Anders Rydell leads talks in Almedalen: "It will be fast-paced seminars"

Author and journalist Anders Rydell is a familiar voice in Almedalen. This summer he will step up to Norra Scen in Visby as moderator for two seminars that touch on some of the most pressing issues of our time: the role of culture in societal development and Europe's relationship with China.

Rydell has extensive experience in leading discussions at Almedalen. He has participated for over twenty years, both as an organizer and moderator. As an author, lecturer and journalist, and with a dozen books translated into more than 20 languages, he has explored various social issues.

Earlier this year, he moderated the Kulturkraft Conference in Luleå, which Region Norrbotten co-financed. There, he got a clear picture of the developments taking place in northern Sweden.

– It gave an insight into how much exciting is going on, not least in the cultural field, but also in the meeting between culture and business in northern Sweden, says Anders Rydell.

Makes Norra Scen debut

He is now bringing his experience from there to Norra Scen, where he is the new moderator. Rydell will lead two of the twelve seminars.

One seminar, Norrbotten – Sweden's Klondike?, is about how increased demand for raw materials affects societies and people, but also about the importance of culture. What is a society without culture, and how is the rapid change depicted in art, film and literature? The conversation is based on the book Soft Power by Martin Gelin.

The second seminar, China, Norrbotten and Europe, focuses on issues of competitiveness and dependency. The EU's need for rare earth metals is often raised in discussions about the green transition. At the same time, many of these resources are currently linked to China.

– Both seminars touch on issues that have been widely discussed today. It could be our dependence on China and China's manufacturing industry and minerals, while at the same time we have a need to free ourselves.

“Incredibly exciting scene”

For him, it is precisely these complex questions that make the conversations interesting. Rydell emphasizes that Norra Scen brings together current topics and strong voices.

– It's an incredibly exciting stage with a lot of great program items. We'll have a lot of interesting guests. There will be fast-paced seminars with a lot of exciting contributions, he says.

With themes relating to identity, resources and global change, Norra Scen focuses on Norrbotten's role in a larger story - about culture, economy and future.

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa