This year’s divertissement will be a swirling mix of music and dance. Three independent stories will celebrate the power of inspiration and the winding path that leads us humans to development and progress. Laleh will perform newly composed music together with dancers from BASE23 and solo musicians. The divertissement will also include newly composed music by Bo Wastesson.
“I have come to understand that a Nobel Prize laureate’s journey to success is rarely straightforward,” says director and choreographer Hans Marklund, who is artistically responsible for this year’s divertissement. “You face difficulties, challenges and setbacks. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, there is a desire to learn, be inspired, develop and find one’s way. We will reflect that journey through music, dance and song.”
Laleh is one of Sweden’s biggest artists. For two decades she has composed, produced and written her own music. As the first woman ever to win a Swedish Grammy as a producer, she has proven that the poetry of hope can become popular culture. With sold-out tours, millions of listeners and numerous prestigious awards, she has cemented her unique place in Swedish music history and consolidated her role as a pioneer in the music industry.
During the banquet evening, the Blue Hall will be filled with young dance artists who ‒ together with Laleh ‒ will convey stories of strong will, curiosity and love. They will present several acts. In one of the performances, we follow a girl’s upbringing and path to finding herself through knowledge. In another act, a mother struggles to find a cure that will save her child.
“It is a privilege to work with these musicians and dancers,” says Hans Marklund. “Bo Wastesson has an ear for melodies and musical loops that go straight to the heart and linger. And Laleh ‒ there is only one! She is one of our most beloved artists, with an incredible ability to captivate her audience and go her own way.”
About the divertissement
The divertissement will include newly composed music by Bo Wastesson as well as Laleh and Gustaf Thörn. The performers will be Laleh and a large group of dancers from Base23. On oboe we will hear Verity Gunning-Olsson, on violin Christian Svarfvar, and guitar will be played by Gustaf Thörn. Dance soloists will be Emmi Tjernström, Amanda Arin, Ellen Weston and Jonathan Kvapil. Hans Marklund is in charge of artistic direction. Tove Skeidsvoll is responsible for artistic supervision and artistic direction together with Hans Marklund. The arrangements of Bo Wastesson’s music are by Johan Landqvist.
Act I – The Genius in the Shadow
Symphonic suite from The Fleeting Breath of Beauty
Music: Bo Wastesson
Arrangement: Johan Landqvist
Choreography: Albin Lindén
Act II – History Repeats Itself
When Good Ain’t Good
Music and lyrics: Laleh Pourkarim and Gustaf Thörn
Strings arranged by: Laleh Pourkarim, Gustaf Thörn, Erik Arvinder & Henrik Langemyr
Strings conducted by: Erik Arvinder
Choreography: Therese Carlsson
Act III – The Formula of Hope
Symphonic suite from The Longing of Hope
Music: Bo Wastesson
Arrangement: Johan Landqvist
Many Lights
Music and lyrics: Laleh Pourkarim and Gustaf Thörn
Strings arranged by: Laleh Pourkarim, Gustaf Thörn, Erik Arvinder & Henrik Langemyr
Strings conducted by: Erik Arvinder
Choreography: Hans Marklund
Act IV – Dessert Parade
The Infinite Blue
Music: Bo Wastesson
Arrangement: Johan Landqvist
About the performers
Laleh Pourkarim is one of Sweden’s most unique and beloved artists. As early as 2005, with her self-titled debut album featuring songs such as Live Tomorrow, she demonstrated the art of being able to mix poetry with pop melodies that stick immediately. Laleh is known for her unusual way of writing songs – she often creates her music alone, plays most of the instruments herself and is a master at combining playfulness with vulnerability. She has a unique ability to mix Swedish and English without losing her authenticity. With hits such as Some Die Young, Bara få va mig själv, Tack förlåt, Goliat, En stund på jorden, Det kommer bli bra and many more, she has not only topped the charts but has also become one of Sweden’s most sought-after songwriters, creating works for various international artists. Laleh is not only an artist, but also a formidable producer and musician – one who has found her own special place in our musical history and always goes her own way, always with her heart in her hand and the world as inspiration.
Bo Wastesson is a Swedish composer living and working in Söderköping. He has written numerous instrumental works but also entire musicals such as Bröderna Lejonhjärta (The Brothers Lionheart) for the Göteborg Opera (2005), Gerda ‒ en sångsaga (2001), Smedens dotter (The Blacksmith’s Daughter, 2012), Fyren (The Lighthouse, 2024), Tänk om jag gifter mig med prästen (If I Could Marry the Minister, 2018). Plus a grand National Romantic musical version of Gösta Berlings Saga (The Saga of Gösta Berling), with lyrics by Ture Rangström, which will premiere in the near future and will feature singer Peter Jöback, who scored a major success with En sång om oss (A Song About Us) from that musical. Bo Wastesson was previously head of the adult education association Studiefrämjandet in the Östergötland region of Sweden.
Hans Marklund is a director and choreographer who has been creating dance performances, shows, musicals and plays for more than 45 years. He has worked with practically all the major Swedish artists: Hasse & Tage, Povel Ramel, Jan Malmsjö, Lena Philipsson, Tommy Körberg, Peter Jöback, After Dark, Björn Skifs, Jerry Williams and numerous others who have shaped and continue to create the Swedish songbook and cultural heritage. Hans Marklund also writes scripts, does graphic design and animations and has done the set design for most of his productions. During his 25 years as head of the legendary Hamburger Börs dinner theatre in Stockholm, he created all the shows there. He has also worked with the European Song Contest, a number of major live TV galas, the summer TV song show Allsång på Skansen, the Swedish National Day celebrations, the King’s 50th birthday celebration and his own plays at Uppsala Stadsteater (Uppsala City Theatre). In addition to four current productions around Sweden, since 2012 Hans Marklund has been artistic director of Stockholms Musikalartistutbilding, which trains performers for musicals.
Tove Skeidsvoll is a choreographer, dance artist and actor. During her 20-year professional career, she has been an artistically courageous and dedicated creator and co-creator, contributing to critically acclaimed stage performances for different age groups such as Mikro Makro, a musical fantasy about Swedish Sámi folk musician Lapp-Nils, and Anna Vnuk är bastarden (Anna Vnuk is the Bastard). In the internationally award-winning films Sameblod (Sámi Blood) and Midsommar, Tove combined the roles of actor/choreographer and assistant choreographer, respectively. She is also the choreographer for the TV series Ronja Rövardotter (Ronja the Robber’s Daughter) and has a minor role in the TV series Händelser vid vattnet (Blackwater) based on Kerstin Ekman’s book. Tove has done numerous collaborations with self-producing music artists such as David Sandström, Iamamiwhoami, Laleh and Röyksopp. Tove holds a Master of Fine Arts degeree in choreography from Stockholm University of the Arts and is the artistic director of the Northern Movement Dance Company (Nomodaco).
BASE23 – A creative and inspiring dance school
Anneli Alhanko and Eva Johnson created a school that focuses on quality and the joy of dancing. Providing both depth and breadth, BASE23 offers professional training as well as hobby courses. In its 2,000 square metre space, large and small dance dreams meet ‒ from the first tentative, faltering steps to full-fledged dancers and artists on their way into their careers.