Culture

The Government has decided that as a general rule, it is now prohibited to organise public gatherings and events with more than eight participants. The aim is to counter the spread of COVID-19.

To address the crowding that has been seen in nightclubs, the Government has decided that public dance events for more than 50 people will once again be prohibited. The Government has also adopted a new exemption from the ordinance, allowing public gatherings and public events with a maximum of 300 seated attendees, rather than the 500 previously discussed. The changes come into effect on 1 November.

Today, 23 October, the Government’s 2019 Cultural and Creative Industries Export Prize was awarded to Goodbye Kansas Studios. The rising star award went to Rave Review.

The Government’s prize for extraordinary services to Swedish music exports in 2019 has been awarded to the rock band Ghost. The Government’s 2019 Special Prize for long-standing contributions to Swedish music exports has gone to Marie Dimberg.

The Government proposes the following investments in culture in the additional amending budget, the autumn amending budget and the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

During the spring, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberals presented several crisis packages to support culture in response to the new coronavirus. The proposals included SEK 500 million for event organisers and independent artists to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberals are proposing an investment of SEK 150 million to strengthen cultural life and the cultural infrastructure across Sweden in 2020. The funding will be allocated via the Swedish Cultural Cooperation Model - a model for cooperation and funding of culture between the Government, regions and municipalities.

The Government has taken a decision on how the SEK 500 million crisis package to culture is to be allocated and on the terms of the support, including by adopting a new ordinance on state aid for cultural events that have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberals are proposing support of SEK 319 million in 2020 for several state-funded cultural institutions, including the Vasa Museum, Skansen open-air museum, the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Royal Swedish Opera, Riksteatern and Ájtte for lost revenue due to the new coronavirus.

Stockholm, Sweden 2020-04-22. Check against delivery.