2025: Lydia Sandgren inspires pride among the people of Gothenburg

The author Lydia Sandgren is the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2025. Through her ability to portray Gothenburg, she has given the city a greater place in literature, and literature a greater place in Gothenburg.

Jury’s statement:

Lydia Sandgren portrays Gothenburg like no one else. With precision, warmth and humour, she captures moods, places and people. Her novels Collected Works and Survival of the Species inspire pride among the people of Gothenburg, allowing them to see their city in a new light. Through her portrayal of the city and its inhabitants, she also sparks curiosity in those who have yet to discover it. Gothenburg has gained a greater place in literature, and literature a greater place in Gothenburg. Lydia Sandgren is a worthy Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2025.

2024: The Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg is a true Gothenburger with humour and a big heart

In 2024, the award goes to Ina Lundström. As a comedian, presenter, journalist and resident of Majorna, she has become known as a true Gothenburger with humour and a big heart.

I can’t think of a single thing that would be nicer. You know how many great people from Gothenburg there are; so many! I’m incredibly happy.

Ina Lundström

The Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2024 was selected by a jury consisting of representatives from Göteborg & Co and Göteborgs-Posten. Here is the jury’s statement:

Ina Lundström has become a much-loved voice through her work as a journalist, comedian and podcast host. With humour and sharp insight, she has entertained while also inspiring us to see Gothenburg in a new light. Ina moves across multiple formats; she has hosted a summer radio programme and produced documentaries for SVT. Through the successful podcast Flashback Forever and her appearances on Nyhetsshowen, she highlights Gothenburg humour and builds connections between people across the country. Ina Lundström embodies the spirit of Gothenburg with warmth and self-awareness and is a worthy Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2024.

2023: The Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg brings powerful emotions to life through music

I proudly accept this wonderful distinction! Just as Frodo longs for the Shire, I long for Gothenburg when I’m away performing. There is always a deep sense of calm when I return to this small, big, warm city. I love Gothenburg!

Sarah Klang

The jury’s statement for Sarah Klang reads:

Sarah Klang sings straight from the heart, and it is almost impossible not to be overwhelmed by the strength of her expression. Her musical world embraces powerful emotions such as joy and longing, hope and doubt, but also humour. She is refreshingly personal, sincere and direct, and her latest album, named after her daughter, has been widely acclaimed. From Majorna and Gothenburg out into the wider world, Sarah Klang is a worthy Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2023.

1993: Leif “Loket” Olsson first out

In 1993, the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg was awarded for the first time. The much-loved presenter Leif “Loket” Olsson, known from the TV programme Bingolotto, was honoured during a live ceremony in Nordstan and received flowers, a Gothenburg cap and a specially designed diploma.

1996: Maria Lundqvist becomes the first female recipient

After three male recipients in a row, 1996 finally saw the first female award winner. The distinction was awarded to actress Maria Lundqvist from Hälsö, who that same year had her major breakthrough in Povel Ramel’s revue Kolla klotet at Lorensbergsteatern.

2001: Håkan Hellström sings his way into the hearts of the Swedish people

In 2001, a pop star was named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg for the first time, and it was none other than Håkan Hellström from Frölunda. In 2000, he had his breakthrough with the debut album Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg, and the following year he reached an even wider audience through his appearance on Allsång på Skansen. The jury explained its decision as follows:

Håkan Hellström has this year sung his way into the hearts of the Swedish people and has made a strong contribution to establishing Gothenburg as a pop city. His artistry is filled with joy, and his music is rooted in a Gothenburg song tradition in a modern form.

2004: Christian Olsson and Yannick Tregaro share the award

In the early 2000s, Swedish athletics was at its peak, and in 2004 not just one but two Honourable Citizens of Gothenburg were named the triple jumper Christian Olsson and his coach Yannick Tregaro. The jury’s statement included:

Three gold medals in as many years, from the European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games, have made Christian and Yannick an unbeatable and inseparable duo for the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2004.

2005: Allsång queen Lotta Engberg takes over Liseberg

In the summer of 2004, Liseberg hosted its first sing-along evening, Lotta på Liseberg. The initiative was a great success, and in 2005 presenter Lotta Engberg was named the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg. The jury described Lotta Engberg from the “surströmming heartland” as:

… a warm and genuine person who, with great commitment and kindness, has brought joy to many people. Her professionalism as an entertainer on countless stages and on television is impressive.

2009: Nigar Ibrahim highlights integration and equality

Nigar Ibrahim was named the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2009, and although few people knew her name, her work was all the more important. She has worked for BRIS, provided legal advice, and since 2006 has focused on the organisation Sharaf Heroes and Heroines, where young people engage in issues relating to honour-based violence and discrimination. The jury stated:

Nigar Ibrahim works with the future citizens of Gothenburg, helping to build an integrated city where people respect one another. Many have received support and guidance from her in finding the right path in life and everyday living.

2012: Leif Mannerström elevates Gothenburg’s restaurant scene

Star chef Leif Mannerström’s culinary artistry has made a clear mark on both Swedish gastronomy and Gothenburg’s restaurant scene. In 2012, he was named the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg, with the motivation that he:

… over decades has brought immense joy to the people of Gothenburg, through his near-iconic restaurants, his charitable work for the city’s young and old, and by mentoring new generations of Gothenburg chefs.

It is a fantastic honour, and I am very pleased, both for myself and my family, but also because it shows that our city appreciates and takes the industry seriously.

Leif Mannerström

2014: Laleh Pourkarim’s songs transcend generational and cultural boundaries

Laleh had her major breakthrough in 2005 with her self-titled debut album Laleh, winning three Grammis awards and two P3 Guld awards. By 2014, she had released several more albums and reached a new level of popularity through her appearances on Så mycket bättre and Allsång på Skansen. She was awarded with the following motivation:

Laleh Pourkarim is an artist who moves others and is deeply moved herself. Her stage presence expresses joy for life and love, reaching a wide audience across generations and cultural boundaries.

2016: Pia Sundhage leads the women’s national team to Olympic silver

Pia Sundhage is an icon in Swedish football. With four Swedish league titles, four Swedish Cup titles, five international championship medals from World Cups and one European Championship gold, she is one of Sweden’s greatest players of all time. As a coach and national team manager, she has been even more successful, and in 2016 she led the Swedish women’s national team all the way to Olympic silver in Brazil. The jury stated:

Her infectious enthusiasm and deep understanding of the game have taken her from Jitex out into the world and back to the national team’s home ground in Gothenburg. This summer’s Olympic silver was a highlight for a player and leader who has brought women’s football into the hearts of the Swedish people.

2018: Beatrice Fihn awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work against nuclear weapons

Beatrice Fihn from Angered is the Executive Director of ICAN, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for its work towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Her summer radio programme on Swedish Radio became one of the most talked-about of the year, and in December she was named the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg. The jury described the recipient as follows:

With unwavering energy, she fights for a safer world. The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the ICAN campaign unsettles nuclear powers and encourages many to raise their voices to free humanity from the threat of destruction we have lived under for more than 70 years.

2020: Agnes Wold informs and educates during the COVID-19 pandemic

Agnes Wold is a physician and Professor of Clinical Bacteriology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was frequently featured in various media and engaged a wide audience through her Twitter account @AgnesWold. In 2020, she was named the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg with the following motivation:

Agnes Wold is a professor and public educator. Equipped with research-based knowledge, combined with a good dose of humour and a talent for expression, she is a scientific influencer of great stature. During the pandemic year, she has used every available channel to spread reason and clarity in a complex and often confusing world.