Cities of Refuge 1
Introduction This handbook is aimed primarily at
City coordinators, regional or municipal workers and politicians who are members of or who are interested in providing sanctuary within the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN). The handbook provides practical advice and information about the period prior to, during and following an ICORN residency. Each chapter concludes with a checklist summarising the main points and contains references to relevant websites that provide further information. The purpose of this handbook is twofold: ● To provide general information about what it entails to be a City of Refuge and how to become one through ICORN in Sweden. ● To provide relevant information to support the work of the Cities of Refuges well as writers and artists during their residency period. In this handbook, we will use the term “artist in residence” for the people involved in literature, music, journalism, visual, performing and cinematic arts who seek protection through the ICORN programme. The handbook for Swedish Cities of Refuge was presented in its original form in 2013 and was later updated in 2016. This version has been developed by the National ICORN Coordinator for the Swedish Cities of Refuge in collaboration with the Cities of Refuge in Sweden, ICORN and the Swedish Arts Council. The handbook is based primarily on observations made by coordinators and artists in residence in the Swedish Cities of Refuge, ICORN’s Secretariat and information received from relevant authorities, such as the Swedish Migration Board and the Swedish Tax Agency. Information has also been obtained from cultural organisations that support the Cities of Refuge programme, such as Swedish PEN, the Swedish Writers’ Union, the Swedish Artists’ Association, Illustratörcentrum, the Writers’ Centre in Sweden, the Swedish Centre of International Theatre Institute the association of Swedish illustrators and graphic designers, and the Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. There is a longer descriptive list of cultural actors at the end of the handbook, relevant for Cities of Refuge and artists in residence. Interested parties have had the opportunity to provide feedback on the content of the handbook before publication. The document is updated as needed. For questions about the handbook or for getting in contact with repre1/49