2014

Press release 22 August 2014 Ministry of Culture Mats Ek and Barbro Osher awarded title of Professor The Government decided today that director, dancer and choreographer Mats Ek and Honorary Consul-General at Sweden's Consulate-General in San Francisco Barbro Osher be awarded the honorary title of professor.

"We have every reason to thank these two people for their contribution to Swedish and international cultural life," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Mats Ek has enriched the performing arts Throughout his professional life, Mats Ek has allowed theatre and dance to enrich each other. He has worked for Cullbergballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet, The Royal Dramatic Theatre and the City Theatre of Stockholm. Internationally, he has worked with the Paris Opera and Nederlands Dans Theater.

"Mats Ek's dance and theatrical artistry has enriched Swedish and international performing arts," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

In recent years, Mr Ek has directed The Emigrants, The Ghost Senata and The Cherry Orchard at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, and Juliet and Romeo at the Royal Swedish Opera. Numerous works by Mr Ek have been adapted for television, and two productions - Smoke and Carmen - have won an Emmy Award.

Barbro Osher has made significant contributions to Swedish and American cultural life Ms Osher has been Honorary Consul-General at Sweden's Consulate-General in San Francisco since 1998. Prior to that Ms Osher was Sweden's Consul-General in Los Angeles. She is chair of the Bernard Osher Foundation, which supports arts, educational institutions and social aid organisations, and president of the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation.

Ms Osher and her husband, businessman Bernard Osher, have made significant financial contributions to a number of cultural institutions and cultural projects in both Sweden and the United States. In Sweden, for example, Confidencen (Ulriksdal Palace Theatre), Nationalmuseum, Moderna Museet, the Vadstena Academy, the Jewish Museum and Dalhalla have received their support.

The Government has decided to award Honorary Consul-General Barbro Osher the honorary title of professor for her deep engagement and significant contributions to Swedish cultural life and international arts and cultural exchanges.

"With her unceasing engagement, Barbro Osher has helped to provide opportunities for culture to flourish," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Title of professor - an honorary title The professorship is an honorary title awarded by the Government in recognition of services outside the academic world that are of great importance for popular education or some other community purpose. The history of the award dates back to the 18th century.

Recent receivers of the award include: 2013: Bertil Sundén, associate professor/consultant physician 2011: Tomas Tranströmer, poet and writer 2009: Lennart Nilsson, photographer; Hans Furuhagen, historian 2007: Urban Emanuelsson, plant ecologist 2006: Ulla Carlsson, associate professor and Director of Nordicom; Görel Cavalli-Björkman, associate professor and research director at Nationalmuseum; Carl Fredrik Hultenheim, graphic designer; Anne-Charlotte Kinn, associate professor and previously lecturer in urology; Bengt af Klintberg, folklore specialist and writer; Lars-Erik Samuelsson, gardening expert; and Nils Petter Sundgren, arts journalist and film critic.

Contact Frida Jakobsson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 35 12 +46 70 358 77 91 email to Frida Jakobsson Sofi Knutas Desk Officer +46 8 405 31 61 +46 72 705 07 72 Press release 20 August 2014 Ministry of Culture Martin Widmark awarded the Illis quorum meruere labores medal The Government has decided to award author Martin Widmark the Illis quorum meruere labores medal for his outstanding literary work and inspiring efforts to promote reading among children and young people.

"Martin Widmark, by virtue of his writing, is an important person for our children. Through his narrative, which often combines humour and suspense, he has managed to get thousands of children to start reading and then never stop. What's more, his time and commitment devoted to enhancing children's reading skills and their desire to read shows he truly understands how important reading is in the life of every child. For these efforts, he has won my respect and that of Government and many parents and children," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Born in 1961, Mr Widmark is an author primarily of children's and young people's literature. He is well known, for example, for his books on the Lasse and Maja Detective Agency. For seven years in a row, Mr Widmark has been awarded the distinction 'Best Book' in the 6+ (read by yourself) category by Bokjuryn (the Book Jury), a nationwide poll in which children and young people up to the age of 19 annually vote for their favourite books published that year. Over and above his writing in recent years, Mr Widmark has been deeply involved in the issue of children's reading and has started the project En Läsande Klass (A reading class). Mr Widmark is a primary school teacher.

Reasons The Government has decided to award author Martin Widmark the 8th degree medal with the inscription Illis quorum meruere labores for his outstanding literary work and inspiring efforts to promote reading among children and young people.

Illis quorum meruere labores The medal's inscription, Illis quorum, means 'For those whose labours have deserved it'. The medal is used to reward contributions that benefit culture, science and society at large. Contributions should be personal and at national level.

The medal was established in 1785 by King Gustav III and was awarded by His Majesty the King until 1975.

Contact Frida Jakobsson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 35 12 +46 70 358 77 91 email to Frida Jakobsson Sofi Knutas Desk Officer +46 727 05 07 72 2013

Press release 10 September 2013 Ministry of Culture A new old Opera - the Royal Swedish Opera to be renovated and remodelled In the Budget Bill for 2014, the Swedish Government announced extensive renovation and remodelling of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm.

The current building is in major need of renovation. Since its inauguration in 1898, the Opera has undergone continual maintenance and renovation but to meet the requirements of a modern national stage, it also needs to be remodelled. Therefore, in conjunction with renovations, the Royal Opera should also undergo extensive remodelling.

"An important reason for this major investment is to make the Royal Opera more open and accessible to the public. This is one way of reaching new audiences," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

"The Royal Opera will also be better placed to develop its artistic activities and extend its cooperation with performing arts institutions around the world."

The Government will commission the National Property Board to produce, in close cooperation with the Royal Opera, a proposed renovation and remodelling plan. The proposal is to be presented to the Government in 2014.

Sweden's national venue for opera and ballet The Royal Opera is Sweden's national venue for opera and ballet.

Today's Opera stands on the site of the Royal Opera built on commission of Gustav III in 1782. The building was demolished a hundred or so years later and today's Opera was inaugurated in 1898.

Contact Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Carin Khakee Deputy Director +46 8 405 21 44 +46 8 722 10 93 22 Press release 26 March 2013 Ministry of Culture Minister for Culture congratulates winner of Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award It was announced today that the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has been won by Argentinian artist and author Isol.

"I would like to congratulate Isol, or Marisol Misenta to call her by her real name, on winning the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. Related "Isol is an original and imaginative artist with her own visual language, who writes and illustrates from a true Welcome speech at the children's perspective. She breathes new life into children's literature in words and image, and stands up for announcement of "The Astrid children's right to be independent, questioning individuals. Isol's books reflect children's thoughts, questions Lindgren Memorial Award for and relationship with the world around them, and find space for a great deal of humour and warmth," says Ms Literature 2013" Adelsohn Liljeroth.

External links Facts about ALMA The Astrid Lindgren Memorial The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for literature for children and Award (ALMA) young adults. The prize was established in 2002 in honour of Astrid Lindgren and as a way of increasing interest in literature for children and young adults around the world. The prize is also intended to strengthen children's rights at global level. The ALMA winner is selected by a jury acting on nominations from institutions and organisations from all over the world. The prize is administered by the Swedish Arts Council. It is worth SEK 5 million. The prize will be presented at an award ceremony in Stockholm in May.

Contact Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 18 February 2013 Ministry of Culture Minister for Culture to Nordic culture festival in Washington DC On 19 Feburary, Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth will speak at the opening of the month-long Nordic cultural festival Nordic Cool in Washington.

Nordic Cool takes place from 19 February to 17 March at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

More than 750 artists and cultural workers from the Nordic countries, including Greenland, the Faroe Islands External links and Åland, will participate in the festival. Nordic Cool will feature theatre, dance, music, visual arts, design, Nordic Cool (Kennedy Center literature, film and cuisine. website) Nordic Council of Ministers "The Kennedy Center's choice of the Nordic countries for its 2013 international festival confirms that there is website great interest in Nordic culture," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth. Theme: Globalization and Migration (Embassy of Sweden in Washington) "Nordic film has become more and more popular. This year alone, a Swedish film has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and a Danish and a Norwegian film have been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition, Nordic crime fiction tops the bestseller lists worldwide. Nordic design is much talked about and Nordic fashion labels are doing well," continues Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

"I hope that Nordic Cool helps Nordic performers, artists and cultural workers to reach a wider international audience," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

"In the Nordic countries there is great consensus on cultural policy priorities, but international and intercultural exchange develops and broadens cultural life, both for the Nordic countries and the United States," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

In connection with the opening of Nordic Cool, the Nordic culture ministers will gather for their first ministerial meeting of the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2013. The culture ministers will also meet US culture workers during the visit.

Programme points for Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth:

Monday 18 February

Speech at the opening of this year's theme - Globalization and Migration - at House of Sweden Time: 18.30 Address: Embassy of Sweden, House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20007 Accreditation: [email protected]

Tuesday 19 February

Press conference with the Nordic culture and cooperation ministers Time: 08.30 Address: Embassy of Sweden, House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20007 Accreditation: [email protected]

Visit to the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities - two independent federal agencies in culture and the humanities Discussions about the US reading initiative 'The Big Read' and digitisation of art and culture. Informal Nordic culture minister meeting Discussions about current issues such as child and youth reading and joint initiatives abroad.

Speech at the Nordic Cool opening concert Time: 19.30 Address: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566 To obtain tickets: Email [email protected]

Wednesday 20 February

Meeting with the Nordic culture ministers and Under Secretary Tara D. Sonenshine from the US Department of State Discussions about the conditions for mutual cultural exchanges. Time for the media: 10.00 For further information and address: Email [email protected]

More about the Nordic Cool cultural festival Nordic Cool is the result of collaboration between the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic embassies in Washington DC, and arts and cultural institutions in the Nordic countries, including Greenland, Åland and the Faroe Islands.

Sweden is participating in the festival with performances of Fanny and Alexander by the Royal Dramatic Theatre and Little King Mattias by Backa Theatre, as well as performances by Gothenburg Opera Dance Company, Ann Sofie von Otter, Midaircondo, Kroumata, Skaran, Sousou & Maher Cissoko and Gustaf Sjökvist's chamber choir. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the inauguration of the festival on 19 February.

Nordic Cool is primarily financed by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which has also made the artistic selection. The festival has also received support from the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic countries and the Nordic Cultural Fund.

The Kennedy Center, where the cultural festival is taking place, is the USA's largest cultural institution with eight venues and is home to the National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. More than 200 000 people are expected to visit the Nordic Cool cultural festival.

Contact Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 2012

Press release 25 September 2012 Ministry of Culture New film agreement signed The Government and the film and television industry today signed the new film agreement for Swedish film that will apply from 2013 to 2015. The parties had already signed a declaration of intent on the agreement in January 2012.

The agreement will mean more resources for films, as funds will be increased by some SEK 30 million per year, most of which will go towards new support to drama series and expanded support to films for children and young people, and to short and documentary films. Related The 2013 Film Agreement In addition, the agreement is being modernised through the introduction of clearer gender equality objectives, the possibility of allocating support for innovative 'cross media projects' and greater technological neutrality as the cinema release requirement will be removed.

"I am delighted with this new and modern film agreement, which means increased resources and broader engagement in Swedish film," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

"It is good for Swedish film that the Government and the film and television industry continue to take joint responsibility. The agreement creates long-term and stable rules, which is important for Swedish film," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

The agreement will not be valid until it is approved by the Government, which is planned to take place in the near future.

Contact Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 28 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Culture Raoul Wallenberg Week in Moscow On 29 May, Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth will open the travelling exhibition "To me there's no other choice - Raoul Wallenberg 1912-2012" at the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center in Moscow, as part of the Raoul Wallenberg Week, taking place in the city from 28 May to 1 June.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a research conference at the Russian Academy of Sciences, a methods seminar, open to the public and arranged by the human rights organisation Memorial, as well as lectures and film screenings focusing on Raoul Wallenberg, his achievements and destiny. The Raoul External links Wallenberg Week is a collaboration between the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center, the information and analysis portal polit.ru, Memorial, and the Embassies of the United Programme for the Raoul States, Israel, Hungary and Sweden. The project is being carried out in honour of the Raoul Wallenberg Year Wallenberg week in Moscow 2012. Raoul Wallenberg 2012 Website Raoul Wallenberg, and the 100th anniversary of his birth, is being celebrated around the world, with more than 45 countries hosting various events in honour of his memory.

The Swedish Institute's travelling exhibition is a platform for dialogue on issues concerning tolerance, democracy and civil courage. It was opened on 17 January in Budapest, followed by exhibitions in New York and Washington DC. The exhibition will also be shown in Sweden this summer.

Press opportunities are planned on 29 May in connection with the open press conference "Is clarity possible in the Raoul Wallenberg case?" at the offices of Memorial, and during the press showing of the Wallenberg Exhibition at the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center on the same day.

Contact Anja Jahn-Günther Desk Officer +46 8 405 36 08 email to Anja Jahn-Günther Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Embassy of Sweden in Moscow Telephone: +7 495 937 92 00 Email: [email protected] Press release 21 May 2012 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Raoul Wallenberg Week in Moscow On 29 May, Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth will open the travelling exhibition "To me there's no other choice - Raoul Wallenberg 1912-2012" at the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center in Moscow, as part of the Raoul Wallenberg Week, taking place in the city from 28 May to 1 June.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a research conference at the Russian Academy of Sciences, a methods seminar, open to the public and arranged by the human rights organisation Memorial, as well as lectures and film screenings focusing on Raoul Wallenberg, his achievements and destiny. The Raoul Related Wallenberg Week is a collaboration between the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center, the information and analysis portal polit.ru, Memorial, and the Embassies of the United Raoul Wallenberg 2012 States, Israel, Hungary and Sweden. The project is being carried out in honour of the Raoul Wallenberg Year 2012. External links Raoul Wallenberg, and the 100th anniversary of his birth, is being celebrated around the world, with more than 45 countries hosting various events in honour of his memory. The programme for the Raoul Wallenberg Week in Moscow will soon be posted on the The Swedish Institute's travelling exhibition is a platform for dialogue on issues concerning tolerance, Embassy's website democracy and civil courage. It was opened on 17 January in Budapest, followed by exhibitions in New York and Washington DC. The exhibition will also be shown in Sweden this summer.

Press opportunities are planned on 29 May in connection with the open press conference "Is clarity possible in the Raoul Wallenberg case?" at the offices of Memorial, and during the press showing of the Wallenberg Exhibition at the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center on the same day.

Contact Catharina Henriksson Press secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Embassy of Sweden in Moscow Telephone: +7 495 937 92 00 Email: [email protected] Anja Jahn-Günther Desk Officer +46 8 405 36 08 email to Anja Jahn-Günther The various organisers are responsible for their own press contacts. Press release 20 March 2012 Ministry of Culture Minister for Culture congratulates Guus Kuijer on the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award It was announced today that the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has been won by the Dutch writer Guus Kuijer.

"I send my warmest congratulations to this year's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner, Guus Kuijer," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. External links This year's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award recognises an individual author for his complete works. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) "Guus Kuijer's ability to combine the big questions of life with humour and playful narrative zest has led to his work being translated into nearly twenty languages over the years. I am convinced that this year's prize will further strengthen interest in children's literature internationally," concludes Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Facts about ALMA The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest prize for literature for children and young adults. The prize was established in 2002 in honour of Astrid Lindgren and as a way of increasing interest in literature for children and young adults around the world. The prize is also intended to strengthen children's rights at global level. The ALMA winner is selected by a jury acting on nominations from institutions and organisations from all over the world. The prize is administered by the Swedish Arts Council. It is worth SEK 5 million. The prize will be presented at an award ceremony in Stockholm in May.

Contact Karolin A. Johansson Press Secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Eleonor Johansson Press Assistant/Press Specialist +46 8 405 42 15 +46 72 517 13 30 email to Eleonor Johansson Jesper Svarén Desk Officer +46 8 405 81 03 2011

Press release 24 November 2011 Ministry of Culture Joakim Stymne - new State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture The Government decided today to appoint Joakim Stymne as State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture. Mr Stymne will take up his position with immediate effect.

From 2006 until now, Mr Stymne (born in 1959) has worked as State Secretary for International Development Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mr Stymne has previously worked as chief economist at Kaupthing Bank Sweden and Alfred Berg Fondkommission. He has also been an editor at Related Initierat magazine and special adviser at the Prime Minister's Office. CV - Joakim Stymne Mr Stymne has a Masters in economics from Harvard and a degree in business and economics from the Stockholm School of Economics.

"I am pleased that Joakim has accepted the job of assisting me and the Ministry with his expertise," says Minister for Culture and Sports Lena Adelshon Liljeroth.

"I am really looking forward to working on these issues with Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth. Now there is an intensive period ahead, during which I will be learning about the issues in-depth and acquainting myself with the area of culture, sports and media," says State Secretary Stymne.

As previously announced, State Secretary Ingrid Eiken is leaving the Ministry of Culture to take up a position on 15 February 2012 as Managing Director of Mäklarsamfundet (association of estate agents). Ms Eiken will remain a State Secretary in the Government Offices until then, but will have special tasks.

Contact Karolin A. Johansson Press Secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Marika Thorn Gillström Communications Officer/Press Assistant +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 07 October 2011 Ministry of Culture Minister for Culture congratulates Tomas Tranströmer on Nobel Prize in Literature

"I am extremely pleased and proud that our most eminent Swedish poet, who has quite rightly been discussed as a possible Laureate for many years, is finally being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Like so many others, I have admired and been moved by Tomas Tranströmer's poetry. His work is unique and has made a lasting impression on world literature. I would like to express my warmest congratulations to Tomas Tranströmer," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

On 7 April this year, the Government decided to award Tomas Tranströmer the honorary title of professor "for his outstanding contribution to writing, which has enriched both the Swedish language and world literature".

Contact Karolin A. Johansson Press Secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 23 September 2011 Ministry of Culture Time for culture - the culture budget in the Budget Bill for 2012 The budget for the area of culture totals approximately SEK 6.7 billion for 2012. The budget for culture has increased by some SEK 730 million since 2006. This corresponds to an increase of about 12 per cent. Between 2011 and 2012, the budget will increase by SEK 179 million, which corresponds to 2.8 per cent. The culture budget's share of the overall central government budget amounts to 0.82 per cent.

Increased support to cultural activities throughout the country The Government will increase state support to regional cultural activities by a total of SEK 75 million in 2012-2014. Support for regional cultural activities totals SEK 1 278 million.

The increased support will target activities that renew and develop the area of culture as regards both artistic expression and innovative ways of making culture accessible and spreading it to new and broader audiences. Among other things, it will create better conditions for the cultural cooperation model introduced in 2011.

The cultural cooperation model is a new way of distributing certain government funding to regional cultural activities. From 2011 onwards the counties of Skåne, Västra Götaland, Halland and Norrbotten and Gotland Municipality are included in the model, which means that the relevant county and municipal councils can allocate parts of government funding to regional cultural activities. The Swedish Arts Council is responsible for the county-level allocation of funds.

"The cultural cooperation model means that culture is brought closer to citizens. Regional priorities and variations gain a greater impact, which has led to increased commitment to culture in the regions. Alongside the increased support now being offered, this means better prospects of achieving the culture policy objectives," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

One condition for inclusion in the model is that the county council has produced a regional culture plan. This plan is to be drawn up in collaboration with the municipalities in the county and in dialogue with civil society and professional artists. Preparations are under way in eleven counties to take part in the model from 2012 onwards.

Boost for Cultural Heritage There is a great need to build up knowledge about and preserve the cultural heritage and cultural environment, and to make them accessible. A tailor-made labour market initiative, the Boost for Cultural Heritage, will therefore be implemented between 2012 and 2014.

Support will be available to regional and municipal cultural institutions, as well as to state institutions and other actors that conduct activities in, or connected to, the area of cultural heritage, such as non-profit organisations. It will be provided for measures aimed at knowledge-building, preservation and accessibility. This could include digitalising collections and archive material, or restoring cultural sites.

This is a new initiative that provides opportunities for actors in the area of cultural heritage to employ professional supervisors with relevant training. The initiative is intended for those who have a particularly weak attachment to the labour market after having left the sickness insurance system following an extended period of time and who have a disability that entails an impaired capacity to work. The Government estimates that a total of 4 400 positions funded by wage subsidies will be created in the next three years.

"The Boost for Cultural Heritage means that we can take important measures to preserve and present cultural heritage. At the same time it offers an opportunity for people who are particularly detached from the labour market to find meaningful employment and a way back into work. It is also pleasing that the Boost for Cultural Heritage will provide more jobs for culture professionals in the area of cultural heritage," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

The Swedish National Heritage Board will be tasked with administering the initiative together with other relevant government agencies in the area of culture. The Government estimates that a total of SEK 270 million will be allocated to the Swedish National Heritage Board from expenditure area 14 - The labour market and working life.

Enhanced support to music and initiatives targeting the independent performing arts The Government will provide an additional SEK 26 million to the independent performing arts from 2012.

SEK 16 million of these funds will specifically target music, of which SEK 2 million is intended for an initiative for international exchanges in the music sector. Support to independent performing arts will be reinforced overall with SEK 10 million, of which SEK 1 million is intended for international activities.

Earlier this year, the Government also approved a special gender equality initiative in the music sector totalling SEK 8 million between 2011 and 2014, which Music Development and Heritage Sweden is implementing, together with the Swedish Arts Council and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee.

The independent music sector is important for artistic development, access to a broad selection of music throughout the country, and for the promotion of Swedish music internationally. The closure of Concerts Sweden means that funds will be freed up and targeted directly to the independent music sector. Grants will be awarded via the Swedish Arts Council, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, and Music Development and Heritage Sweden.

Umeå European Capital of Culture 2014 Along with Riga in Latvia, Umeå has been named European Capital of Culture for 2014. The municipality has started work on a programme based on the eight Sami seasons. The programme is based on a range of programme areas encompassing a variety of forms of artistic and cultural expression, as well as tourism, outdoor activities and sport. The programme also has a strong focus on gender equality. For the artistic aspects of the programme, the Government intends to task the Swedish Arts Council and other agencies and institutions with providing active support for the European Capital of Culture year.

"The European Capital of Culture year is important for the entire country. From a culture policy perspective it is therefore important to send a clear signal to the Swedish Arts Council and other agencies now to get actively involved and support the artistic parts of the programme. The Government will assign tasks to the government agencies in the area of culture. Along with the expansion of and increased support to the cultural cooperation model, there are good prospects for active government involvement in the European Capital of Culture year," says Ms Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Extra allocation to Sveriges Radio, Sveriges Television and Sveriges Utbildningsradio The total allocation for the three broadcasting companies Sveriges Television (SVT), Sveriges Radio (SR) and Sveriges Utbildningsradio (UR) for 2012 is SEK 6 989.3 million. In addition, a special allocation of SEK 100 million is proposed from the Broadcasting Account to make the SVT, SR and UR archives accessible to the public.

The Government proposes that SR, SVT and UR receive a total of SEK 100 million in additional funds from the Broadcasting Account in 2012 to make their archives accessible. The broadcasting companies' archives contain a rich cultural heritage consisting of radio and TV broadcasts dating back several decades. It is important that these archives are made accessible to the public, although this entails considerable costs. Generally speaking, it is more costly to make TV broadcasts accessible than radio broadcasts. Of the extra allocation, the Government proposes that SEK 60 million be allocated to SVT, SEK 32 million to UR and SEK 8 million to SR.

Contact Karolin A. Johansson Press Secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Press release 12 August 2011 Ministry of Culture American philanthropist and patron of the arts Bernard Osher appointed to Order of the Polar Star Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth will today present the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander's degree, to Bernard Osher. The distinction is being awarded to Mr Osher for his notable contributions to cultural life in Sweden and the US and his efforts to promote contacts between the two countries.

Mr Osher founded the Bernard Osher Foundation, which supports culture, education and social aid organisations. Mr Osher is married to Barbro Sachs-Osher, Swedish honorary consul in San Francisco and founder of the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. Ms Sachs-Osher is also chair of the Bernard Osher External links Foundation. The foundations have made important financial contributions to several cultural institutions and cultural projects in both Sweden and the US. More information about the Royal Order of the Polar Star at the website of the Swedish In 1994, HM The King appointed Mr Osher Knight 1st Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star. Royal Court

"It is with great pleasure that I present this honour to Mr Osher. His contributions are very significant for Swedish culture. I also hope that this may inspire other members of the business world to provide increased support to culture," says Minister for Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth.

Facts about the Royal Order of the Polar Star The Royal Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish royal order which, together with the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Sword, was established by King Fredrik I in 1748. Since the reform of the royal orders in 1975, the Order is only awarded to foreign or stateless people by the King on the proposal of the Government.

Contact Karolin A. Johansson Press Secretary to Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth +46 8 405 10 00 Marika Thorn Gillström Communications Officer/Press Assistant +46 8 405 10 00 Sarah Hurni Åsberg Desk Officer +46 8 405 13 08