5 December 2021

The Crown Princess visits Paris

From Sunday 5 to Tuesday 7 December, The Crown Princess visited Paris. The programme included attending the Swedish Institute's 50th anniversary celebrations, meetings with a focus on cooperation between Swedish and French industry, and the Swedish House's 90th anniversary celebrations.

The Crown Princess accepts a painting and the anniversary book 'Amitié' about the Swedish Institute's 50-year history, illustrated by Stina Wirsén.

The Crown Princess accepts a painting and the anniversary book 'Amitié' about the Swedish Institute's 50-year history, illustrated by Stina Wirsén. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

The Crown Princess began her visit at the Swedish Institute in Paris, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Institute was opened in 1971 by The King, when he was Crown Prince.

The visit included a guided tour of an exhibition created by Paris-based children's book illustrator Beatrice Alemagna and Swedish author Sara Stridsberg.

Beatrice Alemagna shows the exhibition We Go to the Park, which she created together with Sara Stridsberg.

Beatrice Alemagna shows the exhibition We Go to the Park, which she created together with Sara Stridsberg. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA

There then followed a performance of the opera Ma Vie Heureuse, based on a book by Rose Lagercrantz with music by Stefan Klaverdal. After the opera, a discussion took place between the actors and children from the audience about the content of the opera.

After the opera, the participants enjoyed refreshments in the Institute's courtyard.

After the opera, the participants enjoyed refreshments in the Institute's courtyard. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

The celebrations continued in the evening, when the Swedish Institute launched the anniversary book 'Amitié', about the Institute's 50-year history.

Later that evening, The Crown Princess gave a speech in which she said:

I am a firm believer in arts and culture as a bridge between people, and as a reminder of all that unites us on a profound human level. That is why venues such as the Swedish Institute are so important.

HRH The Crown Princess