The Social Democrats turn around – stop Eritrean festival

The festival is accused of having strong links to the dictatorship in Eritrea.

Now the Social Democrats in Stockholm are stopping the organizer from renting the city’s premises.

– I condemn the Eritrean dictatorship and take this very seriously, says councilor Karin Wanngård (S).

The Eritrean cultural festival has been organized in Stockholm for decades. Last year, protesters stormed Järvafältet where it was held, leading to riots and chaos. The protesters accuse the festival’s organizers of being close to the regime in Eritrea – accusations that are backed up by an Eritrea expert.

Aftonbladet wrote this week that finance councilor Karin Wanngård (S) does not stop the festival from renting the city’s premises. Aftonbladet’s article was noticed, among other things, in several editorial pages – now Wanngård has made the decision that the city will not rent out its premises for the festival.

– The city, in contact with Järva people’s park, has agreed that they may not rent toilets, water and electricity at Eggeby farm if they were to organize the festival this year, she says.

Finding no evidence of linkage

Wanngård says that the reports in the media are not behind her decision, but that it has been an ongoing process. She is adamant that she has found no evidence that there is a connection between the regime and the festival.

– There is nothing in the material they have submitted or in what the cultural administration has checked. But it is important that we do not facilitate the spread of anxiety among people seeking protection in Sweden, says Wanngård.

After the article, Aftonbladet has been in contact with several exiles who welcome the criticism of the festival being lifted. There are also those who believe that there is a smear campaign against the festival. One of them is Bisrat Mebrathu, who is one of the organizers.

She firmly denies that the festival is close to the regime. According to her, the aim is to gather exiles for a cultural festival. The fact that the ambassador is also present, which has been something the critics have noticed, is due to the fact that the visitors will have the opportunity to ask what is happening in the country.

What do you say when you hear that opinion?

– I have great respect for the fact that it is a difficult question. It’s a gray area, it’s not simple. But what we saw unfold last year, we don’t want to see again, says Wanngård.

“Risk of losing constituencies”

Wanngård adds that it is now up to the police to decide whether the festival will get the necessary permits.

– They will not be able to use the premises via the Järva people’s park. Then it’s up to the police how they interpret the legislation, I don’t own that question.

Stockholm liberal Jan Jönsson, who directed harsh criticism at S this week, welcomes S’s new announcement.

– But I don’t understand based on which principles. Just a few weeks ago, they had the opposite view. My feeling is that they tried to let this slide under the radar because they risk losing constituencies. S’s view of democracy is also already being questioned with El Haj. They probably felt they had to completely redo it.