The Last of the Soviets

Helsinki 98

Based on Svetlana Alexievich’s nonfiction book
Finnish translation by the Director and Martti-Tapio Kuuskoski
Directed and adapted by the Director

The Soviet Union has fallen, and communism is the laughing stock of the world, but Vasily still believes in the idea.

Based on Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s book, The Last of the Soviets tells the story of 87-year-old Vasily Petrovich N., a care home resident who remains loyal to the Party while witnessing the collapse of the communist utopia of the USSR.

Up-and-coming theatre company Helsinki 98 has a mission: to find out what art can be after February 24, 2022. The Last of the Soviets is the first installment in the company’s Alexievich Trilogy. A riveting piece that has dazzled audiences and critics alike, it won a Säde Award for Pavel Semchenko’s video design, and Sami Lanki was nominated for theatre actor of the year.

”Sami Lanki does tremendous work in a physically and mentally demanding role.”
Hanna Helavuori, hannahelavuori.com