During a few intense weeks in 1956, during the so-called Suez crisis, the first peacekeeping force was founded under the auspices of the UN. The task of the military force would be to maintain peace and stability and reduce tensions, so that negotiations and mediation could take place. Dag Hammarskjöld was Secretary-General at the time and was the one who drew up the principles for the first force, UNEF, The United Nations Emergency Force. It would be the first of many operations for UN peacekeeping forces. The principles that Dag Hammarskjöld developed are still largely valid today.

In the new exhibition at Dag Hammarskjöld's Backåkra, we talk about how the UN peacekeepers came to be, Dag Hammarskjöld's role in their creation and about some of the efforts made over the years, as well as about some people who have been part of the peacekeeping forces in the service of the UN. The exhibition opens on June 16 and is shown for the rest of the season, together with the normal exhibition.
Production: Bergkvist WORDS & TEXT

In this conversation series, we invite writers, researchers and artists to share their thoughts on Dag Hammarskjöld's life and work.
Several of these have a connection to this year's exhibition theme. Entrance to lectures and to the museum costs SEK 200. Register your attendance at info@dhbackakra.se.

Sunday, June 30 at 17.00
Henrik Arnstad, Ph.D. in history and author of the biography "The Cursed Optimist Ernst Wigforss", tells about Wigfors's friendship with Dag Hammarskjöld - a friendship that changed the world.

Sunday, July 7 at 17.00
"From Hammarskjöld to the future - about tomorrow's peace efforts" Per Olsson Fridh, former minister of aid - now director general of the Folke Bernadotte Academy.

Sunday, July 28 at 17.00
"Peace work in wartime" - A conversation about the book "The Chemist of Peace", between the researcher and previous head of the UN weapons inspection Åke Sellström and the journalist Sara Nygren.

Sunday, August 18 at 17.00
"What would Dag Hammarskjöld say? - about peacekeeping efforts then and now"
Sverker Göransson, former commander-in-chief, now chairman of Sweden's Veterans Association and Pernilla Ström, journalist.

Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m
(Free entry, but registration required)
KG Hammar presents his debut novel - "The Longest Journey". The book is about Dag Hammarskjöld's last flight - the one that would cost him his life.

31 August - 1 September

For two days, the written word spreads over the Backåkra heaths. With poetry, author talks, music, open stage, antiquarians etc., we explore the limits of the power of the word.
Both experienced and new writers are invited to approach burning sustainability issues together – this year the theme is courage. We meet e.g. poets Pia Tafdrup, Daniel Boyacioglu and writers Elin Anna Labba and Nicolas Lunabba. Gudrun Schyman opens the program.

Program coming.

The price is SEK 250 for both days, students enter for free (on presentation of ID).
Tickets for Backåkra Poetry & Prose are available at https://www.kulturcentralen.nu/evenemang/backakra-poesi-prosa-2024