The Swedish fundraising foundation Blåljus i Samverkan was established in January 2018 by Police Officers Anders Hallqvist, Jonas Borgström, and Paramedic Pär Johansson with the aim of assisting colleagues in Sweden and beyond when they are in need. Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the Bluelights Organisation (as it is referred to in English) has been actively supporting its colleagues in Ukraine. They have already completed 12 humanitarian missions to Ukraine, delivering fire trucks, ambulances, and blood buses—over 40 vehicles were donated to Ukraine in the past two and a half years. As the organisation prepares for its 13th visit, The Ukrainian Week spoke with Micke “Syd” Andersson, a Swedish rock star and drummer of one of Scandinavia’s most famous rock groups, Gyllene Tider, as well as a former drummer for the renowned Swedish band Roxette, who also serves as an ambassador for Blåljus i Samverkan.
First visit to Ukraine
For the first time, Micke “Syd” Andersson visited Ukraine a month after the full-scale invasion. At the border crossing in Przemyśl, he met Polish journalist and volunteer Nikodem Szczygłowski, who, along with Ukrainian volunteers, has since been helping the Swedish organisation facilitate humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Andersson recalls that when the full-scale invasion began, many ordinary Swedes were eager to help Ukraine because it felt so close to home. “I saw through my social media that people, knowing me, were reaching out to ask how they could help.” As an ambassador, he called for donations at his concerts and through his social media channels.
“And the first time we arrived in Lviv, there was a missile or drone attack that struck a power station just 200 meters from where we had left the ambulances the day before. This was the city where we saw sandbags in the windows and around the square, but then you also see a city that operates normally,” recalls Andersson.
In September 2024, Micke “Syd” Andersson visited Ukraine for the fourth time with Blåljus i Samverkan. This time, they brought a blood bus (where donors can already give blood in Poltava), fire trucks, and ambulances. Andersson admits that before the full-scale invasion, he didn’t know much about Ukraine. “I knew you had some good football players… But for me, it’s really about the relationships with people. In any war, it’s ordinary people who suffer the most. They pay the price, and I think that’s what has motivated Swedish people to help. You’re close to us, and we’re quite similar.” Reflecting on their shared history, Andersson recalled the Battle of Poltava: “A couple of hundred years ago, we were crazy, touring around Europe and causing chaos. But now, when you meet people from Poltava and give them a fire truck, it feels completely different and brings a sense of goodwill. Poltava now has a sister city in Sweden called Kalmar on the east coast, and I think it’s wonderful to know that someone cares about you.”
Photo: Blåljus i Samverkan’s twelfth trip to Ukraine at the end of September 2024. Source: Facebook of Micke “Syd” Andersson
Why Blåljus i Samverkan
Micke’s family is closely connected to the Bluelight Society in Sweden. His father and siblings have been active members of this society, which is what makes him a part of this community. This connection is also why he fundraises money for the organization through his various activities.
How life changed with COVID and then – the war
“In Sweden, we have our own war—it’s a war with gangs. People are going around shooting others, including kids. It’s completely crazy, and this has been happening since 2015. For us Swedes, having lived in peace for so long, facing this kind of war—because the situation with gangs in Sweden is indeed a war—combined with the conflict with Putin, people are scared. And that’s understandable. What I do is work on methods to address my sorrow and anger, tackling some of the darker aspects within ourselves, if I may borrow from Star Wars terminology. For me, this is the best we can do under these circumstances: to prepare ourselves to be engaged and focused, to try to maintain a sense of humour and to help you guys as much as we can. If we just run away out of fear, then we can’t accomplish anything.”
Covid transformed the entertainment industry worldwide, and for Andersson, it was “a couple of crazy years” in his profession as well. “When the Covid lockdown happened, 500,000 people in my industry lost their jobs. They couldn’t work and had no income.” With the onset of the full-scale invasion, a similar situation unfolded: “There was ongoing scarcity. My friends’ families had to sell their belongings because both parents worked in the entertainment business, and without jobs, they needed to find money somehow.”
Music that brings happiness
One of Gyllene Tider’s most famous songs is “Sommartider.” It topped all the Scandinavian music charts and was included in the anthology “A Thousand Swedish Classics: Books, Films, Records, TV Programmes from 1956 to Today.” “Sommartider,” which translates to “Summertime,” captures the joy of summer in the city. For Micke “Syd” Andersson, the music of Gyllene Tider is a source of strength that helps him navigate challenges and seek solutions, even in the toughest situations. “We [Gyllene Tider – Ed.] are the Swedish summer. We represent love and the joys of life. Our vibe as a band is all about happy love. Coming from such a band, I want to do everything I can.”
Photo: Micke “Syd” Andersson at the Polish border. Source: Facebook of Micke “Syd” Andersson
