Conscripts offered free theatre visits across Finland

Conscripts from four Finnish Defence Forces units will be able to attend theatre performances for free this autumn and spring, Yle reports. The programme involves theatres and military units in Hämeenlinna, Kajaani, Kouvola and Rovaniemi.

The Finnish Theatre Association says the aim is to encourage conscripts to consider Finnish identity and culture, which they are training to defend. Theatre can also strengthen their sense of belonging to society, the association says.

The participating units are the Armoured Brigade, Kainuu Brigade, Karelia Brigade and Jaeger Brigade. The visits are voluntary and take place during conscripts’ free time, outside their service duties.

A similar trial began earlier this year for conscripts at the Guards Jaeger Regiment in Helsinki. They gave positive feedback on the Q Theatre performance Uuteen nousuun.

Hannu Maijanen of the Finnish Defence Command’s Training Division said the partnership could make it easier for conscripts to go to the theatre. He said cultural experiences during free time could also support their psychological functioning.