Selma Lagerlöf was born at Mårbacka, Östra Ämtervik, 150 years ago – the 20th November 1858. The 150th anniversary of this world-famous writer will of course be celebrated in Sunne, but also elsewhere in Sweden and abroad.
Next year, in 2009, the 100th anniversary of her Nobel Literature Prize will be celebrated.
We are proud of the famous writer from our municipality. Selma Lagerlöf’s importance for our area and wide around can not be overrated. She gave us a cultural heritage to keep up and to develop further. The literature and the story-telling is a genius in the local identity which is furthered by our active writers.
The municipality of Sunne will take part in the celebrations of Selma Lagerlöf’s 150th annivesary 2008 in many ways. Some of our partners for the arrangements are the Foundation Selma Lagerlöf’s Literature Prize, the Selma Lagerlöf Society and the Mårbacka Foundation.
The municipal cultural committee wants to emphasize and visualize the story-telling and the literary heritage from different angles. Local associations and schools are involved in the projects. Our wish is that children and young people will get to know more about Selma Lagerlöf’s writing and about the great personality she was –active in business life and in politics a.o. We want to make her stories known to more people and to new generations and we hope that more people get inspiration to create themselves. Some central issues for our projects are: Does Selma Lagerlöf have references to our time? What is her message to our contemporaries?
Activities during the anniversary year of 2008:
- June 5 ”The story-telling tree will be set up in the centre of Sunne”. Children’s stories for children and grown-ups. The leaves of this 4m-tree are made up of children’s own essays and poetry. The tree will stay there as a symbol for our story-telling tradition and be decorated with new leaves every summer.
- June 6, Sweden’s National Day. The Culture Festival in Sunne. The programme will be dedicated to Selma Lagerlöf. Opening ceremony in the square of Sunne. Anniversary concert in the church. Literary scene “Identity and cultural heritage” – what’s that?
- August – Theme – The children and Selma, a cultural day for children with a focus on story-telling.
- November ”Concert in Selma’s honour” at the Hotel Selma Lagerlöf. Sunne Culture School and guest artists.
- December – The importance of Selma Lagerlöf as an inspiration to others.
A literary seminar at the Hotel selma Lagerlöf
- December 10 – The Nobel Day. ”A tall story in Selma’s footsteps”. A local writing competition open for all between 6 and 16 years of age. Presentation of prizes and medals at Mårbacka.
For more information about activities during the anniversary year, please look in our calendar!
