Small Feet Go Far provided unparalleled opportunities for children, families, schools and arts practitioners to see the very best of Swedish culture for children. It was also an opportunity to engage in a wider debate exploring culture for children as part of Sweden's year of "Young Culture 07". The theatre productions, films and books presented as part of Small Feet Go Far had helped to transform the cultural landscape in contemporary Sweden and this was the first time that many of them were shown in the UK.
Theatre
Some of Sweden's most cutting edge theatre companies performed five plays for children written by Sweden's leading playwrights at the Unicorn Theatre. The theatre companies participating included the groundbreaking theatre company Unga Klara, the National Touring Theatre which has toured all over the world, Zebradans with its celebrated dance performances, Teater Barbara using stories from the world of myths, legends and fairytales and finally Teater Tittut, an award winning puppet theatre company for the very young.
Literature
The literature festival took place at Unicorn Theatre and included six highly acclaimed Swedish authors reading from their own books (especially translated for Small Feet Go Far) and talking to children about their work. Children had the opportunity to enter the world of literature, with new characters and plots. The authors participating in the festival were Åsa Lind, Mecka Lind, Pernilla Stalfelt, Johanna Thydell, Martin Widmark and Ylva Johansson (who was represented by her translator Frank Perry).
Films
Small Feet Go Far joined forces with the Swedish Institute, the British Film Institute and National Schools Film Week, to bring the very best of Swedish cinema for children, young people and families to screens around London. The acclaimed and award winning films ranged from the uplifting to the challenging and enabled viewers of any age to explore Swedish culture and creativity. Some films assessed contemporary social issues and are still frequently used in Swedish school cinema programmes to enable pupils and teachers to examine and discuss the themes they addressed. Films included Show Me Love, Dog Days, Elina – As If I Wasn't Here, Immediate Boarding and Strong as a Lion.
Rehearsed readings
Ten Swedish playswere specially translated and performed as rehearsed readings at theatres across London. The readings offered theatre lovers a unique insight into the varied depth and creativity of Swedish theatre for children. The readings included works by Henning Mankell, Per Lysander, Suzanne Osten, Mats Kjelbye, Thomas Tidholm, Ulf Stark, Lucas Svensson, Christina Gottfridsson, Martina Montelius, Anders Duus and Mia Törnquist. The readings were produced in association with the National Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, RADA and Polka Theatre.
Seminars
Small Feet Go Far also hosted a series of seminars to discuss key areas of children's culture and theatre and examine how Sweden and the UK could share ideas and explore new territory. The seminars were aimed primarily at practitioners, creators and decision makers from the arts and culture sector. Speakers included Philip Pullman, Henning Mankell, Professor Suzanne Osten, Jacqueline Rose, David Lammy, MP and Kristina Rennerstedt, Director General of the National Council for Cultural Affairs.