Västerbottensteatern 40 years

Dear audience!

You know that Västerbottensteatern is 40 years old this year - we want to celebrate that in 2020!

Theater was performed in Skellefteå as early as the 19th century, but it was not until the Västerbotten Ensemble was formed in 1969 that people started talking about creating a county theater in Västerbotten. The obvious choice would actually have been the county's residential city Umeå, as has happened in many other parts of Sweden, but when Umeå got Norrlandsoperan, there were several strong voices that spoke in favor of the county theater being located in Skellefteå and so it was. In 1980, Västerbottensteatern became the county theater and in 1984 we moved into our current premises while continuing to be the entire region's county theater. For 40 years, year after year, we have toured all 15 municipalities in the county and played in both larger venues and the smallest village halls. Although we have been proud of our headquarters here in Skellefteå, the county has always been an obvious part of everything we have done and still do.

Welcome to our anniversary year, a year of classics filled with shimmering, powerful stories. Classics that have all been given a little twist by something unexpected, something we believe will evoke recognition and laughter and perhaps tears and a breathtaking sense of wonder. There are more birthday celebrations. UngHästen, Västerbottensteatern's award-winning youth department, is leaving adolescence and turning 20! Stay tuned for their sparkling party preparations (I'm just saying Impromptu Melodifestival...) and other exciting surprises!

During these 40 years, Västerbottensteatern has had eight different managers, who together with the rest of the staff have all strived to give the inhabitants of Västerbotten the best the house could offer, and we want to continue to do just that! From all of us at Västerbottensteatern to all of you, our organizers and our audience, thank you for accompanying us on the journey during these 40 years. Our wish now as then is to make Skellefteå and Västerbotten an even more attractive place to live with all that we do. This with fantastic theater experiences. We believe it will be an unforgettable year!

Come feel the power!
Franseca Quartey, CEO