Christina Wahldén is an award-winning Swedish author who has published more than 75 books, mainly for children and YA readers. Her books often deal with violence against women and children, such as sexual violence and honour related crimes. She has visited and written about Kenya, the DRC and Afghanistan. Among her work is a trilogy about WWII and another trilogy about a Somali girl who wants to become a police officer. Her latest book, New Life, was made in collaboration with school children in a so-called “vulnerable” area in Malmö. Once, Christina rubbed her nose with Astrid Lindgren.
Sebastian Johans (1978) grew up in the Åland Islands and lives in Uppsala, Sweden. He works as a culture writer and art critic, writing for publications such as the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter. Broarna (The Bridges) was nominated for The Nordic Council Literature Prize and is his first novel.
Sebastian Johans’ Festival appearance is generously supported by Åland Government.
Sebastian Johans appears as part of Nordic Bridges 2022.
Patrik Svensson is an arts and culture journalist at Sydsvenskan newspaper. He lives with his family in Malmö, Sweden. The Gospel of Eels is his first book.
Patrik Svensson’s Festival appearance is generously supported by the Swedish Arts Council.
Patrik Svensson appears as part of Nordic Bridges 2022.
Karolina Ramqvist is one of the most influential writers and feminists of her generation in Sweden. In 2015, Ramqvist was awarded the prestigious P. O. Enquist Literary Prize for her novel The White City.
Karolina Ramqvist’s Festival appearance is generously supported by the Swedish Arts Council.
Karolina Ramqvist appears as part of Nordic Bridges 2022.
Kurdo Baksi was born in 1965 in northern Kurdistan, and in 1980 came to settle in Sweden. In 1987 he first published the magazine Black and White, which dealt with integration and racial issues across Europe. He is the author of 10 books on human rights, racism, emigration and exile, and in 2000 he was awarded the International Olof Palme Peace Prize. Baksi was the closest friend of Stieg Larsson between 1992–2004. Kurdo Baksi is also a character in the third Millenium book with his real name and life. In January 2010, Baksi published Stieg Larsson, My Friend which was translated into multiple languages.
Kurdo Baksi’s Festival appearance is generously supported by Swedish Arts Council.
Multiple Award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah MacDougall is known for her poetic songs and passionate performances. Sarah mixes folk, pop, and rock elements into her infectious, often epic songs. Born in Sweden, now based in Canada, Swedish magazine Nöjesguiden declared her: “one of Sweden’s best singer/songwriters’ and Rootstime Belgium described her as ‘One of the greatest talents of our era”.
Sarah has played festivals such as Iceland Airwaves, Edmonton Folk Festival, Reeperbahn, and has shared the stage with artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Tallest Man on Earth, Buffy St. Marie, Passenger, and more.