# Zorn Badge

The Zorn Badge (Swedish: Zornmärket) is an award that is given to prominent folk musicians in Sweden. The prize is awarded by Svenska Folkdansringen, the Swedish national organization for traditional music, dance and handicraft.

## History

In 1910, the first national gathering of spelmän (performers of traditional folk music) took place at Skansen in Stockholm. For this occasion, the artist Anders Zorn, who was interested in the revival of traditional folk culture, designed and financed a silver badge for distribution to all the participating spelmän. In the early 1930s, Svenska Folkdansringen received the rights to the badge from Zorn's widow Emma. They put together a jury for a new National Folk Musicians' Gathering in Västerås in 1933, before whom spelmän could test their mettle. The Jury would grant a number of different awards to those spelmän, the highest of which would be Anders Zorn's silver badge.

## The award

The Zorn Badge has three levels: bronze, silver and gold. The bronze and silver badges are awarded after trials, which take place at regional folk musicians' gatherings where a jury from Svenska Folkdansringen is present. A musician who wishes to try for the Zorn Badge must be 16 years of age, and must perform three to five different pieces of folk music.
The gold badge is awarded to one or two master musicians each year. There are no trials for this level, which is awarded to extremely prominent musicians and tradition bearers.
A musician who receives the silver or gold badge is entitled to call himself or herself Riksspelman (often translated as "Musician of the Realm" or "National Folk Musician"). Sweden had approximately 300 living Riksspelmän in 2009.

## Swedish folk music artists with Riksspelman status that have received golden Zorn Badge distinctions

| Year | Winner | Justification | Silver |
| 2022 | Alm Nils Ersson, Siljansnäs | "Due to masterful interpretation and traditional performance of tunes from the Leksand region." | 1961 |
| 2021 | Rickard Näslin, Rödön | "Due to masterful, graceful and traditional performance of tunes from Jämtland" | 1978 |
| 2021 | Kjell-Erik Eriksson, Frösön | "Due to masterful, intimate and traditional performance of tunes from Jämtland" | 2015 |
| 2019 | Mats Edén, Eslöv | "Due to exceptionally skillful, graceful and intimate performance of Värmland tunes on violin and melodeon" | 1979 |
| 2018 | Anders Henriksson, Järvsö | "Due to masterful, graceful and traditional performance of tunes from Hälsingland" | 1979 |
| 2017 | Bo Larsson, Björklinge | "Due to masterful musicianship and traditional performance of tunes from Upland" | 1969 |
| 2017 | Carina Normansson, Sala | "Due to masterful and graceful performance of tunes from Västmanland" | 1979 |
| 2016 | Leif Göras, Rättvik | "Due to masterful, genuine and traditional performance of tunes from Rättvik" | - |
| 2016 | Anders Jakobsson, Orsa | "Due to masterful, brilliant and traditional performance of tunes from Orsa" | 1970 |
| 2015 | Eva Blomquist-Bjärnborg, Alvesta | "Due to brilliant performance of tunes from Småland according to traditions" | 1981 |
| 2015 | Magnus Gustafsson, Värends Nöbbele | "Due to traditional and rhythmically dynamic performance of tunes from Småland" | 1987 |
| 2014 | Torbjörn Näsbom, Umeå | "Due to virtuoso, masterful violin and nyckelharpa performance according to tradition" | - |
| 2013 | Nisse Nordström, Upplands Väsby | "Due to authentic and rhythmically dynamic performance of tunes from Upland" | 1974 |
| 2013 | Olov Johansson, Dalby, Uppsala | "Due to masterful and performance of Upland tunes according to tradition" | 1984 |
| 2012 | Erik Pekkari, Värna, Åtvidaberg | "Due to masterful, brilliant performance of diatonic melodeon according to tradition" | 1994 |
| 2011 | Svante Lindqvist, Luleå | "Due to masterful, graceful and intimate performance of tunes from Norrbotten" | 1977 |
| 2010 | Sonia Sahlström, Uppsala | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of tunes from Upland" | 1979 |
| 2010 | Peter Hedlund, Vallsta | "Due to masterful, brilliant nyckelharpa performance according to tradition" | 1975 |
| 2009 | Alf Olsson, Säffle | "Due to masterful, brilliant and traditional performance of tunes from Svanskog" | 1984 |
| 2009 | Per-Olof Moll, Karlstad | "Due to masterful, authentic and according to tradition performance of tunes from Särna" | 1981 |
| 2008 | Ulf Störling, Insjön | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of tunes from southern Hälsingland" | - |
| 2007 | Karin Wallin, Helsingborg | "Due to masterful, dynamic and intimate performance of tunes from Scania" | 1993 |
| 2006 | Per Gudmundson, Falun | "Due to masterful and graceful performance in the fair tradition on the violin, as well as brilliant bagpipe performance according to tradition" | 1973 |
| 2006 | Kungs Levi Nilsson, Siljansnäs | "Due to masterful traditional performance of tunes from Leksand" | 1965 |
| 2005 | Tony Wrethling, Sandviken | "Due to masterful and according to tradition performance of tunes from Gästrikland" | 1976 |
| 2004 | O'tôrgs-Kaisa Abrahamsson, Bergsjö | "Due to masterful and inteimate performance of tunes according to the tradition of Hälsinge" | 1978 |
| 2003 | Mats Andersson, Vaksala | "Due to masterful and traditional clarinet performance" | 1973 |
| 2002 | Erik Englund, Bispgården | "Due to solid and traditional performance of tunes from Jämtland" | 1962 |
| 2002 | Marie (numera Martin) Stensby, Hammerdal | "Due to brilliant and graceful performance of tunes from Bohuslän" | 1975 |
| 2001 | Anders Liljefors, Storvreta | "Due to masterful and graceful violin performance of tunes from Upland" | 1988 |
| 2000 | Einar Hansander, Vänersborg | "Due to masterful performance of tunes from Dalsland according to tradition" | 1977 |
| 1999 | Sören Johansson, Dorotea | "Due to full-voiced and stylistic performance of tunes from southern Lapland" | 1983 |
| 1998 | Thore Härdelin (d.y.), Delsbo | "Due to traditional and spirited performance of tunes from Hälsinge" | 1967 |
| 1997 | Styrbjörn Bergelt, Stockholm | "Due to masterful and role-model stråkharpa, silverbasharpa, nyckelharpa and folk flute performance of tunes" | 1983 |
| 1997 | Sture Sahlström, Tobo | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of tunes from Upland" | 1954 |
| 1996 | Kalle Almlöf, Malung | "Due to masterful and intimate performance according to traditions from Västerdal" | 1972 |
| 1995 | Ole Hjorth, Stockholm | "Due to performance tunes according to Hjort Ander's tradition" | - |
| 1994 | Edvard "Skogsby-Lasse" Larsson, Kall | "Due to traditional, virtuoso and masterful harmonica performance of tunes from Jämtland" | 1982 |
| 1993 | Pers Hans Olsson, Rättvik | "Due to masterful and expressive performance according to traditions from Rättvik" | 1965 |
| 1992 | Pelle Björnlert, Edsbruk | "Due to masterful performance and renewal of old Spelman traditions in Östergötland and Småland" | 1974 |
| 1991 | Nelly Östlund, Horndal | "Due to traditional, virtuosic and intimate performance of tunes from Hälsingland and Dalarna" | 1950 |
| 1990 | Axel Andersson, Nyköping | "Due to masterful and exceptionally traditional performance of tunes from Södermanland" | 1945 |
| 1989 | Svante Pettersson, Gotland | "Due to masterful performance and preservation of Gotland's folk music through especially extensive recorded works" | 1943 |
| 1988 | Anselm Hellström, Vikbolandet | "Due to traditional and masterful performance of tunes from Vikbolandet, Östergötland" | 1982 |
| 1987 | Kurt Tallroth, Harbonäs | "Due to masterful and traditional clarinet, violin and nyckelharpa performance of tunes from Upland" | 1954 |
| 1986 | Björn Ståbi, Korskrogen | "Due to masterful and performance of Swedish folk music according to tradition, especially related to cultural heritage from Orsa" | 1961 |
| 1985 | Evert Wernberg, Sundsvall | "Due to masterful performance of tunes strongly associated to tradition from Medelpad" | 1946 |
| 1984 | Hans Bryntesson, Karlstad | "Due to masterful performance of tunes from Eda according to tradition" | 1972 |
| 1983 | Ragnar Karlsson, Enskede | "Due to masterful violin and nyckelharpa performance of tunes according to father August Karlsson's tradition from Rosersberg, Upland" | 1977 |
| 1983 | Allan Carlsson, Blattnicksele | "Due to masterful and traditional violin performance of tunes from Västerbotten and very valuable leadership in the service of folk music" | 1957 |
| 1982 | Ceylon Wallin, Uppsala | "Due to masterful and genuine nyckelharpa performance of tunes from Roslagen" | 1971 |
| 1982 | Hans Börtas, Rättvik | "Due to masterful and performance of tunes from Rättvik oriented to preserve tradition" | 1948 |
| 1981 | Bengt Löfberg, Fagerhult | "Due to masterful violin performance as well as valuable and ground-breaking research on tunes and nyckelharpa players from Småland" | 1970 |
| 1980 | Helge Nilsson, Bergsjö | "Due to masterful violin performance of tunes from Hälsingland, as well as tradition-preserving research work" | 1966 |
| 1980 | Anton Jernberg, Österbybruk | "Due to masterful violin performance of tunes, as well as preservation of folk music from Gästrikland according to father Gustav Jernberg's tradition. Additionally folk music entrepreneurship, dance and luthier work in Österbybruk" | 1943 |
| 1979 | Päckos Helmer Olsson, Bingsjö | "Due masterful performance in Bingsjö of the tunes oriented towards his father's legacy, the great player Peckos Olle" | 1948 |
| 1978 | Anders Sparf, Rättvik | "Due to skillful performance, versatility and awareness oriented to the preservation and passing on of nyckelharpa traditions from Rättvik" | - |
| 1978 | Sven Härdelin, Delsbo | "Due to the safeguarding and preservation of nyckelharpa traditions in northern Hälsingland" | 1944 |
| 1977 | Artur Lundberg, Hogdal | "Due to masterful and performance of tunes according to tradition from northern Bohuslän" | 1973 |
| 1976 | Pers Erik Olsson, Rättvik | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of fair tunes from Rättvik" | 1965 |
| 1976 | Ekor Anders Andersson, Evertsberg | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of tunes from Älvdal" | - |
| 1975 | Ivar Tallroth, Uppsala | "Due to masterful violin and nyckelharpa performance according to unique August Bohlin's tradition from Upland" | 1942 |
| 1974 | Assar Bengtsson, Staffanstorp | "Due to virtuoso violin and träskofiol performance of authentic Scania tunes" | 1964 |
| 1974 | Gösta Sandström, Täby | "Due to excellent nyckelharpa performance of tunes from Upland" | 1948 |
| 1973 | Gustaf Päkkos, Bingsjö | "Due to masterful and traditional performance of tunes from Bingsjö" | 1950 |
| 1973 | Carl Gustav Färje, Älvdalen | "Due to masterful performance of the trumpet, horn och folk flute" | 1948 |
| 1972 | Pelle Jakobsson, Orsa | "Due to masterly lute, horn, pipa and violin performance" | 1948 |
| 1972 | Erik Gustavsson, Karlstad | "Due to authentic and extraordinary performance of tunes from Värmland" | 1943 |
| 1971 | Nils Agenmark, Stockholm | "Due to masterful and accomplished pursue of nyckelharpa tradition according to Hjort Ander's tradition" | 1971 |
| 1971 | Karin Edvardsson Johansson, Transtrand | "Due to masterful rendition of ancient Swedish herdingcall according to the tradition of Transstrand" | 1971 |
| 1970 | Elin Lisslass, Transtrand | "Due to masterful rendition of ancient Swedish herdingcall according to the tradition of Transstrand" | 1970 |
| 1970 | Anton Högerberg, Ånge | "Due to authentic and masterful performance of tunes from Medelpad" | 1950 |
| 1969 | Bertil Rydberg, Vintrosa | "Due to successful conservation of traditional tunes Småland and Närke" | 1957 |
| 1967 | Petters Erik Eriksson, Rättvik | "Due to authentic and traditional performance of preserved tunes from Rättvik" | 1948 |
| 1967 | Leonard Larsson "Viksta-Lasse", Viksta | "Due to devoted and extraordinary musicianship" | - |
| 1966 | Udd Axel Johansson, Hedemora | "Due to outstanding musicianship and fruitful contribution to the areas of regional folk music and folk dance" | 1946 |
| 1965 | Lars-Erik Forslin, Borgsjö | "Due to authentic performances of tunes and successful promotion of the nyckelharpa tradition" | 1950 |
| 1964 | Nils Löfgren, Malmö | "Due to skillful performance and successful promotion of the nyckelharpa cultural movement in Scania" | 1952 |
| 1963 | Carl Eric Berndt, Lund | "Due to authentic performance and conservation of tunes" Awarded in 1964 | 1948 |
| 1961 | Olle Falk, Offerdal | "Due to the conservation of genuine traditions related to Lapp Nils" | 1950 |
| 1961 | Erik Moraeus, Orsa | "Due to genuine performance of tunes and successful promotion of autochthonous nyckelharpa traditions" | 1946 |
| 1960 | Eric Sahlström, Tobo | "Due to masterful musicianship and pioneering contribution to the revival and revitalization of nyckelharpa playing" | 1946 |
| 1959 | Johan Olsson, Uppsala | "For being an exceptional representative of folk music from Upland" | 1942 |
| 1957 | Röjås Jonas Eriksson, Boda | "Due to flawless performance characterized by deep expression with roots in folk musicianship" Awarded in 1960 | 1946 |
| 1957 | Dyrsmeds Olof Olsson "Påhl-Olle", Rättvik | "Due to masterful performance, brioso competitive spirit and traditional folk polyphony" Awarded in 1959 | 1948 |
| 1956 | Ewert Åhs, Blyberg | | 1937 |
| 1956 | Ingvar Norman, Säter | | 1935 |
| 1956 | Knis Karl Aronsson, Leksand | | 1942 |
| 1954 | Sven E. Svensson, Uppsala | "Due to year-long activities in favor of inspiration and commitment for Swedish folk music" | - |
| 1954 | Nils Olsson, Sundsvall | "Due to documentation and good writing of new pieces following Medelpad style" | 1946 |
| 1954 | Olof Nordén, Arbrå | "Due to long-lasting work on folk music and valuable new compositions following Hälsinge style" | 1944 |
| 1954 | Carl-Allan Moberg, Uppsala | "Due to crucial folk music research" | - |
| 1954 | Ture Gudmundsson, Stockholm | "Due to preserving projects in connection documentation and dissemination of knowledge about Swedish folk music, especially that of Dalarna region" | 1944 |
| 1954 | Bengt Bixo, Mörsil | "Due to committed and critical work for the knowledge of Jämtland folk music" | 1910 |
| 1954 | Matts Arnberg, Lidingö | "Due to extensive work on the preservation and application of unique values within folk music research" | 1950 |
| 1952 | Carl Iderström, Frykerud | | 1942* |
| 1951 | Sven Axéll, Stockholm | | - |
| 1948 | Gustaf Wetter, Katrineholm | | 1937 |
| 1948 | Einar Olsson, Glanshammar | | 1935 |
| 1946 Sth | Göran Olsson Föllinger, Föllinge | "Due to successful work on Jämtland original music and restoration of authentic styles" | |
| 1946 Sth | Ivar Hultström, Flodafors | "Due to one-of-a-kind work on dissemination of regional music from Södermanland" | |
| 1946 Sth | Nils Hägg, Stockholm | "Due to year-long work on the area of general regional music" | |
| 1946 Sth | Sven Sköld, Stockholm | "Due to crucial contribution to the promotion of folk music" | |
| 1946 Sth | Bernhard Svensson, Hallsberg | "Due to a crucial and innovative approach to the regional music of Dalarna" | |
| 1946 Sth | Karl Tirén, Bergvik | "Due to highly appreciated commitment to folk musik in Norrland" | |
| 1946 Mora | Hugo Alfvén, Leksand | | - |
| 1946 Mora | Carl Gudmundsson Leksand | | - |
| 1946 Mora | Janne Romson, Mora | | - |
| 1946 Mora | Karl Sporr, Stockholm | | - |
| 1945 | Petter Blomberg, Sundsvall | | - |
| 1944 | Jon Erik Öst, Meselefors | "Due to meritorious work during many years regarding the area of Swedish folk music" | 1910 |
| 1943 | Thore Härdelin, Delsbo | | - |
| 1943 | Jon Erik Hall, Hassela | "Due to long-lasting, valuable work for the commitment with Swedish folk music" | 1910 |
| 1943 | Anders Petter Sundin, Matfors | | 1910 |
| 1942 | Eric Westberg, Stockholm | | - |
| 1939 | Sven Kjellström, Stockholm | | - |
| 1939 | Ernst Granhammar, Stockholm | | 1931* |
| 1939 | Olof Andersson, Stockholm | | 1910 |
| 1939 | Valdemar Dahlgren, Arvika | | 1933* |
| 1938 | Pelle Schenell, Gnarp | | 1910 |
| 1938 | August Fredin, Loftahammar | | 1910 |
| 1937 | Dan Danielsson, Filipstad | | - |
| 1937 | Filip Pärson, Falkenberg | | - |
| 1936 | Axel Boberg, Lund | "Due to outstanding contribution in the area of folk music research in Scania" | - |
| 1935 | Olof Knut Ekwall, Romanäs | | - |
| 1935 | Olof Tillman, Floda | | 1933 |
| 1935 | Gössa Anders Andersson, Orsa | | 1933 |
| 1935 | Hjort Anders Olsson, Tureberg | | 1910 |
| 1933 | Erik Nilsson, Mattmar | | 1910 |
* Silver Badge awards to Granhammar in 1931 and Dahlgren in 1933 were done without a live performance and was decided by the board of directors at Ungdomsringen. Likewise, the silver distinction awarded to Iderström in 1942 followed the same procedure.