2025: Lydia Sandgren makes the people of Gothenburg proud of their city

The author Lydia Sandgren has been named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2025. Through her talent for depicting Gothenburg, she has given the city a stronger presence in literature, and literature a stronger presence in the city.

2024: A true local that has made herself known as a true local with impeccable humour and a big heart

2024, the award goes to Ina Lundström. As a comedian, presenter, journalist, and Majorna local, she has made herself known as a true Gothenburg native with humour and a big heart.

"I can't think of a single thing that would be nicer. You know how many great people we have here in Gothenburg. A lot! I'm so damn happy, says Ina about the award."

Ina Lundström

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

“Ina Lundström has become a beloved voice through her work as a journalist, comedian and podcast profile. With humor and sharpness, she has entertained, but also inspired us to see Gothenburg with new eyes. Ina moves through several formats, she has been a summer host on radio and made a documentary on SVT. Through the successful podcast Flashback Forever and her participation in the Nyhetsshowen, she highlights Gothenburg humor and creates bridges between people all over the country. Ina Lundström personifies the Gothenburg soul with warmth and self-distance and is a worthy Honorary Citizen of Gothenburg 2024.”   

2023: The Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg brings the big emotions to life in her music

"I accept this nice compliment with pride! Just as Frodo longs for Fylke, I long for Gothenburg when I'm away playing. There's always a great sense of peace when I come home to this small, big, warm city. I love Gothenburg!"

Sarah Klang

Here is the jury’s reasoning:

“Sarah Klang sings straight from the heart and it is almost impossible not to be floored by her strong expression. Her musical world contains strong emotions such as happiness and longing, hope and doubt, but also humor. She is liberatingly personal, sincere and straightforward and her latest album, named after her daughter, has been praised. From Majorna and Gothenburg out into the big wide world, Sarah Klang is a worthy Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg 2023.”

1993: Leif “Loket” Olsson, the first awardee

In 1993, the first Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg is named. The popular tv host Leif “Loket” Olsson, known from the show Bingolotto, is celebrated at a live broadcast in Nordstan where he receives flowers, a Gothenburg cap and a custom-made diploma.

1996: Maria Lundqvist is the first female Honourable Citizen

After three men in a row, it’s finally time for a female awardee in 1996. Actress Maria Lundqvist from the island Hälsö makes her breakthrough in Povel Ramel’s show Kolla klotet at Lorensbergsteatern and is named Honourable Citizen later that year.

2001: Håkan Hellström sings his way into Swedish hearts

In 2001, the first pop star is named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg and it’s the one and only Håkan Hellström. In the year 2000, he has his breakthrough with the debut album Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg and the year after he reaches an even bigger audience when he appears on the tv show Allsång på Skansen.

The jury motivates their choice like this:

“Håkan Hellström has this year sung his way into Swedish hearts and strongly contributed to create Popstad Göteborg. His artistry is filled with joy and the music builds on a local singer/songwriter tradition in a new form.”

2004: Christian Olsson och Yannick Tregaro share the award

In the early 2000s, Swedish Athletics is at its height and in 2004 the jury names not only one but two Honourable Citizens of Gothenburg – triple jumper Christian Olsson and his coach Yannick Tregaro. The jury says:

“Three gold medals in three years from European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games have made Christian and Yannick an inseparable duo that outshines everyone when selecting the Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg in 2004.”

2005: Sing-along star Lotta Engberg takes over Liseberg Amusement Park

In the summer of 2004, Liseberg Amusement Park invites the audience to the first Lotta på Liseberg sing-along night. The show is a success and in 2005 the host Lotta Engberg is named Honourable Citizen of the Year. The jury writes that Lotta Engberg from “fermented herring land” is:

“… a heartfelt and kind person who worked with great commitment to make many people happy. Her professionality as an entertainer on numerous stages and on TV is impressive.”

2009: Nigar Ibrahim highlights integration and equality

Nigar Ibrahim is named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg in 2009, and even though few people know who she is, her work is all the more important. She has worked for children’s rights organisation Bris, as a legal adviser and since 2006 with the organisation Sharaf Hjältar och Hjältinnor – where young people mobilise against honour violence and discrimination. The motivation says:

“Nigar Ibrahim works with Gothenburg’s future generations. For a city where people respect each other. Many have received support and guidance from her to find their path in life.”

2012: Leif Mannerström puts the spotlight on Gothenburg for foodies

Star chef Leif Mannerström’s cuisine has through the years made a great impact on Swedish gastronomy as well as the Gothenburg food scene. In 2012, he is named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg with the motivation that he:

“… through decades has brought the people of Gothenburg great joy; through his iconic restaurants, his charity for the city’s young and old and through fostering a new generation of Gothenburg chefs.”

"It's an amazing honour and I'm thrilled for this award. Personally and for my family, but also because it shows that our city really appreciates the food scene here."

Leif Mannerström

2014: Laleh Pourkarim’s songs bridges generational and cultural gaps

In 2005, Laleh has her big breaktrough with the self-titled album Laleh, three Grammis awards and two P3 Guld awards. In 2014 she has released more albums and reached a wider audience in the tv shows Så mycket bättre and Allsång på Skansen. She is named Honourable Citizen of the year in November with the motivation:

“Laleh Pourkarim is an artist who touches others and who is in turn touched by others. Her art expresses exuberance and love to a huge audience that bridges generational and cultural gaps.”

2016: Pia Sundhage leads Sweden to an Olympic silver

Pia Sundhage is a true Swedish football icon. With four Swedish Championship golds, four Swedish Cup titles, five World championship medals and one European championship gold she is one of the most succesful players of all times. As a coach and manager she is, if possible, even more succesful and in 2016 she leads the Swedish women’s national team to an Olympic silver in Brazil. The same year she is named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg with this motivation:

“Her contagious enthusiasm and her genuine love of football has taken her from Jitex to the world and back again, to the national arena in Gothenburg. This summer’s Olympic silver was a milestone for a player and leader who has carved a space for women’s football in Swedish minds and hearts.”

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

Beatrice Fihn from Gothenburg neighbourhood Angered is the Secretary General for ICAN, a campaign against nuclear weapons that receives the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. Her episode of the summer show Sommar i P1 on Swedish Radio is one of the most popular this year and in December she is named Honourable Citizen of Gothenburg. The jury describes the awardee like this:

“She fights for a safer world with an unshakeable energy. Awarding The Nobel Peace Prize to ICAN unnerves nuclear powers and sparks a call for freedom from the threat of destruction posed to mankind for over 70 years.”

2020: Agnes Wold guides Sweden through the Covid-19 pandemic

Agnes Wold is a Medical Doctor and a Professor of Clinical Bacteriology at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she appears in numerous media outlets and engages many through her Twitter account @AgnesWold. She is named Honourable Citiznen of Gothenburg 2020 with the following motivation:

“Agnes Wold is a professor and public educator. Equipped with research-based knowledge, seasoned with a good sense of humour and artistic expression, she is a scientific influencer of great proportions. During the pandemic year, she has used every media outlet available to spread common sense in an obscure and fast-changing world.”