Politics is far too important to be left solely to politicians. That’s why comedian Özz Nûjen created a show with himself as the thermometer up the election campaign ass. And that’s why he thinks it’s important to visit Åsadalen.
On Saturday, 23 May, Özz Nûjen will make an extra tour stop in Sköldinge. Visitors to Åsa’s democracy festival will be able to see a shortened version of his performance Citizen Nûjen.
The tour began last autumn and will continue until the election in September. Altogether, the beloved stand-up comedian will visit 101 locations.
Politics felt daring
Nûjen’s ability to combine warm humour with razor‑sharp political satire has received consistently positive responses from both critics and audiences.
– It surprised me, in a way, Özz Nûjen tells asafolkhogskola.se. People tend to recoil when politics is brought up. To be the only stand‑up comedian daring to do a show like this felt a bit bold.
– At first, I thought I should be satisfied if I managed to reach even one person out of 200 in the audience. But instead, it seems people have really been longing for political satire and the chance to laugh at politicians. It’s almost as if the show works as a form of catharsis.
Why a show about politics?
Satire – not propaganda
– Partly because politics is far too important to be left in the hands of politicians. Partly to create something on the topic that’s so funny people laugh until their noses run. But it’s important to poke fun in all directions. Otherwise it’s not satire but propaganda.
In his work as a stand‑up artist and actor, Özz Nûjen feels the political climate has grown harsher and more abrasive. This is particularly evident on social media. Above all, he notices a clear difference compared to before when it comes to racist and xenophobic attacks directed at him.
– Racism has become both coarser and more open. One could be insulted before as well, of course. But now I’m almost always subjected to attacks when I’m due to perform somewhere.
It affects him.
– Of course it makes you sad and hurt. But after all these years on stage, I’ve grown fairly hardened and learned to handle most of it.
Looks forward to Åsa
For Özz Nûjen, it was an easy decision to accept a gig at Region Sörmland’s folk high school in Sköldinge. He never attended a folk high school himself, but he has performed at them and taught courses ranging from painting and acting to democratic engagement.
– Folk high schools are an important part of our democratic society. It’s incredibly important that they remain, he says.
On the Åsadalen stage, Özz Nûjen will pick selected parts from his show. The performance isn’t static – if something dramatic happens in politics near the time of Åsadalen, it’s entirely possible that the Sköldinge audience will be the first to hear Nûjen joke about it.
– It’s going to be great fun coming to Åsa. I expect to stay for a while after the show and soak up the atmosphere at the democracy festival.
Text: Henrik Wising
Photo: Peter Knutson
Özz Nûjen’s performance at Åsadalen on 23 May is planned for 17:00. Keep an eye on the final schedule at asadalen.se/program/. The show, like all programme items at Åsadalen, is free for the public.