The Government’s 2016 Music Export Prize for extraordinary services to Swedish music exports is awarded to artist and songwriter Zara Larsson. And the Government’s 2016 Special Prize for long-standing contributions to Swedish music exports is awarded to opera singer Nina Stemme.
“Sweden continues to export world-class music. It is particularly exciting that the prizes in the two categories this year go to two women who have not only put Sweden on the map with their voices and artistry, but also helped spread a positive image of Sweden as a gender-equal, creative and innovative country,” says Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ann Linde.
On 21 February, Ms Linde presented the Government’s Music Export Prize – the 20th consecutive year it has been awarded. The prize goes to Swedish music creators who have contributed to export success and to spreading a modern and positive image of Sweden
abroad.
Zara Larsson was awarded the 20th Music Export Prize, with the following motivation:
“With her irresistible pop music, colourful artistry and strong personality, she has captivated the entire world. Her songs have charted in a number of countries around the world and have been streamed an incredible one billion times.
Over the past year she has begun experimenting and developing her own songwriting, has featured in international media, appeared on major talk shows, inaugurated Euro 2016 and played sold-out concerts in Europe and the United States. She has made a big impression, and TIME magazine has named her one of the world’s most influential individuals under 30. Her strong voice as a singer, but also as a spokesperson for women’s rights, makes her a great role model for modern Sweden. The Government’s Music Export Prize for 2016 is awarded to songwriter and artist Zara Larsson.”
Across the country and around the globe, as one of the world’s most successful exporters of top chart music, the sound of Sweden is unstoppable. To celebrate the occasion, the Swedish Institute presents the Sweden Music Tour, an exhibition about the Swedish music wonder. The main attraction at the exhibition is a virtual reality film that invites you to experience the atmosphere in the audience and what it feels like to perform on stage in front of thousands of people at a Swedish music festival.
