Suzanne Osten (1944-2024) passed away on 29 October, leaving behind a magnificent legacy as one of Sweden’s most groundbreaking artists.
Suzanne’s influence on Swedish and international performing arts is immeasurable, and through her art she has changed our view of what theatre for a young audience can be. With a deep love for her audience, her strong artistry and her courage, she will be remembered for generations to come. Her work continues to inspire and shape the art of theatre, and her passing is deeply mourned by friends and colleagues in Sweden and around the world.
In 1975, Suzanne Osten founded Unga Klara, where she created groundbreaking theatre for both children and adults. Through her work, she raised the status of children’s theatre both in Sweden and internationally, and made children’s and youth theatre an art form to be reckoned with. In addition to theatre, she directed films, wrote books, plays and screenplays, and was a professor of directing at the Dramatic Institute. With a passion for knowledge, she shared her commitment through lectures and workshops around the world.
Suzanne was an active participant in ASSITEJ Sweden’s international work, taking part in seminars, workshops and lectures in places as diverse as Adelaide, St Peterburg, Seoul and Ulaanbaatar.
For her work she has received a number of honours both at home and internationally.
In 1985, Suzanne was awarded Sweden’s Prix d’ASSITEJ ‘for her work in creating new drama for children and young people in artistic productions, thereby raising the status of Swedish children’s theatre both nationally and internationally’.
At the 2002 World Congress in Seoul, Korea, Suzanne was awarded the ASSITEJ Award of Artistic Excellence – an international award for significant artistic achievement in theatre and performing arts for children and young people and the most prestigious award given by the International ASSITEJ.
On 6 October, Suzanne participated in the closing session of Scenic, our international training course for cultural agents, where she shared her insights on children’s perspectives and the link between performing arts and schools. None of us realised at the time that it would be the last time we would meet.
Suzanne’s life’s work continues to inspire and influence the performing arts today and in the future, and she is mourned by countless friends and colleagues in Sweden and around the world.
Thank you, Suzanne, for your never-ending curiosity, your courage and your eternal belief in the ability and competence of children and young people!
