After six years at OLIKA, new adventures await our fantastic employee Leo. Many of our customers know him as the happy, helpful guy in OLIKA's customer service. For those of us who have worked with him, he has always been a structured, helpful and fun colleague who we will miss very much. Before we say goodbye, we offer a personal interview with Leo, about the future, dreams and glimmers in everyday life.
Who are you?
I'm a relatively old tomboy in my prime. Someone who enjoys tea and the small, quiet life. Simple and complex at the same time.
What questions make it burn a little extra for you?
The environment, LGBTQI rights and that no person is illegal.
How do you see the future?
Unfortunately, I don't have the brightest view of the future right now. But I hope that protecting our climate and our environment will be at the top of the agenda for enough people soon so that there can be change. That we actually want to save our conditions for a livable life, not just for us but for animals and nature as well.
Do you have any role models?
I've never had role models directly, but there are many people I admire for a lot of things. Everything from Greta Thunberg to my mother. People who persevere and persist despite all the opposition we face.
What do you dream about?
It is enough that the climate will be saved to some extent, that it is possible to turn the ship of decay we are in the midst of. That trans people will no longer be hunted and questioned, that trans care will be available to everyone who needs it. Trans care saves lives!
What are your glimmers?
Cycling in nature at the crossroads between spring and summer, the scents and the sheer green. People who fight for the rights of minorities. Everyone who refuses to give up. What heroes they are!
What are you going to do this summer?
I'm going to enjoy the greenery and recharge my batteries. I hope the weather will be dry and warm from time to time so I can lie on the lawn and read books, preferably with homemade iced tea in a glass next to me. There will be many bike rides with an audiobook in my ears. Sometimes I stop and look at the cows in the pastures I cycle past. It's peaceful to just stand and watch the cows and their calves.
Maybe I'll take the plunge with cooking, when I don't have to make as many lunch boxes. I've recently started cooking with tofu. There's a lot to discover and to replace meat and chicken in dishes.
I've also been thinking about taking up drawing again. I'm not a superstar at it, but since childhood I've enjoyed sitting with paper and pencil and letting my imagination run wild. Sometimes I also take out my watercolors.
Otherwise, there will be a lot of time on the couch with either video games or movies and TV series. I have always been captivated by storytelling in pictures, my senses are captured better by it than just text. But I am glad that I found the narrative text through audiobooks. So much richness there is in all literature.
What would you like to say to all the transgender people out there?
You are amazing! Every single one of your heartbeats is precious. YOU know who YOU are, no one else, just you. Let everyone else see how great you are!
Many of our customers have had contact with you over the years, what would you like to say to them before you leave?
It has been fantastic fun to help with everything they needed help with. Getting so much great feedback on the books we publish and the work OLIKA does and has done over the years. It was fun to be at the Book Fair two years ago and meet many of our customers there. So many fine and wonderful people who fight for everyone to have the same conditions for a rich and good life.
Thank you so much for this time Leo! Good luck with everything in the future!💜
Want to know more about Leo? Read his important debate article in Aftonbladet about transgender care.
