Cultural destinations

Museum, art gallery or musical? Packed with cultural activities and events, Värmland offers plenty of things you shouldn’t miss.

Text: Pål Johansson

At idyllic Björkborn in Karlskoga, you can follow Alfred Nobel and his co-workers, played by theatrical guides, and be taken around Nobel’s last Swedish home. Learn more about the world famous inventor, and explore the laboratory where he experimented with gun powder. A visit to the Fiffiga huset – The House of Ingenuity – is a must for curious children of all ages.

Learn more: nobelkarlskoga.se

By the rapids in Deje you’ll find Gamla Kraftstationen (The Old Power Station) – an industrial complex that’s been converted to an art gallery. Among this year’s exhibitors are the painter Annika Röhs, photographer Peter Gerdehag, sculptor Pontus Ersbacken and popular satirist Mathias “Villfarelser” Leclér. Also, don’t miss the new glass hut where a young glass blower will be at the ready later this year.

gamlakraftstationen.se

Photo: Gamla kraftstationen Photo: Lars Lerin

The artist Lars Lerin’s gallery Sandgrund in Karlstad is one of the county’s most popular excursion destinations. The building, which was once a popular dance hall, is picturesquely situated near the river Klarälven. This year, among other things, you can be enchanted by paintings from Lofoten (Norway), which have never previously been exhibited.

A fantasy world of paper creations by Bea Scenfeld will be on show in the gold foyer when the newly renovated Värmlands Museum reopens on June 1. Her creations have been worn by both Lady Gaga as well as actors at the Royal Opera. Värmland local Christian-Pontus Andersson’s emotional sculpture exhibition depicts fear and the exhibition, Life in Värmland, will take you on a historic journey together with people who lived in in the region. Children shouldn’t miss out of visiting Little Anna and the Tall Uncle.

Learn more: varmlandsmuseum.se

For almost 100 years, a familyrun business from Klässbol near Arvika, has specialised in linen and produced durable and beautiful home textiles. Their work is visible at the Nobel party, embassies as well as the Crown Princess’s home, along with thousands of other homes. Recently, the weaving company developed textiles for the newly renovated and reopened National Museum in Stockholm. Some of these are available to purchase. Learn more: klassbols.se

Photo: Jenny Nohrén

The applause after the successful musical Something Rotten has just died down but there are already new cultural delicacies to be savoured at Wermland Opera in Karlstad. Up next is the classical opera Carmen, Georges Bizet’s love story about life and death. It premiers May 30, 2019. This autumn it’s time for the comic opera Albert Herring by Benjamin Britten.

Leran more: wermlandopera.se

Photo: Mats Bäcker

foremost colony of artists, led by Gustav and Maja Fjæstad in the early 20th century, Rackstad Museum has a permanent exhibition displaying some of the treasure from Swedish art history. This year’s guest exhibitions include an exhibition of personal, neverseen-before photographs by Anders Zorn, one of Sweden’s most important artists. If that isn’t enough, visitors also have the chance to see 50+ sketches by one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art, Rembrandt van Rijn.

Photo: Sliperiet

Fans of art and gastronomical enthusiasts have been attradcted to Borgvik and Sliperiet Konsthall & Gastronomi since 2010. Cultural heritage and modern art are combined at the gallery in the shape of exhibitions that include both national and internationally renowned artists. Two of this year’s names include: the wooden sculptor Maria “Wild Heart” Westerberg and Clive Arrowsmith, who has photographed many of greatest performers in the history of music.

Since 1963, thousands of tourists have traveled to the small village of Brunskog, just east of Arvika. 20–27 of July it’s time for Gammelvala, or ”The Old World” in Värmland’s dialect. A folk festival week filled with sounds, scents and visual impressions from days of yore. In the beautiful environment, right next to Lake Värmeln, you wander around and soak up the atmosphere and watch craft techniques and traditions from the peasant society.

Learn more: gammelvala.se