Notes from our time working and living in Akola manor in September 2026
Sunday 6th September 2026
We arrived at Akola Manor. After months of preparations and studying of the space from afar, we were finally at the site. With the biggest food shop we ever saw and our bags full of gear and wishes. Ready to dive deep into the project with no distractions.
We had a welcome salad made by Mikko with sparkling wine and cheered for the 2 weeks to come. We chatted about the feeling that the space gave us. And then ate lentil soup made by Alina to send us to bed, (even if we were buzzing with excitement).
Monday 7th September 2026
We started the sunny day with our first full team in person meeting. Still processing the magnitude of the space and how even if we knew it was big, it felt so massive. We walked the entire grounds of Akola together to experience as a group the journey that we are curating for the audience. The creative juices were really flowing – we were surprised by a stable, three horses, the variety of ground textures, unexpected shapes coming out of the grass and a floating pier over the river. After some more lentil soup we parted ways to work independently.
Choreographers Ella & Alina had a production meeting with Inka, producer of AKOLA: Liike – Movement. Third choreographer Flor started to see how the ideas they carried from London would marry with the actual space – the pier, trees, pool and the unique nature that is characteristic of the north of Finland. We finished the day with scenographer Tua showing Flor how to heat up a sauna and we all had some deep exhalations as we dipped in the river and had did the LÖYLYS.
Tuesday 8th September 2026
Our life has really started to form here in Akola, adjusting to its rhythms and spaces. Again we started with a full team check in, this time with a very grey rainy morning, yet that didn’t stop Alina and sound designer Mikko from going for a morning swim. Which was very shocking for Flor who grew up in the warm and sunny Barcelona.
The choreographic team worked on the first two sections of the work working with the huge distances of the manor grounds that for a second felt like were being swallowed by length but got far with intuitive choices.
Tua cycled all the way to the nearby town to gather more materials and Mikko the sound designer had lots of technical questions to work through.
We finished the day with a HUGE vegan Ragu lasagna that took over 4 hours to make but comforted the team until the end of the week.
Wednesday 9th September 2026
Our daily morning check in was fueled with excitement and anticipation, Inka was coming today to bring us; an entire sound system that put a big smile on Mikko’s face who couldn’t wait to get their hands in it and even more material for Tua who started braiding a 200 meter ”letti”. With the designers working at full speed the choreographic team worked on the third part of the work and a potential ending.
We finished the day with a glorious pink hour and sunset wondering what the weather will be like on the days of the performance. Everyday so far it has been unique with its own energy…
AKOLA – MOVEMENT is a site-specific contemporary dance work createdin dialogue with Akola manor and its surrounding landscape. At the heart of the work is our interest in how space guides our choices and actions, and how , in turn, people shape space through their own movement and presence. During the performance, the audience does not sit in a traditional auditorium, but moves through the grounds of Akola together with the dancers. The routes, distances and positioning created by the audience, together with the dancers, shape the content of the performance.
Working group:
Choreography and performing: Alina Sakko, Flor Riverti and Ella Holappa
Scenography: Tua Holappa
Sound design: Mikko Sarvanne
Producing: Alina Sakko, Ella Holappa and Inka Koutaniemi
Artistic support: Ella Posti
Where: Akola Manor, Virkkulantie 88, 91100, Ii
When: Thursday 17 September 2026 at 6 pm & Friday 18 September 2026 at 6 pm
Duration approx. 50 min
Free entry
Reservations: moymoycollective@gmail.com
The performance happens outdoors. If you have questions about the accessibility, please contact moymoycollective@gmail.com
Further information: AKOLA – LIIKE
You can follow the making of the work through @moymoy _collective Instagram and Facebook stories.
Hope to see you soon with us in Akola!
