stergels torg nano stockholm

Perhaps the strongest response to cruelty is kindness. And in the aftermath of the April 7 attack in Stockholm, Sweden has done just that, with public figures and private citizens reaffirming their values of tolerance and openness. Sweden, they remind us, is stronger than the man who hijacked a lorry and turned it into a weapon.

On Sunday thousands turned out in Sergel’s Square, near the site of the tragedy, to show their support for the victims and their families. Among the four who died were two Swedes, one of whom was only 11 years old, a British man and a Belgian woman. Fifteen more were injured, and nine of them remained hospitalised on Sunday.

Among those paying tribute was Melodifestivalen 2017 star Nano, whose song “Hold On” has become an anthem of perseverance.

“I want to show my support and to spread hope and love,” he said after his performance. “For me, that is where I come from, it’s an honor to come here, so there was nothing to hesitate over when they called me last night.”

He announced his performance on Instagram on Sunday morning, posting an image of the Stockholm skyline.

“Today I sing for Stockholm,” he wrote in the caption. “The love that you have shown each other these days begets hope. Come and show your support! #SergelsTorg #Stockholm #HoldOn”.

His Melodifestivalen 2017 song “Hold On” is timely, as it encourages people to push past their struggles to find peace.

He embodies that message better than most, having moved from prisoner to pop star, even winning the Melodifestivalen televote in March.

Sarah Dawn Finer — beloved singer and Melodifestivalen personality — also came out to show her support.

Sarah, known to many Eurovision fans from her comedic character Lynda Woodruff, performed a stripped-back, acoustic version of her Melodifestivalen 2009 song “Moving On”.

Strumming the guitar and showing off her lovely vocals, she proved that “Moving On” doesn’t just work as a power ballad, but also as an singer-songwriter ode to self-belief.

Read more Sweden music news

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Djkskzn
Djkskzn
6 years ago

This report is not about ho Will win Eurovision!!! It’s about tragick events in Stockholm. Go to the video of italy’s song and talk about ho Will win there, not here.

hansel morgan
hansel morgan
6 years ago

religion of peace <3

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

How come people always find a way to mention the damn Italian song everywhere? We get it, you either love it or hate it but not everything evolves around it, especially in this context.

Charles
Charles
6 years ago

The 2 songs that should have won each respective MF – not because they are about pretending nothing is wrong in this world during 6 weeks but because they do something very anti-swedish and very disturbing for the human race … dealing with our pain and vulnerability when something terrifying has just struck on all of us instead of running away from it as if that was the right solution … – music should always serve as a narrative for all of us should be about us and makes us think about us instead of serving as a shallow and… Read more »

oscillate
oscillate
6 years ago

My prayers go out to all the victims! Hold on Sverige!

PS. Why this comment section is now about Occidentali’s Karma? God, these haters will always introduce their hatred 24/7, anywhere. Get a life!

Álex, from Spain
Álex, from Spain
6 years ago

Lots of love to all the people in Sweden. I’ve been following all the news since Friday. I visited Stockholm last month and I felt I was in a really safe place, up in the north, far away from wars and terrorism. Never imagined that this would happen just a month later. Your response to brutality has been the best ever. You have shown how strong and united your nation is.

Swede
Swede
6 years ago

thank you for this article

aurora
aurora
6 years ago

@KYLLITO
I understand the Occidentali’s Karma, and is not my number one either, so we agree on that too. It’s ironic that he sings that song in front of people that record him with smart phones, knowing that picture of Gabbani with orange and black with smart phone in one hand and the Om sign in the other. It’s something off, I don’t think it deserves to win.

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
6 years ago

@aurora…..Have you done any research on what the song is based on or the translation of the lyrics? When I did, I realized that the ape, which I initially thought to be a gimmick, was actually part of the song, a song which speaks about society’s values and how we fall short. It’s better than many of the songs this year, although it is not my number one. And I agree with your comment about HOLD ON…..Sweden missed it’s chance to win this year. Had they chosen Nano, they would have had a great chance of winning.

aurora
aurora
6 years ago

Ha, Ha, Sweden there is your winner. You’ve missed the chance this year.

aurora
aurora
6 years ago

Meanwhile Eurovision fans think that a joke song with a monkey are the best thing since sliced bread.

O.P
O.P
6 years ago

Love & peace always wins in the end.

Martin
Martin
6 years ago

This is a little cynical to point out given the tragedy that just transpired BUT… in the context of the Stockholm attack, had Nano won Melfest, we would have another politically charged winner of Eurovision on our hands. Nobody else would have stood a chance against Nano’s Hold On…

Love this. Love that the Swedes are banding together and showing nothing but unity and love!

Grace
Grace
6 years ago

Hold On should have won Melfest imo (if not Statements), amazing song and I love how the lyrics really tie into recent events <3