The Swedish Week (Svenska veckan) always takes place in November in connection with the celebration of the Finland Swedish Heritage Day on 6 November. During this week we offer a larger number of cultural events in Swedish than usual.
The Swedish Assembly of Finland (Folktinget) wants to highlight Finland's rich and versatile cultural events in Swedish. We also want to offer cultural events in Swedish for people who live far away from Finland Swedish cultural institutions such as theatres. The events are free of charge and often organised in schools and children’s day-care centres, in order to enable children and young people to participate. The events may also serve as a link between the Swedish-speaking and Finnish-speaking populations, and also people speaking other languages.
Swedish Week is managed and coordinated by The Swedish Assembly of Finland, and different locations also have their own organising committees. In 2023, over 20,000 visitors attended more than 300 events!
On this website you can find the events arranged in all the participating locations. With this versatile programme we wish to offer new experiences for everyone, regardless of background or mother tongue. We want to share joy and a feeling of affinity, in Swedish - with everyone.
You are welcome to join the biggest cultural event in Swedish in Finland!
The idea to celebrate a week of Swedish culture was born when Helsinki was chosen as one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2000. That year brought new contributions to urban culture and a higher profile for artists and cultural producers alike. The original project was called Rötter, Röster, Rum (Roots, Voices, Rooms) and in 2000 it gave rise to roughly 150 different events in the capital region of Finland – in Swedish. The concept eventually spread to other places in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, and since 2006 The Swedish Assembly of Finland has been coordinating the programme in cooperation with local organisers. Swedish Week is currently arranged in 28 different places.
The Swedish Assembly of Finland arranges the Swedish Week with financial support from The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (Svenska kulturfonden), the foundation Stiftelsen Brita Maria Renlunds minne, the association Svenska folkskolans vänner, the foundation Tre Smeder and Konstsamfundet.