In a recent production of the National Ballet of Finland's 'Don Quixote', a politically charged criticism arose regarding the use of a fat suit for the character Sancho Panza. Political researcher Saara Särmä voiced her opinions on Instagram, emphasizing that the portrayal, particularly through the fat suit worn by dancer Atte Kilponen, is anachronistic and insensitive, especially given the ongoing discussions about body representation in art. She highlighted the dissonance of such a choice in 2026, referring to it as 'devilishly fresh' in a pejorative sense.

Särmä elaborated on her criticism by noting that the character of Sancho Panza is often depicted as lowbrow and simplistic, in contrast to the current movements towards inclusivity and conscious representation of diverse body types in performance art. She expressed her disappointment that the issues concerning the use of fat suits in performances have not reached the production's creative team despite over a decade of critical discourse. This highlights a gap between evolving societal attitudes towards body image and the choices made in traditional art forms.

The debate surrounding body representation in cultural expressions like ballet is significant, as it reflects broader societal changes and the push for authenticity in portrayal. As the criticism gains traction, it poses the question of whether traditional institutions like the National Ballet are keeping pace with contemporary values, and what that means for future productions and audience perceptions.