“You’re born naked and the rest is drag,” quotes David Forsberg. Through his alter ego, the flamboyant Miss
Knapsu, David Forsberg challenges prejudice, claims space, and paves the way for greater openness, where everyone is free to be who they are. As chair of Boden’s National Theatre Association, he is also a key figure in the city’s growing cultural life.
David’s roots are in the Torne Valley, but his path to Boden passed through Stockholm, Örnsköldsvik – and love.
“I wanted to move back north, and love brought me to Boden. I officially changed my address in 2020,” he says with the warm smile that so often appears.
Now he feels at home, a part of Boden’s new and growing spirit.
“I bike to work, walk my dog, and hop on the bus to the university for a cheap penny,” he says, summing up his everyday life.
PASSION FOR CULTURE
Today David studies sociology, but his background is in music education, and he has also worked with RFSL (the Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights). When he arrived in Boden, it was the cultural scene that drew him in the chance to engage in something meaningful that enriches both his own life and the lives of others.
“I’m passionate about culture, and I wanted to find something in Boden that truly resonates with me.”
He quickly found his place in the local National Theatre Association, where he now serves as chair. The association is a dynamic force that brings live performing arts not only to the city but also to the surrounding countryside. Its foresight and wide-ranging program make it a cultural cornerstone for the entire municipality.
“Culture helps us reflect, think differently, and see things from new perspectives,” David says. “It lets us imagine how things could be, while also giving us a chance to forget all the misery in the world for a moment.”
“I AM AS I AM”
David’s own signature act is “I Am As I Am,” performed by his alter ego, Miss Knapsu. The drag queen was born at Tornedalen Pride in Pajala several years ago, originally under the name Miss Mirage, after David’s pink bicycle. Over the years, the character has grown into what David affectionately calls a “tough drag broad”, a popular entertainer who breaks down barriers and spreads joy with her unapologetic presence.
“Miss Knapsu isn’t too worried about appearances. She sings more enthusiastically than beautifully and loves attention. She’s kind but full of herself,” David laughs.
The name Knapsu is a deliberate choice, reclaiming a word from meänkieli (a minority language in northern Sweden), where it has been used as a slur for feminine men or men doing “women’s work.”
“I wanted to take the word back,” David explains.
A BRIDGE FOR UNDERSTANDING
Miss Knapsu has become a bridge between groups, often appearing in places far removed from traditional drag venues. At the historic Opalen café in central Boden, some locals may have choked on their coffee the first time she swept in glittering from head to toe. But smiles spread, applause grew, prejudices fell—and a fruitful collaboration began. Since then, Opalen has hosted her popular shows, music quizzes, and even Christmas carols.
“Those gigs are exciting,” David says. “I meet both the people who want and the ones who need to see this in their everyday lives.”
Miss Knapsu is now a natural part of Boden’s Pride festival, both on stage and in the parade. She has also hosted storytime for children at the community centre.
“Kids are often fascinated—they love dressing up and bright colors, just like I do.”
By making things playful, breaking down barriers, and showing that being gay is okay, Miss Knapsu embodies the welcoming, inclusive Boden that David and so many others are working to build.
“My hope is that as Boden grows, so will the interest in a broader concept of culture. Not just that events by, for example, Riksteatern, Bodenarr, and Boden Event are always sold out, but that drag and queer culture also have a place, and an audience in Boden.”
Follow Miss Knapsus adventures on instagram and facebook.
TEXT: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
