Linkopping....
Good to feel part of a city; no criticism of Soderkoping (just a sleepy little town..).. This is a university city, naturally full of young people.. and parents so graduations must be taking place for some courses.
The centre is full, vibrant and car free, lots of bikes being pedalled by all ages..The traditional Swedish up-right bike should be the type of hire bike in London. It makes riders enjoy the scenery. A long time ago when working for PTCO, Gunnar Orefelt owned one of these bikes. I used to enjoy riding from Parsons Green along the Kings Road to the Chelsea sports centre to swim at lunch.
Also, few empty shops.. but that's not to say everything is rosy.
One thing I've noticed, generally in Sweden is a virtual cash free environment; no one wants payment in cash. When I visited Alisdair, he mentioned that Denmark runs on a (near) fully digital information and pay structure using probably two cards; one your personal ID card and a bank card. Sweden probably matches this. It probably works because the social systems work in these two countries. Britain isn't sufficiently advanced yet for this as it will discriminate the low paid. Both Denmark's and Sweden's welfare systems cope with this.
As I also seem to do, I seem to visit cathedrals/churches like a moth to a light.. probably my inherent up-bringing.
However the cathedral in Linkopping has a number of surprises.. see the photos below..
But this is a place for everyone.. there was no frowning of raised voices, no members of church in robes, very relaxed and welcoming.
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| This shocked me (see photo below too).. At first I couldn't understand this but this sculpture is representative of lost people, all the more expressive lying on old grave stones. It is representative of all lost people; homeless, travellers, asylum seakers and everyone that die without a place that is called home. I could not imagine this in a British cathedral but this to me is a reflection of Swedish social consciousness. It makes a statement that also makes the cathedral relevant. |
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| This is an altarpiece expected in Cathedrals but this is particularly violent in its expression of crucifixion and violence. |
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| Another surprise... the cathedral is twinned with St Albans where I used to live when the children were young. They even used to go to the cathedral on Sunday mornings but I can't say it was only just for the Sunday School.... |
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| All the central nave columns lean out.. Pisa would be proud... |
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| Set within the floor are these beads.. they are a journey of self expression.. again really powerful and do not need religion to understand the these.. |
Norrkoping
I didn't know what to expect knowing the 'spat' between Soderkoping and Norrkoping in the early 19th century.
Norrkoping used to express itself as the 'Swedish Manchester'.. I assume for being the Swedish textile centre and not for extreme poverty and exploitation (although this may be wishful thinking..)
The former textile has been transformed into a business centre as well as the cities museums (all free to visit.. naturally). Ramboll have an office here too but that's another story...
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| Ramboll; they are everywhere... :) |
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| I thought the Swedish mill owners have been very clever in having built an underground factory under the water.... But the chimney is a piece of sculpture.... more to follow |
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| I told you so..... |
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| one floor of the museum |
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| Part of the mill quarter |
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