250 years of Jewish life in Sweden – anniversary year is underway
Published
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jewish life in Sweden. The anniversary is an opportunity to highlight the Jewish minority, Jewish culture and Jewish cultural heritage that is found all over the country. The Government has therefore tasked a number of agencies with contributing to the observance of the anniversary.
The Jewish community has a long historical presence in Sweden. At the same time, there is a need to improve knowledge about the Jewish community and its history in Sweden. This year marks 250 years since the formation of the first Jewish Community in Sweden. The Government has therefore instructed a number of agencies, to help highlight the 250th anniversary. The agencies are:
- The Living History Forum
- The Institute for Language and Folklore
- The National Library of Sweden
- The Swedish Agency for Support for Faith Communities
- The Swedish National Heritage Board
- The Swedish National Archives
- The Swedish Institute
- The Swedish Arts Council
In 2024, the Living History Forum was instructed to carry out measures prior to and during the 250th anniversary. This included producing information material and spreading knowledge about the anniversary on the agency’s website, and managing and providing the graphic profile that Living History Forum created for the anniversary.
The graphic profile, which was developed on behalf of the Government, was presented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a ceremony in the Riksdag on 23 January in connection with International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In his speech, the Prime Minister described how the anniversary’s graphic profile illustrates prominent aspects of Swedish cultural heritage that Swedish Jews have contributed to such as Ida’s Summer Song, Josef Frank’s designs and Herbert Felix’s pickled cucumber.
Due to the anniversary, the Government’s task force for Jewish life in Sweden has a particular focus on Jewish life. The Swedish Arts Council has also been tasked with allocating grants to actors who highlight Jewish culture and Jewish languages during the anniversary. The Swedish Arts Council will carry out its tasks in consultation with representatives of the Jewish minority.
– Jewish culture has played an integral role in Swedish culture for 250 years. Through its rich traditions and artistic expression, Jewish culture has left a lasting impression on our history and our shared cultural heritage and will continue to shape and contribute to it in the future, says Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.
The 250th anniversary will be marked throughout 2025 by different actors all over Sweden.
