Live!

-       Write something on the wall to let people know how you are.

Sara Lidman was a much loved and highly respected Swedish author, still no doubt one of the most important. A strong storyteller, a rebel, an agitator, outspoken about everything she was on fire about. She was born in this northern region, Västerbotten, and most of her novels take place here, around the turn of the last century when Sweden changed into modernity. “Jernbanesviten” is the epos about the trials when building the railroad connecting Norrland (Northern Sweden) - rich of natural resources but far away from the power of governance, with southern Sweden - in need of waterpower, timber and minerals, but not of the poverty and distress from the people here.

About a hundred years later a different railroad is built, now following the coast. This week the new Central Station in Umeå was inaugurated. The choice of artwork connected to the terminal was a natural, intelligent, warm, humorous, respectful and beautiful one: A selection of quotes from Sara Lidman, covering  light birch green glass walls, making a tunnel under the railroad something very rarely seen: an inviting, safe and attractive place, worthy of the title European Capital of Culture 2014!

Two years of planning and fruitful discussions between politicians, artists, officials and The Sara Lidman Society preceded an unanimous decision about the artwork, and the name for it was as natural as rain: Live!, one of Sara’s call to everyone who wanted to listen. There were no signs that this suddenly would turn to one of the most upset situations in Umeå for decades.

This is what happened: a couple of days before the opening two of Umeå’s top politicians decided on covering one of Sara Lidman’s quotes with asphalt. Pretty radical. The reason: her appeal for people to speak up and tell the world about their situation might be an invitation for doodling, ruining the new artwork!

-       Write something on the wall to let people know how you are!

The asphalt didn’t happen, but a hefty tape did. A shame for the European Capital of Culture to be. Sara Lidman was an artist. As the group FA+ who created the artwork Live! For a week now the two politicians who interfered with the freedom of expression have defended themselves, changed their versions, lied, and in one case said I’m sorry, I did wrong.

The tape was removed before the inaguration. 5000 people came together in the dark November evening to behold the light from the glass walls. Sara Lidman’s quotes and the official opening of the terminal, a link in the new millennium connection to the southern parts of the country.

Yesterday the City of Umeå decided on that Live! won’t be changed in any way. And no surveillance cameras. A decision to trust the citizens, and the public eye being the best surveillance. And of course, there is no way to silence the rebel, firecracker and comforter Sara Lidman. Not in her lifetime, and not after.

I haven’t seen the artwork and the tunnel yet. Me and my back are still flat on my couch. But my friend Agneta reported from her first walk through this new landmark in Umeå: It was a wonderful treat, Live! will put Umeå on the map for sure!

As for myself I am listening to Sara’s words picturing the light green glass wall here in my corner. Live Maria, Live!