Åbo Svenska Teater – New home at Art House Turku 2027-2028

Antero Lynne

Åbo Svenska Teater, the Swedish speaking theatre in Turku, Finland’s oldest theatre building is set to undergo a comprehensive renovation in 2027–2028. The work will cover the entire building – from the basement to the attic – and aims to renew the building’s technical systems and ensure that the theatre remains a modern and accessible venue for performing arts and culture in the future.

The renovation will focus primarily on renewing the electrical and ventilation systems. At the same time, accessibility will be improved so that more visitors can enjoy the theatre experience. The Finnish Heritage Agency is supervising the project to ensure that the building’s unique cultural and historical values are preserved. The project budget amounts to just over €12 million.

“As the owner of Finland’s oldest theatre building, we see it as our responsibility to secure the home of the Swedish speaking theatre in Turku for future generations. With this renovation, we are strengthening the future of Finnish-Swedish cultural life and managing both the trust of our donors and the cultural and historical value of the building,” says Mika Soinio, property manager at the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, which is a partner in the property company that owns the theatre building.

The theatre will move out of the building in January–February 2027. The renovation work itself is expected to take around 18 months, after which a few more months will be reserved for installations and moving in. The goal is for the Åbo Svenska Teater to be able to reopen its doors in time for the theatre’s 190th anniversary in January 2029 and Turku’s 800th anniversary.

While planning for the renovation is underway, ÅST is also renewing both its strategy and its brand. The strategy work began in 2024, and the brand renewal is being carried out in collaboration with the communications agency Jatkotarina, which was recently selected as a partner.

New stage for ÅST during renovation

Antero Lynne

During the renovation period in 2027–2028, theatre activities will continue in central Turku, at the Art House Turku, where ÅST rents a stage with approximately 90 seats.

“The move to the Art House Turku is more than a temporary solution – it is part of our development. We will have the opportunity to try out new ways of working, collaborate with other actors and meet the audience in a more intimate setting. It feels great to get even closer to the people of Turku and be part of the community that is growing at the Art House. At the same time, we will continue our touring activities – ÅST will remain visible, present and relevant in the city centre and throughout the region,” says theatre director Kira-Emmi Pohtokari.

“It feels both wonderful and privileged to welcome ÅST and Swedish-language culture to our premises. This collaboration is a great opportunity, which we hope will also be noticed by theatre audiences as an environment where visual arts and music flourish side by side with theatre arts. ÅST’s move into the Art House also opens up new and broader opportunities for performers in the performing arts, says Jere Pensikkala, CEO of the Art House Turku.

ÅST’s premises are located on the second floor, in the part known as the Factory, and they will be completely renovated in 2026, which will ultimately benefit the entire performing arts field in the region.

ÅST’s move to the Art House Turku will enable the renovated stage space to be used by Turku’s independent performing arts field after ÅST’s period of exile, says theatre director Kira-Emmi Pohtokari.

In addition to the theatre’s active touring activities during the renovation, there are also plans for performances at other venues in the Turku region.

Contact information

Åbo Svenska Teater:
Kira-Emmi Pohtokari, Theatre Manager
+358 50 380 9090, 
kira-emmi.pohtokari@abosvenskateater.fi
Åbo Svenska Teaters website

Åbo Akademi University Foundation:

Mika Soinio, Property Manager
+358 40 775 8545, 
mika.soinio@stiftelsenabo.fi 
Foundations website

Art House Turku:

Jere Pensikkala, CEO
+358 44 907 5876,  
jere.pensikkala@taiteentalo.fi
Art House Turku website