The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has announced the nominees for the Government’s 2024 Music Export Prize, a prestigious award that recognizes internationally successful Swedish artists and songwriters who have made significant contributions to music exports. The ceremony will take place on June 17th at Bankhallen in Stockholm, where Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa will present the awards.
The nominees, chosen by a jury of music industry experts, include a diverse range of talented artists, including Bladee, Elvira Anderfjärd, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Mikael Karlsson, and Opeth. These individuals have all demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to promoting Swedish music on the global stage.
According to Minister Dousa, “I am proud to bring together representatives of the Swedish music industry to celebrate and honour artists, music creators and other actors who have made outstanding contributions to music exports in 2024. The nominees have helped strengthen Sweden’s brand and thereby created interest and opened new doors for our country.”
The Government’s Music Export Prize has a long history, dating back to 1997, when it was established to recognize artists who have been internationally successful during the preceding year and contributed to Swedish musical export success. In addition to the main prize, this year’s ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Government’s Special Prize for long-standing contributions to Swedish music exports and an Honourable Mention for achievements of particular importance to the internationalisation of Swedish music.
The jury consists of music industry experts, including Boel Adler, Jesper Thorsson, Johan Seidefors, Karolina Moberg, Linda Portnoff, Ludvig Werner, Per Sinding-Larsen, and Robert Sehlberg. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise ensure that the nominees are thoroughly evaluated and recognized for their achievements.
The ceremony will be open to media representatives who have registered in advance by April 15th. The event is expected to draw a large audience, with attendees subject to available space. A maximum of two representatives from each editorial office may attend.
The selection of this year’s nominees marks an exciting milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote Swedish music on the global stage. With this award, Sweden continues to assert its influence as a hub for creative talent and musical innovation. As Minister Dousa aptly put it, “The nominees have helped strengthen Sweden’s brand and thereby created interest and opened new doors for our country.”
Programme Details
Doors open: 13:00
Awards ceremony: 13:30
Interviews and questions from the media: Approx. 14:40
The significance of this award cannot be overstated, as it highlights the outstanding achievements of Swedish artists who have made a lasting impact on the global music scene. The Government’s Music Export Prize serves as a testament to Sweden’s rich musical heritage and its continued commitment to promoting creative talent worldwide.
Closing Statement
The selection of this year’s nominees marks an exciting milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote Swedish music on the global stage, showcasing the diversity and excellence of Swedish artists.