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Maria-Liisa Nevala

Born April 24, 1943, Kauhava

Master of Arts 1966, Licentiate 1969, PhD 1972 (Finnish literature), University of Helsinki

Director of the Finnish National Theatre 1992–2010
Theatre secretary 1966–69, Helsinki City Theatre
Research assistant 1970–73, Finnish Research Council of the Humanities
Acting junior researcher 1973 and 1975–77, acting associate professor 1974 and 1976–91, acting professor 1989–91 and 1991–92, University of Helsinki

Publications, awards and special achievements:
Mielikuvien taistelu. Psykologinen aatetausta Eino Leinon tuotannossa ‘Battle of imagination. The psychological value-base of the works of Eino Leino’ (doctoral dissertation) 1972
Kansalaissodan kirjalliset rintamat 1918 ‘The literary fronts of the Civil war’ 1918 (1976)
Muodon vallankumous. Modernismin tulo suomenkieliseen lyriikkaan 1945-1959 ‘Revolution of form. The emergence of modernism in Finnish lyrics’ (1981)
Ilmari Kianto (1986), Mieleni talot. Totta, tarua ja tulkintaa ‘Houses of my mind. Truth, tale and interpretation’ (2012)
Kuningatar Kristina – aikansa eurooppalainen ‘Christina, Queen of Sweden –European of her time’ (co-authored, 1990)
Editor: Kirjallisuudentutkimuksen menetelmiä ‘Literary research methods’(1983)
Eino Leino I-II (1986)
Sain roolin johon en mahdu, suomalaisen naiskirjallisuuden linjoja ‘I received a role that would not fit. Trends in Finnish women’s literature’ (1989)
Suomen Kansallisteatteri. Teatteritalo ennen ja nyt ‘The Finnish National Theatre. The theatre past and present’ (2003)

The Ida Aalberg medal

 

Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Written by Maria-Liisa Nevala (Kaija Hartikainen, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

A Life Full of Surprises

I have served two masters in my life: the theatre and the University. After graduating I was hired by Helsinki City Theatre, which ignited my passion for theatre. However, before that university had already sparked my interest in research. When I left the theatre to continue my research abroad, I never thought that I would return. And when I went into theatre, I never thought I would go back to the University.

Director of the theatre inspecting renovation of the roof of Helsinki City Theatre in 2001.

The University provided a great opportunity to work with young people. Every autumn I would wait with excitement to discover what the new students were like, what kind of thoughts and ideas I would have to adapt to. But research remained the top priority. Of course there was even less time for it when I became the head of the Department. Despite being a young professor, I was also handed various duties concerning the entire faculty. It was interesting, but the University reform that was going on at the time could feel very laborious with all the rules and regulations coming from above.

I enjoyed my time at the University, but I did not have to think for long before accepting when I was offered the position of Director of the Finnish National Theatre. It was a change in scale. I was no longer only dealing with people with similar educational backgrounds, but the entire tapestry of society. The common goal of that motley crew was to create compelling theatrical performances, and as the Director I would participate in all stages of production. My life was reading plays, discussions with artists, artistic and financial planning, and staying in contact with the financer, which was the Ministry of Education. I did not regret leaving the University, but it was my university education that made working as the Director of a theatre possible.

When art colleges were combined into the new University of Arts, I had the opportunity to once again return to the university world. As the chairman of the board for the Academy of Dramatic Art, I was a member of the committee responsible for defining the principles of the new university. I came full circle when I could utilise my experience from both the University and the theatre for the same purpose. And now that I am retired, I have been able to concentrate on writing, which has ultimately been my greatest passion.

The professor looks to the future with optimism.

 

By

Maria-Liisa Nevala

Born April 24, 1943, Kauhava

Master of Arts 1966, Licentiate 1969, PhD 1972 (Finnish literature), University of Helsinki

Director of the Finnish National Theatre 1992–2010
Theatre secretary 1966–69, Helsinki City Theatre
Research assistant 1970–73, Finnish Research Council of the Humanities
Acting junior researcher 1973 and 1975–77, acting associate professor 1974 and 1976–91, acting professor 1989–91 and 1991–92, University of Helsinki

Publications, awards and special achievements:
Mielikuvien taistelu. Psykologinen aatetausta Eino Leinon tuotannossa ‘Battle of imagination. The psychological value-base of the works of Eino Leino’ (doctoral dissertation) 1972
Kansalaissodan kirjalliset rintamat 1918 ‘The literary fronts of the Civil war’ 1918 (1976)
Muodon vallankumous. Modernismin tulo suomenkieliseen lyriikkaan 1945-1959 ‘Revolution of form. The emergence of modernism in Finnish lyrics’ (1981)
Ilmari Kianto (1986), Mieleni talot. Totta, tarua ja tulkintaa ‘Houses of my mind. Truth, tale and interpretation’ (2012)
Kuningatar Kristina – aikansa eurooppalainen ‘Christina, Queen of Sweden –European of her time’ (co-authored, 1990)
Editor: Kirjallisuudentutkimuksen menetelmiä ‘Literary research methods’(1983)
Eino Leino I-II (1986)
Sain roolin johon en mahdu, suomalaisen naiskirjallisuuden linjoja ‘I received a role that would not fit. Trends in Finnish women’s literature’ (1989)
Suomen Kansallisteatteri. Teatteritalo ennen ja nyt ‘The Finnish National Theatre. The theatre past and present’ (2003)

The Ida Aalberg medal

 

Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Written by Maria-Liisa Nevala (Kaija Hartikainen, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

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