"Strindberg vs Key" is the name of the new opera, staged by Catarina Gnosspelius, which will premiere at Strindberg's Intima Theatre in Stockholm on January 2.
A quirky and playful performance with two opera singers and an accordion player, says theatre director Anna Pettersson.
Ellen Key and August Strindberg started out as friends. But Key's commitment to women's liberation became a thorn in Strindberg's side. In the novel "Black Flags" she was caricatured as the red-nosed, creepy "Hanna Paj" and the new opera is also about two combatants.
The child's perspective
"The Happy People's Child" is the name of Julia Sporre's newly written play about a teacher who begins to question the school's disciplinary methods.
It was with the child's perspective in mind that Ellen Key criticized the school for disciplining the students, and the play is inspired by her speech to the Social Democratic party leader Hjalmar Branting.
She is so current in her thinking about the environment, her interest in education and the importance of education for all. She was very much at the forefront, says Anna Pettersson, who previously wrote the play "The Quinns" about Selma Lagerlöf, Victoria Benedictsson, Elin Wägner and Ellen Key, four authors who not only wrote but also acted, Pettersson emphasizes.
It was obvious to Ellen Key that she saw society as something she was involved in and could change. She took action; I think that was her greatest strength.
Rest up
Among other things, Ellen Key built her home Strand in Omberg so that working-class women could come there and rest during the summer, Pettersson points out.
That whole idea still exists.
When: 2–7 January 2026.
Where: Strindberg's Intima Theatre in Stockholm.
Performances: "Strindberg vs Key", "The Happy People's Child", "Moll", "To Still His Heart" and more.
Lived 1849–1926.
Author, educator and feminist who fought for freedom of expression and individual rights. She was one of the first to demand women's suffrage. She saw love as crucial to a relationship and believed that beauty was neglected in industrial society.
Her book “The Century of the Child” had a great influence on the educational debate and is included in “A Cultural Canon for Sweden.” Key criticized the school for homogenizing children and hoped that war would become impossible if women were given the right to vote.
The centenary is also marked with "Ellen Key must be stopped!", a musical performance by and with Catti Brandelius, Anneli Jordahl and Åsa Johnsen at Tensta konsthall, premiering 8 May.
On July 23, Vadstena Academy will premiere the newly written opera "Ellen Key - The Snake Slayer" by Daniel Fjellström and Maria Sundqvist.
Source: NE
