The Stockholmtown Blog

1. · Caruso St John Architects LLP, UK
2. · White arkitekter AB, Sweden
3. · BIG ApS , Denmark/ Topotek 1, Germany
4. · Johan Celsing arkitektkontor AB, Sweden / Müller Illien Landschaftarchitekten, Switzarland
5. · Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, Japan/KacicLidén Landscape Architect, Italy

One of Stockholms popular attractions is the Swedish National Gallery, Nationalmuseum. The government have decided to renovate the museum. The renovation will start in 2011 and will be ready in 2018.

Read more about Nationalmuseum on Stockholmtown

On June 4, 2009, ABBA the Museum was scheduled to open in Stockholm. But it has become clear that the project is more complicated than what was predicted earlier, and also that the renovation of the 100-year-old Stora Tullhuset - the location of the museum - will take longer than expected. This means that it's not possible to open ABBA the Museum in Stockholm in 2009.

- It's better to make this decision at an early stage, even though it's a sad message. Everyone involved has high expectations, but now we are faced with the facts that we won't be able to open June 4 on the intended premises. Therefore we have to take appropriate action and review our plans, and open ourselves to new ideas. Because there is no doubt that there will be an ABBA museum, although it may take a while longer than expected, says Ulf Westman, founder of ABBA the Museum.

As a first step in this new process, the museum management has agreed with the building-owner Stockholms Hamnar (Ports of Stockholm) to cancel the present agreement. This provides an opportunity to find new solutions and to keep all doors open at this stage. It remains to be seen whether the museum ultimately will be located in the original premises of Stora Tullhuset.

- To create an ABBA museum is a fantastic initiative, both for Stockholm and for ABBA lovers the world over. We really hope that a solution will be found and that the museum will become a reality, preferably at Stora Tullhuset, says Christel Wiman, CEO/Group Managing Director of Stockholms Hamnar.

Despite this sad news, the initiators have a bright outlook on the future. The interest in the museum is incredibly large the world over and new investors are entering the project, which will secure its financial future. There is no doubt that there will be an ABBA museum, although it may take a while longer than expected

Those who have purchased tickets may use their right to receive a refund.

The news that Stockholm's new tourist magnet, ABBA the Museum, will open during a glittering Opening Week June 3-7 has quickly spread around the world. People from 32 countries have already bought tickets for the opening week. 

On March 13 at 10 am (local time), the official booking office for reservations for ABBA the Museum will open.  You can buy tickets both for the Opening Week and the rest of 2009, at the museum website.

The most sought-after tickets are naturally for the Opening Week, June 3-7, 2009. If you would like to experience this exciting and festive week, be prepared to go online at 10.00 a.m on March 13.
 

6. A great way to explore the city is by bike. Stockholm City Bikes have bicycles all over the city which you can borrow for a small fee.

7. Contemporary art: Stockholm is one of the trendiest places to buy contemporary art. Why not check out some of the galleries in Stockholm  for example at Hudiksvallsgatan or at the new photogalleries.

8. Two world of three world heritages: The Woodland Cemetary and the Drottningholm Palace gardens are both on the UNESCO world heritage list. You can reach them both with bus and underground. The palace entrance is included in the Stockholmcard.

9. For children. A new childrens attraction, opening this year,  will be free of charge.

10. Entertainment for free. Put on your best clothes and go to Café Opera Veranda. During spring they will invite some of swedens best artists to perform unplugged.  

Einar Hylander. Paintings and Collages, January 19 - March 16

The exhibition focuses on the pictorial art of Einar Hylander, his characteristic collages with subtle colouring and the distinctive choice of motifs.
Hertha Hillfon. Wind of Memories, March 5 - June 15

An extensive retrospective, featuring well-known motifs, as well as new ceramic sculpture creations, by an artist whose works can be seen in many public places.

Bengt Olson, April 5 - May 25

Bengt Olsen was born in 1935 in Kristinehamn (in western Sweden). Since 1965 he has lived and worked in France, where he has been commissioned to create several monumental works for public spaces.
Mac Hamilton, June 13 - August 31

In the Projects Room, we display a series of shimmering still lives by Mac Hamilton. A favourite motif is cherries on a platter.

Signe Persson-Melin, June 14 - September 28

Tradition and renewal are the themes of this retrospective exhibition. Utility goods in simple, austere shapes, with glazed objects facing unglazed ones.

Helmer Osslund, September 20 - January 10, 2009

Helmer Osslund favoured landscapes that sparkled with autumn colours and with displays of the northern lights. Osslund also worked as a potterer at the well-known Swedish potteries Gustavsberg and Höganäs, and a selection of his art nouveau-inspired vases and bowls will be featured in the exhibition.

Lars Lerin, October 11 - January 18, 2009

Lars Lerin was born in 1954 and is considered to be among the more prominent contemporary Scandinavian water-colourists. The Waldemarsudde exhibition will be one of the most extensive to date and will focus on recent works.

Photo: The Unknown City Hall
More than 300 000 tourists visited the City Hall last year and I believe that most of them would love a copy of the book "The unknown City Hall" with amazingly beautiful pictures of Yanan Li. You can buy the book at the City Hall. Don't miss out on the exhibition, with the same name" opening in De Hundrades Valv in the City hall, entrance Borgargården between 17th of january to 10th of February. See  Dagens Nyheters photo album with Yanans pictures of the City Hall done earlier.

• Selma Lagerlöf was a diligent letter writer. The exhibition on Postmuseum tells of the letters she wrote and received. April 5th and September 14, 2008
• Original manuscripts, her interest in women's right to vote and her commitment for world peace will be shown at KB (National Library of Sweden) from March 14 to the autumn of 2008.