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full screen The Almedal week was brought forward for the sake of the party leaders. Now the organizers are considering moving the week again. Archive image. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT
Last year, the Almedal Week changed dates, from week 27 to week 26. This is something that has put some of the organizers at risk, according to Meit Fohlin, chairman of the Almedal Council and the regional board.
– You feel that you don’t have time to get there and prepare.
The problem is that the event starts right after the Midsummer weekend, which leaves less time for preparations.
– In previous years, week 26 has been a preparation week, where you have time to get on site and build up the arenas. All arenas are now being built before the midsummer weekend.
To be evaluated
She cannot answer if the change has affected the number of participants. She states that they have more events this year compared to last year.
– But what we have heard from some is that you don’t have time to prepare the arrangements as you would like, so then you choose to refrain instead.
The week must be evaluated in order to decide whether it might be relevant to change the date again. The fact that Almedal Week was brought forward is due to the participating politicians.
– Actually, it is the party leaders who have wanted this. We want to be loyal to them about the speeches, but it’s also a whole week that has to work.
Democracy in focus
This year’s theme is democracy, with the sub-question of whether democracy is under threat or not. It is a question that is relevant worldwide, according to Fohlin.
– Several wars are going on right now, and we have had an EU election where this issue was discussed. It’s also the first time we’ve had terror level four in our week, so there are several reasons we want to focus on that.
Almedal week is needed to maintain democracy and democratic conversation, according to Fohlin.
– It is a forum where ordinary people get access to the same arenas as politicians, communicators and others who want to influence, she says and continues:
– That’s what this week is about. Democracy must not be taken for granted, and then you must continue to create these kinds of conversations and demonstrations.
FACT safety during Almedal week
For the first time, Almedal Week is being held since the terrorist threat level in Sweden was raised to the second highest level, therefore security is a particular priority.
The organizers cooperate with the police and security guards, and the entire Almedal area will be under camera surveillance. Just like last year, there will be roadblocks with traffic barriers and a ban on flying drones.
Courses in public safety have also been carried out with officials and the organizers of the events.
However, the bag ban that the police introduced last autumn for, for example, concerts and sporting events does not apply.
Read moreFACTS It’s Almedal week
Almedal Week takes place during week 26. It begins on Monday evening, June 24, with an inauguration. Then it lasts for four whole days, between Tuesday 25 June and Friday 28 June.
Around 30,000 people are expected to visit the week, including the party leaders of all the parties in the Riksdag (for the Green Party, spokesperson Daniel Helldén will participate).
Read more