Local actor Arttu Soilumo uncovers hidden LGBTQ+ history of Tampere in new performance “Peltienkelit”

In the 1970s, green metal booths, referred to as “tin angels,” could be found in Tampere, Finland. Officially, they served as public restrooms, but they also functioned as meeting spots for men seeking companionship. Actor Arttu Soilumo recalls, “They were popular cruising areas where gay men met each other. Behind the metal walls, they could express their sexuality freely.”

Soilumo, a thirty-something resident of Tampere, has always felt his hometown was “very heterosexual,” a place bound to the scent of hockey locker rooms and the distant sounds of Manse rock music. Curious about possible hidden histories, he began searching for stories about the local LGBTQ+ community, discovering narratives through blog posts, forums, and workplace gossip. His significant finds came from Tuula Juvonen’s dissertation on rainbow history and the archive of the Workers’ Museum Werstas, which holds Finland’s only LGBTQ+ museum collection.

In addition to the booths, he uncovered important gathering places such as Eteläpuisto park, where friendships formed before the decriminalization of homosexual acts in 1971. The “hinttivintti,” a dance space run by the predecessor of Tampere’s Seta organization, operated during the late 1970s.

Through his research, Soilumo developed “Peltienkelit,” a solo performance he wrote and directed. The three-hour show, part of Tampere Theater’s program, takes audiences on a walking tour through the city, culminating at the Mixei, Tampere’s first gay bar established in the 1990s.

With this performance, Soilumo aims to highlight the beautiful stories of self-expression within the local LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging both the struggles and resilience of marginalized individuals. The autumn shows have already sold out, reflecting a growing interest in these histories. Whether Soilumo himself will be remembered as part of Tampere’s rainbow history remains uncertain, but his work certainly aims to leave a lasting impact.