UNHCR at the Gothenburg Book Fair – four days of conversations on displacement, protection and belonging
UNHCR at the Gothenburg Book Fair – four days of conversations on displacement, protection and belonging
Over four days, UNHCR brought these issues into conversations about literature, journalism, current conflicts and lived experiences, creating space for visitors to learn more about the realities faced by people forced to flee and the work of UNHCR and its partners.
At the newly opened Democracy Square, UNHCR hosted a programme of almost 30 seminars and activities, bringing together authors, journalists, artists, people with lived experience of displacement, a Nobel Prize laureate, diplomats, and representatives from civil society and other organisations. The programme was partly organised in collaboration with partners including Sida and the United Nations Association of Sweden (UNA). At the Stage of Freedom of Speech (Yttrandefrihetsscenen), Sida invited Kerene Yenga, one of the speakers in this year’s Refugee Speakers Programme, to share her experience of being forced to flee.
“It’s an experience of being a stranger /…/ And having to work things out in a place that is not yours, or doesn’t even want you.”
The same focus on lived experiences of displacement continued at UNHCR’s stand, just a few metres away. Among the guests was internationally acclaimed Vietnamese-Canadian author Kim Thúy, who shared her experience of fleeing Vietnam by boat as a child and spending several months in a refugee camp in Malaysia. Thúy spoke about how UNHCR’s blue logo became a symbol of safety during her time in the camp. Her story offered a personal perspective on what protection can mean to someone who has been forced to flee and is searching for a safe place to stay.
The programme also featured authors, diplomats and journalists exploring the links between displacement, literature, freedom of expression and how storytelling can shape our understanding of current conflicts. The Ukrainian Ambassador in Sweden Svitlana Zalishchuk addressed the war in Ukraine and Johannes Anyuru reflected on the genocide in Gaza and Palestine through his newly published book Upplyst sten.
In addition to seminars and conversations, visitors could take part in activities at UNHCR’s space on Democracy Square. They could learn more about refugee rights, ask questions and engage with stories and perspectives from people who have experienced displacement – even this year’s winner of Gothenburg Book Fair’s 2026 Education Award Nicolas Lunabba came to UNHCR’s stand before his seminar to discuss our work, and how it is affected by difficult global crises. A couple of minutes later, he turned to the large audience that had waited long to hear him speak on his celebrated book Inte din statsminister as well issues such as class, identity, racism and belonging in Sweden.
For UNHCR, participating in the Gothenburg Book Fair was a chance to meet people across Sweden and beyond, and hold space for the realities of forced displacement and refugee protection. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, joined a conversation or took part in one of our activities – we hope to see you next year!
