8.1, 9.1, 10.1.2026 at Valtimonteatteri

What is happiness, anyway?

A theatrical journey in search of joy, balance, and meaning.
Two artists set out to discover the secret of ideal happiness. Their path leads them to Sardinia, one of the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people live longer and are said to be more content. But what do they truly find in their pursuit of happiness?

From the quiet of Finnish forests to the sunlit hills of Sardinia, Happiness? moves between research, personal diaries, and a sarcastic look at modern wellness culture.
We meet Sardinian women: a farmer, a 96-year-old shop owner, a doctor, a yoga philosopher, alongside Finnish pensioner women reflecting on nature, care, and the meaning of peace.

Do we really need to return to Mother Nature to be happy, or can happiness also be found in the supermarket, on the couch, or even in the smell of trash?
Or perhaps, when we simply stop chasing it?

A cross-cultural documentary theatre performance blending reality, vulnerability and irony.

Direction and dramaturgy: Vera Boitcova, theatre director, dramaturg, and artistic researcher at the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Performers and concept: Fanny Paananen and Patrick Torring
Light design: Timo Hanhisalo
Supported by: European Union and Goethe-Institut (Culture Moves Europe) and the City of Helsinki

Secret to Longevity: Faith & Community ✨ In many of the world’s longest-living communities, faith is a central pillar. Whether through prayer, traditions, or simply believing in something greater, spirituality provides a deep sense of purpo
🌊 The Power of Creation & Intuition 🌿 I had an awakening. I don’t need more information from books, podcasts, more studying, or more pushing. I need silence. I need to turn inward and tune into the wisdom already within me. What if the
Can We Really Rise Above Nature? 🌿 We try so hard to control nature—to shape it, conquer it, and rise above it. But is it really possible? No. Whether it’s the nature around us or the nature within us, we are still part of it. And the ha
💤 Secret to Longevity: Siesta 💤 In the Nordics, napping isn’t really a thing for adults. But in the south, it’s a basic part of life: after a morning of work and a hearty lunch, it’s time to rest. The ideal nap length, between 20
Back to the Well💧🌊 In Sardinia, we heard an interesting story about the well. Old men were complaining about water taps inside homes. Olden days, everything was better! The well wasn’t just a place to get water—it was a place where peo
Secret to Longevity: Laughter 🍷😂 Sardinians are known for their sharp wit and humor—it’s still a big part of their way of life. During our visit, we saw groups of men gathering outside, even in chilly November (though, let’s be h
🐌 Secret to Longevity: Snails...? 🌶🍅 We tried snails in a spicy tomato sauce, and I have to say—they were quite nice. Their mild, tender taste soaked up the spices so well, you almost couldn’t tell you were eating snails! What surpris
🌱 Secret to Longevity: Gardening 🌱 In Sardinia, we had a chance to help plant a little forest. And I have to say, that was one of the best days of our trip. We got to be social, do something with our hands, not think too much—just digging ou
🥗 Secret to Longevity: Make Meat Matter Nowadays, veganism is trendy and, well, sexy. And that’s exactly why some feel the need to fight against it. If you’re a meat eater, you might stop reading here—but hey, I’m not agains
🐄 Secret to Longevity: Happy Cows? 🌿 Is the secret to longevity... happy cows? 🧐 Imagine cows roaming free in the mountains, enjoying the fresh grass, and moving from one pasture to another. These animals spend their days eating their favourite f
🥛 Secret to Longevity: Goat's Milk? 🐐✨ Could goat's milk be the secret to longevity? 🧐 While it has been used in many cultures, the debate between goat or cow, raw, full-fat, and fat-free milk continues. Some argue that raw milk, when heated, los
🍝 Secret to Longevity: Local Wholegrain Durum Pasta During our trip, we ate lots of pasta, because it was available everywhere and just felt the right thing to do. Most of the people we interviewed said, they really do eat pasta everyday(!!) In fin
☕🐾 Secret to Longevity: Taking Care of Animals Here I am, enjoying my morning coffee with a this cat curled up in my arms. It would try to come on my lap every morning after spending the night outside. There’s something deeply grounding about
🥐 Secret to Longevity: No Sugar, or...? The elderly Sardinians we interviewed grew up without sugar—it was too expensive. Even now, many of them still don’t eat much of it, except maybe a slice of cake on special occasions like Sunday l
🌅 Secret to Longevity: Sunset This became my favorite spot on the farm, discovered on one of our last evenings. Sitting on top of a hill, putting down notes, and soaking up the sun... But guess what? The sun set at 4 PM, and after that, it was pitc
☀️ 🌿 Secret to Longevity: Skipping Breakfast? Or maybe it’s Breakfast: Biscuit, Marmalade, and an Espresso. Or... is it The Nutrition-Packed, Protein-Rich, Matafakin Smoothie Mix? 💪🥤 They say the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthies
🌊 Secret to Longevity: The Heights 🌄 Imagine a life where your daily routine naturally includes climbing mountains and descending to the sea. Sardinian elders have lived this way for centuries—moving with the land, not against it. The natur
Secret to longevity: Having a purpose until the very end 🌟 We had the privilege of meeting this amazing 96-year-old shop owner, who still runs her business with pride. 💛 For her, work isn’t about earning a living or gaining status—it&
Secret to longevity: Walk 🌿 Here’s Patrick, walking along the sand dunes. Walking isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s good for the heart, the mind, and the body. It’s what we were made to do! Sardin
Secret to happiness: being. 🙏 Here I am, checking my e-mail in a museum... Could that not wait?! 😅 These days, we’re constantly bombarded with inputs, and our nervous systems just aren’t designed to handle it all. In the past, people

This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.