Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Culture Special
‘Our porcelain has travelled all over the world’ It took some time for the Europeans to figure out how to make porcelain like they did in the far east – indeed, more than a thousand years longer than it did the Chinese. But once the knowledge was established, porcelain making became an important craft in Europe. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Rörstrand Museum
Rörstrand porcelain factory developed into one of the most successful porcelain companies in Europe. “Our products have travelled far,” says Inger Nordström, CEO at Rörstrand Museum. “We get over 2,000 enquiries every year from people around the world who want to know more about the porcelain they treasure.” At Rörstrand Museum, visitors can learn about the 290 years of history surrounding the renowned porcelain factory in a framework exhibition that is open all year round. One of the temporary exhibitions coming up this year focuses on Marianne Westman. “Westman is one of Rörstrand’s most significant designers, and she created, among other porcelain ranges, the famous service
Rörstrand Museum is beautifully located next to Vänern, Sweden’s biggest lake, and makes a perfect excursion for the whole family. The intimate town of Lidköping is very proud of its porcelain heritage. “Everyone here has some connection to the factory,” says Nordström.
Mon Amie.” In addition to showcasing porcelain favourites by the late designer, the museum has also commissioned students at Konstfack, the largest university of arts in Sweden, to create sketches as a homage to Westman. The exhibition is on display from 6 June to 30 September.
Web: www.rorstrand-museum.se/en
Behold the Baltic Sea Festival The Berwaldhallen concert hall, affiliated with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Swedish Radio Choir, is one of Sweden’s most important cultural institutions and has a reach far beyond the country’s borders. This year, for the 16th time, Berwaldhallen is once again hosting the Baltic Sea festival. Michael Tydén is one of the original creators and now the general manager of the Baltic Sea Festival – but this year’s production is his last. “It has been a fantastic journey,” he says. The idea behind the festival was sparked by Tydén and conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen from Finland and Valery Gergiev from Russia, ten years after the Berlin Wall fell. “We were convinced that the Baltic Sea
should be used as an opening of communication, in contrast to the border it had previously acted as,” says Tydén. The trio successfully produced the now much-loved festival, where over 70 orchestras and choirs have participated to date. Tydén reveals that the idea was initially sketched out on a simple restaurant napkin. “We came up with the idea of bringing the festival to the cruise ferries while din-
By Sara Wenkel
ing at restaurant Wasahof. We drew ideas of ferry routes on napkins that still exist today,” he reminisces. This year’s festival, taking place from 22 August to 1 September, will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Baltic states and Ingmar Bergman’s and choirmaster Eric Ericsson’s birthdays. “I’m very much looking forward to the moment when three choirs will pay tribute to Ericsson and end with Friede auf Erden,” Tydén concludes. Web: www.berwaldhallen.se/en and www.balticseafestival.com
Photo: Sakari Viika
Esa-Pekka Salonen. Photo: Minna Hatinen.
40 | Issue 110 | March 2018
The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Kaupo Kikkas