For 35 years, the school has been a branch of Markaryd Folk High School, which went bankrupt last year. The reason was rising costs in society, while the government subsidy did not keep up with inflation.
At first, the Music Theatre School survived through private donations and sponsors. Eslöv temporarily took over as principal, but then the state grant was not allowed to transfer with it.
We have turned over so many stones but nothing is working, says Sara Städe, former course manager.
According to the Association of Swedish Folk High Schools (RIO), the number of participants at Swedish folk high schools has decreased by almost 4,000 people from 2022 to 2025, which is just over ten percent.
