Time
12.11.2024 17.00 – 19.00

Address
Nordisk kulturkontakts bibliotek, Kajsaniemigatan 9

Language
Swedish

Children and young people’s literature has always been quick to address current phenomena within society. Now that gang violence has become an increasingly significant problem in Nordic society, the topic is even appearing in books for younger children. But do we, as adults, dare to approach this subject through literature, and how do we do it in the right way?

Our focus this evening will be on the descent of violence into younger age groups. How should we talk about, and with, those who live in the midst of such challenges? Can the creative process and the work on the picture book Någons bror (Someone’s brother, not translated into English) inspire and help more children and young people find a way forwards, and one that gives them hope?

Kaisa Kepsu, senior advisor at the Nordic Welfare Centre, will open the event with insights from current research on youth well-being in the Nordic Region under the title How can we prevent exclusion in the Nordics?

Following this, the evening’s topic will be discussed by a panel consisting of Viveka Sjögren, author of the picture book Någons bror, which was nominated for the 2024 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize, Christian Wenzel, head of operations at Stationens Barn, and Christine Namdar, sociologist at the University of Helsinki. Librarian and reading promoter Anna Hällgren will moderate the discussion.

“I know it when I hear the helicopter over the rooftops/ I’d fallen asleep, but now I’m awake/ I know that soon the blue lights will come/ the ones that flicker in the night over the walls of the houses” – from Någons bror by Viveka Sjögren

The event is organized as a collaboration between the Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Culture Point.

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Nordic Culture Point has been granted the EcoCompass environmental certificate. We’re making every endeavour to reduce our carbon footprint, which is why all travel within the organisation is carefully planned. Use public transport when you visit us, and you’ll contribute to a greener cultural scene, too! 

Nordic Culture Point strives to organise accessible events where everyone can equally participate. In the following link, you will find information about the accessibility of our facilities. Please inform us in advance if you have any specific accessibility requirements. We will do our best to accommodate them.