Stockholm

This visit to Stockholm was all about the books! Stadsbiblioteket, Stockholm City Library, was a priority to visit since they are closing this summer for renovations until 2027. Next door to the city library is Svenska barnboksinstitutet, The Swedish Institute for Children's Books, which holds a collection of contemporary children's literature (their work is similar to the CCBC in Madison, Wisconsin). I got to look at Angår det det kanske and Vanjopp by Ingrid Sjöstrand, which I have been translating this spring. I also visited Kungliga biblioteket, the National Library of Sweden. Just around the corner from where I stayed in Södermalm is a wonderful bookshop called Bokslukaren (the book swallower or devourer), which specialises in children's books. And also in Södermalm, Bysis Book & Papper. In addition to a number of Akademibokhandeln locations, Pocket, and Adlibris, I had some great book finds at an antique store and a Myrorna thrift store—then managed to get all the books packed in my luggage back to the UK (within my weight limit!). Therefore, most of my photos are of books (haha), but I did also capture some of these sights.

View from the ferry

Djurgården ferry

Vasabron

Stadsbiblioteket

Stadsbiblioteket

Svenska barnboksinstitutet

Angår det dej kanske

Vanjopp

Kungliga biblioteket

Stockholms stad

Bokslukaren

At Bokslukaren

At Bokslukaren

At Bokslukaren

Myrorna

STHLM Knit Company

The Tea Centre of Stockholm

Korv med bröd

Astrid Lindgren's statue at Junibacken

Sandvargen by Åsa Lind (I'm also translating this!)

Bysis Bok & Papper

Glad Midsommar!

Midsommar at Skansen

Sheep at Skansen

View from Skansen

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

Falun and Sundborn

After over 10 years, I was finally able to visit Sweden again this June. What a beautiful time to see the country! I got by using Swedish most of the time, but by no means having lengthy conversations. I still have a lot to learn! I believe you really have to get thrown in to make any progress, though, so I am glad for what I did accomplish. 

Even if you have no idea where Sundborn is, you've probably seen artwork by Carl Larsson. Within those paintings, you're also seeing Karin Larsson's textile and furniture design. I was inspired by this amazing documentary on SVT to visit Lilla Hyttnäs, the home of Karin and Carl Larsson. Photos of the interior of the house come from the book Ett hem: Carl och Karin Larssons värld by Ulrika Ewerman, Maja Sten, and Mira Wickman.

Lilla Hyttnäs

Carl Larsson-gården

Karin and Carl Larsson's house in Sundborn

By the shore

View from the house

Front door

Front entrance

Verkstad (Workroom)

Pillow made by Karin

Matsalen (Dining room)

Guds Fred (God's Peace)

Vet du vad: var god och glad (You know what: be good and happy)

Förmakten (the Atrium)

Blomsterfönstret (Flowers on the Windowsill)

Övre hallen (the Upper hall)

Brevskrivning (Correspondence)

Garden

Frukost under store björken (Breakfast under the big birch)

Rambling couple in historic landscape

The sweet little library in Sundborn was open. There was also a nice exhibit on at Konsthallen Kvarnen. And I walked to the church.

River Sundborn

Sundborn's library

The dream

Upstairs reading room

Library view

Sundborn

Sundborn

Sundborn's Church

I stayed in Falun, about a 20 minute drive from Sundborn. Carl Larsson also had a house in Falun, which was just up the street from my Airbnb place. The author Selma Lagerlöf lived in Falun for a number of years, too!

Kristine Church

Book store

Street in Falun

View from my loft Airbnb

Breakfast smörgås

Selma Lagerlöf's statue

Carl Larsson's house on Blindgatan

Thanks for reading! Next up, Stockholm!