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Monthly archives: July 2010

Posing for the gay cause

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Photo: Bingo Rimér

Photo: Bingo Rimér

This is Petter and Paolo, who recently posed together for Swedish gay magazine QX where they wound up on the cover. Thought their gesture was worth highlighting as Stockholm Pride kicks off today.

As a middleweight boxer, Paolo Roberto fought for the WBC and WBO titles. He never became the world champion, but he showed tremendous bravery in the ring, which won him a lot of respect in the Swedish boxing community. Paolo retired from boxing seven years ago but he’s been keeping busy. He’s been a commentator and a columnist, he’s written cook books and even had a small part in one of the Stieg Larsson films (see if you can spot him in this trailer).

Petter is Sweden’s without question most successful rapper and got his breakthrough some 12 years ago with this hit.

Both Paolo and Petter are fathers of two. Neither one of them is gay but they did the shoot for the good cause. “I think everyone should have the right to marry, regardless of whether you’re homo, hetero, or bi,” Paolo told QX.

More people need to show some of that spirit! The right to marry might sound obvious, but as of now, gay marriages are a reality only in Sweden and nine other countries.

/Oliver

Oliver

July 26, 2010

The west coast is the best coast

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Grundsund is a small fishing village located on Sweden’s west coast. My grandmother was born there 80 years ago and I’ve been coming there every summer since I was a little girl. It’s the one place in the world that means just a little bit more to me.

Ten years old, I’m lying flat on the belly on the pier, fishing for crabs. The sun burning on my neck. Concentrating my gaze into the water. And the joy when a poor crab fall for the temptation of the clam meat attached to the clothespin.

Throwing the crabs back into the sea after keeping them in a bucket the whole day. Fishing them up again the following day. Fishing them up and throwing them back every day during an endless summer.

Taking a bath from the pier every morning before breakfast, trying to avoid slimy jellyfish.

Transforming the styrofoam boxes, used to transport the catch from the fishing boat to the market, into pirate ships and playing battle against the other kids.

Within four days I will be back in the origin of my childhood memories. And I can’t barely wait.

/Mikaela

Mikaela

July 15, 2010

The proof

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31˚ C

31˚C on my lunch walk.

When I lived in Holland I was constantly struggling with the myth about ice-cold Sweden, the snow, the never ending darkness and the polar bears.

- It can be warm and sunny to, I used to argue. They never really believed me.

The truth is of course that it can be both. At the moment it’s unbelievably warm, nice and summery. We even have something called tropical nights, meaning that the night temperature doesn’t drop under 20˚ C. At the moment the winter seems very far away. I can’t believe that only six months ago we were in the middle of the coldest and snowiest winter for ages – in Stockholm about – 22 ˚ C and people were encouraged to stay indoors not to get stuck in the snow and traffic chaos.

Like most Swedes I could go on about the weather forever. And like most Swedes I really appreciate the warm summers. I hope it stays for a long time this year.

/Cecilia

Cecilia Sundstrand

July 13, 2010

Nice to know the cow

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Cows

Last week I spent some time in my home town Björkeberg – not sure if “town” is the right term for a place with about 100 inhabitants – but anyway, I discovered something nice. The neighbor farmer has together with a handful other farmers started Östgötamjölk.  A local milk production company that allows consumers in the area to by fresh milk from cows in the neighborhood. So when I go to the grocery store to by some milk, I can just pick the package marked with, in this case, Gammalstorp, and I will know that the milk comes from cows next door.

I don’t know if this is a specific Swedish phenomenon, probably not, but none the less I like it. I like it a lot.

/Cecilia

Cecilia Sundstrand

July 8, 2010

A lobbyist’s wet dream

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Minister of Trade Ewa Björling, policy advisor, author and researcher Simon Anholt and acting Director-General of the Swedish Institute Thomas Carlhed.

We (Per and Rikard) are writing from Gotland, the Swedish equivalent of Hawaii, or some such holiday retreat. Our journey began with a delayed flight at one of the smallest airports in the world, or at least Bromma felt like one of the smallest airports in the world after a couple of hours wait with nothing but a free cup of joe to entertain us. But things quickly turned to the better when we landed in Visby, took a cab to the hotel and set up the camera and microphones. Once the gear was in place we went out in the sun and had a bite to eat. Visby is buzzing right now, during Almedalen Week (in literal English translation: The Elm Valley Week).

Almedalen is a park in Visby, which serves as the hub of the Almedalen Week. It’s a bit crazy, to say the least, what with lobbyists and politicians, rights groups and unions all trying to make their voice heard. Visby is thick with speeches, seminars and other political activities. It’s a lobbyist wet dream. And why are we here? We’re recordning and observing a seminar and panel discussion on “The Image of Sweden Abroad”.

We’re learning that Sweden, like most countries, are trying to change the way people perceive their country, and that it is an uphill battle. We’re Sweden, no matter what we do. If you think that means gorgeous blondes and peace, well, that’s who we are. And if you confuse us with Switzerland, I guess in your mind we’re making watches and knives. Some might think we’re good at csr and the environment, while others believe we’re depressed and arrogant. Nothing doing…or is there? We feel at least we have to try, as we don’t see ourselves as homogenous and blond, suicidal or particularly arrogant.

We’re contemplating that question right now while we’re sitting in gorgeous Visby, working. We’re soon off to interview some people on the streets, to find out what they think about Swedish politics, about equality and the Swedish model. And by showing Sweden to those with an interest, perhaps we actually will manage to steer a few people away from the stereotypical views of Swedes. Time will tell.

/Per and Rikard

Rikard Lagerberg

July 7, 2010