Gothenburg Libraries Offer Free Access to Opera, Theater Tickets with 'Borrow a Cultural Experience' Initiative

Since late 2024, Gothenburg residents can borrow cultural experiences through an innovative program called 'Låna en kulturupplevelse' (Borrow a Cultural Experience) available at select local libraries. Participants can obtain a special card from these libraries and exchange it for two free tickets to cultural events at venues like the Gothenburg Opera, concert hall, or city theater.

The initiative, coordinated by Martin Holmquist Boman, aims to introduce people unfamiliar with cultural events to opera, theater, and concerts without financial barriers. The tickets themselves are funded by the cultural institutions, causing a variable number of about 40 available tickets per week. Eva-Lotta Moberg, a repeat borrower, expressed appreciation for the program but suggested it could be promoted more effectively to younger audiences less engaged with culture.

Amid a significant reduction in state support—2 billion SEK lost by the cultural sector from 2019 to 2024—this initiative demonstrates a regional effort to maintain cultural accessibility despite financial constraints. It is currently unique in Sweden, attracting interest from colleagues in cities such as Malmö and Umeå looking to replicate the model.

This program highlights Gothenburg’s commitment to broadening cultural inclusion by removing cost barriers and fostering new audiences for the arts during challenging times for public cultural funding.