Perching cormorants by the river a dull, damp autumn day. I’m not sure what the one in the middle is doing. It held this position for over a minute. … Continue readingPerching cormorants
Into the mountain
A number 6 tram disappears into the mountain under Johannaberg on its way up to the Chalmers campus on a grey morning in Gothenburg. … Continue readingInto the mountain
Göran Johansson RIP
Yesterday after a longer illness and at just 69 years old, the former “strong man” of Gothenburg, Göran Johansson passed away. That seems like a good reason to republish this portrait of him. I took this picture on 4th October 2008 when he took part in celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Keillers Park. The picture was originally published here on 2nd October 2012.
In his time and within Sweden Göran Johansson was one of the most well known of Swedish local politicians. He sat in the Gothenburg City Council for the Social Democratic Party for 37 years and was for 19 years the Council’s Chairman – effectively the Mayor of Gothenburg. He never achieved great international recognition (though, as Wikipedia records, he was in 2008 longlisted for the World Mayor award).
Immensely popular, charismatic and effective in debate, he had the reputation of getting things done. He said of himself “If you are going to be a leader, you must want something. I could sit here and shuffle paper but then I wouldn’t get anything done.”
Over time, his leadership style affected the way Gothenburg politics was run, and while no one believes Göran Johansson himself was corrupt, “the Gothenburg spirit” has a corrupt, darker side that some blame him for fostering. His style also made him made enemies among some women politicians beyond and within his own party.
Nevertheless, he remains someone very many Gothenburgers looked up to, regardless of political ideology. A Book of Condolences was opened late yesterday in the City Hall for Gothenburgers to write in, and the local press reports a steady stream of visitors coming to pay their respects.
Göran Johansson’s daughter Anna Johansson was recently appointed as Sweden’s new Infrastructure Minister.
… Continue readingGöran Johansson RIP
Malmö
The general cargo vessel “Malmö” moored at Lindholmen. Malmö is Sweden’s third city and there is a degree of rivalry between Malmö and Gothenburg. The “Malmö” is clearly marked with the symbol of Gothenburg City on its funnel, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some jokes about Gothenburg owning Malmö associated with this ship. … Continue readingMalmö
Under a crescent moon
Dawn over Gothenburg under a crescent moon. Photo taken from Ramberget yesterday morning. … Continue readingUnder a crescent moon
Window stickers
Electricity cupboards are convenient templates for street art – this, recently decorated with window stickers, is just outside my door. … Continue readingWindow stickers
Autumn colours – Delsjö
The colours of autumn in the leaves of various trees on an island in one of the Delsjö lakes. This photo was taken exactly one year ago today. … Continue readingAutumn colours – Delsjö