WHO SISUS, WHAT SISUS, WHY SISUS?
SISUS is a contemporary circus company from Finland, founded in 2014 by Iida Sipilä, Inka Pehkonen, Milla Lahtinen, Rosa Tyyskä, and Sofia Defour. These childhood friends, who began their journey in youth circus activities, laid the foundation for SISUS with a shared love for circus and a distinctive sense of humor. Today, while the founding members are no longer performing together, they continue to lead the company, which now thrives with new members and diverse productions.
The mission of SISUS remains the same: to bring audiences a message of friendship, joy, and creative wildness. True to their motto, "More is more," the company’s performances celebrate boldness and boundless creativity.
The name SISUS is inspired by the Finnish word "Sisu," an untranslatable term that embodies strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting with integrity in the face of challenges. It reflects the company’s values and artistic vision, which center on pushing boundaries and embracing challenges head-on, no matter how insurmountable they may seem. This philosophy drives SISUS’s work and the vibrant energy they bring to the world of contemporary circus.
SISUS is a contemporary circus company from Finland, founded in 2014 by Iida Sipilä, Inka Pehkonen, Milla Lahtinen, Rosa Tyyskä, and Sofia Defour. These childhood friends, who began their journey in youth circus activities, laid the foundation for SISUS with a shared love for circus and a distinctive sense of humor. Today, while the founding members are no longer performing together, they continue to lead the company, which now thrives with new members and diverse productions.
The mission of SISUS remains the same: to bring audiences a message of friendship, joy, and creative wildness. True to their motto, "More is more," the company’s performances celebrate boldness and boundless creativity.
The name SISUS is inspired by the Finnish word "Sisu," an untranslatable term that embodies strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting with integrity in the face of challenges. It reflects the company’s values and artistic vision, which center on pushing boundaries and embracing challenges head-on, no matter how insurmountable they may seem. This philosophy drives SISUS’s work and the vibrant energy they bring to the world of contemporary circus.
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF SISUS
IIDA SIPILÄ
Circus disciplines:
swinging trapeze, floor acrobatics, pyramids, skipping rope
Iida, or Iitu as most people call her, loves the heights and excitement. After graduating from Salpaus Circus Artist Education (Sasak Finland) she continued her studies in the Netherlands, graduating with a bachelors degree in Arts.
Iitu is open minded and she loves meeting new people, and the doors of her van are always open for friends, guests or hitch-hikers. Iitu is also the founder of the embarrassment club, that is all about self-humiliation, the club has been completing embarrassing tasks since 2000. We should all learn not to take ourselves too serious, right?
IIDA SIPILÄ
Circus disciplines:
swinging trapeze, floor acrobatics, pyramids, skipping rope
Iida, or Iitu as most people call her, loves the heights and excitement. After graduating from Salpaus Circus Artist Education (Sasak Finland) she continued her studies in the Netherlands, graduating with a bachelors degree in Arts.
Iitu is open minded and she loves meeting new people, and the doors of her van are always open for friends, guests or hitch-hikers. Iitu is also the founder of the embarrassment club, that is all about self-humiliation, the club has been completing embarrassing tasks since 2000. We should all learn not to take ourselves too serious, right?
INKA PEHKONEN
Circus disciplines:
Washington trapeze, handstand, kantele
Born and raised in Finland—a land of snow and silence—Inka took her first steps into the world of circus at age 10. What began as a childhood passion quickly grew into a life-long adventure that has taken her across Europe and beyond, eventually leading her to Berlin.
A graduate of Salpaus Circus Artist Education (Sasak Finland), Inka specializes in Washington trapeze and handstands. Her performances are infused with a unique blend of Finnish folk music, often featuring the enchanting Kantele, a traditional instrument from Finland.Inka is a co-founder of Sisus and Based on Kimberly, collaborative projects that embody her independent and unconventional creative spirit. With a sparkling stage presence and a “Yes!” attitude that energizes everyone around her, Inka has performed for audiences in over 20 countries.
Her work pushes boundaries, challenges stereotypes, and creates a space where everyone can feel seen and celebrated. Whether she’s upside down on a trapeze or playing the Kantele, Inka’s artistry reflects a deep commitment to making the circus world inclusive and inspiring.
INKA PEHKONEN
Circus disciplines:
Washington trapeze, handstand, kantele
Born and raised in Finland—a land of snow and silence—Inka took her first steps into the world of circus at age 10. What began as a childhood passion quickly grew into a life-long adventure that has taken her across Europe and beyond, eventually leading her to Berlin.
A graduate of Salpaus Circus Artist Education (Sasak Finland), Inka specializes in Washington trapeze and handstands. Her performances are infused with a unique blend of Finnish folk music, often featuring the enchanting Kantele, a traditional instrument from Finland.Inka is a co-founder of Sisus and Based on Kimberly, collaborative projects that embody her independent and unconventional creative spirit. With a sparkling stage presence and a “Yes!” attitude that energizes everyone around her, Inka has performed for audiences in over 20 countries.
Her work pushes boundaries, challenges stereotypes, and creates a space where everyone can feel seen and celebrated. Whether she’s upside down on a trapeze or playing the Kantele, Inka’s artistry reflects a deep commitment to making the circus world inclusive and inspiring.
MILLA LAHTINEN
Circus disciplines:
Hand to hand, swinging trapeze, aerial hoop, pyramids, skipping rope
"Milla is an acrobat on the ground and in the air. She´s specialized in hand-to -hand and swinging trapeze and performs also on the aerial hoop. Her sense of rhythm is unfailing, both on stage and when she´s hitting the dance floor in the after party.
She’s easy to approach, and when she opens her mouth you´ll be blown away by her amazing baby-voice. Probably she will also have some left over from the ice cream she just ate on her shirt. Milla is a loyal friend, trustworthy and always caring for the ones near to her. It´s easy to fire her up, Milla is always ready for new challenges and adventures"
MILLA LAHTINEN
Circus disciplines:
Hand to hand, swinging trapeze, aerial hoop, pyramids, skipping rope
"Milla is an acrobat on the ground and in the air. She´s specialized in hand-to -hand and swinging trapeze and performs also on the aerial hoop. Her sense of rhythm is unfailing, both on stage and when she´s hitting the dance floor in the after party.
She’s easy to approach, and when she opens her mouth you´ll be blown away by her amazing baby-voice. Probably she will also have some left over from the ice cream she just ate on her shirt. Milla is a loyal friend, trustworthy and always caring for the ones near to her. It´s easy to fire her up, Milla is always ready for new challenges and adventures"
ROSA TYYSKÄ
Circus disciplines:
Cyr-wheel, handstand, vertical rope, pyramids, skipping rope
Like all Sisus members, Rosa started circus at a young age in the youth circus. After completing a circus education specializing in Cyr wheel at Salpaus Circus Artist Education (Sasak Finland) in 2013, Rosa set off on a never-ending tour. From cabarets in Germany to summer festivals with the Finnish female collective Sisus, to Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia. When the never-ending tour abruptly came to an end in 2020, a virtue of necessity was made, and Rosa began working with the Belgium-based contemporary circus collective 15Feet6 alongside Sisus, where she not only performs but also takes on the responsibilities of bookings, tour planning, and communication.
SOFIA DEFOUR
Circus disciplines:
Hand to hand, Chinese pole, pyramids, skipping rope
"Sofia’s flexible legs and captivating movements catch everyone’s attention. She has attitude, charisma, and a natural energy that lights up the stage. Her boldness and love for performing make her a strong and unforgettable part of every show. Her main disciplines are hand to hand (or, as she likes to call it, “ass to face”) with Milla, Chinese pole, neck hanging, and dance.Off the stage she is the mother character of Sisus, cooking the most delicious meals from basically anything there is, making breakfast and dinner for the rest of Sisus almost every day.ofia always works hard to achieve her goals. She turns her dreams into reality with dedication and a positive attitude, showing that anything is possible when you give it your all.
