February 11 2025
With newly written drama, actors from the region and experts from Ájtte, the Silver Museum and the Norrbotten Museum, Anders Lundin takes us on a historical journey in northern Sweden with the podcast "The People's History".
– Norrbotten and Västerbotten cover almost 40 percent of Sweden's area. This enormous area is bursting with stories that we, together with historians, researchers and actors from the region, want to share. We want to reflect people who have lived and worked in northern Sweden and examine how they have influenced our present and future, says Anders Lundin, host of the podcast "Folkets Historia".
Lennart Jähkel voices the characters, along with Malin Vispe, Marit Baer, Silas Baer, Michael Grahn, Petra Ekblom, Ohnyute Charles, Ivan Mathias Petersson and Vilgot Paulsen.
Nils Harnesk, department head and archaeologist at Norrbotten Museum, believes that after SVT's production "The History of Sweden" they saw a great need to reach out nationally with the history of northern Sweden.
– When we were asked about collaborating with the podcast “The History of the People”, it really came at the right time. We are happy to be able to convey exciting and important stories from our history together – stories that also belong in the history of Sweden, says Nils Harnesk.
In the episode from Norrbotten Museum, archaeologist Carina Bennerhag talks about early iron production in northern Sweden.
In the episode from Ájtte, we hear Anders Lundin talk to Elina Kuhmunen from Ájtte about what everyday life might have been like in a time when knowledge of the conditions of nature was a prerequisite for survival.
– It is important for us to highlight the stories that have shaped our identity, tradition and connection to nature. Highlighting the history of northern Sweden is giving voice to our culture that has been almost invisible in the broader story of Sweden, says Elisabeth Pirak Kuoljok, museum director at Ájtte.
The Silver Museum contributes a story about the Ume Sami Sjul's escape from the silver mine in Nasafjäll. We gain in-depth knowledge about the life of the Sami during the great power era. Malin Brännström, researcher and director of the Silver Museum says:
– By understanding our history, we get a better picture of the present and can make better decisions for the future. The investment in the podcast means that more people can learn more about everything that happened here and that still affects us today.
The project is made possible by Sparbanken Nord, through a collaboration with the Silver Museum, Ájtte Swedish Mountain and Sami Museum and Norrbotten Museum.
– The history of Norrbotten is a living story of strength, perseverance and innovation that has had great significance both for those of us who live here and for the entire country. We want to help increase and spread knowledge about the unique culture and traditions that have shaped our region, says Erika Mattsson, Head of Sustainability and Society at Sparbanken Nord.
– We believe the combination of interesting stories in podcast format and the expertise that the museums in the county contribute will be a successful concept that we look forward to, concludes Erika Mattsson.
The episodes about Norrbotten and Västerbotten are released on all podcast platforms and are produced by the production company Hildurs.