Not far from Esplanadi Park, on Kasarmikatu Street in Helsinki, is the 'Savoy' Theater. Previously, the building, constructed in 1937, housed the largest cinema in the city. Fifty years later, in 1987, a decision was made to convert the building for theatrical needs, and it is now operated by the capital's Cultural Center.
Although 'Savoy' does not have its own company, it is never empty here. Thanks to its excellent technical equipment and superb acoustics, around two hundred groups come to the theater on tour every year – both from Finland and from abroad.
The main focus of 'Savoy' is world culture in its various manifestations. Concerts of ethnic music from different countries are often held here, bringing significant variety to Helsinki's cultural life.
Esplanadi Park is home to the 'branch' of the 'Savoy' Theater – the open-air summer stage 'Espa Stage', where many concerts and festivals are held during the warmer months. The most notable is the 'Jazz-Espa' project, considered the longest-running of all jazz festivals in Finland.
