October 13 will be a significant and ceremonial day in Filipstad. On this occasion, the Gastronomic Academy, will designate Filipstad as the World's Crispbread Capital. During the ceremony, Guido Barilla and Oprah Winfrey will also be named honorary citizens of the Municipality of Filipstad. Guido Barilla will be present in Filipstad to personally take part in the celebrations.
For nearly a century, Filipstad has been a centre for one of Sweden's most distinctive and beloved food products: crispbread. Wasabröd has been based in Filipstad since 1931, and it was here in the 1930s that modern, mechanized crispbread production was first developed. What began as a small bakery grew into the world's largest crispbread bakery, and today the majority of Wasa crispbread sold around the globe is still baked in Filipstad.
"Crispbread is more than just a food product. It is part of Sweden's gastronomic heritage. No other city has, over such a long period and on such a scale, brought crispbread from the Swedish dining table to the rest of the world. That is why Filipstad is the World's Crispbread Capital," says Cissi Elwin, Permanent Secretary of the Gastronomic Academy.
The designation aims to highlight Filipstad's unique food heritage while also looking ahead, promoting continued development, knowledge, and pride in crispbread as part of Sweden's gastronomic culture.
Public Programme
2:00 PM – Stora Torget (Main Square)
Official ceremony naming Filipstad the World's Crispbread Capital.
The event will be hosted by Anders Lundin, with musical performances by Rigmor and Christina Gustafsson, accompanied by pianist Björn Fredriksson. During the ceremony, Filipstad will officially receive the title of World's Crispbread Capital, and Guido Barilla and Oprah Winfrey will be named honorary citizens of the Municipality of Filipstad.
3:30 PM – Filipstad Church
The celebrations continue with a Te Deum service in Filipstad Church, featuring Sören Dalevi, Bishop of the Diocese of Karlstad, and Martin Lind, Bishop Emeritus and member of the Gastronomic Academy.
The event is open to the public, and no advance registration is required.
The programme will be updated continuously.
Stora torget, 68230 Filipstad
