The Swedish national council for cultural affairs in London: Brexit has hampered the whole of the cultural sector

In the crime series ”The tunnel”, based on the svenskdanska ”Bridge”, found a body in the channel tunnel between Britain and France. The series depicts a cross-border police investigation on a murder case, but is in itself also an international collaboration, between the French Canal+ and british Sky. The second season is currently being broadcast in SVT.

But now the production companies in the Uk and other EU countries, pulled the handbrake, for other co-productions, at the same time as the controversy around Brexit has become a serial in the media.

– At the embassy we follow the development nonstop. Since I came here a year ago, we have discussed the Brexit every day. I thought that I have more clarity Brexitfrågan then, than what I feel that we have today, " says Pia Lundberg, counsellor for cultural affairs at Sweden's embassy in London.

Pia Lundberg, counsellor for cultural affairs at Sweden's embassy in London. Photo: Hedvig Franzén-Brunius

in march 2018, was Pia Lundberg as a foreign affairs manager at the Swedish Film institute. Already after the united kingdom voted in favour of the Brexit in June 2016, noticed she began to be uncertainty around the various movie and tv ventures.

– There are so many different factors that can complicate the cooperation. And, of course, do not dare to other financiers go into the project if there is uncertainty as to the different EU support, which can be crucial that the funding should go together, " says Pia Lundberg.

She draws a gloomy picture of the culture conditions, in the shade of the Brexitförhandlingarna.

" It has been a trying process, that has begun to erode the country in all possible ways. It has hindered the whole cultural sector. Many cultural projects have long lead times and as long as there is a risk of a hard Brexit has few dared to invest in the future, " says Pia Lundberg.

the uk parliament to request respite from the EU. It would create a new opportunity to avoid a hard Brexit – but also involve a prolonged period of uncertainty.

" There is great frustration within the cultural sector that this has dragged on for some time. The politicians are still discussing fundamental issues such as the border to the republic of Ireland and the customs union, while the culture is pretty far down on the list, " says Pia Lundberg.

Both before and after Brexitomröstningen has the world of culture expressed their concerns about the EU-exit. According to a survey made by the Creative Industries Federation, a trade organization for the cultural sector in the Uk, wanted to 96 per cent of the members remaining in the EU. Arts Council, the british equivalent of the arts council, has published reports on the Brexits negative effects. Among other things, that the cultural sector in the Uk would miss out on an annual contribution of a total of 40 million pounds.

Read more: British film nojar for life after Brexit

the government formally requested withdrawal from the EU has clouds just grew thicker.

" I understand the concern – basically, it is difficult to see that the withdrawal would bring some benefits for the cultural sector. Freedom of movement is crucial for many of the arrangements and collaborations, " says Pia Lundberg.

It is not only organisations and authorities have warned of the consequences of the withdrawal, including the individual cultural practitioners have raised their voices. In the autumn gathered, for example, well-known artists – from Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora to Jarvis Cocker and Brian Eno – in an open letter to the prime minister, Theresa May.

"today, a big part of many musicians' income from live shows. How will the Brexit influence the guest performances and tours? How does the new customs rules, the opportunities to carry instruments into and out of the country? It is a huge issue for musiksfären, " says Pia Lundberg.

musikarrangörer both different costs and undreamed-of quantities of paperwork. It is not just the problems of administration which may complicate the cultural exchange across borders, but of the creative industries are also dependent on various EU-support.

at the same time, says Pia Lundberg, that it constantly discovered more and more areas that would be affected by a Brexit. It covers everything from copyright issues and various compensation schemes to customs rules.

" When I visited the british ministry of culture, there were different working groups tried to predict the consequences of an orderly and a avtalslös Brexit. It also applies to authorities for a variety of arts, such as on the british film institute. They have told us a lot about the projects that they do not dare to put in the time with, " says Pia Lundberg.

the production of film and tv development has come to a standstill. Another area where uncertainty has already had practical consequences are the tv broadcasts. In London, hundreds of tv channels, their offices, and broadcasting their programs, both international giants and the american Swedish channels TV3, Kanal 5 and TV6.

– It is several of the major tv houses that have begun moving their offices from London, including the Netherlands. You can't wait any longer for a decision but rather take it safe than sorry, " says Pia Lundberg.

Read more: Swedish tv plans Brexitflykt from London

there is great uncertainty about the Uk's withdrawal. Michael Schultz is the counsellor for cultural affairs at the Swedish permanent representation in Brussels.

– the Discussion here is primarily about the horizontal issues – such as trade agreements and the free movement. But, of course, affected also the cultural sector of these major questions, for example, when it comes to work permits, " says Michael Schultz, and continues:

– the member States decide themselves over their cultural policies, but the EU support through the aid programme, not least, cooperation across borders. It also stands in the treaty, that the EU should promote the common cultural heritage, and benefit from, inter alia, the linguistic diversity in the union.

Mikael Schultz, cultural affairs at the Swedish permanent representation in Brussels. Photo: Ninni Andersson

that no one is prepared to terminate the contact with the Uk. If a hard Brexit can be avoided, there are also prospects for continuing cooperation in areas such as Creative Europe, the EU programme for the cultural and creative sectors.

– There is a signal value in the program, which also welcomes countries that want to enter the EU. There are also countries participating in Creative Europe, within the framework of the neighbourhood policy. Where hope and believe many to the Uk want to be with in the future, " says Mikael Schultz.

it is the Pia Lundberg's mission to strengthen the cultural relations between Sweden and the united kingdom. Pia Lundberg tells us that there is a great mutual interest, not just in terms of high-profile tv series.

– We recently had a great reception during the London book fair, where I was able to observe that the interest for Swedish literature is on the rise. In literature, the Swedish language has become the third most translated in the Uk. The curiosity of our thinking, our values and our stories, is very big here.

The positive image of Sweden will, to a large extent, from the culture, says Pia Lundberg.

– It is very important that it can continue to be so. Sweden and the Uk are close to each other. I try to remind myself of as often as possible. Regardless of what happens with Brexit will Sweden be sure to have good relations with the Uk. The interest for Swedish culture will not disappear.