Page 26 - Sphere No.24 (Mar 2009)

F O C U S
STOCKHOLM, the political, business and
cultural capital of Sweden, is abuzz with
excitement. The city, not to mention the
whole country, is thrilled about the recent an-
nouncement that Crown Princess Victoria is to
marry her long-time partner and former fitness
instructor, Daniel Westling, next year.
The timing is perfect as 2010 marks the 200th anni-
versary of the House of Bernadotte’s rule in Sweden. When the
announcement was made, a crowd gathered outside the palace
and sang the national anthem. Then the Royal Court Website
crashed as Swedes tried to view the video clip of King Carl Gus-
tav XVI announcing the engagement.
“There is excitement on the streets,” Pamela Andersson, the
editor of Queen magazine, told The Times of London. “This is
going to be wonderful for Sweden.” Many people expect a lav-
ish ceremony and hope the happy couple will be married in the
Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s Cathedral, just like King Carl Gustav
and Queen Sylvia in 1976.
The world will be watching and television viewers will be treated
to a spectacular backdrop as Stockholm is one of the most pic-
turesque cities in Europe. Spread over 14 islands
strung between the Baltic Sea and Lake Malaren
and connected by scores of bridges, Stockholm is
somewhere everyone and everything seems to be
imbued with an innate sense of style.
Justly celebrated for its design and fashion indus-
tries and an ongoing affection for hi-tech, Stockholm
pulsates with smart restaurants, intriguing boutiques and
humming bars that all indicate that Swedes certainly know how to
enjoy themselves. Added to this is an invigorating dose of culture
– the city hosts around 100 galleries and 70 museums – the natural
beauty of 38 parks, and arresting architecture; the end result is a
metropolis that’s as stunning as it is vibrant.
Best of all, English is almost universally spoken, making
Stockholm extraordinarily business and tourist friendly. And
with the summer coming up, when the sun almost never sets,
visitors can indulge in swimming, fishing and boating right in
the heart of the city almost 24 hours a day.
“Stockholm’s a vibrant and beautiful city that’s also well posi-
tioned for reaching other countries in the Baltic, which makes
it an excellent place for work and play,” says Martin Allison,