Peace & Love

Peace & Love is a major music festival held in Borlänge, Sweden, known for its humanitarian focus and diverse musical acts. Traditionally taking place over several days in June or July, it has drawn tens of thousands of visitors and featured international and Swedish artists.

• Held in Borlänge, Sweden since 1999
• Annual themes focus on social and humanitarian issues
• Sweden's largest music festival by 2009
• Featured artists like Jay-Z, Patti Smith, and Rihanna
• Sugarplum Fairy performed every year since 2001

What it is

Peace & Love is a music festival rooted in the ideals of peace, love, and humanitarian values. Founded in 1999 in Borlänge, Sweden, it quickly became the country's largest music festival, attracting a wide range of artists and audiences. The festival is known not just for its impressive musical lineups—spanning rock, pop, hip hop, and world music—but also for its commitment to social themes, which shape the atmosphere and programming each year. Visitors come together to enjoy performances, discuss important issues, and celebrate community in a lively, welcoming environment.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 1999 as a response to ongoing violence, with the intention of promoting peace and love through music and dialogue. The first event was a small gathering at a club in central Borlänge, attended by around 900 people. Over the years, Peace & Love grew rapidly, moving to larger venues in the city and becoming one of Scandinavia's fastest-growing festivals. By 2009, it had become the largest festival in Sweden, drawing over 40,000 attendees and gaining national attention. Its annual themes, such as 'Freedom of Speech', 'Democracy', and 'Courage, hope and love', reflect its ongoing commitment to social change.

How it is celebrated

Peace & Love is celebrated with a vibrant mix of live music, thematic discussions, and community activities. Each year, the festival adopts a new theme—ranging from environmental issues to freedom and diversity—which influences both the programming and the overall spirit of the event. Attendees enjoy performances by a diverse lineup of international stars and Swedish favorites, with past acts including Jay-Z, Patti Smith, Rihanna, and local bands like Sugarplum Fairy. Beyond the music, the festival features talks, workshops, and art installations that encourage reflection and dialogue on the chosen theme. The atmosphere is inclusive and energetic, with people of all ages coming together to share in music and ideas.

Joining in

To experience Peace & Love, visitors head to Borlänge in central Sweden during late June or early July. The main festival grounds are in the city center, where stages, food stalls, and activity tents create a bustling festival village. Expect large crowds, a friendly atmosphere, and a packed schedule of concerts and events. Whether you're there for the music or the message, newcomers are welcomed into a community that values openness and participation.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Peace & Love (festival), whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Peace & Love (festival) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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