finnish State Theatre Prize in 2012. Starring Jarkko Lahti, the performance also gives a significant role to a ‘shaman violinist’ Tuomas Rounakari who creates a magic musical ambience on stage with traditional Khanty instruments.

In 2011 the performance was on a two week tour with Riksteater around Sweden. In October 2012 The Last Morning Star was part of the program in the International Festival of Finno-Ugric peoples "Mayatul" arranged in Saransk Russia. Actor Jarkko Lahti and musician Tuomas Rounakari shared the Festival Price for the Best Actor.
 

Beginning of May 2013 The Last Morning Star was taken back to its roots in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia performing in the Theatre of the Ob-Ugric peoples - the Sun. In November 2013 the piece was invited to Kautokeino, Norway where it was performed in Beaivváš, the Sámi National Theatre.

 

On January 2016 The Last Morning Star was seen in Helsinki and The Finnish National Theatre for the first time. It was a part of The Edge of Ice festival program, the ending celebration of a three-year long project studying, presenting and promoting the presence and visibility of the Finno-Ugric languages, cultures and peoples.