Hagabion

Hagabion is a cinema located on Linnégatan in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is run on a non-profit basis by the association Folkets Bio Göteborg, which is part of the national Folkets Bio federation. Since 1983, Hagabion has been situated on the second floor of Viktoriahuset at Linnégatan 13-21 in the Olivedal district. The cinema has three screens with a total of 198 seats. Hagabion's programming focuses on films from around the world, with an emphasis on non-Hollywood productions, including documentaries and films from various linguistic and thematic backgrounds. Folkets Bio also distributes children's films, both Swedish and foreign. The cinema often serves as a festival venue during the Göteborg Film Festival and includes school cinema as part of its activities. A vegetarian café is adjacent to the cinema. In addition to regular screenings, Hagabion hosts special events such as the weekly French film series Ciné Français (started in 2000) and annual themed film festivals. These have included Cine en español (2016), Fria Filmfestivalen (2009–2010), Balkan New Film Festival (2012–), Tysk filmhöst (2016), Ungersk filmfestival (2011–2012–), and Ung Filmfest (2009–2012–). The original Hagabion opened on 8 October 1974 at Skolgatan 26 in the Haga district, as the second cinema of Folkets Bio. It had 80 seats and was located in a space previously used by Smyrnakyrkan. The premiere film was Costa-Gavras's 'Gisslan'. The association's left-wing political stance influenced the film selection from the start, as a counterweight to American dominance at other cinemas. However, after a few years, the range was broadened to include classic comedies and cartoons such as Donald Duck. As popularity grew, the cinema outgrew its small venue, and in 1983 it moved to its current address on Linnégatan, in the former Viktoriaskolan building (built 1875-77). The new premises initially had two screens (a third was added in 1992). The opening day on 8 January 1983 featured non-stop films in both screens until 2 AM. Annual attendance increased from 25,000 at the old cinema to 60,000 at Linnégatan. Over the years, the cinema has undergone renovations: Salong 2 was relocated and reopened on 18 January 2002, and Salong 1 was refurbished during parts of 2008, reopening in 2009 with upgraded equipment. Today, Hagabion continues to operate as a vibrant cultural hub in Gothenburg, showing a diverse range of films and hosting festivals and special events.

The history of Hagabion begins with the founding of Folkets Bio Göteborg, which held its first screening in July 1974 at Folkets hus and operated ambulatory screenings at various youth centres during the summer and autumn. The first permanent Hagabion cinema opened on 8 October 1974 at Skolgatan 26 in the Haga district, as the second cinema of Folkets Bio. The venue had 80 seats and was located in a space previously used by Smyrnakyrkan in Gothenburg; it was not originally built for cinema but was later adapted. The premiere film was Costa-Gavras's 'Gisslan'. The association's left-wing political stance influenced the film selection from the start, as a counterweight to American dominance at most other cinemas. However, after a few years, the range was broadened to include classic comedies and cartoons such as Donald Duck. While Folkets Bio's original cinema in Stockholm had to close (later returning via the Zita cinema), the popularity of Gothenburg's Hagabion grew, and by the early 1980s it had outgrown its small venue on Skolgatan. The building has since been demolished, like many other older buildings in Haga. After interior renovations in 1981 for Folkets Bio, the operation moved in 1983 to its current address on Linnégatan, in the former Viktoriaskolan (with address Nordhemsgatan 32), built 1875-77, which had stood empty for some years. Here, space was made for two screens (from 1992, three). The large screen (originally called the Black Hall) was created by combining four classrooms with parts of the basement. The gymnasium was converted into a café, and three office rooms were turned into the Small Hall (Blue Hall). On the opening day, 8 January 1983, films were shown non-stop in both screens until 2 AM. Annual attendance increased from 25,000 at the old cinema to 60,000 at Linnégatan. In 1992, a third screen was added. This mini-screen with 18–19 seats has in practice been used for films that are on their way out of the repertoire. Screen 2 initially had a temporary seating arrangement. After fire authorities discovered that escape routes were difficult to access, the screen had to move to the north side of the building, where the former assembly room 'Rosa rummet' was located. Screen 2 was reopened on 18 January 2002, after the first film screening four days earlier. Screen 1 was under renovation during parts of 2008 and reopened in 2009 with upgraded cinema equipment. In periods, films are also shown in Angered (Angereds Bio at the Blå Stället cultural centre) and at the Hisingen-based Aftonstjärnan (in collaboration with the local cinema group). A local association started in Västra Frölunda took over operations there (see Frölunda Kulturhus). Today, Hagabion continues to operate as a non-profit cinema with three screens and a total of 198 seats, showing a diverse range of films from around the world, with an emphasis on non-Hollywood productions, documentaries, and films from various linguistic and thematic backgrounds. It hosts special events such as the weekly French film series Ciné Français (started in 2000) and annual themed film festivals, including Cine en español (2016), Fria Filmfestivalen (2009–2010), Balkan New Film Festival (2012–), Tysk filmhöst (2016), Ungersk filmfestival (2011–2012–), and Ung Filmfest (2009–2012–). The cinema often serves as a festival venue during the Göteborg Film Festival and includes school cinema as part of its activities. A vegetarian café is adjacent to the cinema.

• First screening by Folkets Bio Göteborg at Folkets hus

• First Hagabion cinema opens at Skolgatan 26 in Haga

• Hagabion moves to Linnégatan 13-21 in Viktoriahuset

• Third screen added

• Ciné Français film series starts

• Screen 2 reopens after relocation

• Screen 1 reopens after renovation with upgraded equipment

Non-profit cinema focusing on non-Hollywood, documentary, and world cinema, with a community and festival-oriented approach.

• Film screenings

  Regular screenings of international films, documentaries, and children's films.

• Ciné Français

  Weekly French-language film series on Wednesday evenings in spring and autumn, started in 2000.

• Balkan New Film Festival

  Annual film festival featuring Balkan cinema, started in 2012.

• School cinema

  Educational film screenings for schools.

• Vegetarian café

  Adjacent café serving vegetarian food.

1. 1Hagabion - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Hagabion - Swedish Wikipediasv.wikipedia.org