Sights in Sweden

I went to Gothenburg in Sweden a few weekends. It was very nice, here's what I saw:

• Elegant, solid architecture. Built to withstand cold, snow, time.
• Festive fare at Haga Christmas market
• A tree at Liseberg completely covered in Christmas lights. Every branch had a twinkle.
• A lake shaped like a guitar
• Nanne Gronvall-esque climbing frame in the airport
• A portly chap doing a stumbly samba to You're making me hot hot hot
• Elks and reindeers in Slottskogen park
• Homeware shops on every street. There are loads.
• Adventstjarna - a lovely star in every window

Schlager Queens

I recently went to Göteburg in Sweden for a weekend. It seemed to be a quiet town - on the Sunday night, especially, very little was open. I had expected there to be a party atmosphere as Melodifestivalen was in town. Melodifestivalen is the Swedish competition to select their Eurovision entry. It takes place over 5 weeks and is big news in Sweden. Carola, the biggest name in the competition and eventual winner, was plastered all over tabloids and tv news.

The Swedes have (unfairly) been labelled sombre, sensible people - not so, they love their schlager music. I found the party I was looking for in a club called Greta's - named after the great Garbo. I photographed these people there - all having the best of fun, dancing to schlager hits.