Organisers of the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair have announced the event will be pushed back from its scheduled date in February due to coronavirus for a second consecutive year.
The design show, which is the largest of its kind in northern Europe and attracts exhibitors from across the world, was scheduled to take place from 8 to 12 February 2022 but has been rescheduled for 6 to 9 September 2022.
The date move is temporary and will not affect the furniture fair's sister event, Stockholm Design Week, which is set to run as normal from 7 to 13 February.
Move necessary given "current situation in the world"
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair and Stockholm Design Week project area manager Hanna Nova Beatrice said the postponement was necessary given the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen rapidly rising case rates and corresponding protective measures in many countries.
"We are an international fair with exhibitors and visitors travelling here from all over the world, including our neighbouring Scandinavian countries," said Beatrice.
"We have great interest and engagement for the 2022 edition of the fair, but we need to move it forward due to the current situation in the world."
Event organisers said they chose the new date to avoid clashes with other design fairs and activities, and because it would allow continued access to the usual venue of Stockholmsmässan.
"By moving Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair forward to September we hope to give more people an opportunity to participate, including those based in countries that now have a lockdown," said Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair and Stockholm Design Week product and concept owner Sanna Gebeyehu.
"After a two-year break, it feels important to welcome as many exhibitors and visitors as possible in 2022."
Design Week to go ahead
While the furniture fair will move to September, Stockholm Design Week is scheduled to go ahead as planned on 7 to 13 February.
This is because the festival is more focused on local exhibitors and audiences, and its events will not be prevented by Sweden's current coronavirus restrictions.
"Many of the planned exhibits and activities during Stockholm Design Week can still be carried out and therefore it still feels relevant to go ahead with the design week in the city," Beatrice said. "But of course, we follow the prevailing restrictions."
Stockholm Design & Architecture Talks will also continue as planned and will be aired digitally. This year, they will revolve around the theme Being a Game Changer.
Stockholm one of first 2022 design events cancelled
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair is one of the earliest events in the design calendar, and is therefore one of the first to announce its postponement due to the global surge in coronavirus cases driven by the new omicron variant.
Furniture and interiors fair IMM Cologne is another that has had its date changed, with organisers recently announcing the cancellation of the January 2022 event.
At this stage, Maison&Objet is still going ahead in Paris from 18 to 22 January and Oslo Design Fair remains scheduled for 26 to 28 January.
The photography shows Snarkitecture's labyrinth-like stand for Bolon at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair in 2020.
Stockholm Design Week will run from 7 to 13 February in Stockholm and Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair will take place on 6 to 9 September 2022 in Stockholm. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.