Finnish National Theatre

You’re now standing in front of the Finnish National Theatre, the oldest theatre in the country to perform in the Finnish language. It’s worth noting that Finland only gained independence in 1917. Before that, it belonged to Sweden until 1809, and then to Russia from 1809 to 1917. As a result, the country has always had two official languages—Swedish and Finnish—and still does today. The theatre sits on Station Square and was completed in 1902. It was designed by architect Onni Tarjanne, who gave the building its striking look, blending National Romanticism with touches of Art Nouveau. Inside, the theatre has four permanent stages and hosts everything from grand productions to international performances and beloved classics by writers like Shakespeare and Molière—offering something for every theatre lover. Across the building, you’ll see the Aleksis Kivi Memorial. Kivi is often called the father of Finnish literature. In the 19th century, he wrote twelve plays and the famous novel Seven Brothers. The statue shows Kivi seated, head bowed, with a melancholic expression. Unveiled in 1939, it’s considered one of Helsinki’s finest public artworks.