Swedes in the News

Swedes in the News [ ] Swedish politics and celebrations

Dominique turns 80

Monica Dominique. Photo: Jonna Spiik/SR

Pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, revue artist and actress Monica Dominique recently celebrated her 80th birthday. The Swedish music veteran, who studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and graduated as a music director and piano teacher, has had an impressive career. Dominique has been part of music groups “Solar Plexus” and “Gals and Pals”, written music for radio and TV, and was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Recently, in an interview for Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet, Dominique revealed that she would host a small garden party and had wished for a flashlight, lip gloss and perfume as birthday gifts.

Hellberg for Skåne

Swedish composer, lyricist and Malmö native Nisse Hellberg, 61, known as singer and guitarist of Swedish rock band Wilmer X, has won the “Årets skåning 2020” prize. “Årets skåning” is a distinction awarded annually by Scanian evening newspaper Kvällsposten (nowadays a southern Swedish edition of Expressen) together with the foundation “Skåneländska flaggans dag”. The award is usually presented in front of an audience in connection with the celebration of Skåneländska flaggans dag, but due to the current pandemic, the ceremony will be held without an audience. Hellberg said it felt fantastic being named “Årets skåning” and that he was very moved. Hellberg’s long-awaited new solo album is due in August 2020.

Nisse Hellberg. Photo: Mattias Ahlm/SR

Sundin stars in Jönssonligan

Swedish advertiser, host, comedian and writer David Sundin, 44, is juggling many balls in the air. He recently hosted “Summer on radio program P1”. He is now making his feature film debut in the role of “DynamitHarry” in Tomas Alfredson’s film “Se upp för Jönssonligan” which premieres later this year. Sundin, who grew

David Sundin. Photo: Kitty Lingmerth

up in Gimo in Uppland, has worked in advertising, and also as a stand-up comedian, blogger, script writer, and TV host for Svenska idrottsgalan (Swedish Sports Award), Kristallen (The Crystal), Melodifestivalen (“the Melody Festival”) and Bäst i test (“Best in Test”). “Se upp för Jönssonligan” is a reboot of the Swedish classic “Jönssonligan” series.

Sahlin’s Memoir

Mona Sahlin. Photo: Mattias Ahlm/SR

Swedish politician Mona Sahlin, 63, sums up her political life in a memoir called “Makt lös” released on September 22. Sahlin, who served as leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party between 2007 – 2011, was forced to end her 40-year-long political career when she was convicted of writing a false affidavit for her bodyguard in 2017. The memoir, written with the help of Swedish host and TV producer Henrik Johnsson, focuses on Sahlin’s life during and after her last week as party leader for Socialdemokraterna in 2011.

Reinfeldt on U.S. election

Fredrik Reinfeldt. Photo: Sveriges Radio

The book “3 november 2020 ödesvalet” by Swedish economist, lecturer and former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, 55, is being released by Albert Bonniers Förlag on September 1. The book, which Reinfeldt wrote along with his son Gustaf, focuses on the upcoming US presidential election. It discusses the factors that will determine the election results and consequences. Fredrik Reinfeldt has previously published two books by Albert Bonniers Förlag, “Halvvägs” in 2015 and “Nya livet” in 2016.