A Homecoming for Dansens Hus
After years of movement and change, Dansens Hus is returning to its roots at Norra Bantorget in Stockholm. The homecoming is more than a relocation; it’s a statement about the theatre’s identity: a living, breathing space for Swedish and international dance that remains deeply connected to its city center. The team speaks of a space that feels vibrant, relevant, and open to new generations, while honoring the traditions that have defined the house for decades.
Restoring a Swedish Landmark: The 1961 Foaje
There isn’t a wholesale rebuild here. Instead, the foyer has been thoughtfully restored to its original look from the 1961 opening. The Markelius signature—present in the details and the overall atmosphere—reappears in the textures, lines, and materials, giving the space a warmer, more inviting presence. The café area has been made more welcoming, and acoustics have been refined to support conversations and performances alike. The result is a new fräschör (freshness) in the foyer that invites visitors to linger and feel at home, right from the moment they step inside.
Preserving the Past, Fueling the Future
Restoration here is about continuity and expansion: a bridge between eras that enables today’s dancers and audiences to move freely between history and experimentation. The refined foyer serves as a guiding compass, signaling that this is where people want to gather before and after performances, and where ideas are as important as the acts on stage.
A New Studio for the Next Generation
One of the bold additions is a brand-new studio with seating for 110. This space expands the venue’s capacity and its ambitions, allowing more intimate performances, rehearsals, and community programs. The aim is clear: create a cultural hub where children, youth, and students can experience professional work, try out street dance, or attend workshops that demystify the process of making dance. With this studio, Dansens Hus hopes to ignite curiosity and nurture the next generation of Swedish artists while preserving room for larger-scale productions in the main stages.
What to Expect This Fall
Looking ahead to the autumn season, one of the standout projects is Florentina Holzinger’s A Year Without Summer. Holzinger’s artistic voice is known for its sharp social critique and a willingness to disturb. Her work challenges audiences to confront questions about immortality, the pursuit of youth, and the physical and cultural rituals we perform to stay “young and happy.” It’s precisely the kind of provocative, timely dance that Dansens Hus has long championed—art that unsettles, provokes, and ultimately invites deeper conversation.
The Homecoming Party: October 2–3
To mark the reopening, Dansens Hus will host a “homecoming party” on October 2–3. The event is both a celebration of the past and a look toward the future: a chance to gather, reflect, and imagine what a modern dance house can be when it sits at the heart of a city. Attendees can expect a program that showcases both local talent and international perspectives, along with opportunities to engage with workshop activities in the new studio area. It’s a warm invitation to all ages—a reminder that this is not just a venue, but a home for conversation, experimentation, and shared experience.
As one of the artists who has helped shape the space notes, this revival signals more than a renovation; it’s a recommitment to a cultural heartbeat in Stockholm. Dansens Hus at Norra Bantorget is back in full voice, ready to welcome new voices and re-engage longtime patrons in a dialogue about where Swedish dance has been and where it’s going.
