Coordinates	13°16′18″N40°13′23″N
Official name	Norrköping
Nickname	Peking, Little Manchester
Pushpin map	Sweden
Coordinates region	SE
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Sweden
Subdivision type3	Municipality
Subdivision name3	Norrköping Municipality
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Östergötland County
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Östergötland
Area footnotes
Area total km2	34.78
Population as of	2005-12-31
Population total	83,561
Population density km2	2403
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1
Timezone dst	CEST
Utc offset dst	+2
Coordinates display	displayinline,title
Website	norrkoping.se }}

Norrköping is a city in the province of Östergötland in eastern Sweden and the seat of Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County. The city has a population of 83,561 inhabitants in 2005, out of a municipal total of 127,059, making it Sweden's tenth largest city and eighth largest municipality.

The city is situated by the mouth of the river Motala ström, at Bråviken, an inlet of the Baltic Sea. Water power from the Motala ström and the good harbour were factors that facilitated the rapid growth of this once industrial city, known for its textile industry. It has several nicknames such as: "Sweden's Manchester", "Peking" and "Surbullestan" (Surbulle was a local nickname for the textile workers, and stan is short for Staden, which means The City or The Town in Swedish)

History

The city has medieval foundations by settlers around the Norrköping twin city with Linköping Motala stream estuary, who used the falls and rapids to power their mills. The stream was also full of fish such as salmon. Exact dates are uncertain, but there are mentions of a church in the 12th century. It was dedicated to Saint Olaf, Norway's patron.

The first trace of the city's name is from 1283, when wealthy David Appelgren - [Lord of Östergötland] - donated his rights of salmon fishing to the Skänninge monastery. The town is estimated to have received city status in the early 14th century, although no written documents exist prior to a document from 1384. This document, signed by Albrekt of Sweden is stored in the city archive today. Köping means there was a market there.

The city was the location of several battles in the ensuing centuries. As a consequence, nothing of the medieval Norrköping remains today. During the Northern Seven Years' War (1563–1570), the entire southern part of Norrköping was burnt. It was rebuilt by John III of Sweden, who designed the current street pattern.

In 1618, a weapon industry was established by supervision of Gustavus Adolphus. The harbour also attracted ships due to its proximity to the industries of Finspång. In addition to the weapon industry, a large scale industry of textile was also initiated. An important benefactor was the industrial man Louis De Geer (1587-1652). At De Geer's death, Norrköping had 6,000 inhabitants and was Sweden's second largest city.

The city again burnt in 1655, and again in 1719 during the Great Northern War when the Russians burnt it to the ground. Stones from the Johannisborg castle were used to build new houses, and today only a few stones remain.

During the 18th century it was rebuilt and several industries soon got a stronghold: In the 1740s, Norrköping boosted three sugar refineries; in the 1750s the large scale influential snus industry was established. From this time stems the city churches of Saint Olof and Saint Hedvig, and several other old houses. Norrköping's importance again flourished. In 1769 the Swedish Riksdag assembled there. In 1800 the king Gustav IV of Sweden was crowned in the Church of Saint Olof.

The city again suffered fires in 1822 and 1826. Thereafter wooden houses were banned. In 1841 a ship industry was initiated as a branch of Motala Verkstad in Motala. In 1850 the industry had over 600 employees making it Sweden's largest ship industry at the time. During the remaining 19th century, the industries kept expanding. The area by the Motala Stream was developed further with the construction of a cotton refinery, and a paper mill was constructed in 1854, specializing in newspaper, and is still today exporting to customers around the world.

The industry, including textile manufacturers, also expanded into the 20th century. In 1950 a total of 54 factories had 6,600 employees in town. By 1956, however, 18 of them had been closed due to competition from countries abroad with lower wages, such as Italy and Japan. In 1970 only 10 factories and 1,200 employees remained. In that year, the renowned Holmen paper mill, with its 350 years long history, announced closure, and another 900 people were let go. To counter the effects, several governmental authorities were relocated to Norrköping from Stockholm. See also Braviken Paper Mill.

As of 2002, Norrköping is now seeing a revival, as a center of culture and education. The Norrköping symbol represents the "new" Norrköping.

Main sights

The Strömmen river flows through the city has a parade annexed. In connection to the latter is the industrial landscape where the old textile industries once where situated.

In the summer, there is a cactus plantation in ''Carl Johans Park''. 25,000 cactuses are planted there every summer.

Kolmårdens Djurpark is a zoo located 30 km north of Norrköping. In connection to the large outdoor zoo, there is also Tropicariet, an aquarium, where for example snakes, crocodiles and sharks can be seen.

The archipelagos 50 km away from Norrköping are called St Anna and Gryt.

A campus of Linköping University, its own symphonic orchestra, an airport called Kungsängen with 170,000 traveling (2006), a high-tech industry park called Norrköping Science Park, and Petroglyphs from the Nordic Bronze Age.

Notable natives

Hannes Alfvén - physicist, Nobel Prize winner

Moa Martinson - author

Laakso - music group

Michael B. Tretow - producer and audio engineer

Ture Nerman - poet and socialist politician

Peter Harryson - actor, entertainer

Pernilla Wiberg - alpine skier, double Olympic gold medalist

Slagsmålsklubben - electronic popgroup

Malin Baryard - horse rider

Eldkvarn - music group

Marduk - music group

Amy Diamond - singer

23 Till - music group

Elin Grindemyr - model

Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson - NHL hockey player

John Karlsson - Musician (Current rhythm guitarist for the Canadian Band The Regal Beagle Band)

Sports

IFK Norrköping (Association football)

Assyriska Föreningen i Norrköping (Association football)

Azech SF (Association football)

Chile Unido IF (Association football)

Eneby BK (Association football)

Hagahöjdens BK (Association football)

Lindö FF (Association football)

Norrköpings IF Bosna (Association football)

Syrianska KF (Association football)

Norrköping Dolphins (Basketball)

HC Vita Hästen (Icehockey)

Vargarna (Speedway)

Norrköpings KK (Swimming)

Norrköpings Rugby Klubb(NRK) Troján (Rugby)

Government and infrastructure

The Swedish Transport Agency has its headquarters in Norrköping. When the Civil Aviation Administration existed, its head office was in Norrköping. Norrköping is one of two Swedish cities (the other being Gothenburg) that retained its tram system after the 1967 conversion to right-hand drive, see Norrköping Tramway.

References

External links

Official website / Norrköping Tourism

Local event guide for Norrköping

Category:Municipal seats of Östergötland County Category:Swedish municipal seats Category:Populated places in Östergötland County Category:Port cities and towns of the Baltic Sea

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Coordinates	13°16′18″N40°13′23″N
name	Dino Merlin
background	solo_singer
birth name	Edin Dervišhalidović
alias	Dino Merlin
birth date	September 12, 1962
origin	Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia
genre	Pop rock
years active	1983–present
associated acts	Merlin
website	http://www.dinomerlin.net
notable instruments	}}

Edin Dervišhalidović (; born 12 September 1962), stage name Dino Merlin, , is a prominent Bosnian singer-songwriter and musician. He is a popular singer/songwriter in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is also popular in the other countries of the former Yugoslavia such as Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. He was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Music career

Merlin Band

Edin Dervišhalidović founded the band Merlin in 1983 and has been its singer and songwriter since. With the band, he has recorded 5 studio albums: ''Kokuzna vremena'' in 1985, ''Teško meni sa tobom (a još teže bez tebe)'' in 1986, ''Merlin'' in 1987, ''Nešto lijepo treba da se desi'' in 1989, and ''Peta strana svijeta'' in 1990.

Solo career

Dervišhalidović began his solo career under the name Dino Merlin in 1991, and recorded five studio albums: ''Moja bogda sna'' in 1993, ''Fotografija'' in 1995, ''Sredinom'' in 2000, ''Burek'' in 2004, ''Ispočetka'' in 2008 and 2 live albums, ''Vječna vatra'' in 1999 and ''Live Koševo 2004'' in 2005.

Dino Merlin wrote the first national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina called ''Jedna si, jedina''. He has also taken part in Eurovision Song Contests, in Millstreet in 1993 (Dino is the author of ''Sva bol svijeta'') and in Jerusalem in 1999 (singing ''Putnici'' with Béatrice, a French singer). Dino Merlin has also taken part in other big European festivals, such as Copenhagen in 1996 and Turkovision in 1997. His tour promoting his ''Sredinom'' album, which was released in 2000, included over 200 concerts, with a spectacular performance at the Koševo Olympic Stadium in Sarajevo, in front of an audience of about 80,000. The Sredinom-album was the top-selling album in Bosnia and Herzegovina and sold in all of the countries that were once part of Yugoslavia.

Dino Merlin's next album, ''Burek'', was released in 2004. Three songs were featured as singles: ''Burek'', ''Supermen'' and ''Ako Nastaviš Ovako''. The album includes 15 tracks, many of which are new. The song ''Supermen'' is sung by Dino Merlin with a guest appearance by Željko Joksimović, who is also the composer of the song.

Many of the songs on this album have also appeared on his Live Koševo 2004 album released in 2005. The other guest appearances on the Burek album include Nina Badrić on "Ti si mene", Željko Joksimović on "Supermen" Edo Zanki on "Verletzt" and many others.

Dino Merlin's tenth album titled ''Ispočetka'' (English Translation: ''From the Beginning'') was released in 2008.

On 1 December 2010 it was revealed that Merlin will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany. He came sixth in the final singing Love in Rewind.

Discography

Albums

with Merlin band

Kokuzna vremena (1985)

Teško meni sa tobom (a još teže bez tebe) (1986)

Merlin (1987)

Nešto lijepo treba da se desi (1989)

Peta strana svijeta (1990)

Solo career

Moja bogda sna (1993)

Fotografija (1995)

Live: Vječna vatra (1999)

Sredinom (2000)

Burek (2004)

Live Koševo 2004 (2005)

Ispočetka (2008)

Compilations

Merlin (1990) - with the Merlin band

Balade (1995) - with the Merlin band

Rest of the Best (1995) - with the Merlin band

Najljepše pjesme (1995) - with the Merlin band

The Best of Dino Merlin (2001)

The Platinum Collection (2006)

The Ultimate Collection (2009)

DVDs

Live Koševo (2005)

Koševo 19. Juli (2009)

Singles

2007: "Otkrit ću ti tajnu"

2008: "Dabogda"

2008: "Da šutiš (Indigo)"

2008; "Deset Mlađa"

2009: "Nedostaješ"

2011: "Love in Rewind"

Songs produced by Dino Merlin

Year	Song	Performer	Album
		align="center"
			align="center"

References

External links

Official Website

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina male singers Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 1999 Category:People from Sarajevo Category:Bosnia and Herzegovina rock singers Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2011

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Coordinates	13°16′18″N40°13′23″N
Name	Birger Magnusson
Office	Jarl of Sweden
Term start	''c.'' 1248
Term end	1266
Predecessor	Ulf Fase
Monarch	Eric XI Valdemar
Birth date	''c.'' 1200
Birth place	Probably in Östergötland
Death date	21 October 1266
Death place	Jälbolung, Västergötland
Restingplace	Varnhem Abbey, Västergötland
Spouse	Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden
Children	}}

(c. 1200 – 21 October 1266), or Birger Magnusson, was a Swedish statesman, Jarl of Sweden and a member of the House of Bjelbo, who played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Sweden. Birger also led the Second Swedish Crusade, which established Swedish rule in Finland. Additionally, he is traditionally attributed to have founded the Swedish capital, Stockholm around 1250.

Biography

Early life

It is known that Birger grew up and spent his adolescence in Bjälbo, Östergötland but the exact date of his birth remains uncertain and available historical sources are contradictory. Examinations of his mortal remains indicate that he was probably about 50 upon his death in 1266 which would indicate a birth around 1216. However, his father Magnus Minnesköld is assumed to have died no later than 1210, which would lead to an assumed birth a few years earlier. Under any circumstance, he was the son of Ingrid Ylva, who according to Olaus Petri was a daughter of Sune Sik and granddaughter to Sverker the Elder, which would make Birger a matrilineal member of the House of Sverker. His brothers or half-brothers — Eskil, Karl, and Bengt — were all born long before 1200, and it can therefore be assumed that they had another mother. He was also a nephew of the jarl Birger Brosa from the House of Bjelbo. The combination of this background proved to be of vital importance.

Birger, thus most likely born at the time for the Battle of Gestilren in 1210 and named after Birger Brosa, one of the most potent men of the era who died in 1202, started his career in the mid 1230s by marrying Ingeborg Eriksdotter, the sister of King Eric XI of Sweden according to the Eric's Chronicle (''Erikskrönikan'') in fierce rivalry with other suitors.

During the 15 years to follow, Birger then consolidated his position and was probably one of the most influential men years before being formally given the title jarl in 1248 by King Eric XI. Birger was later claimed to have been responsible for a military campaign against the Novgorod Republic that Russians claim ended in a defeat by Alexander Nevsky during a battle the Russians refer to as Neva Battle in 1240. While Swedish, German, Finnish, Baltic and other sources have no information on the battle at all, a 16th century Russian legend tells that the Swedish "king" was wounded in the face while dueling against Prince Alexander Nevsky himself.

Although Birger Jarl saw many battles, some have speculated that traces of a sword blow in Birger's cranium might have originated from this battle (or any of the many others). However, the original 14th century Russian version of the battle had no information on this at all.

Career

When the papal diplomat William of Modena visited present Sweden around 1248, he urged the Swedish kings to fulfill the rules of the Catholic Church, an exhortation which Birger seems to have taken as a chance to strengthen his position by simply taking the side of the church against other members of his family (alternatively possible to interpret as a manifestation of his pious side). This was a choice of historical importance as it was to make Birger a jarl powerful enough to ultimately wind up the office, thus making him the last Swedish jarl ever, even called as the "first true king of Sweden" by historians. As this happened during an era when the inherited concept Folkung became more of a political party, it also meant Swedish magnates lost most of their influence which paved the way for a consolidated Swedish kingdom supported by the Pope.

In 1247, royal troops led by Birger at the Battle of Sparrsätra (''Slaget vid Sparrsätra'') fought with Folkung forces led by pretender Holmger Knutsson, son of King Canute II. Folkungs lost the battle thus crushing resistance to the central government and taxes. Holmger Knutsson fled to Gästrikland and was captured there by Birger in the following year. Quickly brought to trial, he was beheaded.

In 1249, Birger succeeded in ending a decades-long period of hostilities with Norway. As a part of the Treaty of Lödöse, he also managed to marry off his daughter Rikissa, then only 11-years old, to Haakon Haakonsson the Young, the eldest son of King Haakon IV of Norway. Presumably later that year, Birger led an expedition to Finland, later dubbed as the Second Swedish Crusade, which permanently established the Swedish rule in Finland. On King Eric's death in 1250, Birger's son Valdemar was elected as the new king while Birger acted as regent, holding the true power in Sweden until his death.

In 1252, a year after another victory over the folkungs at the Battle of Herrevadsbro (''Slaget vid Herrevadsbro''), Birger wrote two carefully dated letters, the first mention of Stockholm interpreted as the foundation of the city or at least some sort of special interest in the location. Neither of the letters give a description of the location, however, and while archaeological traces of older defensive structures have been found there, what did exist on the premises before the mid 13th century remains debated. It has been suggested Birger chose the location for several reasons: Partly to curb domestic magnates by isolating them with a "lock of Lake Mälaren", offering a defense to the lands around Mälaren from invading enemies in the process; and to create a commercial bridgehead to attract German merchants. While Birger's direct involvement in the foundation of the city remains speculative, it probably was no accident it was founded on the location at this time, as there were alternative passages into Mälaren during the preceding Viking Era; as Crusades, a kind of Viking raids in a Christian disguise, had proven increasingly unsuccessful; and as taking control over the location, traditionally where men supposedly gathered before the ledung, meant old offensive military traditions could be replaced by more "modern" commercial efforts directed towards Lübeck. Birger thus combined financial support from Germany with papal political support to consolidate his own position.

Late life

Ingeborg died in 1254 and in 1261 Birger married the widow of King Abel of Denmark, the Danish queen dowager, Matilda of Holstein. Birger died on 21 October 1266, at Jälbolung in Västergötland. His grave in Varnhem Abbey was opened in May 2002.

There is a statue of the great duke in his own square Birger Jarls Torg next to Riddarholm Church in Stockholm, erected by Bengt Erland Fogelberg at the expense of the Over-Governor of Stockholm in 1854. There is a cenotaph for him at the base of the tower of Stockholm City Hall. It was originally intended that his remains be removed there, but this was never done. Several other historical structures there are also named for him including the street Birger Jarlsgatan on Norrmalm and the tower Birger Jarls Torn on Riddarholmen. The Hotel Birger Jarl is located in Stockholm's Norrmalm neighborhood. He is also the central figure of ''Bröllopet på Ulvåsa'' by Frans Hedberg (1865).

Children

Mother unknown

# Gregers Birgersson

From marriage with Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden

The marriage was contracted relatively near the time when Ingeborg's brother the once-deposed Eric XI returned from exile in Denmark in 1234. # Rikissa Birgersdotter, born 1238, married firstly 1251 Haakon Haakonson, co-king of Norway, and secondly, Henry I, Prince of Werle # Valdemar Birgersson, born c 1238, king of Sweden 1250–1275, lord of parts of Gothenland until 1278 # Christina Birgersdotter, married presumably several times, one of her husbands was lord Sigge Guttormsson # Magnus Birgersson, born 1240, Duke (of Södermanland), then king of Sweden 1275-90 # probably: Catherine of Sweden, born 1245, married Siegfried, Count of Anhalt # Eric Birgersson, born 1250, Duke (of Småland) # probably: Ingeborg of Sweden, born ca. 1254, died 30 June 1302, married John I of Saxony, Duke of Lauenburg in 1270 # Benedict, Duke of Finland, born 1254, bishop of Linköping

With Matilda of Holstein (doubtful)

# Christine Birgersdotter

Ancestry

References

;Bibliography

External links

Birger Magnusson Genealogy

Category:1210s births Category:1266 deaths Category:Medieval Finland Category:Rulers of Finland Category:Swedish politicians Category:Swedish nobility Category:History of Stockholm Category:Christians of the Second Swedish Crusade Category:Year of birth uncertain

da:Birger Jarl de:Birger Jarl et:Birger jarl es:Birger Jarl fr:Birger Jarl gl:Birger Jarl is:Birgir jarl it:Birger Magnusson ka:ბირგერ იარლი hu:Birger Jarl nl:Birger Jarl no:Birger jarl nn:Birger jarl pl:Birger jarl pt:Birger Jarl ru:Биргер fi:Birger-jaarli sv:Birger jarl uk:Біргер Ярл (регент)

Coordinates	13°16′18″N40°13′23″N
name	Amy Diamond
background	solo_singer
birth name	Amy Linnéa Deasismont
birth date	April 15, 1992
origin	Norrköping, Sweden
genre	Pop
occupation	Singer, actress, television presenter
years active	2005–present
label	Bonnier Amigo Music Group
website	www.amydiamond.se
notable instruments	}}

Amy Diamond (born April 15, 1992) is a Swedish pop singer, actress and television presenter. She is known for her single "What's in It for Me" and album ''This Is Me Now'' which were released when she was 12 years old. The song was a 2005 hit in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. It was the most-played song in Poland that year; it remained in the top ten for four months. Diamond has released six studio albums and performed on television as singer, actress and hostess.

To date, her biggest hits have been "What's In It For Me", "Welcome To The City", "Don't Cry Your Heart Out", "It Can Only Get Better", "Stay My Baby", "Is It Love", "Up" and "Thank You".

Diamond is also the youngest person in Sweden to release a Greatest Hits album.

Biography

Early life

Diamond was born in Norrköping, Sweden as Amy Linnéa Deasismont, the second child of an English father, Lee, and a Swedish mother, Chrisbeth. Soon after her birth, the family moved to England. The family moved back to Sweden when she was four-and-a-half years old, this time to Jönköping, where she learned Swedish. Diamond still lives there with her family, cousins and two younger sisters, Lisa and Holly, an older sister, Danielle and younger brother, Charlie.

Diamond started figure skating at age six and won multiple gold medals. She practiced six times a week before embarking on her singing career. She went to a dance and theater school called ''Blandgodis'', and participated in theater and TV productions which gave her experience in public performing. She also appeared in a small television role on the show, ''De drabbade''.

Diamond has loved singing since she was two years old. One of her first public performances was at the age seven on the talent show ''Småstjärnorna''. She dressed as Belinda Carlisle and lip synced to "Heaven is a Place on Earth", finishing third in the competition. In 2004, she participated in talent competitions such as ''Minimelodifestivalen'' in Jönköping and Swedish TV4's ''Super Troupers'', winning most of them. On ''Mix Megapol Summer Idol'' Diamond won the main prize: to record a song in a real studio. During recording, she was offered a commercial recording contract. Soon after, Diamond recorded her debut single "What's in It for Me". Markus Sepehrmanesh, one of the songwriters for her albums, said in an interview that she sang perfectly. "What's in It for Me" was recorded in ninety minutes and the single was released the following February.

Success as a singer

"What's in It for Me" was a commercial success, although some Swedish TV stations refused to show the music video, arguing that Diamond was too young for the song's theme about romantic relationships. Amy, though, didn't see the theme as an romantic relationship – in her eyes it was relationships between friends. Nevertheless, the song received extensive radio airplay while she simultaneously went on tour with Elin Lanto."What's in It for Me" reached number one on the Swedish singles chart in March and eventually went platinum.

Before long, Diamond appeared on Swedish TV4 and used her artist name for the first time. Although she sang to a pre-recorded backing track in the studio, on the program she sang her single and Alicia Keys' song "If I Ain't Got You" while accompanied by a live band. The band included a drummer, guitarist, bassist, background singer and a keyboard player, who also sang backgrounds.

Due to the success of the single, a full album was commissioned, and ''This Is Me Now'' was released in May 2005. The album sold more than 150,000 copies, which was triple the requirement for gold record certification in Sweden at the time. The success led to television appearances, such as on the weekly chart show ''Trackslistan'' and on the children's competition show ''Vi i femman''. By the end of 2005, she had appeared live on more than 20 television shows. A concert tour in Sweden was organized for her in the summer, and some of the shows were also televised.

Although Diamond's fans are typically school children, the album cannot be described as children's music. The style of ''This Is Me Now'' is mainly happy pop music with synthesizer backgrounds, but it includes the theme song "Tomorrow" from the musical ''Annie'' and a live recording of the song "If I Ain't Got You". The songs in the album were made by the producer team Tysper (Tommy Tysper), Mack (Marcus Sepehrmanesh) and Grizzly (Gustav Jonsson), who are all from Stockholm. They form the core of the production company ''TEN Production'' and have produced successful pop tracks before working with Diamond. Other ''Ten Production'' songs seeing popularity were performed by the A Teens and Helena Paparizou. Diamond's albums were published through Bonnier Amigo Music Group.

Diamond is a talented live singer and sings without a playback tape in her public performances. Her debut album included a live version of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You", which was described in a review as "sweet and impressive at the same time". She reached the finals in ''Super Troupers'', where she reached the final by singing Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes". She was 12 years old. A review in ''Svenska Dagbladet'' described her voice as fine and secure, and her record label advertised it as ''"shining and characteristic"''.

Outside Sweden

Diamond signed a distribution deal with Warner in July in order to promote the album internationally. She never appeared with her band again, instead performing with a background track and dancers. The album became popular also in other Nordic countries and Poland during the following summer. "What's In It For Me" was heard frequently on the radio, becoming the 19th most played song of 2005 in Finland and 16th best songs of 2005 in Poland. More singles from the albums "Welcome to the City" and "Champion" were released in the summer. A special edition of the album was released for the Central European market. It contained two previously-unreleased songs which would later appear on ''Still Me Still Now''. Diamond was sent on a promotional tour throughout Central Europe in late 2005. Her record deal allowed the whole family to travel with her whenever the concerts were abroad. Diamond performed on television in Germany, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania and the Netherlands.

Diamond was nominated for several awards in 2005. At 13, she was the youngest person in history to receive the Nordic Music Award for the best Nordic hit "What's in It for Me". Further, she is the youngest artist to receive two simultaneous NRJ Radio Awards and the youngest to be nominated for the Swedish Grammy Awards. At the Grammy Awards, she won Best Swedish Female Artist, Song of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Diamond received a Nickelodeon award for Hit of the Year, and had nominations for the Swedish Rockbjörnen. In 2010 she won again award for the best Swedish music/group at Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.

Second album

Diamond started recording her second album in February 2006. Her producers sent her songs and she chose which ones she wanted included on the album. The album was recorded over four weekends at a pace of two to three songs per weekend. The album ''Still Me Still Now'' was published in May and the first single "Don't Cry Your Heart Out" was released a couple of weeks prior to the general album distribution.

Although not much was heard from her in the spring, the second album was highly anticipated. Two days before the announced release date, she was interviewed on ''Nyhetsmorgon'', a morning talk show, on TV4. The host surprised Diamond by handing her a gold record for the album; it had already sold enough copies on pre-orders alone to be certified."Don't Cry Your Heart Out" was a radio hit in Sweden.

''Still Me Still Now'' continued in the same style as the previous album, being mostly light-pop music. "Don't Cry Your Heart Out" was radio-friendly pop, but songs such as "Diamonds" and "No Regrets" were arranged in a style reminiscent of musicals. Some reviews wondered about the song selections, but Diamond's voice was praised nevertheless. The selected songs were alleged by some to be unsuitable for Diamond and her audience, but on the other hand her potential was appreciated.

In mid-2006, Diamond took part in the Diggiloo tour, where she performed, among other songs, Edith Piaf's "Non, je ne regrette rien". Although ''Still Me Still Now'' wasn't as big a success outside Sweden as ''This Is Me Now'', it was still popular in her home country. She also held concerts beyond the Diggiloo tour; readers of the largest evening newspaper, ''Aftonbladet'', voted her 2006 Summer Tour Queen. Diamond released two more singles in late 2006, ''Big Guns'' and ''It Can Only Get Better'', and continued to appear on television, including appearances on such prime-time shows as ''Sommarkrysset'', ''Go'kväll'', and ''Vinterkrysset''. In January 2007, Amy Diamond started a fan club that publishes a quarterly fan magazine called ''Amy Diamond Fanzine''. Lastly, in September 2007 she sang with ''In The Ghetto'' on ''Elvis – The Original Cast''.

Third album

Throughout the second half of 2007, Diamond recorded her third album called "Music in Motion". The album contains tracks done by some renowned producers such as Max Martin and Alexander Kronlund, who have previously worked with Britney Spears.

Diamond's first single called "Is It Love?" from the new album was released on 26 September 2007. Additionally, she has performed her new song on some TV-shows like "Bobster", "Bingolotto" and has even won "Best Female Artist" at "Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards". Diamond's new album ''Music in Motion'' was released on 28 November 2007 and her second single "Stay My Baby" (from the new album), written by Max Martin and Tommy Tysper, was released on 23 November. In the beginning of December 2007, Diamond began autograph sessions in Sweden.

Diamond entered Melodifestivalen, the Swedish selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, in February 2008. Her song was called "Thank You", and it earned her a 8th place in the final round. The song was later included on the re-release of her album, entitled ''Music in Motion – Gold Edition''.Amy received yet another gold disc for this album.

Christmas album

On 19 November 2008, Diamond released a Christmas album called ''En Helt Ny Jul'' (or "A Brand New Christmas" in English), comprising traditional Swedish Christmas carols. The Style is described as being a classic styled Christmas album, but with a dose of Pop. This is her first album sung completely in Swedish. The album went Gold.

Melodifestivalen 2009 and fifth album

In December 2008 it was confirmed that Diamond would once again enter the Swedish Song Contest (Melodifestivalen) in 2009, with the electro-pop song ''It's My Life'' written by Alexander Bard, Bobby Ljunggren and Oscar Holter. On 14 February 2009, Diamond competed in the 2nd semi-final of Melodifestivalen and was nominated to be the first finalist, but eventually lost to H.E.A.T. with ''1000 Miles''. She was also awarded the international jury's wildcard nomination of the evening. On 7 March, Diamond took part in the second chance round in Norrköping but lost the first knock-out round to Star Pilots with "Higher" and also lost the international jury wildcard to Sofia with "Alla", thus failing to reach the final.

Diamond's fifth album (including the singles "It's My Life", "Up", "Brand New Day" and "Bittersweet") titled ''Swings and Roundabouts'' released in Scandinavia on 21 October also reached Gold status.

Körslaget 2009

Diamond was one of seven celebrity choir leaders in the third season of the Swedish TV4-show Körslaget, ("Clash of the Choirs") leading a choir team from her hometown of Jönköping.

Alice in Wonderland

Dec-09 -end of March -10 Diamond is starring as Alice in Alice in Wonderland at Maxim theatre in Stockholm.

At the end of 2010 it was confirmed Amy is going to tour in 2011 throughout Sweden. All dates were announced and tickets were available, but in December 2010 3Sagas company was unable to repay the debt and the tour was cancelled.

Princess Lillifee

Diamond is the Swedish voice of Princess Lillifee film which premiered in Swedish cinemas on September 10. Amy also sings a few songs from the movie.

Greatest Hits

In Spring 2010, Bonnier Amigo Music Group released information about Diamonds's greatest hits album. The album includes twenty songs from the last four years as well as four brand new songs, including covers of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors", "Only You" by Yazoo and "Perfect" by Fairground Attraction. On September 6, 2010 it was announced the album would be released on November 3, 2010, but at the beginning of October, Bonnier changed the release date to October 29, 2010. On October 31 it was confirmed that Amy is the youngest Swedish artist to release a Greatest Hits album.

The first single, "Only You", a cover of the Yazoo song, was released on September 24, 2010.

On October 16, 2010, Amy featuring Mikael Rickfors sang a duet version of "True Colors" on the Swedish programme Dansfeber.

On November 2, 2010, Amy performed "Only you" and "True Colors" on XL Live. Also, the same day Amy performed What's In It For Me (acoustic version) on Swedish Morning Programme Rix MorronZoo on radio RIX FM.

At beginning of November the label released information about a new and last single – ''True Colors''.

In December 2010 some radiostations started to playing Amy's song 'Ready to Fly' as a promo single, but it wasn't released officially.

Life outside music

Diamond keeps her private life separate from her singing career. She took the stage name of Amy Diamond when she released her first single, "What's in It for Me". She has said that she chose Diamond because it's her birthstone.

Despite her singing career, she goes to school and only rarely misses a day. According to her, there are promotional jobs only every now and then and most are on weekends. If there are gigs on the weekdays, she does the schoolwork as homework. She has mentioned in interviews that math, PE, and sewing are her favorite subjects in school. She regards her education as important, as it will allow her to do something else if the music doesn't work out or if she doesn't want to sing anymore; she has said that she wants to sing as long as it is fun. She has mentioned hairdressing as her future dream hobby. Despite her gigs, she has time to have holidays and she says the entertainment business hasn't been harsh on her. Her manager-father deals with the business side, and her parents support her in her career.

In 2006, Diamond received requests to do print modeling and television work in addition to her musical career. She appeared in a mail-order catalogue for Ellos, and did promotional work for Statoil and the sport store chain Stadium. In December, she appeared as an ice princess on ''Lassemajas detektivbyrå'', a in the Swedish Christmas series. The show allowed her to demonstrate her figure skating skills.

In May 2008, the jewelry maker Tussilagosmycken launched a product called "Amy's Diamond". The piece is made of silver and has a diamond in the middle, and Amy's autograph on the back. She has recently done a single for the Barbie CGI feature "Barbie and the Diamond Castle" called "Connected".

Summer 2010 Amy recorded as a TV-hoster a 2nd season of 16 episodes for one of the most popular SVT programmes – Bulldogg. It is a programme where kids can date a dog when their parents don't want any animals in home. The premiere of 1st episode is planned on Sunday, 16 January 2011 on SVT. During spring 2011 Amy yet again recorded the 3rd season of 16 Bulldogg. Amy graduated from Hairdressing school June 2011.

Discography

Albums

2005: ''This Is Me Now''

2006: ''Still Me Still Now''

2007: ''Music In Motion''

2008: ''En Helt Ny Jul''

2009: ''Swings And Roundabouts''

2010: ''Greatest Hits''

Filmography

2002: ''De drabbade''

2006: ''Lassemajas detektivbyrå''

2006 & 2009: ''Vinterkrysset''

2009–10: ''Alice i Underlandet''

2010: ''Melodifestivalen Sketches''

2010: ''Gabba Gabba''

2010: ''Princess Lillifee''

2011: ''Bulldogg''

References

External links

Official Swedish Site

Official International Site

Category:1992 births Category:Bonnier Amigo Music Group artists Category:Living people Category:Melodifestivalen contestants Category:People from Jönköping Category:People from Norrköping Category:Swedish child singers Category:Swedish female singers Category:Swedish people of English descent Category:Swedish pop singers

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