Timo Ventola, a renowned Finnish theatre director, has died at the age of 80. His passing was confirmed by the Joensuu City Theatre, where Ventola had a long and impactful career. He retired from Joensuu City Theatre in 2009, leaving behind a legacy of numerous productions that contributed greatly to Finnish theatre.

Ventola's career began in the 1980s at Joensuu City Theatre, with his first major directing role being Eeva-Liisa Manner's 'Burnt Orange' in 1984. Over the decades, he continued to direct many notable plays, with his final production being Sofi Oksanen's 'Purge'. His artistic contributions were not only limited to direction; he also served on the board of the North Karelia Theatre Association from 2014 to 2021, influencing the growth of theatre in the region.

Born on January 21, in Valkeakoski, Ventola studied drama literature and art history at the University of Helsinki, as well as at the Finnish Theatre School. His death marks a significant loss to the Finnish arts community, reflecting on the impact he had through his dedicated service and artistic vision within Finnish theatre.