On Friday, the Malmö festival starts again.

It is the first time in three years that the festival, which has existed for 36 years, is being arranged.

The project leaders have planned Malmöfestival in both 2020 and 2021 - but both years they had to be canceled due to the pandemic.

- Fairly early this year we knew that there were no restrictions on events, so it was nice to know that we didn't plan for something that risked being cancelled, says David Östberg, one of three project managers for the Malmö festival.

Believe in millions of visits

Despite two years of restrictions and bans on public gatherings, he doesn't think the Malmö residents have gotten used to the festival.

- In 2019, we had 1.4 million visits and we hope that there will be at least the same number this year, he says.

The budget for this year's festival ends up at SEK 28.8 million.

But they haven't been able to use the money for the two annual years.

- That money has stayed in the business and gone to other things, says David Östberg.

"Recreate the Malmö Festival"

Some who have loaded are the Lundström family, who during their years in Malmö visited Malmöfestivalen often, but moved abroad a few years ago.

This year they have made sure to be in their hometown when the festival gets underway.

- We are very busy.

We are here to reclaim the Malmö festival, says Sofie Lundström.

- I'm looking forward to everything, it will be fun, says the eldest son Allan.