Icons are coming to Boden – an exhibition about the right to exist

Rose and Jack on the deck of the Titanic, Barbie in her pink house, or a prime minister addressing the nation. Most of us recognize these scenes instantly. The subjects are familiar, but in this exhibition the icons are portrayed by people who have rarely been given space in these kinds of stories. In the portraits, we meet 21 models from across Sweden. They share ambitions, dreams – and Down syndrome.

Diversity Year

Throughout 2026, the municipality is highlighting diversity in different ways through the Diversity Year initiative. With the exhibition Icons, the conversation about inclusion, equal human value, and the right to work continues. The City Park becomes a place where visitors can pause, reflect, and engage with stories that resonate.

Real Inclusion Matters

In the City Park, staff and participants from Work and Occupation services will also be present, responsible for guided tours and practical tasks related to the exhibition. Guided tours will be offered once a day, and prior to the assignment, group leaders and participants will receive training from the Defence Museum Boden. Young people from adapted schools will have summer jobs connected to the exhibition. Café 2:an, staffed by employees from Work and Occupation services inside the town hall, will move part of its operations outdoors and run a summer café at the exhibition site.

The initiative is made possible thanks to dedicated staff who are flexible and create opportunities for participants to take part. For many, this is about more than just a summer job. It is a chance to take space, meet people, and gain experiences that strengthen self-confidence. The same idea also runs through the Icons exhibition itself.

Festive Opening

The exhibition opens on May 25 at 6:00 PM in the City Park. During the evening, Boden Event will host a festive opening featuring a Funkis stage, singing and dancing, and a visit from a representative of the Glada Hudik Theatre. The exhibition runs until August 30.

The photo exhibition Icons is the result of a unique collaboration between Fotografiska Museum and Glada Hudik Theatre. Behind the production are Helena Andersson and Linda Sandberg (concept and design), Emma Svensson (photography), Pär Johansson (artistic director, Glada Hudik Theatre), Pauline Benthede (Global Head of Exhibitions, Fotografiska), and Per Braman (founder of Fotografiska).

The project in Boden is managed by Boden Event in collaboration with the Municipality of Boden’s Work and Occupation services and the Defence Museum Boden.