Next year, Eurovision will host the 2024 contest in Malmö , the third time it has held the song competition and the fifth consecutive time a non-capital city has taken on the challenge in recent years.
Founded in the thirteenth century as a commercial hub between Sweden and Denmark, Malmö was known for its industrial progress in the late nineteenth century, along with the idea of social democracy because it was a center of socialist thought. When industrialization faded out in the 1970s, the city lost importance and people, but revitalized thanks to the information industry and increased immigration. It’s also one of the more youthful cities in Sweden, with around half the population under the age of 35.
Malmö is forever attached to another city on the Øresund Bridge–Copenhagen, Denmark, where many fans would also arrive to stay and explore. But Malmö has more to offer than meets the eye, thanks to its reinvention during the twenty-first century and the diversity it entails.
The Interesting People You Don’t Know Are from Malmo:
If you ever saw a beautiful woman in black and white, posing in the Trevi Fountain, then you may have recognized Anita Ekberg from the famous film La Dolce Vita. While she was forever attached to Italy–as she got permanent residence from 1964 onwards–she was born in Malmö. Anita became a model there, winning Miss Sweden in 1951 before moving to the United States to compete in Miss Universe. Soon enough, she would be on her way to international stardom.
Another star fans may recognize is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the world-famous football player who retired in June. Born from Bosnian and Croatian immigrants, Zlatan grew up in Rosengård, one of the rougher parts of the city. Playing in multiple local clubs as a teenager, his transfer from Malmö FF to Ajax FC for 8.1 million Euros in 1999 made it the largest transfer deal in Sweden. Playing for multiple of the biggest clubs in Europe, he not only became Sweden’s most notable player, but also a representative of the immigrant community there.
Closer to the Eurovision community, Malmö was the hometown of former Eurovision artist Östen Warnerbring. His song, “Alla andra får varann” won Melodifestivalen 1960, but was handed to Siw Malmkvist to be performed in that year’s Eurovision in London. Östen would later get his time in the Eurovision spotlight, representing Sweden seven years later with “Som en Dröm”, which came in eighth place.
A Sense of Place, A Sense of Time, Where to Go?
Sharing the Øresund Bridge with Copenhagen is a big deal, but the city itself features prominently in the TV series Boren, which translates into The Bridge. A murder drama which is equally intriguing and intense, it features the character of Saga Noren, a highly dedicated member of the Malmö Police Department, and how she solves crimes within the area, it has garnered a wide following across the world.
Along with the titular bridge, Malmö is filled with fun locations to spot. From the house used for the exterior shots of Saga’s home on Ankargatan no.9 to the Strand Hotel near the Marina, it’s the perfect opportunity for a walking tour. You could even stop at the Saltimporten Restaurant, where the cast would go to eat after filming.
If you’re more into the foodie aspect of cities, than Malmö has a vibrant food scene. From traditional Swedish foods to falafel and hummus stands, you could have your bite to eat. For the more adventurous ones, on the other hand, then their Disgusting Food Museum could be to your taste. The brainchild of Andreas Ahrens, who had previous success with the Museum of Failure, it seeks to challenge the patrons’ sense of taste and what makes certain foods “disgusting”.
For the Eurovision fan, visiting the Malmö Arena is a must. Not only will it host the next Eurovision, but it also hosted Eurovision 2013, where Petra Mede made Eurovision fans swoon with her hosting. It’s also the second largest arena in Sweden, But another worthy visit is to the Malmö Isstadion, where Eurovision 1992 was held. Built in 1970, it represented another time and place, and is rarely used.
How to Stand Out from Copenhagen?
Malmö has several sister cities, one of which is Tallinn, Estonia–which also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002. Another close tie is with Newcastle upon Tyne, in the United Kingdom, one of the candidate cities for Eurovision 2023. Due to their similar statuses as post-industrial cities in the modern age, they work together on climate change, sustainability, and rebuilding.
Recently, Malmö has also developed as a gaming center. Due to the influx of artists attracted to the city’s low prices and proximity to Copenhagen, it led to a thriving gaming industry with an insatiable demand across the world. Over thirty gaming companies call Malmo their home, from Massive Entertainment to King, which is best known for their Candy Crush franchise. And the city still works hard to attract the best gamers, collaborating with the public sector and universities to train more.
Copenhagen is a beautiful place–from its canals to its historical buildings to The Little Mermaid statue. But staying in Malmö has its rewards, and will be a worthy host for 2024.