Linköping
- 2014
Member: The City of Linköping
Partners: The Swedish Writer´s Union and Swedish PEN
Linköping joined ICORN in 2014 to host writer and artists who need a safe and creative place to work and write. We offer a city with varied culture. A beautiful library that provides the citizens with literature and interesting programs and seminars. The Music Hall, art galleries, museums and theatre together form a cultural network - a base for a visiting author. Every year events like “City Art Link”, a bookfair, and City festivals are arranged in the center of Linköping.
The Swedish Writer´s Union has a representative in the region and we communicate with the Swedish PEN-section. These organizations will through their network of Swedish authors support the guest writer coming to Linköping. For authors of children´s books there is an established local group of writers.
In general there is an interest and growing responsibility for human rights issues and the protection of freedom of speech in Linköping. At the official ceremony where Linköping signed its contract with ICORN, Linköping´s Mayor stated that “We should always protect the right of expression and democracy and will do so for a guest writer who needs protection from politically motivated threats and persecution.”
The university city – the aerospace city – the future city
Linköping is a city in the region of Östergötland, in a prominent part of east Sweden. It is one of Sweden´s fastest growing cities with more than 150 000 inhabitants and 14 500 registered companies. The aviation company SAAB makes Linköping the aviation capital of Sweden.
Linköping has good commuting opportunities. You reach Stockholm by train within two hours, and you can easily get to the cities of Norrköping and Jönköping, both residences of current ICORN guest writers.
Linköping has a well known University with faculties in medicine, technology and humanities. Students originate from all over Sweden and all across the globe. Building a sustainable society for the future, Linköping is a place for life – where ideas come to life!