Release date is 2023-12-16

Tapio Riikonen

"Etuvartiotaistelu : Kolminäytöksinen näytelmä" by Konrad Lehtimäki is a three-act play written in the early 20th century. The narrative is set during the formative years of the labor movement in Finland and revolves around the lives of factory workers. The main characters include Vilho Korpi, a factory worker, and his family, as well as Kaarlo Suonpää, a young machine worker, shedding light on the struggles and aspirations of working-class individuals during a time of social upheaval. At the start of the play, we are introduced to the Korpi family as they prepare for Christmas amid difficult economic conditions. The scene opens with Anni, the daughter, decorating the Christmas tree, illustrating her youthful innocence and hopefulness. However, this idyllic setting is soon contrasted with hints of underlying tension regarding labor rights, hinted at through the characters' conversations about the challenges they face in their jobs. As the family gathers, themes of love, hardship, and social injustice begin to unfold, setting the stage for a narrative that promises to explore not only personal relationships but also the collective fight for workers' rights, illuminating the broader struggle against oppression within the labor movement. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Tampere: Tampereen Työväen Sanomalehti Oy, 1920