During the 19th century a fourth of Sweden’s population emigrated to America in the hope of a better future.
The letters they sent back home depict the frankness and joy of starting a new life in this Good Country and enthusiastically describes all that was better there compared to their mother land. But they also tell of how difficult it was to settle into a foreign culture with a new language and of the feeling of having left a home one could never return to.
Longing for Home is a musical collage that portrays a note and sense of the era of the Swedish emigration.
Excerpts from authentic letters written by Swedish emigrants in the 19th century, including the author C.J.L Almquist, are intertwined with music that the Swedes brought from their home land, such as traditional folk music and hymns, and also with music that was popular in America during that time – American sacred harp songs.
The singing is accompanied by guitar, double bass and harmonica.
”One cannot imagine what it is like to leave one’s home and move to a new country to live as a foreigner.”
Director Benoît Malmberg
Costume Barbro Hellsing, the Costume department at Dramaten
Opening 19 September 2014 in Paulikaféet at Dramaten.
Program (Swedish) (PDF)
