Remembering Professor Ivo Holmqvist

Dr Ivo Holmqvist, former University of Auckland lecturer and Professor Emeritus, has passed away.

He was a researcher, literary scholar, humanist, cross-cultural advocate and globetrotter who, alongside his late wife Ingwor Holmqvist,  served as lecturer in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Auckland in the 1970s and again in the 1990s, first arriving in an Aotearoa that was considerably different from what it is today.

He was a man with a brilliant mind and a sharp intellect who made a lasting impression on students, colleagues and readers and engaged in cultural debate, writing books and reviews and acting as editor for several volumes. His Lund University doctoral thesis 'From Putsch to Purge: A Study of the German Episodes in Richard Hughes's ‘The Human Predicament and their Sources' (2000)  attracted critical attention over the years, as has his comparatively recent book on Danish-born city architect Peter Boisen Peter Boisen – Dansken som präglade Ystad (2020).

It was recently brought back to public attention in connection with the official unveiling and inauguration of José Maria Córdoba's statue on 23 April 2025. Made in Spain, this prominent statue of Peter Boisen in bronze and steel, donated by Nils-Magnus Lilja, travelled from South to North; from Andalusia, Spain, to Ystad, Scania, Sweden, and now sits in front of Ystad Theatre. It is one of many architectural masterpieces designed by Boisen, a Dane operating in a Swedish setting, and the true-to-life commemorative statue was originally Ivo Holmqvist’s idea.

Ivo’s academic trajectory includes contributing his skills and expertise at former Grännaskolan Boarding School, as a lecturer at Odense University, serving as director of education at the Nordic Language and Information Centre, Helsinki, and lecturing in Scandinavian Studies at Ghent University, Belgium.

Given the option to take up employment at either Reykjavik University or the University of Auckland in the 1970s, Ivo and Ingwor, who married in 1968,  chose Auckland. While at Auckland they also represented Sweden, facilitating information about services available for Kiwis interested in the Nordic countries, thus establishing a cultural dialogue between the two countries.

Wholly embracing Oceania and life in the Antipodes, the Holmqvists made New Zealand a home away from home during a life lived with a divided heart, where Ingwor abided by the motto “[t]ake only memories, leave only footprints”.

A prolific scholar, alongside his lecturing role Ivo made his voice heard in many Swedish journals or newspapers including Ystads Allehanda, Svenska Dagbladet and Hufvudstadsbladet. Ingwor was a social butterfly who connected easily with people and Ivo an avid writer and researcher always with a book at hand and ready to pen his incessant flow of ideas. Their many homes were always open to friends from near and far. Ingwor and Ivo warmly greeted visitors with beautiful music, open minds, and engaging and vibrant conversation.

Ivo's final long communication with a former student was with Ben Stevens on 27 April, when Ben called him from New Zealand, a significant moment that connected Ivo again with Aotearoa. 

Clearsighted and active to the end, two days prior to his passing, Ivo – whose last book Libri Resurrecti - Femtio författare lästa på nytt (2024) cleverly brought back to life books fallen into oblivion – dictated his last published review and obituary on Swedish writer and translator Bunny Ragnerstam to me from the palliative care ward at Ystad Hospital . 

Each sentence came to him clearly, and Ivo demonstrated his capacity to ultimately rise above the cancer, proving the mind is stronger than the body. He left an impressive literary legacy.

Ivo and Ingwor made a real difference and are intensely missed as human beings with depth, soul and authenticity. They are forever wrapped in aroha. Family, colleagues and friends thank them both for showing us the world from a different angle and illuminating it with their presence.

Mo ake tonu atu i roto i o tatou ngakau – forever in our hearts. 

Dr Jytte Holmqvist – eldest daughter and alumna