Ethno Sweden, founded in 1990, has been a hub for young musicians from around the world, fostering creativity, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Among the many initiatives that have brought the Ethno community closer, one stands out for its charm and humour: Ethnotes. Started in 1998 as a small, daily magazine created to engage participants and make everyone feel included, Ethnotes quickly became a beloved part of the Ethno Sweden experience. From playful gossip and quirky competitions to photos and interviews, it captured the spirit of Ethno in a way that no social media could replicate. We spoke with the creator of Ethnotes, Peter Ahlbom, to learn about its origins, its most memorable moments, and why it was a cherished tradition in the Ethno community.

Q: How did the idea for Ethnotes first come about? Was there a specific moment or need that sparked it?

To be honest, it started as a tool for me as a communication employee to get more involved in the project. I started visiting Ethno around 1992-93 to document workshops and concerts with a pen and a camera, and I immediately fell in love with it. I came up with the idea to have a daily newsletter for the participants to make the group even tighter and more involved.

One of the main thoughts behind Ethnotes was also to make sure that everyone was seen and heard, to include the smaller groups, the younger and more quiet participants, in the community. To make everyone contribute in another way than through music. Also to inform of the daily activities and teach some Swedish and other languages.

Another central thought with Ethnotes was to keep it more or less secret from the outside world. It has never been published online, it is something only for the participants and leaders at that particular Ethno.

Q: How was each issue of Ethnotes created? Did you have a team, or were you running the whole show?

I was doing it on my own. I had my camera, my laptop, my printer. I had a box in the main hall where everyone could share jokes, ideas, gossip on small paper notes and also with a chance to be anonymous. So I got help from the participants that way. I interviewed interesting participants, I took pictures from workshops and concerts. Ethnotes was edited on two A 4 pages (one paper, print on both sides). I completed the next issue every morning after breakfast (it was a great feeling rattling the Ethnotes Box in the mornings and hearing that it was full of notes!) and then copied it and put it out on the tables for lunch.

Q: What kind of content did you enjoy publishing the most?

I enjoyed the gossip, the competitions the kids came up with. “Cutest leader”, “Best chainsaw”, “Look alikes” stuff like that. Also the pictures even though the quality was lousy in the beginning (we started doing Ethnotes in 1998 …)

Q: Were there any favorite sections that readers always looked forward to?

I think many of the participants looked for their own little notes in the paper … but also the gossip in general of course. Romances etc …

Q: Do you remember a particularly funny or unexpected moment from making Ethnotes?

I took pictures of many participants early one morning after a really long night … when they were all still sleeping really heavy … also the Look-alike contest one year when one of the Bulgarians looked exactly like a very famous Swedish cross country skier …

Q: How did participants react to seeing themselves featured in Ethnotes?

I think most of them enjoyed it a lot. I always told everyone that they could say no to having their photos taken and then as an editor I had sometimes to be careful to make sure all the jokes were funny and nothing more.  There were a few notes that were censored now and then.

Q: Did you ever feel that Ethnotes helped bring people closer together at Ethno Sweden?

I think so. Many participants wrote in the evaluations that Ethnotes was one of the best parts of Ethno Sweden. But then we got Smartphones and all the social media and then Ethnotes was not really the same thing as before. Even though people still read it every day. But we noticed then that not that many saved their copies to bring back home anymore.

Q: How do you feel seeing the idea being revived or remembered?

I am happy to hear – and proud of course – that Ethnotes will be remembered within JMI. And it is amazing to see the development worldwide of Ethno, this Swedish idea that thanks to JMI and the Ethno countries nowadays is a true world wide musical web for young people.

Q: Do you think this can inspire other Ethnos to do something similar?

Yes, if you have the time and tools to publish something like that to the group could be another small thing that helps to create a close group and make the Ethno experience even better.