Scholarships were awarded
Seven people in the cultural sector and sports will share 530 kronor when Region Norrbotten awards its annual scholarships – Rubus Arcticus, Honorary and Merit Scholarship, Sports Scholarship and Sports Leadership Scholarship.
The scholarships were awarded by the chairman of the regional board, Kenneth Backgård, during a formal ceremony today.
– We have been awarding these scholarships since 1995 and we know that they are greatly appreciated by our Norrbotten athletes and cultural creators, says Kenneth Backgård.
The scholarship recipients have applied for and justified why they should receive the scholarship. Region Norrbotten does not require any compensation.
– Now that Norrbotten is in the midst of a green transition, it is more important than ever to show that we are committed to ensuring that the entire county lives and thrives – regardless of whether it concerns factories or, for example, music, says Kenneth Backgård.
This year's scholarship recipients
Visual and design arts - Ida Isak Westerberg
In a county known for industrial ventures with hardness and mines as well as ore mining and masculinity, the different and soft values are needed. Daring to let nature and specifically the bog be both co-creator and motif is a sign of great courage and interest in identity in a broad sense. Ida Isak Westerberg has a powerful commitment to the unexpected and different. Boundaries between genres, techniques, nations and gender are crossed and shattered when tenderness and poetry meet power and capacity.
Film – Jon Blåhed
Through persistent and purposeful studies and work efforts over many years, filmmaker Jon Blåhed has reached far beyond the borders of our county. Through collaborations and unexpected combinations regarding artistic content, he contributes to the development of film art both in the county and in a broader sense. The scholarship holder writes scripts and directs. In this way, he masters the most fundamental parts in the incredibly complex creation of film, the art form of dreams. He has an ability to describe people's lives in a smaller context and make it universal and relevant for everyone regardless of geographical limitations. This with warmth and thoughtfulness.
Literature – Elin Anna Labba
Elin Anna Labba has worked as a journalist and was involved in starting Tjállegoahte - Författarcentrum Sápmi. She is based in Jåhkåmåhkke/Jokkmokk and Giron/Kiruna. Her literary debut in book form resonated throughout Sweden and was awarded the August Prize in 2020. The artistic activity is based on interviews with older Sami people and Sami stories, from which the author writes wholes.
Music – Mirja Palo
Through determination and strong drive, Mirja Palo, based in Norrbotten, has explored the spaces in the borderland of Sami, Finnish and Tornedalen. The scholarship holder has created music both in her own artistry but also in exciting collaborations where the kantel has played a central role.
She has approached areas that show how important it is to never stop working to contribute to togetherness and understanding between different groups in the society we live in today. The focus is to take a starting point in the present and to tell and pass on her own heritage, her roots from Finland and the Tornedalen and the places and environments that have shaped her where the Sami has gradually taken a greater and greater place.
Honorary and merit scholarship for many years of valuable contributions to cultural life in Norrbotten – Lennart Johansson
Lennart Johansson is strongly rooted in the music scene in Norrbotten, Sweden and abroad as a musician, singer, composer, choir director, music educator and arranger. He has left a big mark on the entire musical scene in Norrbotten. Over the years, he has worked for choir life, music education and created contexts for making music for children, young people and adults. He has also created music that has reached beyond the borders of the county and the country. With an admirable effort, he spreads music and joy to all ages.
Sports scholarship – Ingela Lundbäck
Ingela Lundbäck has achieved outstanding results in para table tennis during a long elite sports career and has received medals from, among others, the Paralympics, the European Championships, the World Championships and many world cups. The scholarship holder is one of Norrbotten's biggest sports stars. In addition to her own sporting achievements in para table tennis, she is also a volunteer in her sports association and is also active as an international referee in table tennis.
Sports Leadership Scholarship – Mario Furlan
Basketball coach Mario Furlan shows the importance of always being there, both on and off the sports field. With a positive attitude, he meets his surroundings and makes every basketball training an experience beyond the ordinary. He meets each individual in a playful way, right where they are. Together with the active members of BK Vråken, he has created something that can be compared to an extra family where over ten different nationalities meet.
About Rubus Arcticus and the other scholarships
Rubus arcticus is one of Sweden's largest cultural scholarships. It is available for those who are in the midst of their artistic endeavors and who want to develop further with the help of the scholarship. The total scholarship amount is 400 kronor, which is distributed among four scholarship recipients with activities and/or connections to Norrbotten.
The Honorary and Merit Scholarship is given to a person who has made many years of valuable contributions to cultural life in Norrbotten. The scholarship amount is 50 SEK.
The sports scholarship is awarded to an active athlete who has distinguished himself/herself in his/her sports activities and profession/school for knowledge, good camaraderie and outstanding results. The scholarship amount is 50 SEK.
The Sports Leadership Scholarship is awarded to coaches, leaders, board members or people who otherwise contribute to athletic or organizational development within sports. The scholarship amount is 30 SEK.