Framåt, 1886-1889

Framåt (Onward) was a radical cultural periodical published in Gothenburg in 1886-1889 with Alma Åkermark as editor. The first year, the publisher was Göteborgs kvinnoförening (Gothenburg Women’s Association) and after that a smaller group. Finally the editor was the sole publisher.

Alma Åkermark’s goal was to make Framåt into a forum for free discussion. She succeeded in securing contributions not only from the so-called Young Sweden, but also from Nordic authors like Amalie Skram, the Brandes brothers and Herman Bang
The short story ”Pyrrhussegrar” ”Pyrrhussegrar” (Pyrrhic Victories) created a great scandal and dragged Framåt into the ongoing morality discussion. It was written by the signature Stella Kleve (Mathilda Malling, née Kruse) and describes a young, dying woman’s regrets over having rejected all sexual pleasures The short story immediately created a great to-do with angry contributions to the discussion and internal disputes within the women’s movement. Among the voices to condemn the short story strongly was heard that of Sophie Adlersparre. Åkermark continued however to allow Framåt to be a free forum for all parties in the ongoing morality discussion. Framåt lived up to its mottos in its vignette: "Free speech", and "Do not judge anyone unheard”.

Many of the famous authors of the 1880s are to be found in the columns of Framåts. The periodical was destroyed by an advertising blockade and a readers’ boycott.