Helsinki - Swedish Theater

(Local Name: Svenska Teatern / Ruotsalainen Teatteri) In the gardens between the two boulevards of the Esplanade in Helsinki is the semicircular Swedish Theater (Svenska Teatern, Ruotsalainen Teatteri). The present building (by Jarl Eklund and Eero Saarinen, 1936) replaced the original Theater designed by C. L. Engel (1863-66). To the east of the Theater are a sculptural group (by G. Finne, 1932) commemorating the Swedish-Finnish poet Zachris Topelius and a bronze statue (by Lauri Leppänen, 1953) of the Finnish poet Eino Leino (1878-1926). Half way along the Esplanade can be seen a bronze statue of the poet J. L. Runeberg by his son W. Runeberg (1885); on the base is the first verse of the Finnish national anthem, "Our Country", which was written by the elder Runeberg.