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It’s time for the festival – but it’s also high time to stand up for peace, democracy, and climate justice. In a time of global environmental crises, war, and political polarization, we need to come together – to resist, and to co-create the change we want to see.
Action Village returns to Rosendal Garden Party for the third year in a row, this time with some of the bravest voices and movements of our time. We unite under the theme AMOR MUNDI = love for the world, and a call to the festival’s artists and fans: to use our rights and responsibilities in the fight for a sustainable and just future.
This year’s Action Village will feature activists fighting for the forests, for Indigenous rights, for peace, for the climate, and for international law. What will happen in the grove and on stage?
Friday, June 13
16:35 Reading: “This Was Our House – Children’s Stories from Gaza” Actors Julia Dufvenius, Christopher Wollter, and Maria Lundqvist read from the book This Was Our House – Stories by Children in Gaza together with editor Nora Khalil. Come and listen to the voices of Palestinian children as they describe the brutal reality in Gaza. Testimonies of loss, grief, and survival—but also a strong desire to be heard. Listen and show your support!
17:50 Is It Just Me Who Cares? A conversation about art, culture, and activism as tools for change. Authoritarian forces are gaining strength—but so is the resistance. Listen to Stina Wollter and Emil Svanängen (Loney Dear) discuss activism, engagement, using one’s platform for good, and the role of culture in the fight for human rights, peace, climate, and democracy.
19:50 Radioactivity It’s been 80 years since the atomic bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki—two moments that changed the world forever. And it’s been less than fifteen years since the last major nuclear accident, in Fukushima, Japan. Still, we increasingly hear talk of rearmament, landmines, nuclear weapons, and nuclear power—as if history has taught us nothing. Listen to a conversation with Gabriella Irsten (Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society) and Dima Litvinov (Greenpeace) about nuclear weapons and nuclear energy—two technologies that should belong to the past.
21:45 We Want to Break Free! – How do we move from green colonialism to climate justice? The world is fossil-dependent, and there’s consensus that we must break free from this deadly addiction. But what happens if we don’t also address the growth dependency of our economic system and the power structures that oppress both people and nature? In Sápmi, the Indigenous Sámi people suffer from green colonialism, and in our societies, racism and class divides are deepening. The antidote we collectively need is spelled climate justice—but what does that really mean, and what does the path there look like? Hear from voices with truly green visions and learn why Sweden’s majority population needs stronger leadership from minorities. Guests: Kerstin Andersson (Amnesty Sápmi), Gurgîn Bakircioglu, Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen (Sáminuorra), and Karolina Carlsson (Greenpeace)
Saturday, June 14
16:35 Reading: “This Was Our House – Children’s Stories from Gaza” Tess Asplund, singer Sarah Assbring (El Perro del Mar), and artist Tusse (Toussaint Chiza) read from the book together with editor Nora Khalil. Come and listen to Palestinian children’s own words about the brutal reality in Gaza. Testimonies of loss, grief, and survival—but also a strong desire to be heard. Listen and show your support!
18:50 Time to Resist – The Right to Protest Coming together as citizens to demand change is central to democracy. In Sweden, this has won us rights like paid vacation and women’s suffrage. But something is happening to the right to demonstrate. Politicians label peaceful protests as terrorism, climate activists are charged with sabotage, and the media reports on secret networks. What’s behind this trend? What can we do to protect the right to protest? And what role does culture play? Guests: Jenny Nguyen (Civil Rights Defenders), Rolf Lindahl (Greenpeace), and artist Tusse (Toussaint Chiza)
20:00 Festival Forest – Can a Festival Audience Protect Nature? This year, artists, organizers, and fans at Rosendal Garden Party join forces in a unique collective action: Festival Forest. Together, they spotlight the threats facing Sweden’s last natural forests and raise funds to protect them. How can festivals become powerful platforms for change? Meet the activists, artists, and organizers behind the initiative.
21:15 When Democracy Is at Stake Abolishing democracy in Sweden is easier than you think. Try it yourself in the board game Dictator of Sweden, developed by Civil Rights Defenders. Expect laughter, important discussions, and a healthy dose of uncomfortable truths.
Sunday, June 15
15:30 The State of Sweden’s Forests The forests that capture carbon and support biodiversity are the same ones where reindeer graze, berries grow, mushrooms thrive, and we hike and breathe clean air. The forest is an ecosystem—not just a timber field. Protecting the last remaining natural forest is about protecting everything we cannot live without. Less than 10% of Sweden’s natural forests remain. The rest are mostly clear-cuts and planted monocultures. The “green” forestry industry hides a systematic destruction. It’s a crime—against nature and Indigenous rights. In this talk, meet several people who can tell us more about Sweden’s forests and the fight for their survival. Guests: Kamilla Sol (Skogsvärn), Karolina Carlsson (Greenpeace), Jeanette Eggers (forest planning researcher), and Mats Söderlund (author & poet)
17:00 On the Nightmare Unfolding in Palestine People in Gaza live—and die—in a bottomless darkness. More and more international experts, lawyers, and human rights organizations are describing Israel’s attacks on Gaza as genocide. It is not only an assault on civilians but also a ruthless attack on international law and a blatant disregard for the rules of war—when and where they are needed the most. Come and listen to Tanvir Mansur, recently returned from the West Bank, in conversation with Karin Wall Härdfeldt, Secretary General of Swedish Peace, about the situation and what we can do to prevent genocide and end Israel’s occupation.
18:45 Through the Fire – Inspiring change in unexpected spaces The We Are Family Foundation visits Action Village with its co-founder Nile Rodgers for a conversation with 20 young climate leaders from around the world supported by the foundation. This session offers a global perspective on how people beyond Sweden are working for change! This session will be held in English.
21:00 Culture & Resistance Welcome to a conversation with artist Elin Wiigh, author Mats Söderlund, and activist Karolina Carlsson where we will explore how culture, art, and creativity can be used as tools for a just transition. Resistance is not only acts of civil disobedience or demonstrations—it is also found in everyday life. Especially through culture.