Study title

Interviews with Burlesque Performers 2020-2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3912

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3912
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3912

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Ritola, Salli-Sofia (University of Jyväskylä)

Abstract

The data consists of interviews with Finnish burlesque performers, in which the interviewees talk about their own relationship with burlesque and how gender and embodiment are presented in burlesque.

First, the interviewees were asked about their own relationship with burlesque, asking them, for example, how they became acquainted with burlesque and what burlesque means to them. They were also asked to describe their own burlesque persona or character and what kinds of themes and topics they cover in their performances. Next, they were asked about the gender representation in burlesque. The interviewees were asked, among other things, whether gender is visible in their performances, whether there are challenges associated with gender representation, whether burlesque challenges traditional gender perceptions, and how burlesque deals with toxic representations of genders and bodies. In addition, topics related to embodiment such as body positivity, body criticism, body image pressure, and the significance of embodiment in burlesque were discussed.

Background variables include gender, length of time performing burlesque, and age.

Keywords

femininity; gender expression; gender identity; gender role; masculinity; sex

Topic Classification

• Humanities (Fields of Science Classification)
• Cultural activities and participation (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Cultural and national identity (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Ritola, Salli-Sofia (University of Jyväskylä)

Funders

• Finnish Cultural Foundation (00220877)
• University of Jyväskylä. Department of History and Ethnology

Collection Dates

2020 – 2020

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Finnish burlesque performers

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Purposive

The researcher reached out to the participants through their own personal and close contacts in the Finnish burlesque community. The researcher invited 16 Finnish burlesque artists of different ages and with different areas of expertise to participate in the study. The researcher's personal memories of various burlesque performances and performers influenced who was invited to participate in the study.

Collection Mode

Face-to-face interview

Face-to-face interview: Computer-assisted (CAPI/CAMI)

Research Instrument

Interview scheme and/or themes

Data Files

15 files in odt-format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

One interview (daF3912_15_fin.odt) was conducted as a group interview with two people.

The researcher has removed the names of Finnish performers, events, and locations from the data. In addition, the researcher has removed or anonymized descriptions of performances and performers from the data. The researcher has also removed any information unrelated to the research that relates to the interviewee's personal history (these are noted in the transcription).

Information relating to places and events was deleted from the data at FSD. In addition, detailed information related to the interviewees, or their presentations were anonymized at FSD. The entries made by FSD are indicated by [[double brackets]].

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Ritola, Salli-Sofia (University of Jyväskylä): Interviews with Burlesque Performers 2020-2021 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2025-06-30). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3912; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3912

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Ritola, Salli-Sofia. (2024). Love Your Body! The Construction of the Finnish Burlesque Body Politics. Ethnologia Scandinavica. A Journal For Nordic Ethnology, 2024 vol. 54, pp. 70 - 84. Lund: The Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy for Swedish Folk Culture.