Sweden

Racism is at the root of Swedish far right gains

Racists celebrated in Sweden after elections saw a vicious anti-immigrant party make a breakthrough with a record number of votes

Communists and cops—the radical roots of Henning Mankell’s noir

The late Henning Mankell’s Wallander stories built on social realism—but the genre’s roots lie in a Marxist critique of Sweden, says Tomáš Tengely-Evans

Sweden’s racist right make gains

Sweden’s Social Democrats came top in the general election last Sunday, but did not get an absolute majority

We are the best - Swedish pupils’ musical rebellion is a joy to watch

We are the Best is undoubtedly one of the best films that I have seen so far this year. It is a hilarious and heartwarming film commanded by three convincing and memorable young protagonists in 1980s Sweden.

International round-up

International Women's Day protests defend abortion rights in Spain | Anger after Nazi knifings in Sweden | Freed ex-Black Panther criticises trial | Clashes continue in Venezuela

Anger in Sweden at Nazi knifings

Anti-fascist demonstrations took place across Sweden last Sunday in protest at a violent knife attack on four people returning from an International Women’s Day march in Malmo.

Profit-making school chain collapses in Sweden

04 June 2013
A chain of “for profit” schools, responsible for 10,000 children, has collapsed in Sweden.

Young people in Sweden revolt against austerity and racism

28 May 2013
Åsa Hjalmers reports on the riots that have shaken Sweden’s capital Stockholm over the past week

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

03 January 2012
First came Stieg Larsson’s trilogy of books. Then came Niels Arden Oplev’s Swedish film adaptations.

Bossa Nova and the rise of Brazilian music in the 1960s

12 March 2011
In 1958 a 17-year old former street kid by the name of Pelé scored two goals against Sweden to help Brazil lift the World Cup.

Assange fights extradition

01 March 2011
A judge ruled last week that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden to answer accusations of rape and sexual assault.

Stop the War rallies in support of Julian Assange

08 February 2011
Over 300 people packed into Conway Hall in London on Monday evening for a Stop the War Coalition meeting in support of Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, who faced his first day in court fighting his extradition to Sweden.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo DVD

12 October 2010
The First of the Swedish films based on Stieg Larsson’s trilogy of crime novels is released on DVD this week.

Sweden: Anger on the streets after fascists gain in elections

21 September 2010
Protests broke out in Sweden after a fascist party won 20 seats in last week’s election.

Swedish dockers boycott Israeli goods

15 June 2010
The Swedish Port Workers Union (Svenska Hamnarbetarförbundet) is to blockade all Israeli ships and cargo following its massacre of peace activists on a humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Henning Mankell, Wallander author and Gaza Flotilla witness, speaks out

05 June 2010
Henning Mankell, the renowned Swedish crime writer and author of the Wallander series, was on board the Sophia, which formed part of the Gaza Flotilla, when Israeli commandos raided the ship.

Nordic unions prepare action in support of BA strikers

01 April 2010
Trade unions in Denmark, Norway and Sweden are giving legal notice that they will take action in support of British Airways cabin crew. The five unions – Sweden’s SEKO and Swedish Transport Workers’ Union, Denmark’s 3F and Norway’s Parat and Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union – have acted in response to a call for lawful solidarity action made by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

You, The Living: Bleak but tender cinema with a unique style – and a twist

08 April 2008
You, The Living is a bizarre Swedish film that has had rave reviews from the critics – and with good reason. It's quite unlike anything you're ever likely to have seen.

'Are we an unruly people?' They are about to find out!

20 September 2003
"A DEVASTATING defeat for the political and economic elite." That's how a TV commentator referred to the result of the referendum on joining the euro single currency in Sweden on Sunday. The vote was tipped to be close, following the murder of the foreign minister Anna Lindh last week. Lindh was pro-euro and commentators expected sympathy for her would shift votes to the yes camp. But the no side won a clear victory, with 56.1 percent against 41.8 percent. This is the first time that people have voted against the ruling elite here.

A Socialist Worker you can dance to

29 June 2002
SWEDISH BAND The (International) Noise Conspiracy say that "the sounds from the streets of Seattle, Prague, Quebec, Gothenburg and Genoa" are their main musical influences. In June 2001, during the recording of their new album A New Morning, Changing Weather, the band went to Gothenburg in Sweden.