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Swedish Culture Special
The tourists’ choice: A destination out of the ordinary The four most popular museums in Sweden are predictably located in Stockholm. Number five on the list, however, might come as a bit of a surprise – in terms of both its location and what kind of museum it is. Found in the northern city of Umeå, this museum is dedicated to guitars. As is the case with many success stories, his did not follow an ordinary template. It began with a couple of brothers and their personal – and huge – interest in guitars. “It’s all about the twin brothers Samuel and Michael Åhdén, who have devoted their lives to guitars, amplifiers and related paraphernalia. They’ve spent 45 years creating the collection,” Fredrik Fagerlund, founder and head of PR at the museum, explains. This mecca for aficionados opened in 2014 but has already been crowned by international music magazines as the finest guitar collection in the world. And the visitors clearly agree: Guitars – The Museum’s
Teckningsmuseet is a museum dedicated to drawings and illustrations, showcasing Swedish and international artists in captivating exhibitions. The premises are beautifully located in Laholm, southern Sweden, and offer the perfect spot for cultural nourishment and inspiration, as well as a great day out for all ages.
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Issue 140
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March 2022
average rating on TripAdvisor is 5.0. This is quite an achievement after only three years. Additionally, the museum challenges gender stereotypes about men and guitars and appeals to all genders, with equal numbers of male and female visitors. What is the secret behind the success? To Fagerlund, the answer is quite simple: “We provide two tours daily, at 1pm and 3pm, often guided by the brothers themselves. The tours include stories that bring both laughter and tears to the visitors’ eyes. It’s about the brothers’ lives, their experiences of collecting, and of course also facts about the guitars,” he says. A trip to Umeå is clearly not complete without a visit to Guitars – The Museum. Web: www.guitarsthemuseum.com
Get drawn into creativity
2022 will be an exciting one for Teckningsmuseet. In addition to its 30th anniversary, two highly anticipated exhibitions will run simultaneously throughout the spring, to be replaced by a monumental summer exhibition. Tommy Sveningsson’s and Roj Friberg’s dreamy drawings inaugurate the year, focusing on surreal depictions of nature, landscapes and the human experience. “Our exhibitions are created to give visitors a holistic experience – Sveningsson was heavily inspired by Friberg’s drawings, and the exhibition will highlight these points to expand the knowledge and appreciation of their art,” says artistic director Frida Talik. The summer takeover will consist of work by the legendary artist Lasse Åberg. His playful and humorous take on pop cul-
By Pia Petersson Photo: Guitars – The Museum
ture has made him one of the most cherished Swedish artists in modern times, and his drawings will be on display throughout the summer.
By Nina Bressler
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Photos: Teckningsmuseet
While the museum showcases established artists, it also encourages visitors to create their own art. The drawing studio is fully equipped with artist materials, paper and pens, welcoming inspired visitors to continue the cycle of creation and bring treasured impressions from their day back home. Admission to the museum is free, so what are you waiting for? Be inspired and bring forth the inspiration after a nourishing day at Teckningsmuseet in Laholm.
Web: www.teckningsmuseet.se Instagram: @teckningsmuseet
