Alfons Karabuda
Composer and Co-founder
Music has always been an integral part of my life. At just 15, I received my first commission from the Swedish Public Service Broadcasting Company (SVT), marking the beginning of a fulfilling journey in music composition. Since then, I have had the honor of composing for numerous esteemed productions, including those for the Swedish National Theatre Dramaten, Stockholm City Theatre, Strindbergs Intima Teater, the BBC, and Zentropa, among others.
As a dedicated cultural advocate, I have been entrusted by my peers in music and culture to represent their interests on national, European, and global platforms for many years. Having experienced firsthand the challenges within the music sector, I understand the vital role that creators and performers play. Together with innovators in new technology, we have the opportunity to drive forward a sustainable musical ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
Mr. Alfons Karabuda is an awarded composer with over 35 years of experience in the music and cultural sectors. His extensive career reflects a profound commitment to advocating for artistic rights and advancing the music industry globally.
Currently, Mr. Karabuda serves as the Honorary President of the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA), chair of the Polar Music Prize award committee, and a board member of the Polar Music Prize foundation. His influence extends further as a board member of The Global Node Stockholm and The Global Music Vault.
Throughout his career, Mr. Karabuda has held numerous prominent positions. He was President of ECSA from 2007 to 2024, as well as the Swedish Association of Composers, Songwriters, and Lyricists, and the Swedish music industry umbrella organization Musiksverige (MusicSweden). His leadership roles also include board memberships at the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM) from 2005 to 2024, the Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals (KLYS), the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Musikverket (Swedish Performing Arts Agency), Export Music Sweden, and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. He contributed to the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO cultural committee and was appointed by the Swedish Government in 2021 as an expert for the report Restart for Culture – Recovery and Development After Corona.
Mr. Karabuda has served as an expert in artistic rights to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), notably contributing to the first-ever UNHRC report on artistic rights in 2013. From 2019 to 2023, he held the position of President of the International Music Council.