Theatre in Palm Roadshow: 1974

In collaboration with Konträr, Intercult presents ‘1974’ as one of the Theatre in Palm Roadshows 2024, August 28 and August 29.

1974 is an anachronistic theatre performance where the artist duo Jensen/Petrén, with the help of a magical stick they found in the forest, transport themselves back to the year when Sweden was at its peak. The year we got a national cultural policy, won Eurovision and it was considered immoral.

Sweden’s relationship with foreign powers is good.

Significant negotiations are underway to limit the arsenals and armed forces primarily in Central Europe.

The international oil crisis may bring great strains upon our country. To protect employment, production, and important societal functions such as schools, hospitals and communications, energy rationing has been introduced.

A statutory reduction of the general retirement age to 65 is proposed.

Education for immigrants is being improved through increased efforts in the upper secondary schools and outreach activities organized by study associations.

Proposals will be submitted to you regarding guidelines for state interventions in the cultural field.

Invoking God’s blessing over you and your work, I declare the 1974 parliamentary session open.

(Excerpt from the King’s speech at the opening of the Riksdag.)

In 1974, Sweden received its first unified cultural policy through the cultural bill 1974:28. Art and culture were at the service of society and a path towards equality and democracy. In 2024, culture is described by the Minister of Culture as a new “basic industry” where “the end product is experiences.” When are you from?

Jensen and Petrén have worked for 15 years within their respective performing arts collectives, playing an active role in shaping the professional independent performing arts field in Sweden. This field was shaped by the politics of the 70s and is now changing.

In their first joint work, they move in a world where events and fantasies from the 70s era merge into the present.  With a mixture of fear and delight, they dive into acoustic guitars, political theatre, coherent thoughts, fiery discussions, optimism, free love, beer, cigarettes and disco, viewing the present with old eyes.

1974 is presented as a part of the collaboration between Intercult and Konträr as one of the Theatre in Palm Roadshows 2024.

The performance is in Swedish with English subtitles.
By and with: Jenny Möller Jensen och Ebba Petrén
Light: Froste Myrin
With the support of: Intercult, Stockholm Stad, Kulturrådet and Konstnärsnämnden

Tickets are purchased from Konträrs website.

About Konträr:

Konträr is a venue for contemporary theatre that presents international guest performances, original pieces and national co-productions among other events within the genre of experimental performing arts.

What is Theatre in Palm?
TIP brings together 12 partners from all over Europe to collaborate and co-create in an international and intercultural platform. The project lasts between the years 2022–2025 and works towards establishing a platform for emerging artists in the performing arts, which can act as a stepping stone for European exchange and intercultural collaboration. The main aims of the project are to help emerging artists navigate in their career as well as to broaden networks and facilitate cooperation between the project member countries.

This groundbreaking project is coordinated by Turku Arts Academy. Apart from Sweden, organizations from Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria are active on the platform.

Read more about Theatre in Palm here.

Co-funded by the European Union.