English
Byggnadsföreningen Svea constructed this commercial and residential building with a cinema in 1955-56. The building was designed by architect Åke Sjöman.
The cinema's interior was designed by AB Nordiska Kompaniet's interior design office, with interior architect and furniture designer Hans Johansson (1921-2014) responsible for the work.
The walls of the cinema hall were covered with vinyl fabric in geometric patterns in wine red, bark brown, and black. At the back of the hall, under the protruding projection booth, the ceiling was lined with red beech wood. The original 409 armchairs had a gray-green striped upholstery. The satin curtain was designed by artist and graphic designer Anders Beckman (1907-1967).
In the foyer, there is a freestanding, glass-enclosed ticket booth in a rhombic shape, armchairs and sofas from the "Triva" group, and an open fireplace. The walls feature enamel paintings on the history of cinematography by artist Dagmar Lodén (1904-1939).
The name of the cinema, "Visir," was chosen after a naming competition won by building engineer Ivar Britz. "Visir" means "We see" in the Leksand dialect. At the premiere on January 26, 1956, local folk musicians performed, and the opening film was East of Eden with James Dean.
Visir Bio is owned by Vi Förenade, Falun, and operated by the Visir Bio association.
"Visir in Leksand is an almost unbelievably well-preserved 1950s gem..."
— Kjell Furberg