Joulevangeeljum Musical
Christmas in Lace Town culminates in a magical musical experience on the streets of Old Rauma 19.–20.12.2025
A Musical full of emotion and stories
The Joulevangeeljum musical will be performed in 2025 on the following dates:
- Friday, December 19 at 6:00 pm (premiere)
- Saturday, December 20 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
- (Thursday, December 18 at 5:00 pm, open dress rehearsal for the public)
The performance lasts approximately 1,5 hours. The journey begins at the Market Square and continues through the Kalatori Square and ruins of the Church of the Holy Trinity, ending at the Church of the Holy Cross. The total route is about 1,5 kilometers.
The play is performed and sung in Finnish – yet its powerful music and expressive storytelling transcend language barriers, offering a touching experience for all audiences.
Experience four captivating scenes in Old Rauma
Scene 1
Market Square
Narrators Marja and Juhani celebrate Rauma’s more than 580-year history. They reflect on the different kinds of taxes collected throughout the centuries and end up recalling a taxation decree issued some two thousand years ago by Emperor Augustus – one that changed the lives of a carpenter named Joseph and his betrothed, Mary.
We meet Joseph and Mary with their friends, and the story begins. Guided by the red-hooded “tax choir,” along with the narrators and the couple, the audience moves toward the next scene at the Kalatori Square.
Scene 2
Kalatori Square
Joseph and Mary soon realize there is no room for them at the inn. They encounter a celebrating man, an elderly couple, and a single mother weighed down by her own troubles. No one seems to have the time or strength to help.
Perhaps help will come from somewhere entirely unexpected.
Scene 3
The ruins of the Church of the Holy Trinity
Meanwhile, nearby on a meadow, shepherds are keeping watch – when suddenly a host of angels appears before them. Black and white angels engage in battle, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil that fills the world. In the end, good prevails, and a radiant angel from above proclaims the joyful news. The other angels join in her song.
The narrators, shepherds, tax choir, and Joseph and Mary then lead the audience toward the next and final scene. Along the way, soldiers and angels guide the procession, while choirs fill the air with song.
Scene 4
Church of the Holy Cross courtyard
The narrators recount a glimpse of the church’s long history. At last, Joseph and Mary arrive at an inn where they are welcomed inside. Joseph speaks with the innkeeper, whose wife is also expecting a child.
In the end, events unfold just as foretold – the child is born.
Cooperation of 300 people
The script of Joulevangeeljum is written by Arto Myllärinen and the music composed by Lasse Heikkilä. The play is directed by Arto Myllärinen and Ani Hassinen, with choreography by Reetta Hulmi and costumes designed by Pia Ala-Äijälä.
This walking Christmas play is a collaborative production between professionals and local enthusiasts. Nearly 300 participants bring the story to life – including actors, singers, musicians, dancers, and the invaluable support teams behind the scenes.
Cast
The 2025 cast will be announced on this page closer to Christmas.
Cast of 2024:
- Venla Wallenius – Narrator
- Kalle Virtanen – Narrator
- Vilja Riutamaa – Mary
- Hannu Lepola – Joseph
- Hanna Turunen – Mary’s Friend
- Mikael Norri – Joseph’s Friend
- Atro Hietala – Angel
- Jorma Rienoja – Soldier
- Juha Lehtola – Innkeeper
- Säde Stål – Innkeeper’s Wife
- Sauli Ahvenjärvi – Celebrating Man
- Paula Kuusisto – Grandmother
- Timo Katila – Grandfather
- Paula Kupari – Single Mother
Band:
Lasse Heikkilä, Seppo Kylänpää, Juuso Nieminen, and Joni Siimes
Participating Groups:
The choirs, orchestras, and other groups taking part in 2025 will be announced during autumn 2025.
In 2024, the following groups participated:
- Rauma Town Band
- Rauma Boys’ Band
- Pläkkploosarit
- Rauma Male Choir
- Flikkatten Göör
- Fikuleeri
- Senior Teachers’ Choir
- Upper Secondary School Choir
- Impromptum
- Tax Choir
- Turku Region Dance Institute
- Rauma Women’s Gymnastics Club
- Rauma Theatre School Youth
Watch the Recording of the 2024 Performance!
Satakunnan Kansa Länsi-Suomi offered its readers a live stream of the Joulevangeeljum musical play on Friday, December 20, 2024. The recording of the broadcast is available for viewing on the Satakunnan Kansa website.
Highlights from the 2022 Joulevangeeljum performance
More information
-
Lehtorinne Outi
Cultural Producer
Tel. +358 44 793 3041
outi.lehtorinne@rauma.fi