Is this a lecture? A performance? Neither — and at the same time a bit of both. Kunskapskabarén is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Humorous improvisation by actors and musicians is interwoven with facts you didn’t know you wanted to know. In autumn 2026, the evenings will revolve around cottage life, trolls, popular music, and opera, and for the first time they will take place on the beautiful stage at the Sibelius Museum.
What can you expect?
- A fast-paced and entertaining encounter between actors and researchers.
- The performance alternates between improvisation and fascinating facts presented by the evening’s guest researcher, all accompanied by music.
- Each evening has its own theme, and improvisational theatre is different every time — you’ll experience a new performance on all four evenings.
- A creative collaboration between Åbo Svenska Teater, Åbo Akademi, and the Sibelius Museum.
Who is Kunskapskabarén for?
- For friends who want something more than just entertainment for an evening
- For anyone who enjoys a good laugh — research suggests it prolongs life
- For those who enjoy the performing arts and want to experience something different
- For those who believe knowledge can’t be entertaining — we want to prove you wrong
Who’s on stage?
THE RESEARCHERS
This year, the subjects of Musicology and Folkloristics at Åbo Akademi celebrate their 100th anniversary — and Kunskapskabarén marks the occasion by inviting researchers with expertise in these fields!
Blanka Henriksson, Associate Professor (Docent) of Folkloristics, Åbo Akademi
Julia Öhman, Doctoral Researcher in Folkloristics, Åbo Akademi
Inka-Maria Nyman, PhD in Musicology, Åbo Akademi
Johannes Brusila, Professor of Musicology, Åbo Akademi
More about the 100th anniversary: https://www.abo.fi/nyheter/100-ar-av-klang-kunskap-och-kulturarv-vid-abo-akademi/
Kunskapskabarén was launched in 2012 as a collaboration between researchers at Lund University and independent cultural practitioners, and the concept has since spread further. In 2023, it was performed for the first time in Finland at Åbo Svenska Teater together with researchers from Åbo Akademi.