The Association of the Friends of Leufsta and the Cahman Organ
The Association of the Friends of Leufsta and the Cahman Organ was created to safeguard the heritage of the finest surviving works settlement from the golden age of Swedish iron production – Lövstabruk in northern Uppland.
In the 17th century, Louis De Geer, a Belgian financier, turned Lövstabruk into the largest ironworks in the country. He built an entire empire around ironworking, which helped to place Sweden on the map as an industrial nation. Following the Russian incursion of 1719, most of the settlement lay in ashes. The heritage that we safeguard today dates from the 18th century. When Lövstabruk was rebuilt, the church was provided with an organ by Johan Niclas Cahman – a real status symbol. The organ, which retains its original mechanism from 1728, is one of the most important instruments in Northern Europe.
The area’s heritage also includes another treasure: the library with perhaps the country’s foremost 18th-century collection of books. Its nucleus was the twelve crates of books that accompanied the teenage Charles De Geer to Lövstabruk when he became lord of the manor. Today the collection is cared for by Uppsala University Library.
Each year the Association organises two events: a concert to coincide with our annual meeting in May; and the Cahman Days, which take place one weekend in August. The Cahman Days focus on the famous organ. At least one day features recitals by prominent Swedish and international organists. On day two, ensembles play repertoires befitting the golden age of Lövstabruk.
In addition to concerts, the Association sometimes arranges exhibitions at Lövstabruk. Importantly, we also publish books and produce recordings of 18th-century music found in the library.
The Association works together with the Leufsta Foundation and other associations in Lövstabruk.