Swedish Theatre

You’re now standing in front of the Swedish Theatre, at the edge of Esplanade Park. Since Finland has two official languages—Finnish and Swedish—it was only natural to have a separate theatre for each. The Finnish-language theatre is located on Station Square, while the Swedish-language theatre stands here before you. With three spaces that can host over 900 visitors, this theatre opened its doors in 1866, replacing an earlier wooden structure designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. The first building was destroyed by a fire in 1863, making way for this new theatre. It originally showcased neoclassical architecture, but was later redesigned in the 20th century with a more functionalist façade. Today, the façade is lit in different colours depending on the performance: green for dramas, yellow for children’s shows, red for musicals, and blue for international performances. This theatre has long been a cultural cornerstone for Finland’s Swedish-speaking community.