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Editor - Bill Kenny
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Deputy Editor - Bob Briggs
Founder - Len Mullenger
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NEWS ITEM
Helsinki Festival 2009: Erik Söderblom appointed Helsinki Festival Director (BK)
Helsinki Festival is delighted to announce the appointment of Erik Söderblom
(b. 1958) as Festival Director. Söderblom, who takes up the post from 1 May
2009, will assume responsibility for the festival’s artistic direction and
organisational management.
Commenting on the appointment, the Helsinki Festival foundation said that
Söderblom is ideally placed to build on the Festival’s past successes and take
it forward in new directions. The new Director’s work will be focused on the
year 2010 and beyond.
In addition to his considerable experience in theatre and organisational management, Söderblom has a strong background in music education. Söderblom moves to Helsinki Festival from the Helsinki Theatre Academy, where he is currently Vice Rector and Professor. In addition to these roles, he has worked extensively as a theatre and opera director in Finland and beyond, premiering many Finnish operas and musical theatre works.
The Helsinki Festival Director is responsible for the Festival’s artistic
direction, budget and funding development and the management of the Festival
organisation and senior staff.
Helsinki Festival’s current Director, Risto Nieminen, has been appointed
Director of the Lisbon-based Gulbenkian Foundation’s Music Department from
April 2009. Nieminen has created the 2009 festival programme, due to be
announced on 21 April. The 2009 Helsinki Festival will run from 13 to 30
August 2009.
Bill Kenny
