The Consulate General of Sweden in Shanghai, supported by the Swedish Institute, presented "Swedish Music Moments: Hits and Innovations" at Fotografiska Shanghai on May 22. This event showcased the significant achievements and innovations of the Swedish music industry.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Marie-Claire Swärd Capra, Consul General, highlighted Sweden’s remarkable position as the largest music exporter per capita in the world, and the third largest overall, only after the US and the UK. She noted that since the mid-1990s, Swedish songwriters and producers have been behind numerous top hits on the US Billboard chart, solidifying Sweden’s influence in the international pop music scene. She also spoke about Sweden’s strength in innovation, exemplified by Spotify, which today has well over 600 million users worldwide.
The event featured an informative video presentation by Jan-Olof Gullö, Professor of Music and Media Production at KMH, Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Professor Gullö discussed the intricacies of music production, and the essential role digitalization has played in the industry. He also highlighted Swedish innovations that have transformed the way we listen to, distribute, and produce music.
A notable part of the event was a dialogue between two esteemed Chinese music experts: Sun Meng Jin, a music and film critic and documentary director, and Ruxi, founder of the video channel RuxiEDM. Their discussion explored the factors behind the Swedish music phenomenon and its potential as an inspiration for China’s music industry. They also examined past collaborations between Sweden and China and the promising opportunities for future value creation in the music sector.
Additionally, the event highlighted “Tim - The Official Biography of AVICII” which was recently released in Chinese language to audiences in China, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of one of Sweden’s most influential musical figures.
With 80 guests in attendance, the event provided a valuable opportunity for the public to engage with and appreciate Sweden's musical heritage and its innovative contributions to the global music industry.
