näytelmien

Näytelmien is the genitive plural form of the Finnish noun näytelmä, meaning plays or dramatic works. In Finnish usage, näytelmä refers to a script written for stage performance, which includes dialogue and stage directions and is intended for live performance before an audience. Näytelmien can be described as the body of such works collectively.

A näytelmä is structured for performance, typically organized into acts and scenes, with characters, settings, and actions described by the playwright. It may be classified by genre—tragedy, comedy, drama—as well as by form, from traditional to experimental theatre. Some works are adaptations from literature or history, others are original dramatic texts.

Finnish theatre has developed a distinct national tradition since the 19th century, with prominent Finnish-language playwrights such as Aleksis Kivi and Minna Canth contributing to the repertoire of näytelmien. The national theatre institutions and a network of theatres across Finland have long supported production and dissemination of Finnish dramatists' works; translations also play a role in bringing näytelmien to international audiences.

In contemporary Finland, näytelmien are produced by professional theatres, universities, and independent groups, performed in Finnish and Swedish, and studied in literature and theatre courses. They are also showcased at festivals and in school curricula, reflecting evolving themes such as identity, society, and ethics.