The Nordic Aniridia Meeting 2024 was held in Stockholm from May 31 to June 2, 2024, gathering 27 enthusiastic participants from Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The meeting ran parallel to the European Aniridia Conference (EAC) 2024 and provided a great opportunity for individuals with aniridia and their relatives from the Nordic countries to gain new knowledge and share their experiences. The meeting was held in Scandinavian languages.
The program started with a warm welcome and introduction by Neven Milivojevic from Aniridia Sweden, followed by an informative presentation about the Center for Rare Diseases by Charlotte Willfors from Stockholm, Sweden.
Johan Hedström, an optician and doctoral student at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, gave an insightful talk on quality of life and visual impairment, titled “See poorly and feel good?”. After a coffee break, Maria Smith and Andrea Jacobsson, counsellors from Stockholm Vision Center in Stockholm, Sweden, presented on the psychosocial aspects of living with an eye disease.
The day concluded with a leisurely walk back to the hotel, followed by free time and a spectacular evening reception with a delightful dinner buffet at the stunning Stockholm City Hall. Hosted by the City of Stockholm and Region Stockholm, the reception was a true highlight of the meeting. Participants were treated to a mouthwatering array of local specialties and had the opportunity to mingle and network in the Prince’s Gallery of this architectural gem, creating unforgettable memories.
On Saturday, June 1, the group embarked on a cultural program, visiting Ulriksdal Palace Theater Confidencen, Sweden’s first rococo theater, hosted by Peter Edholm, President of the Ulriksdal Palace Theater Confidencen Foundation. The visit included captivating stops at the Old Film Town Råsunda, where participants learned about the area’s transformation from a former ostrich farm to the “Hollywood of Europe.” In the 1920-ies. They also explored the enchanting Confidencen theater and enjoyed a guided tour of the magnificent Ulriksdal Palace, immersing themselves in the rich history and beauty of these cultural treasures.
In the afternoon, Karin Hjalmarson, President of the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired Stockholm Gotland, was a guest speaker. The topics of the afternoon included a presentation on the Erasmus+ project “Together by Inclusion” by Aniridia Europe as well as a discussion on support in travel for persons with aniridia. During the afternoon, there was also an engaging report session on the situation in the Nordic aniridia associations.
The meeting concluded on Sunday, June 2, with various informative sessions and discussions, with the main focus on exciting new research within the field of aniridia, presented by Erlend Sommer Landsend from Norway.
The Nordic Aniridia Meeting 2024 provided an invaluable platform for individuals with aniridia and their families to connect, learn, and share experiences while running alongside the larger European Aniridia Conference. Participants left Stockholm with new knowledge, cherished memories, and strengthened bonds within the Nordic aniridia community.
Aniridia Sweden
Aniridia Norway
Aniridia Finland