Europe

Austria

Music

Concert with Anna von Hausswolff presenting her most recent album, Iconoclasts, released on 31 October 2025. Concert in St. Pölten on 21 and 22 May 2026.

Belgium

Dance

The Selkie Poetry Reading is a dance performance based on Apetrea/Ólafsdóttir’s extensive library of poetry and performative practices. It has been invited to be presented at Théâtre La Balsamine in Brussels on 16-17 October, and at RAS in Sandnes, Norway, on 21 October. Tour schedule: 16-17 October: Performances at Théâtre La Balsamine in Brussels.

The Swedish contemporary circus company Circus I Love You will present their new production, Fun No. 1, in Belgium. Date TBC.

Visual art

Gallery Berg will participate in Art Brussels 2026, presenting works by Markus Åkesson, Ivar Lövheim, Pauline Fransson, Mats Bergquist, John Rainey, Joakim Eneroth and Viktor Rosdahl. The Art Brussels fair will take place from 23 to 26 April 2026.

Czech Republic

Literature

Henrik Bromander (author), participation at the book fair BookWorld, 15–17 May, Prague. Organiser: Centrala.

Literature

Lisa Ridzén (author), participation at the book fair BookWorld, 14–17 May, Prague. Organiser: Embassy of Sweden in the Czech Republic.

Croatia

Theatre

Teater Theatron in Malmö has been invited to participate in several festivals in the Western Balkans with Life in Two Parts (Livet i två bitar), a production directed by Tomas Lindström. The Umag Festival will take place from 12 to 14 June 2026 in Umag, Croatia.

Denmark

Dance

Bobbi Lo Production creates inclusive performing arts primarily for children and young people. The company is planning a Nordic tour of Kolonisterna, an interactive dance performance about Nordic colonialism. The KLAP Festival will take place in Kolding from 23 to 26 April.

Music

Julia Bengtson will perform at the SPOT Festival, one of the largest showcase festivals in the Nordic region for new and contemporary popular music. She works as a performer, as well as a live and studio violinist for other artists, and as a recording engineer and music producer. She is also one of five artistic directors for the annual multidisciplinary arts festival Risetstämman and the sole artistic director for the Umefolk festival. The festival will take place at Musikhuset Aarhus on 2 May 2026.

Visual Art

Galleri Steinsland Berliner will present new works by Swedish contemporary artists at the CHART Art Fair in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 27 to 30 August 2026.

Faroe Islands

Dance

Bobbi Lo Production creates inclusive performing arts primarily for children and young people. The company is planning a Nordic tour of KOLONISTERNA, an interactive dance performance about Nordic colonialism. Tórshavn, Nordens Hus, 30 April.

Finland

Dance

Stockholm-based choreographer and artist Malin Elgán has received funding for ReAct, an international tour with upcoming performances. Side Step Festival (Helsinki, Finland) TBC.

Literature

Max Alletzhauser, Jennifer Hayashida (translators), Judith Kiros, Burcu Sahin (authors), participation in an academic conference on contemporary Nordic poetry at the Writers’ House, 30 April, Jyväskylä. Organiser: Writers' Association of Central Finland.

Music

Sunnan operates in a genre that the group calls 'cinema/spaghetti soul', offering a cinematic journey across windswept expanses that is as capricious as it is melancholic. Harmonies and organic instruments form the backbone of their music, which incorporates elements of improvisation, analogue synths and samples of their own voices. Keywords include mysticism, dance, vast landscapes and mystery. Sunnan's audience and potential largely lie outside of Sweden, and gaining visibility in relevant markets is key to establishing more international collaborations. In a short time, the band has garnered attention on international radio in countries including Germany, Poland, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and France, as well as in digital media and editorial contexts. Tour schedule: 4 September 2026 - Helsinki Festival, Helsinki, Finland.

France

Circus

The Swedish contemporary circus company Circus I Love You will present their new productions, Fun No. 1 and I Love You Too, in France. It's an acrobatic adventure with love as a theme.

Upcoming shows:

Frontignan: 10-12 April 2026
Charleville-Mézières: 14-16 May 2026
Piré-Chancé: 22-24 May 2026
Montigny-lès-Metz: 31 May 2026
Châlons-en-Champagne: 4-7 June 2026
Verdun: 18-20 June 2026
Avignon: 10-25 July 2026

Circus

Contemporary circus performance PACE has been invited to the Festival Off Avignon in July 2026. The project is an international initiative, created and performed by para-acrobats Axel Ahl and Sara Runsten, in collaboration with Below Zero and Quartier Libre. The performance explores interpersonal relationships, focusing on power, status, consent and equality. Through humour, warmth, and a subtle physical language, the performance creates an accessible yet thought-provoking experience without the use of spoken language. The company's presence in Avignon aims to establish and strengthen international relationships, as well as position the company artistically, featuring performances, industry meetings and active networking.

Literature

Elin Anna Labba (author), promotion of the French publication of The Home of the Drowned (Far inte till havet) at the Littérature Live and Étonnants Voyageurs,19–25 May, Lyon and Saint-Malo. Organiser: Payot & Rivages.

Music

Boko Yout is the outsider infiltrating the mainstream. They have received attention for their debut album GUSTO from high-profile figures such as Doja Cat, Zane Lowe, and Anthony Fantano. Based on data and analytics, we see strong demand for the band’s presence in the selected markets. We have therefore booked a tour aligned with what we assess to be a realistic capacity, without overstretching during the initial establishment of the act in these territories.

Starting on 16 April, the band is scheduled to perform at six respected venues across Europe, which will serve as a natural springboard for the next phase: returning to the same cities to play larger venues. Tour schedule: 16-18 April: Printemps de Bourges and Badaboum, Paris.

Music

La Liga Habanera is a Stockholm-based powerhouse that blends modern Cuban timba with funk, soul, and jazz influences to create an explosive, groove-driven sound. Renowned for their high-energy performances and contemporary interpretation of Afro-Cuban dance music, the group successfully merges tradition with a forward-looking musical style.

Germany

Circus

Opa Fashion is a multidisciplinary performing arts production that integrates contemporary circus and music through the use of newly created instruments. The project is currently in a phase where international dissemination and in-depth exchange are crucial for its continued artistic development. By engaging with new audiences, organisers and artistic communities, the project aims to enhance its development and raise the international profile of Swedish independent performing arts. At the Berlin Circus Festival, Opa Fashion will present three performances aimed at international organisers, producers and bookers during the festival’s pro days. These will serve as both artistic presentations and a showcase for further tour development. Participation is planned at the Berlin Circus Festival from 10-16 August over the coming year.

Dance

Stockholm-based choreographer and artist Malin Elgán has received funding for ReAct, an international tour with upcoming performances. Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, Germany.

Literature

Linnea Axelsson, Judith Kiros (authors), participation in the projects Re-writing the Western Canon and two readings during the poetry festival Poesiefestival Berlin, 15 May–15 June, Berlin. Organiser: Haus für Poesie (Literaturbrücke Berlin e.V.).

Music

jazzahead! 2026 is the world’s largest meeting place for the jazz scene. This year, the Sweden festival is collaborating with the Gothenburg Artist Centre, and eight music artists will be showcased during short concerts open to the general public. The Bremen festival will take place from 23 to 25 April 2026 and will feature the Joel Lyssarides Trio, Agnas Bros, Bitoi on 23 April; Hederosgruppen on 24 April; Daniel Karlsson Trio, Langendorf United and Nine Sparks Riots on 25 April; and Britta Virves Trio.

Music

Boko Yout is an outsider infiltrating the mainstream. Their debut album GUSTO has received attention from global names such as Doja Cat, Zane Lowe and Anthony Fantano. Based on data and analytics, we see strong demand for the band’s presence in the selected markets. We have therefore booked a tour aligned with what we assess to be a realistic capacity, without overstretching during the initial establishment of the act in these territories.

Starting on 16 April, the act is scheduled to perform at six respected venues across Europe that will serve as a natural springboard for the next phase: returning to the same cities to play larger venues. Tour schedule: 20 April: Burmann & Sohn, Cologne; Betty, Hamburg.

Music

Represented by Timmy Bjärnebro and Martin Qvarfordt, Live at Heart will take part in meetings, seminars, workshops and panel discussions at three international showcase festivals in Germany: jazzahead!, Nürnberg Pop and the Reeperbahn Festival.

Music

Cosmic Ear fuses free jazz improvisation with rhythm to create music that is both raw and meditative, grounded and cosmic. The ensemble, featuring Christer Bothén, Mats Gustafsson, Goran Kajfeš, Juan Romero and Kansan Zetterberg, builds on the legacy of Don Cherry while exploring new sonic territories. Drawing on African and South American rhythms, Nordic folk tones, live electronics and free improvisation, their sound is intense, organic and deeply present. Concert in Villingen (MPS Studio), 22-26 April.

Music

EF is a Gothenburg-based post-rock band known for their dynamic sound, combining heavy guitars with atmospheric textures and melodic depth. Since forming in 2003, they have toured extensively across Europe and Asia, building a reputation for their emotionally powerful and energetic live performances.

14 May: Hamburg
15 May: Leipzig
16 May: Berlin
17 May: Bielefeld

Music

Olov Johansson Musik represents the independent music group Väsen, which has been professionally active for over 30 years. The group is regularly commissioned by a variety of organisers and performs music with roots in Swedish folk traditions. They typically perform around 60 concerts a year across Sweden and internationally, including in the USA, Germany, the Nordic countries, Japan and the UK. The group also occasionally produces its own concerts. As ambassadors of Swedish folk music, Väsen contributes to its international reach and inspires emerging artists. In September 2026, Väsen will tour Germany, with an additional concert in Belgium.

Music

Sunnan operates in a genre that the group calls 'cinema/spaghetti soul': a cinematic journey across windswept expanses that is as capricious as it is melancholic. Harmonies and organic instruments form the backbone of their music, which incorporates elements of improvisation, analogue synths and samples of their own voices. The keywords are mysticism, dance, vast landscapes and mystery. Sunnan's audience and potential largely lie outside Sweden, and gaining visibility in relevant markets is key to establishing more international collaborations. In a short time, the band has garnered attention on international radio in countries including Germany, Poland, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and France, as well as in digital media and editorial contexts. TBC - Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, Germany.

Visual Arts

Contemporary art space Anorak (Berlin) invited Mint to curate the exhibition Blow the Boutique. Exploring themes of joy, sex, destruction, and the mystery of time, the exhibition presents Malga Kubiak’s iconic video series, The Egotrip Collection (1984-1994), alongside a new performative audio intervention by Keira Fox, as well as installations and paintings by Ksenia Pedan. Curated by Emily Fahlén, the exhibition can be seen at Anorak, Gottlieb-Dunkel-Str. 43/4, Berlin, from 30 April to 14 June 2026.

Georgia

Music

Kontra-Musik is collaborating with the international Mutants Festival project in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 25-27 September 2026. The artistic vision is to create a space for forms of expression that are often marginalised, featuring works that are musically complex, genre-bending, or conceptually difficult to define. The project will bring together Swedish and Georgian artists, along with a small number of international guests, strengthening ties between local creators and the Swedish sound art scene. The project is organised in collaboration with the Goethe-Institute, Pro Helvetia and private sponsors.

Greece

Literature

Antonis Bogadakis (author and translator), Athena Farrokhzad (author), book presentations and translation workshop at The Thessaloniki Book Fair, 1– 31 May, Thessaloniki. Organiser: Thraka.

Greenland

Dance

Bobbi Lo Production creates inclusive performing arts primarily for children and young people. The company is planning a Nordic tour of KOLONISTERNA, an interactive dance performance about Nordic colonialism, in collaboration with Katuaq. Nuuk, Katuaq, 9 -12 May.

Italy

Dance

Stockholm-based choreographer and artist Malin Elgán has received funding for ReAct, an international tour with upcoming presentations. Date TBC.

Literature

Jenny Jägerfeld, workshops and lectures in schools on high quality literature, 19–24 April, Sicily. Organiser: Iperborea.

Literature

Helena Hedlund (author), book launch of the children's books series Kerstin, 13–15 May, Turin. Organiser: La Nuova Frontiera.

Music

Cosmic Ear brings together free jazz improvisation and rhythm to create music that is both raw and meditative, and simultaneously grounded and cosmic. Featuring Christer Bothén, Mats Gustafsson, Goran Kajfeš, Juan Romero and Kansan Zetterberg, the ensemble builds on the legacy of Don Cherry while exploring new sonic territories. Drawing on African and South American rhythms, Nordic folk tones, live electronics and free improvisation, their sound is intense, organic and deeply present. Concert at the Jazz is Dead festival. Torino, 28 - 31 May.

Irland

Literature

Jonas Enander, Hanna Johansson, Agnes Lidbeck (authors, further authors to be confirmed), live events and workshops in the public program of Stories from Sweden, 4 April–3 December. Organiser: Modern Culture.

Latvia

Dance

The Tuvumi dance organisation in Riga has invited choreographer and dancer Erik Eriksson to perform Knoster (created by Erik Eriksson in 2024) and Vērpete (created by Erik Eriksson and Krišjānis Sants in 2015/2022) in Latvia from 22 July to 2 August 2026, as well as during 2027, at several events. Performances will take place in Riga, Liepāja, Kuldīga and Tukums.

Lithuania

Dance

The Tuvumi dance organisation in Riga has invited the choreographer and dancer Erik Eriksson to perform Knoster (created in 2024) and Vērpete (created in 2015/2022) in Latvia and Lithuania from 22 July to 2 August 2026 at several events, as well as in 2027. Performances will take place in Šeduva.

Netherlands

Music

Boko Yout is the outsider infiltrating the mainstream. Their debut album GUSTO has received attention from global names such as Doja Cat, Zane Lowe, and Anthony Fantano. Based on data and analytics, we see strong demand for the band’s presence in the selected markets. We have therefore booked a tour aligned with what we assess to be a realistic capacity, without overstretching during the initial establishment of the act in these territories. Starting on 16 April, the band is scheduled to perform at six respected venues across Europe, which will serve as a natural springboard for the next phase: returning to the same cities to play larger venues.18 and 19 April: Motel Mozaïque, Rotterdam.

Music

A concert with Anna von Hausswolff, presenting her most recent album Iconoclast, released on 31 October 2025. A concert in Hilvarenbeek is planned for 12 June.

Norway

Dance

Bobbi Lo Production creates inclusive performing arts, primarily for children and young people. The company is planning a Nordic tour of Kolonisterna, an interactive dance performance about Nordic colonialism. Dates and venues:

Stavanger, Spiren Scene, 20 April
Sandnes, RAS, 22 April

Music

Sunnan operates in a genre that the group calls 'cinema/spaghetti soul', offering a cinematic journey across windswept expanses that is as capricious as it is melancholic. Harmonies and organic instruments form the backbone of their music, with elements of improvisation, analogue synths and samples of their own voices. Keywords include mysticism, dance, vast landscapes and mystery. Sunnan's audience and potential largely lie outside Sweden, and gaining visibility in relevant markets is key to establishing more international collaborations. In a short time, the band has garnered attention on international radio in countries including Germany, Poland, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and France, as well as in digital media and editorial contexts.

9 July 2026: Træna Festival, Træna, Norway
12 August 2026: Øyafestivalen, Oslo, Norway

Dance

The Selkie Poetry Reading, a dance performance based on Apetrea/Ólafsdóttir’s extensive library of poetry and performative practices, has been invited to be presented at Théâtre La Balsamine in Brussels on 16 - 17 October, and at RAS in Sandnes, Norway on 21 October. Performance dates: 21 October: RAS in Sandnes.

Dance

Stockholm-based choreographer and artist Malin Elgán has received funding for ReAct, an international tour with upcoming performances. Date TBC.

Romania

Music

Sunnan operates in a genre that the group calls 'cinema/spaghetti soul', offering a cinematic journey across windswept expanses that is as capricious as it is melancholic. The backbone is formed by harmonies and organic instruments, with elements of improvisation, analogue synths and samples of our own voices. Keywords include mysticism, dance, vast landscapes and mystery. Sunnan's audience and potential largely lie outside Sweden, so gaining visibility in relevant markets is key to establishing more international collaborations. In a short time, the band has garnered attention on international radio in countries including Germany, Poland, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and France, as well as in digital media and editorial contexts. 18 July 2026 - Electric Castle Festival, Cluj.

Serbia

Theatre

The Teater Theatron in Malmö has been invited to participate in several festivals in the Western Balkans with Life in Two Parts (Livet i två bitar), a production directed by Tomas Lindström. Performances in Serbia will take place between 16 and 22 June in Belgrade, Mokrin, Novi Kozarac and Kikinda.

Slovakia

Dance

The Byström Källblad duo has been invited to present their City Horses project as part of the 30th anniversary edition of the Bratislava in Movement dance festival. This active international duo consists of visual artist Helena Byström and choreographer Anna Källblad. They create dance works for stages, galleries and public spaces. The international contemporary dance festival will take place from 6 - 25 October 2026.

Music

The Kavona Cultural Association is organising an international tour of Cohen in Yiddish in 2026. This concert programme features newly composed songs based on Leonard Cohen’s lyrics, translated into Yiddish, presented alongside interpretations of his original works. The project has gained international recognition in recent years and has attracted significant interest from audiences and organisers alike. The programme will be performed in Montreal, Toronto and Bratislava.

Slovenia

Music

The musicians in Cosmic Ear combine free jazz improvisation with rhythm to create music that is both raw and meditative, and simultaneously grounded and cosmic. Featuring Christer Bothén, Mats Gustafsson, Goran Kajfeš, Juan Romero and Kansan Zetterberg, the ensemble builds on the legacy of Don Cherry while venturing into new sonic realms. Drawing on African and South American rhythms, Nordic folk tones, live electronics, and free improvisation, their sound is intense, organic, and deeply present. Cerkno Jazz, 23 May.

Theatre

The Teater Theatron in Malmö has been invited to participate in several festivals in the Western Balkans with Life in Two Parts (Livet i två bitar), a production directed by Tomas Lindström. The Pri Svetilniku Festival will take place from 8 to 15 June 2026 in Koper, Slovenia.

Spain

Artistic Freedom

The Programme for Artistic Freedom, funded by Sida and implemented by the Swedish Arts Council, collaborates with the ICORN General Assembly. The programme works in partnership with civil society organisations in the Global South to strengthen artistic freedom as a cornerstone of democratic societies. Through long-term partnerships, the programme focuses on protecting at-risk artists, developing capacity, building networks, and fostering international cooperation. Barcelona, 20 - 22 April.

Circus

Opa Fashion is a multidisciplinary performing arts production integrating contemporary circus and music with newly created instruments. The project is currently in a phase where international dissemination and in-depth exchange are crucial for its continued artistic development. By engaging with new audiences, organisers and artistic communities, the project aims to enhance its development and raise the international profile of Swedish independent performing arts. Participation is planned at the Trapezi Circus Fair from 13 to 17 May.

Dance

Mireia Piñol Martínez, a choreographer and circus artist, will present the performance U internationally. U is a poetic performance that combines contemporary dance and new circus through interdisciplinary artistic approaches. The performance will also be presented at the Trapezi Festival in Reus (Catalonia) from 13 to 17 May and at the Grec Festival in Barcelona on 5 June.

Music

IMEX is an initiative created and led by GAC to strengthen the international presence of Swedish improvised music. The programme is carried out in close collaboration with partners in Germany, Spain, and Kenya to foster artistic exchange and create new performance opportunities. Current collaborations include participation in the Canarias Jazz Festival and a tour across the Balearic Islands in Spain. Dates TBC.

Visual arts

The Stockholm-based artist- and curator-run collective Flat Octopus has received funding for a group exhibition at Huerto Ruano in Lorca, Spain, taking place from 2 to 20 October 2026. The Stockholm-based artist- and curator-run collective Flat Octopus has received funding for a group exhibition at Huerto Ruano in Lorca, Spain, taking place from 2 to 20 October 2026.

United Kingdom

Circus

OLO Company's debut production, Soft Spot, will be presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7-29 August, in collaboration with ZOO Southside and in association with Cluster Arts. OLO Company has been selected for ZOO's programme, with 23 performances scheduled for the 2026 festival season. Soft Spot is aimed at a broad audience, including adults and families (ages 7+). Appealing to contemporary circus and physical theatre audiences, its non-verbal format also makes it accessible to non-English speakers and those drawn to movement-based storytelling.

Craft

Stockholms Hantverksförening is bringing the SPOK x Hantverkarna exhibition to an international audience through this project. Developed for Stockholm Craft Week 2025, it has received significant attention for its collaboration between designers and craftspeople, bringing together tradition and innovation. Following an invitation from London Craft Week, there is now an opportunity to showcase the six projects in an international context. The initiative aims to strengthen Swedish contemporary design and crafts on the global stage and create new opportunities for those involved. London Craft Week will take place from 11 - 17 May 2026.

Dance

Nordberg Movement is taking part in Fringe Fragments 2026, a collaboration between Dance Base in Edinburgh and the Fringe Festival. Over two intensive days, two companies will present excerpts from tour-ready works, complemented by discussions and networking. The initiative aims to boost international visibility and build long-term relationships. Building on the success of Fringe Fragments 2024, where Land Before Time was selected for Aerowaves Twenty25, the project has contributed to increased international interest in the artistry of Björn Säfsten. The format is also being developed further with a focus on facilitation and strategic meetings, and the showcase will bring together international figures from the world of contemporary dance, facilitating encounters between artists and industry professionals from 7-31 August 2026.

Literature

Per Gustavsson, Anders Sparring (authors), participation at the Hay Festival and in the family programme, 25– 29 May, Hay-on-Wye. Organiser: Gecko Press (Lerner Publishing Group).

Literature

Hanna Nordenhök (author), book tour of Wonderland (Underlandet), 9–16 October, organiser: Héloïse Press.

Literature

Elin Anna Labba (author), author presentation and book launch of The Home of the Drowned (Far inte till havet), 17 May–31 October, organiser: Harvill, Vintage, Penguin Random House UK.

Literature

Music

The Swedish Grammy-nominated trio Northern Resonance will be touring and performing at well-established festivals, as well as delivering hands-on workshops. Sheffield, 8 May 2022.

Music

Cromer, 9 May
Birmingham, 13 May
London, 14 May
Bristol, 15 May

Theatre

Malmö Dockteater is Sweden’s most established puppet theatre for adults. In July 2026, Malmö Dockteater will embark on a two-week tour of London, performing The World is Full of Married Men at The Yard Theatre, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy in London. The production will run from 21 - 25 July and 27 July - 1 August.

Theatre

Teater KEF will be taking part in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7-29 August 2026 with Solo Från Orkesterdiket, a musical storytelling performance created and performed by Elias Fingersh. Combining storytelling theatre, opera and electronic music, the work is based on Faingersh's experiences as a trombonist at the Metropolitan Opera. This award-winning production has previously been performed Off-Broadway in New York. With humour and musical playfulness, it depicts the choice between a secure career in an orchestra and a freer artistic path.

Visual Arts

Coulisse Gallery will present a solo project by Matti Sumari at Frieze London 2026. This project will stage a melancholic yet playful archaeology of the urban environment. Repurposed lampposts, cast aluminium, and anodised metals are transformed into bodies, ornaments, and symbols of decay, labour, and care. The fair runs from 14-18 October in London.

Visual Arts

Art and Theory Stockholm is receiving support to participate in the Offprint London art book fair in June 2026 and in the Felix Art Fair in Los Angeles in February 2027. The publisher plans to present a selection of artworks and approximately 10–15 titles at both fairs, featuring artists such as Elin Elfström, Andreas Eriksson, Lerin & Hystad, Jenny Källman, poet Iman Mohammed, and author Philip Warkander. The fairs offer a platform where the publisher’s publications, and thus Swedish artists and writers, have the opportunity to be presented in an international context.