Finnish youth theatre explores Sanna Marin’s political legacy in new production

A Helsinki-based youth theatre has premiered a play examining the career of former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin, blending political satire with reflections on social media’s role in modern governance, reports Yle.

The production, I Am Sanna Marin, staged by Tämän Päivän Teatteri, portrays Marin across different life stages—from infancy to her tenure as a local Tampere politician—while critiquing contemporary Finnish politics. The play’s young cast, including high school students Saaga Mönttinen and Vanamo Allt, describe Marin as a figure of admiration, though the script aims for a neutral perspective.

“As a woman, it’s inspiring to see someone succeed in leadership,” Mönttinen said, while Allt noted Marin’s significance as a young female politician. Both stressed the play avoids outright endorsement or opposition, instead questioning how power and media shape political narratives.

Director Pete Ihonen, who also wrote the script, said Marin’s international profile and polarising premiership made her an ideal subject. “Her term was extraordinary, and her story resonates with young audiences,” he explained, adding that the play also satirises Finland’s fragmented political landscape. “Sometimes politics feels absurd—this production doesn’t shy away from that.”

The play further explores how social media has turned governance into performance, with Mönttinen arguing platforms prioritise spectacle over substance. “Marin leveraged social media effectively, but it’s a double-edged sword,” she said. Allt linked Marin’s controversies to generational shifts, noting younger politicians’ constant online presence blurs public and private boundaries.

I Am Sanna Marin runs as part of Tämän Päivän Teatteri’s spring repertoire, targeting youth audiences with a mix of biography, satire, and media critique.