Skateboarders – one with a t-shirt emblazoned with the command “obey” – on Karin Boye’s terrace beside the new wing of the city library. Someone has dressed the poet in a rainbow cape. … Continue readingObey
Protesting and protecting the Sd
In the run-up to the Euro elections now in May and the Swedish general and local elections in September, the Sweden Democrats (Sd), our home-grown fascists (with seats in parliament) have been getting out and about. On Wednesday they came to Gothenburg. These photos show the protesting and protecting of the Sd that went on at Drottningtorget which is a major commuter hub. Like many people I happened upon them on my way home from work – their meeting was no doubt planned to cause the maximum amount of disruption. There were about six party members present (five of them are visible in the above photo if you look carefully) and they had attracted 500+ protesters, many of whom stood with their backs turned – a non-violent way to demonstrate one’s opposition. But there were plenty of people who faced them or only stood half turned (as you can see from the photo below) and most of the protestors were also vocal in their protest. In between, (bottom photo) the police tried keep the two groups apart and ensure that both sides could exercise their democratic rights without coming to blows. Afterwards the Sd speaker complained that the police had not cleared the square of the protestors. The Sd don’t have a very well-developed concept of democratic rights.
… Continue readingProtesting and protecting the Sd
Audience
This is the audience just before the start of the performance of “Un tango avec le Baron” at Folkteatern’s Red Stage. A cctv image of the audience was projected on to a giant screen at the back of the stage. … Continue readingAudience
Göteborgs varvet 2014
The Gothenburg half-marathon – Göteborgs Varvet – took place yesterday on 17th May in fine weather and with a record turnout (according to Göteborgs-Posten) our local paper, of 48,202 runners and around 200,000 who stood alongside and watched. This photo taken through the front window of a number 1 tram on Götaälvs bron. … Continue readingGöteborgs varvet 2014
Folk violins
Folk violin players met up, played together and held masterclasses in conjunction with “dräktbytardagen” which seems to be a) the day winter folk costume is substituted for summer folk costume and b) a market where people into wearing folk dress can buy, sell and exchange costumes. Photo taken in Slottskogen at Gräfsnäsgården on Saturday 10th May.
… Continue readingFolk violins
A touch of pink
Pink is the election colour of Feministiskt initiativ (Fi or F!) Sweden’s left-of-centre feminist political party. These Fi election workers were kind enough to pose for me in the rain at Brunnsparken so I can add a touch of pink to this photoblog. Fi are one of the ‘alternative’ parties attracting a deal of attention in the run-up to the EU parliamentary election on 25th May. The most recent poll has them at just over 3% nationally, and they need 4% to stand a chance of sending MEPs to Brussels. … Continue readingA touch of pink
Over there
Two young travellers aboard the Ylva on Sunday pointing out things to look at over there. … Continue readingOver there