King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia attended a cultural event marking 250 Years of Jewish Life in Sweden, held at the Great Synagogue of Stockholm.
The event was organised by the Jewish Community of Stockholm and featured speeches, music, theatrical performances, and historical readings to highlight the rich and complex history of Jewish presence in the country.
The commemoration traces its roots back to 1775, when King Gustav III granted permission to Jewish seal engraver Aaron Isaac and his entourage to settle in Sweden without converting to Christianity. This act laid the foundation for the establishment of a Jewish community in Stockholm and marked the beginning of a continuous Jewish presence in the country.
In 1782, the Swedish government issued the Jewish Ordinance (judereglementet), which granted certain rights to Jews while imposing restrictions on professional activities and residential areas. Jews were, for example, prohibited from testifying in court due to their non-Christian status. The ordinance remained in place until 1838, when it was repealed and replaced by a royal decree under King Karl XIV Johan, aiming to align the legal status of Jews more closely with that of other Swedish citizens. By 1870, a new parliamentary decision granted Jews full civil rights, marking a significant milestone in their integration into Swedish society.
In 1999, in accordance with the European Convention, the Swedish Parliament officially recognised Jews, along with the Sami, Roma, Sweden Finns, and Tornedalers, as national minorities. This recognition was based on their longstanding historical presence in the country. Additionally, Yiddish was designated as one of Sweden’s five official minority languages.
The presence of the royal couple at the event underscored the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions and resilience of the Jewish community in Sweden over the past 250 years. The ceremony also highlighted the broader themes of religious freedom, minority rights, and cultural diversity within Swedish society.
