Voksenåsen will participate in the Gothenburg Book Fair from September 24–27, 2026, with 20 talks and its own booth, C03:02. The program below is organized by Voksenåsen and other partners.
Thursday, September 24
10:00–10:45
The Heart of Democracy
What happens to democracy when more and more people encounter information through algorithms rather than shared public spaces? As digitization, information overload, and declining trust take hold, libraries are playing an increasingly important role as open meeting places. How can they evolve to strengthen participation, critical thinking, and shared dialogue in the Nordic region?
Participants: Elisabeth Aquilonius,Director of the Stockholm City Library;Gerd Elise Mörland, Department Director for Editorial and Content at the Deichman Libraries in Oslo; andSalla Tammi, Director of Central Library Services in Finland. Moderator: Brit Stakston.
Organizers: The Norwegian Embassy, the Finnish Embassy, and the Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Room F3, Seminar Hall
10:00–10:30
Campfire Talk – How Do We Make History Engaging?
How can we make history more than just dates and events in a textbook? We’ll discuss how we can make the past tangible, relatable, and relevant to students—and how history can help us understand our own present.
Welcome to our campfire chats! These are short, open discussions where we share experiences, questions, and teaching methods from the classroom. Come visit our booth and share your experiences!
Cast: Pernille Iversen and Martin Aasbø Ringdal
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
11:00–11:45
Countering the Pressure of Disinformation
The present day is characterized by a constant flow of information, a reading crisis, fake news, and alternative facts. The gap between perceived reality and the reality that is presented challenges our knowledge and freedom of speech.
Participants: Inas Hamdan, journalist;Heidi Backman, Chief of Staff at the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture;Magnus Hjort, Director General of the Psychological Defense Agency; and Trude Storheim, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Gender Equality, standing in for Norway’s Minister of Culture and Gender Equality, Lubna Jaffery. Host:Dilsa Demirbag-Sten, Ministry of Storytelling.
Organizers: Hanaholmen, the Ministry of Storytelling, the Norwegian Embassy, and Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Room F2, Seminar Hall
11:30–11:50
When History Calls for Us to Slow Down
In a digital age where everything moves at breakneck speed, we sometimes need to slow down. We need the analog.*The Feldmann Case*and *In the King’s Name* are game-based educational materials based on authentic sources from occupied Norway during World War II. Students investigate, interpret, and make decisions on their own—without predetermined answers, but with real-world consequences. The games spark discussions about resistance and conformity, source criticism, responsibility, and ethical dilemmas, just like most games do. A conversation about how analog games can foster presence, engagement, and deep discussions—in the classroom and around the kitchen table.
Participants: Fredrik Sjöholm, Borlänge Municipality’s Tolerance Project;Emelie Hahn, Uppsala Municipality;Camilla Linde. The discussion will be moderated byAnna Florén,the Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund.
Organizer: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
The Gaming Scene
12:00–12:30
Campfire Talk – 15 Years After July 22 – How Do We Talk About It in the Classroom?
How do we teach about the terrorist attacks of July 22, 2011, today? And where do we stand, 15 years later, in relation to the ideas and ideology that motivated the attacks?
Welcome to our campfire chats! These are short, open discussions where we share experiences, questions, and teaching methods from the classroom. Come visit our booth and share your experiences!
Cast: Pernille Iversen and Martin Aasbø Ringdal
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
1:00 PM–1:45 PM
So much gaming in the Nordic region
Is there a "Nordic way" to create games? How can you make players feel at home in typically Nordic settings? And what sets Nordic players apart?
Participants:Eevi Korhonen of Finland, narrative designer at Housemarque Games, the studio behind the games*Returnal*and*Saros*;Are Sundnes of Norway, co-founder of the studio Hyper Games, the studio behindthe *Moomin* games; Trine Laier, co-founder of the Danish studio Those Eyes; andFredrik Malmberg from Sweden, who has been one of the biggest names in the Swedish gaming industry since the 1980s. The host isEvelina Galli, a tech and gaming journalist.
Organizers: The Book Fair, the Embassy of Finland, and the Embassy of Norway
Room F4, seminar room
1:00–1:25 p.m.
Games in the Classroom—A Tool for Schools’ Mission to Promote Democracy
Teachers are expected to address several challenging issues related to the school’s mission to promote democracy, while at the same time working with student groups with vastly different experiences. Board games and role-playing have become an increasingly common feature of instruction, partly as a counterbalance to the digitization of schools. What can the use of games contribute to the classroom—and what are its limitations? What is required of the teacher for this to work? The discussion provides both concrete examples from the classroom and reflections on games as a teaching tool.
Participants: Helena Hermansson, representing the Feldmann case;Sofia Walan, Civil Rights Defenders;Cecilia Ferngren, educator from the Forum for Living History. Moderator:Pernille Iversen, Voksenåsen.
Organizers: Voksenåsen Cultural Center, the Forum for Living History, and the Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund.
The Teachers' Stage
2:00–2:30 p.m.
The Feldmann Waterfall
Come try out the Feldmann Case? A creative educational resource where students become investigators.
Using historical sources, students investigate a real-life case related to World War II in Norway. They practice source criticism and reflect on responsibility, room for action, and ethical dilemmas. Target audience: Educators teaching middle school and above.
Cast: Fredrik Sjöholm and Helena Hermansson
Organizer: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
3:00–3:20 p.m.
Looking Back & Finding the Way Forward in Times of Crisis
How can history provide us with insights to understand today’s global unrest? As the world is marked by polarization and growing authoritarian tendencies, insights from the last century are once again relevant: how quickly democratic systems can be weakened. How can we look to the past to find the way forward amid the complex challenges and changing social landscape of our time? How can we identify connections we might otherwise miss—and how can we strengthen our ability to take action?
Participants:SebastianKlein, education director at the Falstad Center, Norway’s national education and documentation center for the history of prisoners of war, international humanitarian law, and human rights;PetraMårselius, director general of the Forum for Living History; andChristerMattsson, director of the Segerstedt Institute and associate professor of education at the University of Gothenburg. Moderator: Pernille Iversen, Voksenåsen.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Adult Education Scene
3:00–3:30 p.m.
In the King's Name
Here comes the much-anticipated standalone sequel to *The Feldmann Case*! Try *In the King’s Name*—a creative educational resource where students become investigators.
Using historical sources, students investigate a real-life case related to Norway during World War II. They practice source criticism and reflect on courage, resistance, moral courage, and ethical dilemmas. Target audience: Educators teaching middle school and above.
Cast: Fredrik Sjöholm and Helena Hermansson
Organizer: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
Friday, September 25
9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
High School Day
A program for high school students from Sweden and Norway that focuses on democratic self-confidence, highlighting all the small democratic choices we all make in our daily lives and demonstrating that young people’s own voices matter.
Participants: Annie Lööf, Gina Gylver, andJonatan Lamy; Sandra Lewinssonand Anna Florén. Moderator: Andreas Magnusson.
Note: This event is closed to the public
Organizers: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund, Bonnier Carlsen, and the Book Fair.
10:00–10:30
High School Day
A program for high school students from Sweden and Norway that focuses on democratic self-confidence, highlighting all the small democratic choices we all make in our daily lives and demonstrating that young people’s own voices matter.
Participants: Annie Lööf, Gina Gylver, andJonatan Lamy; Sandra Lewinssonand Anna Florén. Moderator: Andreas Magnusson.
Note: This event is closed to the public
Organizers: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund, Bonnier Carlsen, and the Book Fair.
10:00–10:30
Campfire Chat – How Do We Make History Relevant in the Classroom?
How can history become more than just what happened in the past? We share experiences and ideas on how teaching can connect history, the present, and the students’ own lives.
Welcome to our campfire chats! These are short, open discussions where we share experiences, questions, and teaching methods from the classroom. Come visit our booth and share your experiences!
Cast: Pernille Iversen and Martin Aasbø Ringdal
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
11:00–11:30
High School Day
A program for high school students from Sweden and Norway that focuses on democratic self-confidence, highlighting all the small democratic choices we all make in our daily lives and demonstrating that young people’s own voices matter.
Participants: Annie Lööf, Gina Gylver, andJonatan Lamy; Sandra Lewinssonand Anna Florén. Moderator: Andreas Magnusson.
Note: This event is closed to the public
Organizers: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund, Bonnier Carlsen, and the Book Fair.
12:00–12:20
When everyone agrees—who dares to speak out?
In an era of polarization and an increasingly hostile climate for debate, many people—especially young people—feel that speaking their minds comes at a cost, whether in the classroom, around the dinner table, or among friends. Is there still room for disagreement in public discourse beyond social media and headlines? We ask ourselves whether the Nordic region still has room for a “community of disagreement.” What happens to democratic society if we lack the ability to disagree and choose silence over conflict?
Participants: Jonatan Lamy,Klara Ljungberg, andNoura Berrouba. Moderated byJulia Ståhlroos.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Freedom of Speech Scene
12:00–12:30
Campfire Talk – How Do We Discuss—and Counter—Radicalization in the Classroom?
How can schools create opportunities for discussion about radicalization, extremism, and anti-democratic ideas? What opportunities and challenges do we face as teachers and educators?
Welcome to our campfire chats. These are short, open discussions where we share experiences, questions, and teaching methods from the classroom. Come visit our booth and share your experiences!
Cast: Pernille Iversen and Martin Aasbø Ringdal
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
1:00 PM–2:30 PM
The Feldmann Case
Come try "The Feldmann Case"—a creative educational resource where students become investigators.
Using historical sources, students investigate a real-life case related to Norway during World War II. They practice source criticism and reflect on responsibility, scope for action, and ethical dilemmas. Target audience: Educators teaching middle school and above.
Cast: Fredrik Sjöholm and Helena Hermansson
Organizer: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
2:30–2:50 p.m.
Too Young for the Internet—But Ready for Society?
The debate over how digital platforms should be regulated is intense in the Nordic countries and Europe, particularly when it comes to children and young people. Proposals for age limits, increased platform responsibility, and stronger protections raise difficult questions: Where is the line between necessary protection and restrictions on freedom of expression and information? Who should set the framework, and how can young people participate in democratic discourse if their primary platform becomes inaccessible?
Participants: Kristine Alexanderson, Sarah Safavifard, and Ylva Ågren. Moderator : Andreas Magnusson.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Freedom of Speech Scene
3:00–3:30 p.m.
In the King's Name
Here comes the much-anticipated standalone sequel to The Feldmann Case! Try *In the King’s Name*—a creative educational resource where students become investigators.
Using historical sources, students investigate a real-life case related to Norway during World War II. They practice source criticism and reflect on courage, resistance, moral courage, and ethical dilemmas. Target audience: Educators teaching middle school and above.
Cast: Fredrik Sjöholm and Helena Hermansson
Organizer: The Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
Voksenåsen's Booth C03:02
3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
What Role Do the Nordic Countries Play in the New World Order?
As a new world order emerges, the Nordic region and the Arctic are coming into focus. Sweden, Norway, and the rest of the Nordic region must balance international interests with their responsibilities for governance, research, and sustainable development in the North. At the same time, culture and local daily life play an important role in understanding identity and presence in the region. What is really at stake?
Participants:Niels Engelschiön, Norway’s ambassador to Sweden;Maria Uutsi, director of the Arctic Arts Summit;Helen Eduards, ambassador for Arctic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Myriam Mazzoni, senior advisor on cultural affairs at the Nordic Council of Ministers. Moderator:Karin Eriksson, journalist.
Organizers: Voksenåsen Cultural Center, the Norwegian Embassy, and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Room F1, seminar room
4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Democratic Citizens Online
Gaming is a key social arena for young people, but many—especially girls and women—face hate and harassment. Far-right actors use gaming platforms for recruitment, while schools and parents often lack the tools to address online behavior. How can schools prevent harassment, strengthen young people’s digital judgment, and promote democratic citizenship in the gaming world?
Participants: Daniel Poohl, Expo;Helena Hermansson, the Borlänge Tolerance Project; andViktor Lindberg, Sverok. Moderator:Marie Thrana Tindstad, Voksenåsen.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Room J2, seminar room
5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
Surviving Aging
How does one cope with aging in a society that refuses to acknowledge it? Norwegianauthor Wencke Mühleisen’s*Everything I Fear Has Already Happened*is a sort of “Tinder novel” centered on an older woman. After a long marriage, she is abandoned and forced to reevaluate love, desire, and her self-image in a new and uncertain life. In*Skönheten*byInger Edelfeldt, Laura is shaken by a reunion with an old flame as she approaches sixty. The reunion leads to a living-together arrangement marked by secrets and old wounds. A conversation about vulnerability and the fear of being left behind. Host:Åsa Beckman.
Organizers: Norstedts, Ersatz, and the Norwegian Embassy
Room R2, seminar room
Saturday, September 26
11:00–11:45
Magical, Dangerous Animals
What does the animal say about modern humans? InPajtim Statovci’snovel*The Cow Gives Birth at Night*, the protagonist sees all the splendor and suffering of the world manifested in his grandfather’s cow. InGaea Schoeter’snovel*Trophy*, there is confusion over who is the prey and who is the hunter, who is human and who is beast. In*Allt äter*byLeander Djönne, a pregnant wolverine lives on the hillside behind the house, whose hunger and rage threaten everyone. AuthorJudith Kirosleads a discussion on violence, animal and human instincts, power, and morality.
Organizers: Ersatz, Förlaget, Flo Förlag, Flanders Literature, and the Norwegian Embassy
Room F3, seminar room
12:30–12:50
Can Everyone Join in and Play? On Women, Power, and Inclusion in the Gaming World
Gaming is often described as more open and inclusive than it used to be, but is that really true for women as well? Has the gaming world become a place where everyone can participate on equal terms, or do old structures still persist behind the screen? From harassment in chat rooms to representation in the gaming industry—what progress has been made since the early 2000s?
Participants: Anna Erlandsson, Marie Thrana Tindstad, Voksenåsen, andMags Hyttsten Sundberg, SVEROK. Moderator:Johanna Nylander, Acting CEO & Head of Analysis, the Video Game Industry.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Gaming Scene
3:10 p.m.–3:55 p.m.
From the Bible to the Third Reich—How Language Influences Everyday Life and Everyday Life Influences Language
How we express ourselves matters. As anti-Semitism grows, language changes and the boundaries of what is considered acceptable shift. A conversation about the new Bible translation NT2026, anti-Semitism, people, and markers of values.
Participants: Martin Aasbö Ringdal,researcher and educator at the Voksenåsen Memory Project;__Jesper Svartvik, theologian and pastor;Hanna Liljefors, researcher at the Center for Theology and Religious Studies. Moderator:Helle Klein, director of the Sigtuna Foundation.
Organizers: Teo i tiden and Voksenåsen Cultural Center
Teo Through the Ages
4:00–4:20 p.m.
Games as Tools for Lively Discussions About Democracy
At a time when democracy is under threat, we need methods that engage people, foster dialogue, and encourage a shift in perspective. Today, many professional groups are expected to handle difficult conversations and questions that fall within the scope of their organization’s democratic mission. Board games, discussion cards, and role-playing have therefore become increasingly common tools for bringing complex issues such as freedom of expression, human rights, and society to life. What can games contribute to group activities and education—and what challenges do they present?
This discussion explores how games can be used to promote critical thinking, empathy, and democratic participation. It provides both concrete examples and reflections on games as educational tools.
Cast: Cecilia Ferngren, Helena Hermansson, and Pernille Iversen.
Organizers: Voksenåsen Cultural Center, the Forum for Living History, and the Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund
The Democracy Stage
Sunday, September 27
10:00–10:45
Where No One Can Hear You Scream
In this landscape of dark suspense, forests, villages, and desolate roads become characters that drive the story toward what has long been hidden. The award-winning Norwegian suspense authorEva Fretheimis now being introduced to Swedish readers with*Drottninglandet*. Sara Strömbergis the author of the Vera Bergström series, set in Jämtland.Karin Smirnoffis known in the thriller genre for her books in the Millennium series, in which she has shifted the series’ setting to Norrland. A discussion moderated by journalistMattias Österlundon how a place can be a force that shapes people, secrets, and violence.
Organizers: Bokförlaget Forum, Modernista, Polaris, and the Norwegian Embassy
Room F5, seminar room
11:00–11:20
Can We Write Together—Is the Idea of a Residency Outdated?
What happens when two artists at the beginning of their careers meet at an interdisciplinary artist-in-residence program in Italy? In the spring of 2026,Soraya Bay(b. 1994), who made her debut with the book*The Horn of Plenty*in 2026, and Norwegianauthor Elida Karo(b. 1999), who published her debut novel*And by the Way, My Name Is Leah* in 2025, met at a writers’ residency in Italy. What role do residencies play in the writing process, and what happens when two emerging authors meet to write?
Participants: Soroya Bay and Elida Karo. Moderator:Sarah Safavifard.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Large Garden
12:00–12:20
Escaping the Holocaust – Rescue Operations at the Swedish-Norwegian Border
During the Holocaust, people fled from Nazi-occupied Norway to Sweden. The discussion highlights how stories of courage, resistance, and humanity can be brought to light. How do they become a living part of our collective remembrance and cultural heritage? And why is it important to highlight them right now?
Participants: Marcel Rådström, Mats Tangestuen, and Sebastian Klein. Moderator: Anna Florén.
Organizers: Jewish Culture in Sweden, the Forum for Living History, and the Voksenåsen Cultural Center.
The Jewish Scene
1:00–1:20 p.m.
Freedom of Speech Under Pressure—Information, Propaganda, and Responsibility in Times of Crisis
When war draws near and crises follow one after another, words become part of our preparedness. What is information, what is propaganda, and how do we safeguard freedom of speech in times of crisis? How are we influenced by headlines, rumors, and algorithms, and do authors, the military, journalists, politicians, and those of us who share information bear a responsibility? In this discussion, we’ll examine speech under pressure: how do we express ourselves clearly in acute crises, how do we build resilience, stick to the facts, and at the same time preserve empathy, freedom of speech, and democratic dialogue? Does it matter what we say—or how we listen?
Participants: Åsa Wikforss and Ola Larsmo. Moderator: Cecilia Uddén.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Freedom of Speech Scene
2:00–2:30 p.m.
A Swedish Tiger and Voksenåsen: When History Becomes Our Defense
A special Swedish-Norwegian episode of*A Swedish Tiger*—a podcast about modern history at a time when war and polarization are raising crucial questions.Ola Larsmo,Henrik Arnstad,Anna Florén, andSebastian Kleindiscuss how we can learn about and from history by examining the Holocaust from a pan-Nordic perspective.
Organizer: A Swedish Tiger and Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Podcast Scene
3:00–3:20 p.m.
Do Online Games Lead to Terrorism—Fact or Fiction?
In the wake of terrorist attacks—such as the school shooting in Örebro and the attacks on Utøya and the government quarter in Oslo—gaming has been highlighted in the debate as a venue for radicalization and “training.” Shooting games and online gaming have gained a negative reputation in many contexts—but is this portrayal fair? What role has gaming actually played in terrorist attacks, and what are the myths, pure misconceptions, and documented connections?
Participants:Klara Ljungberg, EXPO, andViktor Lindberg. Moderated bySebastian Klein.
Organizer: Voksenåsen Cultural Center
The Gaming Scene
