Knitting Peace

Follow the threads to peace in an elegant stage show that marries breathtaking artistry with beautiful live soundtracks.

  • Scientists believe that striving for something better is what keeps us alive. The worst-case scenario would be to achieve our goals without finding something new to pursue. Circus artists often strive to achieve the impossible. Is the pursuit of an impossibility the way to happiness? Is to strive for peace on earth, to strive for the impossible?

    Can the effort itself make a difference?
    Is it possible to make peace?

    In this poetic circus performance, filled with yarn, tangles, ropes and threads, the artists try to knit their way to peace. Five circus artists create a magically beautiful world of ropes and yarns. Welcome to indulge in enigmatic music, sensitive poetry and a powerful quest for meaning.

Tour Dates

An aesthetic whole, a well-composed visual poem, executed with scenic, contemplative calm.

Expressen
  • Knitting Peace at your venue?

    Since its premiere in 2013, Knitting Peace has performed over 400 shows on three continents in 17 countries and 75 cities. Its core theme—our struggles to attempt world peace—is still very relevant today, so we can´t stop touring it.

    Minimum measurements:
    Stage area: 9 x 11 mt
    Stage width (min): 12 mt
    Stage depth (min): 12 mt 
    Ceiling height (min): 7 mt

  • At museums, parties or events

    We have created Knitting Peace-inspired and personally tailored performances at, among others, the Nobel Prize Banquet, the Swedish Institute in Paris and the Army Museum in Stockholm.

We Knit for Peace

  • What started as the circus production Knitting Peace on a world tour has evolved into an international peace movement of knitters. Since 2013, local and global "Calls to Knit" have filled theatre foyers and exhibition spaces with knitted pieces and reflections on peace. 

Reviews

Breakneck poetry in a homespun world. A charming and sympathetic work where the whole trumps the individual efforts – like stitches in a knitted piece.

Dagens Nyheter

An aesthetic whole, a well-composed image poem, executed with scenic, contemplative calm.

Expressen

Physical skill in combination with beautiful poetry creates fantastic art.

El País
  • Running time: 120 minutes

    Age restrictions: Knitting Peace was created with an adult audience in mind. Still, we know that many children have enjoyed the show. You know your child best!

Cast & Crew

  • Ensemble (alternating)

    Alexander Weibel Weibel/Pietro Barilli: Slack Rope, Equilibrist, Violin
    Joana Martinho/Aino Ihanainen: Handstand, Live Knitting
    Nathalie Bertholio/Sarah Lett: Floor/Dance Acrobatics, Aerial Acrobatics, Roue Cyr
    Antonio Panaro/Mikael Kristiansen: Handstand, Acrobatics
    Joana Dias/Tiziana Prota/Saara Ahola/Mirja Jauhiainen: Aerial Acrobatics, Singing, Accordion
    Samuel ”Looptok” Andersson/Thea Åslund: Musician

    Ariellah Winther: Rigger/Technician
    Lina Ståhl/Fredrik Ekström: Light Technician
    Therese Larsson: Sound Technician
    Fredrik “Fefe” Deijfen: Tour Manager/Stage Manager

    Previously: Aino Savolainen, Vilhelm Montan Lindberg.

  • Creative Team

    Original ensemble 2013 & co-creators Aino Ihanainen, Alexander Weibel Weibel, Ilona Jäntti, Jens Engman, Matleena Laine, Niklas Blomberg, Quim Giron.

    Director and concept: Tilde Björfors
    Composer & sound design: Samuel “Looptok” Andersson
    Set design: Fanny Senocq, Tilde Björfors, Stefan ”Drake” Karlström, Joel Jedström & the ensemble.
    Knitted set design & knitted costumes: Aino Ihanainen
    Costume design: Anna Bonnevier
    Mask design: Helena Andersson
    Light design: Ulf Englund

    Choreographic advisor & artistic coach: Cilla Roos
    Scenographic painter & props: Tomas Helsing
    Technical coordination & constructions: Joel Jedström
    Circus construction: Ulf “Poly” Nylin
    Assistant director: Maria Wallin
    Assisting light design: Fredrik Ekström

    Live photo: Mats Bäcker
    Posterphoto: Mattias Edwall & Karolina Henke

    The performance is an all-embracing piece of art created by everyone involved - on and behind the stage.

    Production Team (2022)

    Producer: Mirja Jauhiainen
    Technical producer: Henrik Enar
    Tour & International Relations: Irene Ramilli
    Head of Arts & Production department: Lena Kjellander Stockhaus
    Executive Producer: Malin Brereton
    Graphic design: Karin Roberts
    Head of Marketing & Communication: Hillevi Berg Niska
    Photos in the program: Karolina Henke

    Thank you

    To all the stage technicians who have tangled their way through the show, to the producers, tour planners, and tour managers who have strived to bring the show out in the world, and to all the artists, supporters, and knitting enthusiasts who have been involved in Knitted Peace and the preproduction Knitted Peace over the years.

    The renewed performance of Knitting Peace is a collaboration with Borås Stadsteater 2022.

    With support from the Swedish Arts Council, Region Stockholm, Stockholms stad, Botkyrka Municipality.