Abba members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson received the award from Foreign Trade Minister Anna Hallberg (S) at an award ceremony at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm on Wednesday.

- I thought we would get an award for long and faithful service, haha.

But this price points forward, it feels very nice, said Björn Ulvaeus at the announcement.

The music export prize has been awarded since 1997 to an artist who has been internationally successful last year, contributed to Swedish export successes and "contributed to a positive image of Sweden".

Veterans Abba receive the award for Voyage, the group's first new record in 40 years.

"Actually touched"

Despite the fact that the group's members have been praised many times before during their careers, Björn Ulvaeus' joy shines through after the ceremony.

- I am actually moved by being praised by the government like this.

And grateful.

Music is very important for Sweden's image, he says.

When you hear all the nice speeches on a day like this about how much you have meant to Sweden - do you agree with what is being said?

- That's weird.

The story and the facts about Abba are there, it's inconceivable, but it's not the guy I see in the mirror when I wake up in the morning.

That's like a persona.

You have to keep your true self, Björn Ulvaeus answers.

Fastest selling album

Benny Andersson fills in:

- We have received many awards over the years, but this feels very special.

The full-length reached the top of the charts in 18 countries and gave the group its highest chart placement for albums ever in the United States, and became the best-seller of the year in Germany.

The success was greatest in England, where Voyage became the fastest-selling album ever in the 2000s.

In three days, a quarter of a million tickets were sold for the group's upcoming avatar stage show, which premieres in London in May.

- What made us turn on the idea was that we could stand on stage without being there.

We have always considered that it takes too much time to tour.

And we did the record because we knew the audience would want to hear new songs.

It was very joyful to do it!

says Benny Andersson

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See Tali da Silva's review of Abbas' new album Voyage.

Photo: Baillie Walsh