From Sami dance to welcoming leadership – here are this year's scholarship recipients in culture and sports
In a solemn ceremony in the regional council, Region Norrbotten's scholarships in culture and sports were awarded today. Four cultural creators received the Rubus Arcticus scholarship, one of Sweden's largest cultural scholarships awarded since 1995.
The Rubus Arcticus scholarship recipients will receive SEK 100 each. An honorary and merit scholarship and two sports scholarships were also awarded.
– Today we are rewarding people from Norrbotten who, in different ways, all enrich Norrbotten, said Regional Councilor Anders Öberg when he opened the ceremony.
“Incredibly glorious”
Liv Aira, a Sami dancer and choreographer from Jokkmokk, receives the Rubus Arcticus for the art field of dance.
– I am incredibly happy and feel very honored. There are many role models who have gone before me who have received the scholarship. It felt incredibly honorable, she says.
Liv Aira was unable to attend the ceremony because her dance company Invisible People is performing at a festival in Malmö. They are participating there with the performance Ájttega (“The Ancestors” in Lule Sami).
– We will play the same show in Luleå just a few days later, then continue on to Norrbotten, so it is a tour that takes us from Malmö to Pajala.
Photo: Carl Johan Utsi.
The scholarship comes at an exciting time. Liv Aira is in the process of starting a Sami dance center in Jokkmokk.
– This creates a little security in that change. It's a kind of affirmation from Norrbotten, that they believe in me as an artist. It gives a lot of strength to feel that support at home.
In addition, a large production awaits next year for the stage in Storforsen, aimed at families.
– There will be yoik, dance, poetry, circus. In parallel, we are touring with our children's show Akti Lij in Sweden and Norway, says Liv Aira.
“Rubus is an old dream”
Magnus Västerbro, who grew up in Luleå, has published several books in which he brings Swedish history to life. He receives the Rubus Arcticus for the art field Literature.
– It's an old dream to get the scholarship. When it was established, I was a young student and thought it was very nice that there was something that encouraged cultural creators from Norrbotten. I probably thought otherwise that the cultural world was somewhere else, in Stockholm, so it felt good that there was such a scholarship where I came from, says Magnus Västerbro.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
He has, among other things, depicted the famine years of the 1860s and Charles XII's time in power. There have been seven books since 2015. In the books, long-dead people emerge through, for example, letters, court records and newspaper clippings. In this way, Magnus Västerbro allows the reader to experience historical events, not in retrospect or with hindsight, but as they appeared in the present.
– It's a meaningful way to tell a story. I'm not so interested in writing history in the general way, I want to try to find real people and highlight them. I'm passionate about people, what they do, what they do to others, what we can put up with to survive.
Now there is a short break for breather. However, Magnus Västerbro has two more books in the works.
– It is partly my first novel, and partly a non-fiction book that is about love, not misery and poverty, says Magnus Västerbro.
Crossing genre boundaries
Linn Lindström is an artist who expresses herself in different techniques and materials, but also transcends genre boundaries. Sculptures in stone, bronze, wood and other materials are the main focus, but it doesn't stop there. She is also interested in sound art, photography, film and literature.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
She lives and works on Jämtön in Luleå municipality but was in France when regional councilor Anders Öberg (S) announced that she was being awarded the Rubus Arcticus for visual and design arts.
– I was both very happy and surprised. It felt a bit surreal to receive such news, says Linn Lindström.
– It means a lot, it's an opportunity to continue working with art the way I want.
The scholarship comes at a good time, says Linn.
– I have just finished a public artwork on Porsön, so now it has been a starting point for finding new projects. It was a good time to get such a nice start to the new project. Maybe a collaboration with my colleague Maria Belic awaits. I will probably try to enlarge drawings, make them in a larger format, and make video sculptures.
“Do something that feels right”
Songwriter and artist Robert Hurula receives the Rubus Arcticus for the art field of music. He grew up in Luleå but was a little surprised when an unknown Luleå number appeared on his phone screen. It turned out to be regional councilor Anders Öberg with good news about the scholarship.
– I was actually a bit shocked. But it was great of course, says Robert Hurula.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
He has released five studio albums under his last name Hurula as his stage name. His debut came in 2014.
– I've made so many records in a short time, so now I'm going to take the time to do something that feels right. To not just stress something out, always have a new record out and be ready to be out and about.
At the same time, the drive to create music is always there, says Robert Hurula.
– I can't stop, I've tried. Even when you try to slow down, it keeps going. Seeds turn into ideas anyway. I realize that it's something that suits me, to express myself in this way, to have this outlet. It's so fun to keep making music.
“A huge confirmation”
Artist Brita Weglin received the Rubus Arcticus in 1998. Now 25 years later, she receives the Honorary and Merit Scholarship of 50 SEK for her many years of valuable contributions to cultural life in Norrbotten.
– I was so happy, I screamed out loud! I felt that now that I am getting older and have still been around for so many years, it is a huge confirmation. A confirmation that I am an artist who makes interesting art, but that I have also had an impact on cultural development, have had courses and teaching and have worked in parallel with my own art. It feels very honorable, she says.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
Brita Weglin is still an active artist. New works are taking shape, new exhibitions are planned, and even a new book.
– Now I have had many solo exhibitions after the pandemic, in Norrköping, Bollnäs, Sandviken, Söderhamn. I work a lot with embroidery and watercolors, it is easier on the body, I adapt the business to that. I will have an exhibition of graphic images in Uppsala Art Museum in May. I will try to come out with a third book and put an end to the books.
Brita Weglin has a lot to say about the cultural climate in Norrbotten. She came here in 1979, straight from Konstfack, and is herself living proof that it is possible to work here and at the same time show your art all over the world and receive international awards. She has no plans to stop.
– This is my way of brightening up my life, so that it doesn't have to be so terrible to grow old. You fill your life with life energy and something meaningful besides your immediate family, says Brita Weglin.
“Opportunity to continue investing”
This year, the sports scholarship of 50 kronor goes to gymnast Marcus Stenberg. He is one of Sweden's most promising talents in male artistic gymnastics - a sport that requires great dedication.
– I train 26 hours a week. It actually takes a lot of time. I am extremely happy and grateful for the scholarship as it gives me the opportunity to continue focusing on my sport, says Marcus Stenberg.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
– Finances are a problem for all gymnasts. Now I can invest even more time and energy into becoming the best athlete I can be, instead of studying or working.
He recently competed in the all-around at the World Championships, as the only Swedish gymnast to qualify. As a junior, he has had great success in the Swedish Championships, European Championships, World Championships and Youth Olympics.
– My next big competition that I will qualify for is the European Championships in Rimini at the end of April. There is one last chance to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and that is at the European Championships. It is incredibly difficult but I will do everything I can.
“Everyone should develop”
Everyone should feel welcome, there should be a good atmosphere and everyone should have fun together. These are the priorities for Carola Karlsson, Bergnäsets AIK, who receives this year's sports leadership scholarship of 30 kronor. She is involved in the club in many ways, including as a football coach for a development team that plays in the men's division 000.
– I want everyone who is involved to develop from within themselves, to take a step in their own development. So we have those who can barely hit a pass three meters straight and those who could have played at higher levels if they wanted to. What I work very hard on is a good atmosphere, positive energy, that we accept each other.
Photo: Michael Törnkvist.
The motivation emphasizes that Carola makes a difference for fellow human beings, the association and society. This was evident, among other things, in her work with an integration team for refugees. Carola brought them into the team and helped them.
However, the announcement about the scholarship came as a complete surprise.
– I was really surprised and didn't understand anything. But after something like this, you get extra excited. It's an extra boost, because it's always nice to get appreciation!
Justifications
Rubus Arcticus, the art area Dance
In her artistic work, Liv Aira draws inspiration from her background with the goal of spreading knowledge about the Sami culture. She elevates Sami stories through her own unique expression that includes both dance and yoik. Through her own dance company Invisible People, dancer, choreographer and entrepreneur Liv Aira creates magical moments for her audience.
Rubus Arcticus, art area Literature
Magnus Västerbro writes about history from a bottom-up perspective that he carries with him from growing up in Norrbotten. He tells the story from the point of view of the powerless and the vulnerable and manages to bring the people in history to life. He skillfully and interestingly alternates between the individual's perspective and the overall historical stage. Even though the events take place hundreds of years ago, the issues are still relevant.
Rubus Arcticus, the art area Visual and decorative arts
Linn Lindström challenges her own fears and explores our common ones. She opens up new worlds and points out new directions. In her creations, she transcends genre boundaries and expresses herself in different techniques and materials. It is an exciting, multifaceted artistry that will inspire and awaken new thoughts for many years to come.
Rubus Arcticus, art area Music
Music creator Robert Hurula has, through persistent work, given comfort and support to others through his creative work. In the creation and performance there is an incredible presence and nerve. It contains drama, electric waves and a life that passes revue. The legacy and life are depicted, the upbringing under tough conditions and the way out and forward. It not only gives inspiration but also hope.
Honorary and merit scholarship holder 2023
Brita Weglin is constantly innovating, seeking new means of expression, techniques and materials. Her inspiration comes from the big questions: life and death, where we come from and where we are going, but also from events in our time. She collaborates with, teaches and inspires younger generations of artists and the wider public. For many years, Brita Weglin has been an important force and a major personality in Norrbotten cultural life.
Sports scholarship 2023
Marcus Stenberg is one of Sweden's most promising young talents in male artistic gymnastics. As the only Swedish gymnast, he has qualified for the senior World All-Around Championships in 2023. As a junior, he has had great success, both nationally and internationally. Marcus is an important role model in a female-dominated sport. He sees and encourages the younger ones and is, through his way, a fine representative of the sport.
Sports Leadership Scholarship 2023
Carola Karlsson not only creates success on the football field. With sport as a tool, she can make people grow, develop and feel good even outside the arena. Her heart beats for Bergnäset AIK football and with an extraordinary commitment to charity, she makes a difference in the association, in society and in the lives of her fellow people. Carola encourages sports throughout life, regardless of ambition or previous experience - everyone is welcome. With her humility and helpfulness, she contributes to making Bergnäset and Luleå a better place to live.