A decade of musical freedom: Piteå ICORN City of Refuge begins its 10th anniversary celebrations
As Piteå marks 10 years as an ICORN City of Refuge in 2026, the Municipality has launched the anniversary year with a rich cultural programme and a major long-term commitment: a permanent municipal budget dedicated to the ICORN Programme. In connection with the anniversary, Piteå has also been named Cultural Municipality of the Year in Sweden. Celebrations will continue throughout 2026.
After a decade of hosting musicians who have faced persecution due to their work, Piteå Municipality has decided to make the ICORN programme a permanent part of its budget, allocating 400,000 SEK annually from 2026. This decision strengthens the city’s long-term dedication to artistic freedom, culture, and human rights. More information about the budget decision can be found here.
A photo exhibition has also opened along the popular walking path Södra Hamn, featuring moments from performances by Piteå’s ICORN residents: Cris Gera from Zimbabwe, Justina from Iran, and Yusuf Suleiman from East Turkestan. Each photograph includes a QR code linking to the musician’s live performance. The exhibition will run until June and some of the images can be viewed here.
From 6 to 12 March, Piteå will host a week-long celebration, marking the contributions of Gera, Justina, and Suleiman to the city’s cultural life and reiterating the city’s commitment to democracy, free expression, and human rights. The programme includes exhibitions, concerts, talks, and workshops on themes such as women’s rights, exile, and the power of storytelling. It brings together Piteå’s three ICORN musicians, alongside other Swedish artist, including from the ICORN network. Painter and illustrator Sanaz Hakimi, former ICORN resident in Örebro, will present a new exhibition inspired by Afghan women and Hazara cultural heritage.
The week also includes activities for all ages, from readings of banned books to lectures on democracy, culture, and global issues, with contributions from Swedish diplomat Louise Körnung, strategist and lecturer Mariana Vnuk, artist and producer Mirja Lakso, and others.
More information about the programme is available here.
