Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Ten Summer Experiences in Sweden
Tunes of minority cultures at the Royal Palace During the Royal Palace Music Festival, music lovers get an excellent opportunity to visit the Royal Palace in Stockholm to enjoy the beautiful historic setting and fantastic music performances. With one foot in the past and one in the present, this year’s festival also makes an important stand for minorities in Sweden. By Malin Norman | Photos: Royal Palace Music Festival
Celebrating its 46th anniversary, the Royal Palace Music Festival is one of Sweden’s longest running music events and more than 5,000 visitors are expected this year. It is an opportunity for music enthusiasts from across the world to meet and listen to established soloists and new stars, mostly representing the classical music scene, but also jazz and other genres.
Under the patronage of King Carl XVI Gustaf and in the setting of the Royal Palace in central Stockholm, the festival provides historical insight to the Swedish Royal Court. Most concerts take place in the extraordinary Hall of State, the biggest room in the Royal Palace seating 600 visitors. In the past, this is where parliamentary meetings were held under the chairmanship of the King.
Listening to the minorities The festival takes place from 1-30 September this year with a focus on minorities in Sweden. “We are sticking our neck out with an exciting new programme, very much in line with our present times,” explains festival director Anna Eklund-Tarantino. “It is also crucial for us to highlight the cultures of newly arrived nationalities.” 70 | Issue 88 | May 2016
Sweden’s five official minority languages are Finnish, Tornedal Finnish, Sami, Yiddish and Romani. They will all play a part in the general programme, providing an exciting challenge. The festival features a variety of different types of music and dance performances, including Shakespeare and Bach, culminating in the grand finale on 30 September with the Mozart opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, with short excerpts from Syrian and Afghan melodies. Over the years, the Royal Palace Music Festival has expanded and won international acclaim for creativity in music and the best live performances. Apart from putting on the festival itself, the organisation gives grants to support young talented musicians every year. Continuously working with, for example, disabled children who are studying music and dance, and producing shows such as wheelchair dancers mixed with other ballet dancers, are also important aspects of the festival. As Eklund-Tarantino explains: “We all have the right to enjoy music, and the Royal Palace needs to be open for everyone.”
For more information and tickets, please visit: www.musikpaslottet.se