Based on older and younger people’s stories about their respective dreams for the future, a dance and music theatre performance is created, inspired by the interaction between young and old, which gives the audience insight and awareness to continue working against age segregation in today’s society.

ELDERLY

Through study circles with elderly participants, research is conducted and the project team draws inspiration, while the seniors also gain influence over the stories that emerge. During the process, educators collaborate with staff and elderly participants. Conversations explore topics such as life as a pensioner, the changes that occur when we stop working, and how our identity changes. What happens to us when we lose loved ones, and how do we feel about facing death ourselves?

Based on the documentary stories, the project’s playwright Cristina Gottfridsson, in collaboration with director and project manager Ronny Danielsson, creates a fictional universe with ten fictional characters who form the backbone of a theatre performance.

YOUNG PEOPLE

During the project, working materials will be created that can inspire teachers to engage in discussions and activities about generations. Through school visits or collaborations with teachers who collect students’ stories, the project team asks upper secondary school students to talk about their dreams and visions for the future. In the performance ‘Villa Vilse’, stories from young and older project participants come together in a work that depicts the similarities and differences in different generations’ views on life.

The performance will be staged by Teater Inc in Malmö, and the plan is for all secondary school classes that want to and are able to do so to have the opportunity to experience the performance and then, back at school, continue the conversation about issues relating to generations and the future.

AUDIENCE

In the final part of the project, the finished two-act performance – filled with vitality and energy, humour and seriousness in many moving stories – will meet its audience. Teater Inc will arrange for both younger and older people to come and enjoy the performance.

Making the performance accessible to older people requires long-term preparation, suitable performance times, chartered buses and, above all, a moving performance that those who have been involved in the project’s discussions can relate to. Teater Inc will collaborate with local secondary schools on theatre visits, so that young and old have the opportunity to share the experience in the theatre at the same time.

The performances will also be open to the general public, and there are plans to stream the performance to give more people the opportunity to take part in the project and experience the spectacle.

FORM

The artistic team wants to explore how words, silence and music become equal parts of the performance, which combines recorded music and voices with live performances.

Music will play a crucial role, primarily as a dramatic/dramaturgical engine. Music genres and styles will meet and confront each other: classical music and opera will meet house, funk, rap, crunk, indie, pop punk and various forms of multicultural music.

THE PROCESS

During the preparatory work in 2025, material has been collected through meetings with older people and visits to secondary schools. The project’s playwright, director and choreographer will then create a drama from the stories and a workshop will be organised with the older actors. The team will map out the intended audience and develop a concept for the performance.

Autumn 2025 was devoted to rehearsals and production of the play and music, as well as work to find new audiences. Amateurs were engaged as collaborators and a suitable theatre venue was identified and booked. Set design, costumes and props were presented. Production of set design, props and costumes began.

During the winter and spring of 2026, rehearsals continued and the whole thing began to take shape when professional dancers were hired. The rehearsals were followed by the premiere and a run of performances.

THE TEAM

The team also brings together different generations, with two professionals in most roles, which in itself presents an exciting challenge. Artists with many years of experience and knowledge meet newly trained colleagues with the energy to explore untried paths in the artistic process. The project team includes playwright Cristina Gottfridsson, director and project manager Ronny Danielsson, director Rasmus Mononen, choreographers Roger Lybeck and Gustav Mardelius, costume designers Camilla Thulin and Leif Persson, and set designer Martin Chocholousek. The project will also employ interns from relevant educational programmes in several other creative, educational, and administrative roles.

ABOUT TEATER INC

The non-profit association Teater Inc is a contemporary folk theatre in the heart of Malmö with a national focus.

Under the leadership of Ronny Danielsson, one of Sweden’s most prolific and relevant theatre directors, and a team of established artists, Teater Inc combines all media of the performing arts – text, design, movement, music and visual elements – to create dynamic, innovative and relevant theatre experiences.

Read more about Teater Inc and ‘Villa Vilse’ on the website https://www.teaterinc.org/.

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Have you ever stood in a museum and wondered what it would be like to stay behind when the lights go out, the halls empty of visitors, and darkness falls? In November, you’ll have the chance! This unique event will take place on three evenings: November 28, 29, and 30.

Wander through the darkened museum halls, discover unexpected rooms and evocative art. When the tour is over, a new world awaits you downstairs with a DJ, bar and night-time orchestral music with Gränslandet SYMFONIORKESTERN.

Gränslandet – symfonisk fest has changed Stockholmers’ idea of what a classical concert can be. The symphonic festival was founded in 2017 out of a desire to take classical music to new places where it can reach a wider audience. This is well in line with the vision that drives Signatur Foundation Sweden, and since 2018, Signatur has supported Gränslandet through donations to the non-profit association ALMA. Gränslandet – symfonisk fest offers a unique experience that has allowed people to both discover and rediscover classical music.

Inlägget Gränslandet take over the National museum dök först upp på Signatur.

A long-term initiative for school-children

During 2025-2027, students in three schools, with levels from preschool to grade six, will receive circus training once a week during the semesters, three holiday courses per year and taster activities. The aim is to make circus training a natural part of school and leisure activities.

Three circus teachers are hired on a freelance basis for four half-days per week and during three school holidays per year. In addition to teaching, time is set aside for planning, collaboration with schools and contact with parents and carers.

Comprehensive activities and annual evaluation

From March 2025 to December 2027, the project plan involves:

• 104 weeks of term-time courses
• 9 holiday courses
• Regular taster activities

About Cirkus Cirkör

Cirkus Cirkör was founded in 1995 and is today the largest circus company in the Nordic region. Its activities include performances on tour in Sweden and the world, courses and educational programmes for all ages, a circus high school, events for companies and countless collaborative projects.

Cirkus Cirkör is an idea about how art can be used to influence, develop and change the world.  With curiosity, humour and courage, the diversity and limits of circus are explored. Cirkus Cirkör is a platform where different artists flourish and surprise. Cirkus Cirkör collaborates with many partners and uses circus as a method to lift and inspire people.

More about Cirkör

About Social Circus

Cirkus Cirkör, like circus companies around the world, has a strong tradition of using circus training to empower individuals and promote positive social development. The term Social Circus is used within the world of circus to talk about the circus as a social hub, as a meeting place, as an educational tool and as a social actor.

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Ron Carter is one of the most unique, prolific and influential double bass players in the history of jazz music, playing on more than 2,200 recordings, a fact that was recognized in the 2015 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. He has recorded with Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, Bobby Timmons, Jaki Byard, Eric Dolphy and Cannonball Adderley, among others.

Between 1963 and 1968, he played in Miles Davis’ acclaimed quintet. He has been named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine and Most Valuable Player by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Ron Carter has received two Grammys, one for Best Jazz Instrumental Group in 1993 and the other in 1998 for Call Sheet Blues from the film Round Midnight.

Link: www.roncarterbooks.com

STOCKHOLM NU FESTIVAL INCLUDED THREE ACTS

Act 1: STHLM svaga

During Stockholm Nu, the Swedish ensemble STHLM svaga performed the piece Desert lament composed for them by Ron Carter. They also played the piece Never Sound More! by Roscoe Mitchell and premiered a new piece composed by the important tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp.

Linda Oláh – vocals

Niklas Barnö – trumpet

Gustav Rådström – alto saxophone

Johan Jutterström – tenor saxophone

Rasmus Borg – piano

Elsa Bergman – double bass

Andreas Hiroui Larsson – drums

More about STHLM svaga: www.sthlmsvaga.com

Act 2: Goran Kajfeš Tropiques + Leo Svensson Sander and Josefin Runsteen

Goran Kajfeš Tropiques started in 2011, when they played a show with the legendary dance group Wind Witches. Over the years, the quartet has developed a distinctive, hypnotic, minimalist jazz music and their two albums Ensoand Into the Wild have been internationally acclaimed. In 2020, they worked on new music together with cellist Leo Svensson Sander and violinist Josefin Runsteen, and it is this sextet that performed during Stockholm Nu.

Goran Kajfeš – trumpet / synthesizer

Alex Zethson – piano / synthesizer

Johan Berthling – double bass

Johan Holmegard – drums

Leo Svensson Sander – cello

Josefin Runsteen – violin

More about Goran Kajfeš Tropiques: https://gorankajfes.bandcamp.com/

Act 3: STHLM starka feat. Ron Carter

The evening ended with Ron Carter as guest of the Swedish big band STHLM starka. Together they played Ron Carter’s original compositions arranged for big band. The music has previously been recorded together with the German big band WDR Big Band on the album My Personal Songbook. STHLM starka is a large band created especially for this project. It consists of some of the most prominent and established as well as young, promising Swedish jazz musicians today.

Ron Carter – feature/double bass/composer

Ann-Sofi Söderqvist – bandleader/conductor

Jonas Kullhammar – alto saxophone 1

John Nilsson – alto saxophone 2

Fredrik Ljungkvist – tenor saxophone 1

Elin Forkelid – tenor saxophone 2

Per ”Texas” Johansson – baritone saxophone

Lisa Bodelius – trombone 1

Christine Carlsson – trombone 2

Mats Äleklint – trombone 3

Mikael Welin Vessberg – bas trombone

Fredrik Norén – trumpet 1

Elin Andersson – trumpet 2

Goran Kajfeš – trumpet 3

Linnea Jonsson – trumpet 4

Tobias Wiklund – trumpet 5

Nils Kakoseos Nyström – guitar

Thomas Jutterström – piano

Cornelia Nilsson – drums

MORE TO FOLLOW

Stockholm Nu would not be possible without the support of Signatur Foundation Sweden. It is also hoped that Stockholm Nu will be able to continue its collaboration with Liljevalchs with a view to establishing a monthly concert series with jazz music of international standard. At the same time, it will be a meeting place for young Swedish jazz musician students and one of the first places for them to hold concerts on their way to becoming professional musicians.

Stockholm Nu is implemented with the support of Signatur Foundation Sweden, Musikverket, Kulturrådet and Region Stockholm.

Inlägget STOCKHOLM NU JAZZ FESTIVAL dök först upp på Signatur.

Through this initiative, Fryshuset wants to raise the level of Swedish and Nordic music life by enabling more young girls and non-binary young people from socio-economically disadvantaged areas to follow their passion and create music. This will eventually create a richer and fairer cultural life and the opportunity for the public to enjoy high-quality music. The aim is also to enable a positive transition for the young people involved in the project.

A MORE EQUAL MUSIC INDUSTRY

Through this project, Fryshuset aims to change the perspective and expectation of who can become a music producer and in the long run contribute to improving the quality of music and to a more equal music industry. By working with young people, it is possible to create change over the long term – and greater gender equality in music production can lead to a more creative and qualitative music life.

Since 2022, Empower Productions is in a partnership with Signatur Foundation Sweden, who has also stepped in as a sponsor. The Foundation’s funding is of vital importance for Empower Productions’ operations and for creating opportunities for more girls and non-binary young people to get involved in music production.

EMPOWER PRODUCTION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Empower Productions builds on and complements an existing initiative within Fryshuset; Connect, Compress, Change (3C) which also aims to increase gender equality in the music industry. 3C creates method and commitment and through Signatur Foundation Sweden’s grant, it becomes possible to capture this commitment and channel it further as the young people spend time in the studio with professional producers, instructors and leaders.

Furthermore, Fryshuset collaborates with the non-profit organisation Popkollo. Popkollo has extensive experience of working to make music accessible to young girls and transgender young people. The collaboration strengthens the project’s collective expertise and experience, and at the same time makes it possible to provide greater opportunities for young people to meet and expand their networks.

The Empower Productions project includes leader-led individual music production sessions and joint workshops and camps.

POWER AND COMMUNITY

The Stockholm course leader Katarina ‘BONBON’ Testad (artist and producer) herself has a background as a participant in Popkollo’s one-year producer programme ‘Who can become a producer?’. She told the magazine and web portal Kingsize Magazine, in which Empower Productions’ activities in Stockholm  have been featured on several occasions, how Popkollo helped her take the step from just writing and playing to recording and producing: “I learned so much that I was no longer dependent on anyone else. I hope to pass on this sense of independence to those in the Empower Productions group, so that more people can discover what incredible power and community there is in music making” (Katarina Testad in Kingsize no.5, 2022).

Quotes from Kingsize interviews with Empower participants:

Angelina, 2024: “Empower gave me new contacts, opportunities and a sense of security. Without them, I would not have been as good and confident in my music making” (access the full interview in Swedish here)

Arezo, 2022: “It automatically becomes a safe environment and you have the space to take your time, ask your stupid questions and feel comfortable at your own pace. I’m really anything but a tech geek so the course has de-dramatised something that otherwise feels quite loaded.”

Read more about Empower Productions on Fryshuset’s project page: https://fryshuset.se/verksamhet/empower-productions .

About Fryshuset

The Fryshuset Foundation is Sweden’s largest organisation for young people. Fryshuset works to ensure that society takes young people’s opinions and ideas seriously, currently running 60 different operations divided between 8 venues located around Sweden. In their music activities, the door is open to anyone who is curious, regardless of skills.

Inlägget EMPOWER PRODUCTIONS dök först upp på Signatur.

The aim of Themetrack Funktion is to inspire professional performing artists at Swedish performing arts institutions or independent groups, teachers at special needs schools and other organisations to create artistic experiences and creative learning processes adapted for children and young people with neurodiversities. All the artists invited to Funktion have worked with and for children and young people with complex needs for many years and now want to share their experiences.

THE FIVE PERFORMANCES IN THEMETRACK FUNKTION 2022

The invited groups and performances comprise:

• Barrowland Ballet with ‘Playful Tiger’ (Scotland)
• Bamboozle Theatre with ‘Storm’ (England)
• Lucy Rugman with musicians performing ‘Free Room to Play’ (England/Sweden)
• Kollaborativet with ‘I am Time, I am Space – A sensory journey of discovery’ (Sweden)
• Folkteatern Gävleborg/Scen:se performing ‘Stranden’ (Sweden)

TRAINING IN DRAMA EDUCATION

Themetrack also includes a training course in drama education with Dr Gill Brigg, a drama educator, director and researcher from the UK. It is aimed at teachers in special needs primary schools in Helsingborg. The course will run for several weeks in conjunction with the Biennial and will end with the teachers and their pupils watching the Stranden performance. Gill Brigg will also hold a seminar during Bibu geared towards performing artists.

BACKGROUND OF THEMETRACK FUNKTION

Funktion has its origins in the Scen:se project which was implemented in 2017-2020 in Gävleborg in collaboration with Hudiksvall municipality, Folkteatern Gävleborg and Riksteatern Barn och Unga, among others. During the project, an art exhibition was established, two theatre shows were produced by British artists, and extensive pedagogical methodologies were created for special needs schools to prepare their students for a creative artistic experience.

With the support of Signatur Foundation Sweden, Themetrack Funktion can continue to implement some of the Scen:se project’s objectives.  Bibu 2022 provides a unique opportunity to present inclusive performing arts created by some of the best and most reputable theatres in the UK and Sweden.

AIMING FOR MORE PERFORMANCES

It is hoped that, following the implementation of Themetrack Funktion, more performances specifically designed for the target audience will be produced on the world stage in future.

All children have the right to experience performing arts, regardless of their disability.

Bibu is Sweden’s largest meeting point for performing arts for children and young people. Every two years, virtually everyone working in the industry comes together with over 1,000 children and young people to experience four packed days of the best, the sharpest and the most interesting performances from Sweden’s stages and from all corners of the world.

More information on the programme can be found here: https://bibu.se/sv/temaspar-funktion-2022

Other links: Folkteatern Gävleborg (www.folkteaterngavleborg.se) , Scen:se (www.scense.se) and Bibu (www.bibu.se)

Inlägget Themetrack Funktion dök först upp på Signatur.

Strings of togetherness and joy

Sexton Strängar was formed in 2013 and has over the years enjoyed many delightful musical adventures with children and adults around Sweden. As classically trained musicians, the quartet takes its cue from classical music, but then journeys through many different styles and genres.

The group began its career playing performances for children, with the vision that children should experience a high-quality concert first-hand so that they feel included and involved. This vision has been the basis for concerts and performances ever since – whether for children or adults.

Students practice emotions and stage expressions

In the project with Signatur Foundation Sweden and Centrumskolan, the aim was to inspire and engage those children who participate in the string groups run by Kulturskolan at Centrumskolan. Sexton Strängar worked with the children during class time, playing instruments and developing theatrical expression. For example, when talking about emotions, the group could play a happy or sad piece of music or pluck strings for an angry emotion.  Students also learned how to make the right stage entrance and to appreciate applause. The songs were taken partly from Sexton Strängar’s repertoire, but mainly from the music already explored in class.

Hello Feelings with years 1 and 2

In addition, Sexton Strängar implemented the “Hello Feelings” programme with all pupils in years 1 and year 2.  The musicians visited classes in pairs and worked with music and emotions.  For example, the musicians could ask “What do you feel when you hear this music?” They conducted exercises where the children reflected on the meaning and influence of classical music. Teaching guides with further exercises were provided in order for the programme to continue independently.

The project finale was a concert performance with Sexton Strängar for all classes where the string students were invited on stage and perform their songs together in front of their classmates.

Closing stage performance

Sexton Strängar performed at the Araby Folk Festival, playing with the string students. Parents and siblings had the opportunity to see what they have been working on during the project.

The main goal of the project was to give the children a wonderful experience of what it is like to play music, and to make them feel that they can do it and that they enjoy it. They have also been able to feel pride and a sense of belonging standing and performing alongside professional musicians.

Sixteen Strings consists of:

Filip Runesson, violin

Gabriele Freese, violin

Paula Gårsjö, viola

Anna Thorstensson, cello

WEBSITE: www.16strangar.se

Local media attention

In May 2022, the local newspaper Växjöbladet/Kronobergaren published an article about the project:

Inlägget Centrumskolan with Sexton Strängar dök först upp på Signatur.

STORYTELLING – a multicultural repertoire

By establishing a creative action space (music creation, communal music, community), Dream Orchestra has reached out to young people from many different cultural backgrounds. They have taken an interest in each other and through peer learning have become young leaders who celebrate their cultures together and devise arrangements of their music for the orchestra.

By motivating and involving the students in the creation of narratives, “Storytelling” produces a uniques artistic repertoire. The repertoire builds ontraditional music from Sweden and other cultures around the world and the students all become protagonists in celebrating their traditions together through music and word.

The project is supported by Dream Orchestra’s main stakeholders, Betlehemskyrkan, the University of Gothenburg and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, with guidance by musicians from Sweden, Afghanistan, Middle East, South America and Africa. Gifted storytellers, experts in various forms of performance and acting, and specialists in cultural heritage help students and teachers create a cultural repertoire that will be written down, performed at multiple venues and recorded.

The aim is to preserve, protect and develop the musical heritage of local and world music. By allowing the next generation to learn and strengthen their musical heritage, this material will be accessible for other music education programmes in Sweden to share with their students. It is a question of inclusion, equity and democracy: to give people with roots in various cultures access to their history and heritage that might otherwise be lost.

Safe place for children and young people

Dream Orchestra offers a safe place for children and young people with a refugee or migrant background. Here they have the opportunity to meet and learn to play a musical instrument together in the symphony orchestra. By providing high-quality music education that is democratic, open and creative, Dream Orchestra has created an essential framework to increase social cohesion between migrants from all continents and Swedish society.

Since 2016, using the power of music Dream Orchestra has shown how cultural life and music education can be made more inclusive, working with young Swedes, refugees and migrants from 18 different countries in equal measure. Today, Dream Orchestra stands for a community that represents many ethnic groups in Swedish society. Young people interested in sharing their cultural heritage participate in orchestral and section rehearsals as well as instrumental lessons in small groups. They learn about world music and celebrate their traditions together several times a week. Dream Orchestra proposes a community model where the intensive learning of musical skills and the pursuit of musical excellence are accompanied by explicit learning of social and emotional skills. This leads to the development of aural and intellectual understanding and spiritual enjoyment of musical language.

Read more on Dream Orchestra’s website: www.dreamorchestra.se

Inlägget Storytelling in Dream Orchestra dök först upp på Signatur.

Gränslandet – A Symphonic Festival is produced by David Huang and Christian Karlsen in collaboration with Trädgården. This year’s 2021 festival was implemented with support from Music Development and Heritage Sweden, the City of Stockholm, The Cultural Council, Stockholm County Council, Signatur Foundation Sweden, the Gålö Foundation and partnerships with Yamaha Piano Center Stockholm and the Royal Opera.

The 2021 festival neither cancelled nor postponed

Ecstasy, the joy of life and man’s longing for freedom linked the 2021 Gränslandet – A Symphonic Festival which paid tribute to and was inspired by people who took great risks and stood up to express their inner truth. Sweden’s largest festival for young people and classical music celebrated finally meeting its long-awaited audience again.
The festival took place at Trädgården in Stockholm on 20-21 August, “husband” of the Symphony Orchestra, the hand-picked 60-man orchestra consisting of many of the country’s foremost young musicians.

“What has long been a dream came true on August 21-22 – to be reunited with the audience under the bridge after what feels like an eternity has filled our hearts with life and love. Thank you, dear audience, for coming and making this year’s Gränslandet something extra special that we will never forget.
The fact that the festival even exists is a testament to the team effort required of us all. Therefore, thank you to those of you who have contributed to us being able to produce an unforgettable experience against all odds.  Fantastic musicians, artists and dancers who on stage so bravely express what you feel. Producers, stage workers, sound, light and decor as well as communicators for your extremely hard work, incredible knowledge and experience; without you there would have been nothing. Robert Fux for sprinkling glitter in our hearts like the icing on the cake. Benjamin Staern for your incredible arrangements. Trädgården  for your incredible hospitality and the courage to even consider a symphony orchestra under a motorway bridge.
We would also like to thank our partners Yamaha, the Royal Opera, Södra Latin High School for everything you give and everything you are and finally our financial partners  Signatur Foundation Sweden, Kulturrådet, Musikverket, Stockholmstad, Regionstockholm and Gålöstiftelsen for the trust you have placed in us to manage and extend culture to more people.”
– David Huang & Christian Karlsen.

For more info about the programme, visit www.symfoniskfest.se

Inlägget GRÄNSLANDET – A SYMPHONIC FESTIVAL 2021 dök först upp på Signatur.

– to be a national meeting and education platform on a top international level.

– to inspire other activities throughout the country, including through collaboration with cultural schools.

– to strengthen the re-growth of the music profession.

Nowadays, NCM presents itself as YOMA – Young Musicians Academy – to be more inclusive in its appeal to new stakeholders.

THREE AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The support from Signatur Foundation Sweden is deployed in three ambitious development projects. These bring together young musicians who are on the way to  international top level with other interested students who play orchestral instruments and want to develop further.

• Project 1 is aimed at young musicians who play short supply instruments such as oboe, bassoon, French horn, viola and double bass – instruments that are played by few and that are particularly important in the genre.
• Project 2 strengthens collaborations with the country’s cultural schools.
• Project 3 invests in the expansion of NCM’s Nordic co-operation.

YOMA offers excellent teaching facilities at its base in Vänersborg, but also significant competence in online teaching. This makes the centre a popular meeting place “IRL” and online for young musicians aged 10-18 years. And also for their teachers and external partners.

The National Centre for Musical Talents is a non-profit association. Partners working with NCM are the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the Norrland Opera Symphony Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vänersborg Municipality, Västerås Sinfonietta, music colleges and Regional Music in Sweden with their 23 member organizations.

Read more here: YOMA – Young Musicians Academy

Inlägget YOMA – Young Musicians Academy dök först upp på Signatur.