Vaksalafesten Jun 6med Malena Ernman & Labyrint

Practical Information

Program

• Kl. 14.00: The area opens with catering, bar, food trucks, activities and DJ MIAMIA
• Kl. 15.30: Opening speech with Erik Pelling (S), Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board, Linda Eskilsson (MP), Chairman of the Cultural Committee, and Henrik Lillsjö, CEO and Artistic Director of UKK
• Kl. 15.45: Concert with Malena Ernman, Philip Jalmelid, Uppsala Chamber Orchestra and Trio X. Conductor: Christoffer Nobin, host: Jacke Sjödin. Limited number of seats in front of the stage.
• Kl. 17.15: Sing-along with pop choir Joyvoice
• Kl. 20.30: Concert with Labyrint. Standing room only.
• Kl. 22.00: The area closes

Food & drink

• Kl. 11-22: UKK’s restaurant and bar open with summer menu
• Kl. 14-22: Bar service on Vaksala square
• Kl. 14-22: Food trucks on Vaksala square: Apex Burgers, Heta Köket, Kabul Mat, Kims Food, NOK’s Taste of Thailand, Philoxenia, Alessandro Gelato

Important information

• Food and alcoholic drinks may not be brought into the area. Catering and a bar are available both on the square and inside UKK.
• Umbrellas are not allowed on the site. In case of rain, rain ponchos are available for sale.
• Only small bags may be brought into the area, the dimensions must not exceed one A3 (30 cm x 42 cm). Bag checks may take place at the entrance to the site.
• Strollers can be brought into the area subject to availability, but we recommend leaving strollers at home on this day.
• Think about protecting young children’s hearing with earmuffs. Earplugs are available for sale.

About the Event

Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, Musik i Uppland and Uppsala Municipality welcome all Uppsala residents to the Vaksala Festival on National Day, June 6. This is the start of this summer’s big initiative, Summer at UKK, when Vaksala Square is transformed into a creative and eventful meeting place – with free admission all season!

During the Vaksala Festival, one of the greatest and most beloved Swedish opera and musical stars of our time Malena Ernman, acclaimed singer and actor Philip Jalmelid will perform together with Uppsala Chamber Orchestra and Trio X from Musik i Uppland. All under the direction of the sought-after conductor Christoffer Nobin. The concert will be hosted by the Uppsala-based comedian and musician Jacke Sjödin.

At Vaksala torg we also hear the legendary comeback Gottsunda band Labyrint with their unique mix of hip hop and reggae.

In between concerts, the pop choir Joyvoice entertains with sing-alongs!

In connection with the concert, Vaksala Square will also be reopened as an event space and the Summer at UKK initiative, by Erik Pelling (S), Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board, Linda Eskilsson (MP), Chairman of the Culture Committee, and Henrik Lillsjö, CEO and Artistic Director of UKK.

Participants

Malena Ernman

Mezzo-soprano Malena Ernman is one of the great Swedish opera stars of our time and one of the few artists in the world who has managed to combine an absolutely world-class opera career with reaching out to a wide audience in musicals and with her win in Melodifestivalen.

With a four-octave vocal range, she has performed title and leading roles at numerous opera houses in cities such as Vienna, Paris, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Zurich and Barcelona.

Among many roles, Ernman has sung Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Rosina in Rossini’s The Barber of Siviglia. She has also sung the title role in Carmen with the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm.

In recent years, Ernman has also established himself on the musical stage and received huge acclaim for roles in As if in Heaven and Forever Piaf. At Vaksalafesten, we will of course hear “Gabriella’s song” from As if in Heaven.

In March 2023, Malena Ernman celebrated 30 years on stage with a major anniversary concert at UKK. She has also been a member of UKK’s creative council and was the initiator of the choir festival Uppsala körfest.

Philip Jalmelid

Singer and actor who got his breakthrough as Anatoly in Chess in Swedish at the Gothenburg Opera in 2013. During his 17 years as an actor, he has played leading roles on most major stages in Sweden. The last time we saw Philip Jalmelid in Uppsala was in Från Broadway till Duvemåla at Uppsala Konsert & Kongress 2025 and in Kinky Boots at Uppsala Stadsteater. During Vaksalafesten, we will hear Philip do Tommy Körberg’s parade number “Anthem” from Chess.

Uppsala Chamber Orchestra

With a range of styles from grand symphonies to more intimate chamber works, Musik i Upplands Uppsala Kammarorkester has been performing live music for the county’s residents for over 50 years. The orchestra is made up of professional musicians, has a well-known warm and large orchestral sound and is considered by many to be one of Sweden’s best. In recent years, the orchestra has made appreciated guest appearances in Estonia, at concert halls in Gothenburg, Vara, and Norrköping, as well as Artipelag on Värmdö. Since 2007, Uppsala Konsert & Kongress has been the orchestra’s home stage.

During the Vaksala Festival, the Uppsala Chamber Orchestra will perform mainly Swedish compositions such as Hugo Alfvén’s “Festspel” and music by Musik i Uppland’s own Lennart Simonsson.

Trio X

Trio X is one of Sweden’s most renowned piano trios. The trio’s distinctive feature is exploratory and transgressive music, and the experienced musicians are inspired by many genres. Lennart Simonsson, Per V. Johansson and Joakim Ekberg began their collaboration in 2002 and have since recorded several albums, collaborated with a wide range of well-known artists, toured in Sweden and abroad. Trio X is part of Musik i Uppland.

Conductor: Christoffer Nobin

The conductor of the concert is Christoffer Nobin, one of Scandinavia’s most sought-after young conductors who has worked with all the major Swedish and Danish symphony orchestras as well as the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra.

Labyrinth

With their unique blend of hip-hop and reggae with socially commentary lyrics, local favorites and the pride of Uppsala Labyrint are back, more relevant than ever. Labyrint broke through with songs like “Välkommen hem”, “Kärleken”, “Fakkin fin” and “Chilla lide”. They quickly built up a loyal fan base through frequent touring, and by always representing the marginalized, the band makes a case for being local favorites. After the group went on ice seven years ago, their music has continued to influence new generations of Swedish hip hop artists. Now, at Vaksalafesten, Labyrint is back on home turf.

Presented by Uppsala Konsert & Kongress and Musik i Uppland with support from Uppsala Municipality.