New app shows location of runestones in Sweden

Updated September 17, 2024, Published July 3, 2024 – By Editorial staff
The runestones "Sö 224" and "Sö 225" in Grödby in Sorunda parish.

The new app Swedish Runestones (Svenska runstenar) will help visitors to find the country's runestones. The app provides guidance via an interactive map, information about the runestone and its condition.

Researcher Sofia Pereswetoff-Morath from Stockholm University developed the app, which is described as unique to Sweden's runestones. Among other things, you can find out what condition the stone is in, whether it is painted or not, and whether it is damaged. The runestones are also rated with 1-5 stars depending on their condition.

Pereswetoff-Morath says that it is difficult to find runestones today because many have been moved and there is not much information about them.

– It is difficult to find runestones, even if you are very interested, she said in a press release. Many stones have been moved and are no longer in their original locations.

There is also digital signage that provides information about the stones. Although many rune stones have information signs, some are missing, and even where signs are present, they may contain outdated information.

– With digital signage in the app, I can update the runestone text, reading, and interpretation at any time, and the user always gets the most up-to-date information about the runestone, she explains.

Currently there are about 1300 of the 2000 runestones found in Sweden. At the moment, all runestones are available in Gästrikland, Medelpad, Hälsingland, Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Värmland and Närke. Runestones available in Götaland will be added to the app later this fall.

Later, users will also be able to report if something in the app is wrong, for example by sending a photo. The app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, will also be available in English in due course.

What you didn't know about rune stones

Most of the known runestones were erected around the 11th century. The oldest ones discovered date back to the 4th century and can be found in the State Historical Museum, such as the Kylver Stone. There are big differences between the different types of runestones, especially the newer ones often have more personal and more banal messages like "Harald carved this stone". On older stones and objects, various forms of incantations and spells have been carved with more mystical purposes in mind, according to some on the basis of so-called gematria - number magic.

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Elon Musk: “Olof Palme destroyed Sweden”

Population replacement in the West

Updated yesterday at 2:55 pm, Published yesterday 12:18 pm – By Editorial staff
The idea of a multicultural Sweden was introduced partly through initiatives and debate articles by David Schwarz (far right in the image) and with support from the Bonnier family.

Elon Musk has once again entered the Swedish immigration debate. On X, he accuses former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme of having "destroyed Sweden" by introducing multiculturalism in 1975.

The tech billionaire is responding to an X post by journalist Christian Peterson, who claims that Palme, through a 1975 legislative change (Proposition 1975:26), laid the foundation for today's multicultural society, reports Fria Tider.

Peterson argues that the decision was made without a referendum or extensive investigation and links it to current problems such as mass immigration, gun violence, parallel societies, and demographic changes.

"Multiculturalism was added to the Swedish constitution in 1975 (Prop. 1975:26) under Olof Palme — no referendum, no long-term review. 50 years later: mass migration, record gun violence, parallel societies, major demographic shifts. A turning point that no one voted for".

In response, Elon Musk writes briefly and concisely: "He destroyed Sweden" and also attaches an AI-generated summary of the 1975 parliamentary decision.

1975 – a political crossroads

The controversial 1975 proposition established that immigrants and minorities should be able to choose whether to adapt to a Swedish cultural identity or maintain their original cultural heritage.

The new policy also meant that the state would provide financial support to immigrant organizations and cultural projects. Critics argue that this became a political choice with long-term effects.

Musk and Peterson today link the decision to current concerns about integration, social division, and crime.

Elon Musk has previously engaged in Swedish legal matters. During the fall, he criticized an appeals court ruling where a man was acquitted of deportation after a rape conviction, calling the decision "insane".

His latest statement has once again touched on a deep ideological conflict within Swedish politics – a societal issue that remains a hot political topic in Sweden.

Sweden Democrats voted against abolishing controversial hate speech law

Published yesterday 10:46 am – By Editorial staff
One of the Sweden Democrats' primary reasons for not pushing for a complete abolition of the heavily criticized law on incitement against ethnic groups (HMF), is the "increasing antisemitism" in Sweden (archive image).

The Sweden Democrats (SD) now wants to reform the country's hate speech law (hets mot folkgrupp). At the party congress in Örebro this past weekend, the party voted by a narrow margin for comprehensive reform – while proposals to completely abolish the law failed by the smallest possible difference.

The Sweden Democrats' party congress in Örebro, a city in central Sweden, resulted in a decision that the party should work toward a fundamental change to the hate speech law.

The vote was very close: 79 delegates supported the party leadership's position, while 78 voted to completely remove the law.

Prior to the decision, several motions had demanded that the law be abolished entirely. These motions received support from many delegates from the floor.

Julia Fält, a delegate from Fyrbodal in western Sweden, criticized the law's current application: — The law doesn't work as intended. It creates arbitrariness, silences debate and punishes statements that don't constitute any real threat.

Petter Nilsson, a delegate from Västerbotten in northern Sweden, joined the criticism: — Through legal precedent, it has more or less been established that Swedes cannot be subjected to hate speech. However, a large number of court cases have come to involve the 'group' of drag queens, which is quite telling.

Several speakers repeated the argument that the law doesn't protect the Swedish majority population and that it is currently applied arbitrarily in ways that limit freedom of speech.

Party leadership wants reform

Despite the criticism, the party leadership maintained that the hate speech law should not be abolished. Instead, they want to reform it so that it returns to dealing with ethnic groups in the proper sense.

Party Secretary Mattias Bäckström Johansson emphasized before the congress that the law should be streamlined and not linked to, for example, sexual orientation or religious affiliation.

Julia Kronlid, a member of the Swedish Parliament Riksdag and member of the party leadership, argued for the leadership's position and emphasized historical reasons for keeping the law.

I really understand the frustration that may exist. But we must not forget the background to the law, with the persecution of Jews and the Holocaust.

Kronlid also highlighted current societal developments as a reason for the party leadership's position.

Given the increasing antisemitism, I think it would be a major mistake to remove the law. It will be portrayed completely incorrectly. Our party leader Jimmie Åkesson will have to stand in interview after interview and answer the question 'why campaign on allowing hate speech'.

China’s cultural gem Jiangsu visited Stockholm

Published November 24, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Chinese and Swedish artists united east and west in a poetic musical dialogue between the nyckelharpa, guzheng and bamboo flute.

A colorful cultural and tourism event showcasing the unique traditions, crafts, and modern charm of Jiangsu Province took place in Stockholm on November 7.

The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Cultural Center in Stockholm hosted an inspiring event where visitors experienced China's cultural heritage through music, tea, crafts, and interactive activities reflecting both history and the present day.

The highlight was a concert where Chinese and Swedish artists united East and West in a poetic musical dialogue between nyckelharpa (a traditional Swedish keyed fiddle), guzheng (Chinese zither), and bamboo flute, an interpretation of the spirit of "water," the symbol of Jiangsu's elegance and cultural depth.

The Cultural Center was filled with visitors who sampled tea, enjoyed exhibitions, and explored opportunities for future collaborations. Many were fascinated by Jiangsu's combination of tradition, innovation, and artistic finesse.

At the same time, the exhibition Canal Reflections & Craft Revival was displayed with three thematic rooms: The Taste of Tea, The Rhythm of Silk, and The Color of Porcelain. In the tea room, classical paintings such as Huishan Gathering created a poetic atmosphere, where the renowned green tea Biluochun and Yixing clay vessels offered a taste of Jiangnan's refined culture. Jiangsu Phoenix Publishing Group also presented the English edition of The Taste of Chinese Plants, which was shown to an international audience for the first time.

In the silk theme, a sculptural Dala horse created from silk cocoons stood as a symbol of the meeting between Chinese and Swedish craftsmanship. Photo: The Nordic Times

Suzhou Silk Museum and the brand Taihu Snow displayed joint creations where historical patterns met modern design. Additionally, Suzhou University's digital laboratory for traditional crafts demonstrated its new color digitalization system for the kesi embroidery technique, alongside a demonstration by young Suzhou embroidery artists.

A woman from Jiangsu Province displayed her craft of embroidered silk art. Photo: The Nordic Times

In the porcelain section, elegant Yixing celadon and ceramic art from Gaochun were displayed, a modern interpretation of the spirituality of water and the symbolism of color in Chinese aesthetics.

Stephen Brawer, chairman of the Belt & Road Institute in Sweden, gave a speech about Chinese culture and general development and how the country has succeeded in eradicating poverty for nearly 800 million people. Photo: The Nordic Times

Jiangsu is a province that unites tradition, innovation, and sustainable tourism, something that more and more Swedish travelers are discovering. The event is part of Jiangsu's international program for cultural and tourism promotion, with the goal of creating new bridges in tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

— We want to invite our Swedish friends to discover Jiangsu's beauty, not just as a destination, but as a cultural experience that touches all the senses, says Qian Ning from the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

From November 10, 2025, a visa-free arrangement applies for Swedish citizens traveling to China for stays of up to 30 days, a new opportunity to experience Jiangsu's charm up close.

Guzheng – the ancient unique stringed instrument

The guzheng is a Chinese stringed instrument with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The earliest variants emerged during the Warring States period and evolved to become a popular instrument at courts, ceremonies and banquets during the Qin and Han dynasties. The instrument's design changed gradually; it gained more strings and improved resonance, which enabled greater expressiveness and musical variation.​

Particularly during the Tang dynasty, the guzheng's role flourished within both classical and folk music, and several technical innovations made the instrument even more versatile. During the 20th century, new materials were introduced in the strings, and standardized forms were developed to meet the demands of modern music. Today, the guzheng is one of China's most beloved and widely used traditional instruments.

Swedish public broadcaster aired AI-generated clip

Published November 24, 2025 – By Editorial staff

During Sunday evening's SVT Agenda, an AI-generated video was broadcast without the editorial team being aware of it. The clip appeared to show a confrontation between a New York police officer and an agent from the federal immigration agency ICE.

The video was part of a longer report about tensions in the United States surrounding deportations of undocumented migrants, where ICE operations have led to conflicts with local police in several Democrat-controlled cities.

The AI-generated material was shown on two occasions: first in the program's intro and then as part of the longer US report.

It is unfortunate that we mistakenly published an AI-generated clip. The audience should always be able to trust that images in Agenda are authentic, says Agenda's editor-in-chief Michael Kucera.

The broadcast has been temporarily removed from SVT Play (the broadcaster's streaming service). A corrected version will be published as soon as possible, along with a correction notice. The editorial team states that they are now reviewing their procedures to avoid similar errors in the future.