Sanna Silvennoinen has developed Finnish circus art for over two decades with her active and multifaceted artistic work as a performer, choreographer and director.
As a director Silvennoinen is extremely versatile and has worked in productions of various styles, ranging from grand CircOpera productions to street circus shows and everything in between. Her contemporary circus direction has been seen in e.g. several works by Circo Aereo and Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth. Good examples from recent works are the swinging Optimism, which premiered in 2022, and Winter Circus Speed, which premiered in 2021. The absolutely genius shows The Pianist and The Artist and the mad (in a good way) Lion – The Weird and Magical Abracadabra Show have toured in Finland and abroad and have been received exceedingly well. Working with professionals from different fields of art and combining these fields has been one of Silvennoinen’s signature styles. In addition to stage works she has directed a series of short circus films and performed as an aerialist.
Silvennoinen’s style of directing is fresh, surprising, and brave. The rhythm of her works is well thought out and their humour is warm, heartfelt and does not underestimate the audience. As a director she is willing to stay out of the limelight and let the performers rise to their full potential.
With her example Sanna Silvennoinen has shown that it is possible to work as a full-time director of circus in Finland. Silvennoinen has worked in the field of Finnish contemporary circus so extensively and impressively that the entire art form would look very different without her valuable artistic input.
The Sirkuksen Lumo Prize is awarded by Circusinfo Finland as an acknowledgement for work done to promote Finnish circus art. It can be awarded to a person, group, show, event or other action that has helped the development and success of circus art. The first Sirkuksen Lumo prize was awarded in 2010. The jury consisted of journalists Nina Jääskeläinen and Emma Vainio and artistic director Pirjo Yli-Maunula. The jury’s secretary was Johanna Mäkelä from Circus & Dance Info Finland.