bible illuminated

The concept originated with a general philosophical dinner table discussion between Michel Gyring and Mats Rabe in Stockholm, Sweden. The conversation, which led to several other discussions with key individuals, asked the question “Why people don’t read historical texts” and they began pondering if the traditional format or design turned people off. They realized there was a huge opportunity to re-design or illuminate these types of old texts. This was the beginning of Illuminated World (formerly Förlaget Illuminated Sweden, AB.)

The team, led by Dag Soderberg, first published an innovative and unique new bible version entitled “The Illuminated Bible: The Book” in two volumes – New Testament and Old Testament in Sweden, during spring and fall of 2007 respectively.

Remarkably, Bible Illuminated reached unprecedented sales in Sweden. Illuminated World increased the market for bibles by almost 50 percent.

Today, Illuminated World is financed and managed by a Swedish consortium, chaired by Dag Söderberg, former CEO of one of the largest advertising firms in Europe and Jan Carlzon, former CEO of Scandinavian Airlines and author of global management bestseller; The Moments of Truth (1987).

The group published an English language version in December 2008, the first of many projects around the world to be seen in the future.