Inga-Lill Bengtsson: Inga-Lill Bengtsson: ”These have been exciting and intensive years”
435 libraries in Sweden have been closed since 1998. Every fourth library has disappeared between 1998 and 2020. On average 8,400 books are thrown away, sold or destroyed – every day.
Vi magazine is responsible for detailing the change. In Kristianstad there are nonetheless still eleven libraries left, as well as a book bus that reaches the outlying districts. The library in Östra Göinge still survives.
”You can get help to find any amount of information, both in print and on the net.”Inga-Lill Bengtsson
Libraries and book buses are important for both the young and the old, not least for those whose first language is not Swedish. Something which is vital for knowledge and the soul. You can get help to find any amount of information, both in print and on the net.
3rd May was Freedom of the Press Day. Each year Reporters without Borders, RSF, compiles a freedom of the press index. This evaluates the situation for press freedom and the possibility to work as a journalist in 180 countries. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the freedom of the press index.
”More and more journalists receive threats in Sweden.”Inga-Lill Bengtsson
This year's freedom of the press index shows an increased polarisation. Sweden is high on the list ( third after Norway and Denmark). But as far as the safety of journalists is concerned, Sweden ends up in place 32 of 180. More and more journalists receive threats in Sweden.
This year there are more countries where the situation is extremely serious. RSF notes that democracies are being weakened by the lack of balance between open societies and authoritarian regimes which control the press and spread propaganda. Russia's invasion of Ukraine (place 106) is one example of this. Russia lands in place 155.
”I would like to thank fine colleagues who have taught me so much about different cultures”Inga-Lill Bengtsson
In this issue you can read about Iryna ”Ira” Nikitina who fled from the war in Ukraine along with her two sons. She speaks good Swedish, but she longs to get back to her ordinary life at home. Read about Ira on page 6. On page 21 you can read about the Ukrainian bread palyanytcya which has become part of the resistance movement.
In Östra Goinge this autumn there will be a big drive to improve pupils' reading skills, not least to help them to achieve better grades. Read more on page 16.
The Citizens' Centre in Kristianstad is best at customer service among 40 municipalities. Read about Sajeda Al-Shoocha who works at the Citizens' Centre on page 10.
This is my last chronicle as editor, after six years at Kb Mosaik. I leave at the end of May – but Kb Mosaik will live on. I would like to thank fine colleagues who have taught me so much about different cultures, everyone I have met, written about and exchanged ideas and opinions with. These have been exciting and intensive years.
We live in a world with a great need for less generalisation and more understanding, no matter where we come from. Our similarities are greater than our differences. This insight has grown stronger.
My warmest thanks to you for allowing me to be a part of the process.