Anders Rydell launches festival for banned literature

Anders Rydell, a cultural journalist from Bankeryd, is expanding his engagement with banned literature from a specialized bookstore to a dedicated festival. Rydell, who opened Banned Books & Co. in Knivsta in March, describes his work as an act of resistance against increasing censorship.

According to Rydell, the bookstore is the first of its kind in Sweden, offering a selection of works banned in various regions, including Russia and the United States. He identifies three primary categories of frequently blacklisted books: LGBTQ+ related works, fantasy and dystopias, and children's or young adult literature. Rydell notes that fantasy and science fiction often contain social criticism, making them targets for censorship in authoritarian states.