Exporting experiences

AFTER FIVE YEARS.....

2011-11-16T21:11:00.001+01:00

It is time to say good-bye. It is time to close shop. It is time to say THANK YOU to those of you who have enjoyed reading about my favourite destination namely the Kingdom of Sweden. Perhaps the title of my new book could serve as an apropriate word of thanks:

The fact of the matter is that I have just completed FIVE years of blogging and everything has an end. TACK means THANK YOU in Swedish and that is the word I now leave you with! I hope that some of you have enjoyed reading my blog - if that is the case, let me know!

All the best from yours truly, Tomas Risbecker

PS Anybody interested in buying the book, please turn to the website: www.litenupplaga.se,
search "Tack, General" and you get all the info you need. I would appreciate your support.

Time for a meeting in Barcelona

2011-11-09T22:06:00.001+01:00

It is time for the 23rd EIBTM and the show management says that this year the team is focused on delivering more than 30 new features and events for EIBTM, which will be held in Spain later this month. Risbecker International will of course be there this year again, so please meet us at EIBTM in Barcelona (Nov 29th - Dec 1st) , Booth number F220 (EUROMIC). Our Managing Director Pauline Risbecker Kim will be there and ready to help you with creative program suggestions and budgeting.

"As you may have read, EIBTM is also increasing the opportunities to do business in Barcelona, says Craig Moyes (Group Director at Reeds Exhibition Management Co) on his blog, by introducing an additional pre-scheduled appointment upping the total to 7, which means we expect some 60,000 meetings to take place over the 3 days mentioned above! Recent research showed 47% of Hosted Buyers have annual meetings budgets of over $1m, so its good news that we are going to welcome a 48% increase in buyers from the UK this year as well as significant increases from Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia and Belgium. We intend delivering the very best environment for the meetings industry as we head towards the end of 2011"

If you want to keep up with all Risbecker news now and during the show don’t forget to follow us on our web-site at www.risbecker.se or see us at the stand.

COME AND MEET OUR MOM IN BARCELONA!

IT IS FUN TO BE IN STOCKHOLM !

2011-10-27T23:07:00.010+02:00

What a wonderful week I have spent. It started with a kind invitation from Paul Peters, (the GM of

the sponsoring hotel of the Stockholm Open Tennis Tournament i.e. SHERATON-STOCKHOLM HOTEL), for the finals of said tournament. I was there with my son Carl-Fredrik, who gave the Finnish finalist Jarkko Nieminen his full support. But his opponent, the French citizen living in Switzerland and named Gail Montfils, became the winner of this years version of Stockholm Open after three quite well played sets.

It was good entertainment and the Sheraton Sky Box offered an excellent view over the centre-court. We were introduced to Jonas BJÖRKMAN, who is a former World Number 4 Swedish professional tennis player. He is also a former World No. 1 in doubles. Björkman retired from professional tennis after competing at the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup Doubles championships. He is also one of those who are responsible for Stockholm Open. And the most important asset of all: he is from the province of Småland!

The very same day, our company repeated our success story from 1984 (sic!) namely the submarine trick. If you want to read more about this creative feature and see some pictures, please turn to the website of Euromic and look for their latest newsletter called On the move with Euromic and their page for Sweden. We created it originally for the Cadillac Division of General Motors USA.What else has been on my schedule? Well, look at this:

What could be nicer than a luncheon on a beautiful autumn day at GÅSHAGA SEA LODGE on the island of Lidingö! As you can see above they offer a great view plus excellent food. The following day
we enjoyed specikal treatment at Ulriksdal - see description below.

These were some of the delicacies offered to me and my friends at Ulriksdals Värdshus - a contryside inn since 1868- one of the safe places to choose when you want to try a Swedish Smörgåsbord or- as in this particular case - a wonderful seafood buffet.

COME AND JOIN US SOON! IN STOCKHOLM !
.......and we would not mind if you visited us too at EIBTM Barcelona (Nov 29th - Dec 1st) , Booth number F220 (EUROMIC)

A GREAT NEW FOUR STAR++ HOTEL IN STOCKHOLM

2011-10-18T21:29:00.001+02:00

The Scandic Grand Central Hotel in downtown Stockholm with 391 rooms has just opened. Excellent location indeed - opposite the Oscars Theatre, the Casino Cosmopol (the only casino in Stockhom) and the best Burger King in town! Close to the Stockholm transportation hub i.e. the Grand Central Railwaystation of Stockholm, where also the airport trains come in and leave. It is just a 20 minutes ride to/from the Stockholm Arlanda Airport. And further more, your are in the main street of Stockholm - the Kings Street. A royal service with excellent bars and food facilities are offered in this building from 1884, which fools you a bit by now looking as if it has been this excellent hotel all the time.

ONE MILLION BUCKS!

2011-10-13T10:28:00.004+02:00

Nil satis, nisi optimum –


RICCARDO MUTI

   The Birgit Nilsson Prize for 2011
will be awarded to laureate Riccardo Muti at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, Sweden on October 13, 2011 in the presence of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia. Maestro Muti is being recognized for his extraordinary contributions in opera and concert, as well as his enormous influence in the music world both on and off the stage.
On the following website http://www.birgitnilssonprize.org/ you can watch the highlights of the Award Ceremony from 20.30 h (GMT +2) on Thursday, 13 October 2011 and the complete evening from 18.00 h on Monday, 18 October 2011.

PS For those dealing with entertainment and creativity in the Meetings World, please come
and see us in LAS VEGAS TODAY - Meet us at IMEX Las Vegas (Oct 11-13) , Booth
       number #1261 (EUROMIC)

CONGRATULATIONS TO US ALL

2011-10-07T10:16:00.002+02:00

I am thrilled over the choice of the Nobel prize Winner of Literature- Tomas Tranströmer. It was a more than excellent choice. And remember, for a small country like Sweden, the support of the poetic skills of a small language must be considered more than important! So I am sharing this happiness with many, 'many other Swedes and the laureate of course!

Here is an English translation of a short poem entitled "National Insecurity":

"The Under Secretary leans forward and draws an X
and her ear-drops dangle like swords of Damocles.
As a mottled butterfly is invisible against the ground
so the demon merges with the opened newspaper.
A helmet worn by no one has taken power.
The mother-turtle flees flying under the water."
Source: "New and Collected Poems by Tomas Transtroemer", translated by Robin Fulton. Published in 1997 by Bloodaxe Books and published online by the Poetry Foundation.

Meet us at IMEX Las Vegas (Oct 11-13) , Booth number #1261 (EUROMIC)

SJÖPAVILJONGEN & ABBA

2011-09-26T09:46:00.006+02:00

Before we take a look at some photos I have taken of above mentioned restaurant, I do have a question. Take a look at this picture:

I took this picture at the Historical Museum in Stockholm just before an interesting DNA seminar was about to start. They invited the participants to take part in "round table discussions" afterwards, but my question is: could you really have roundtable discussions with square tables???

Yes, there is an ABBA-owned hotel in Stockholm and it is quite good not the least for meetings but also for food. The hotel is called HOTEL RIVAL and is located close to Slussen and Scandic Crown.

While checking on some restaurants in conjunction with the European Cancer Congress ECCO,

which is held in Stockholm right now, I came across some old friends. Here are some pictures from

the Sea Pavillion or SJÖPAVILJONGEN in Alvik, close to my tenniscourts of SALK- the club which fostered Björn Borg. This place ought to have a seaside location, right? Here is to prove that point:

You could moore your boat , step up on the jetty and a drink is waiting right there.

It is part of the Lake Mälaren waters surrounding the Sea Pavillion .

Johan Eriksson, from the province of Dalsland, is the Ass. Manager here.The picture is taken, when the restaurant had yet to open that day hence his rather informal dress.

A waterfront location indeed

ps If this is nopt good enough, there were some 20 new restaurants opened in Stockholm over the past three months. Futhermore, the good news is that the government will decrease the VAT percentage to only 6% shortly, hoping it will create more new jobs.

AN IMPORTANT DAY INDEED

2011-09-22T18:24:00.004+02:00

I have been involved in the life giving process two times this very day. The first one happened few years ago, when my wife gave birth to our eldest daughter this very day. To suddenly stand there watching at this new baby realizing that your are actually the father is an enormous, mindbogling feeling you will never eve forget! Those intensive, very dark eyes, are now running our family company! HIP HURRAY FOR PAULINE RISBECKER KIM TODAY!

What about the other birth this day? Well, I am talking about my first real book. 422 pages about the only Scandinavian who rose to the ranks of Brigadier General during the American Civil War, which - as you know - broke out 150 years ago this year. What was his name: in the US he was called Carlos J. STOLBRAND ! Today is the opening of the BOOK- and LIBRARY FAIR in Göteborg, Sweden and if you happen to be there during the operating dates i.e. September 22-26, please feel free to visit Booth A02:66, across the aisle from the Coffee shop of Hall A. The name of the publishers is RECITO FÖRLAG. You can access information about the contents of the book on their site called: www.litenupplaga.se Here is how the cover looks:



Now it is important to remember that this book - covering as I mentioned 422 pages - with quite some interesting pictures, is written in Swedish. My plan is to have it translated to English soonest, since I know there is a huge interest - particularly in the US - for everything written about the Civil War. The story about Brigadier General C.J. Stolbrand has never been completely revealed before nor the fact that his brother (and fellow traveller on his emigration trip to the US), went back home and became as succesful at home as the general became in his new home country. The diaries written by the latter during the preceeding years in 1844 and 1845 are unique and published here for the first time ever.

Are we in for a real financial dip again?

2011-09-13T17:12:00.000+02:00

If we are in for a real financial dip again, rumours have it that the French President is preparing his people in a different way this time. A State Order will be issued and the motto of the French Revolution of 1789 will be changed to:

LIBERTÉ, EGALITÉ et LIQUIDITÉ

God save us all....

IS THERE A NEW ART OF LYING REQUIRED?

2011-09-06T12:42:00.008+02:00

I never intended to touch political issues on this blog, but the other day I got somewhat confused. I was in a hurry - as usual- and had forgotten my lunch. I bought a hotdog at a stand I had visited before just opposite the "twinks hub" at Stureplan in central Stockholm. While this immigrant was preparing my food I asked him about the future of Gadaffi. He said "I donno" and then I added "what about Syria?" Then he got engaged in the discussion and became very verbal, pointed repeatedly at me and said:. "All that I saw on the television was nothing but pure lies. Everything was fine in Syria and he is the best! I talk to them every day!" Oh," I responded "if everything is so fine and he (meaning the Syrian dictator) is the best, why are you here?" "Well", he said, "I have some other problems." Those were quite obvious to me, so I did not pursue the issue. But I kept wondering how much really is a lie and how much is really true of all the enormous amount of information that passes our eyes and ears every day. What methods could help us find the truth and what is it really??

So a friend of mine brought my attention to an article by Kishore Mahbubani (Dean at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore) with the following headline: "Gaddafi´s link to the west: his love of the big lie" It was published in Financial Times on September 5 this year. You should make a serious effort of getting hold of it and read it! Quite interesting, indeed! And after reading it, we all probably agree that we are all heading - whether we want it or not - towards a time of the painful truth! Is there an other way?? Of course not! At least not if you really want the future to look bright for the next generations!

And excuse me for expressing my mind on a political issue which was not the intention with this blog. But perhaps we should speak up more often...

PS Please go to: www.litenupplaga.se to see/order my new book: "Tack, General!"- this issue is in Swedish though.

AN INTERESTING SWEDISH SOURCE OF INFORMATION

2011-09-04T10:25:00.002+02:00

I came a cross the following interesting article on the above site:

Lost - and found - in translation

On the long path towards fluency in Swedish, it is always amusing (and a bit of a relief) to hear the tiniest of errors when my Swedish aquaintances translate their thoughts into English. What is most satisfying is that my own growing knowledge of the language is allowing me work backwards and understand their thinking process. Hence, there are things both lost and found in translation.
For example, my neighbour advised me to do something: ”when the clock is six.”
He was thinking: “När klockan är sex” but translated so literally it sounds rather quaint in English.
There are many examples of a hard “j” of English turning to a soft “ya”sound. It was hard to keep a straight face I was told:
“I like the Wii Fit but I’m not really up to the yogging!”
I am saying all this while making it abundantly clear: most Swedish people speak English to a really high level. Their mistakes are very minor and I am sure my blundering Swedish may make me look either stupid or, on a good day, “sharming.” That’s another one, by the way. The “ch” sound doesn’t exist in Swedish, so you hear: “sharming,” “shildren” or “shocolate.” In fact, “choklad” is the correct word for that yummy stuff but is pronounced “shocklad.”
To get a Swede tongue-tied ask them to say “thorough” - the “th” sound again is absent in their language and it is literally awkward for them to get their tongue and teeth around it. This difficulty with saying “th” pehaps accounts for why my Swedish mum called my English dad “Art” from the outset, rather than struggle with the “th” sound in “Arthur.”
When I speak with friends and neighbours they kindly say that “I can learn them English, while they learn me Swedish.” This common mistake is from the reflexive verb “lära sig” - as it means both to learn and teach (oneself.)
Jag lära mig svenska. (I am learning Swedish).
Han lära mig svenska. (He is teaching me Swedish.)
And on the other side, trying to perfect Swedish? Well the English speaker has to quickly make friends with 3 new vowels: å (awwww), ä (ehhhhh), ö (urghhhh). This involves putting any feelings of self-consciousness aside while performing various ridiculous mouth positions to create these sounds.
The other thing that is a constant work in progress for me while speaking is finding the right “betoning.” The right emphasis and stress on the words is vital. It is this that makes Swedish a very “sing-song” language with lots of natural rise and fall.
I must admit, I do find it immediately very “sharming” to meet a quietly-spoken, modest Swede with a natural melodic shape to his “betoning” when speaking English. It brings new life to words that are familiar to me but pronounced with a new melodic shape and occasionally formed in an odd turn of phrase to make me smile…

The above was written by Christina Pearce - a 35 year old lady living in Krokom and may serve as a great example of interesting stories, pictures and hints you can find on the following great site:
COMMUNITY OF SWEDEN .COM Perhaps the headline should have been: Jag/Han lär mig svenska...

Just kiddin´ ! Krokom is a small village beautifully located (in a great skiing area, by the way) north of the interesting and thriving city of Östersund. Visit the mentioned site first and then perhaps Krokom!

ALL ABOUT FAMILY

2011-08-30T21:32:00.008+02:00

This past weekend was devoted to the annual gathering-always in August - called THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE on GENEALOGY. It took place in the city of Norrköping some three hours drive by

car south of Stockholm. One day is devoted to those who are in charge of the many different associations dealing with genealogy stuff and two days are open to the general public. During the latter a number of interesting lectures are being offered. Normally this conference attracts around 4-5000 attendants each year. the organizers did a good job indeed. Next year, the city of Gävle at an equal distance from Stockholm but north of the Capital, will host the conference. Here are some pictures from the event in Norrköping:

Wellknown Genealogy experts from left to right: Thord Bylund, Magnus Bäckmark, Elisabeth Thorsell and Chris Henning visiting the Swedish Family Calendar stand at the Conference and exhibition in Norrköping

In the meantime Patti Smith was in Stockholm to recieve THE POLAR PRIZE i.e. like the Nobel Prize in Music. She then had a chance to meet her idol - the Swedish author Henning Mankell. Try one of his many books!

They bought it back....

2011-08-25T22:06:00.004+02:00

THE SWEDISH ORDER OF FREEMASONS - THE GRAND LODGE OF SWEDEN
is the organization (founded in 1735), which has just bought the Strand Hotel Building in Stockholm and as of September 1, 2011. They have actually owned it before... As far as I know the Radisson Blu Hotel has a longterm contract, which the new owners probably have to honour , so no immediate change is foreseen. The Freemasons are now owning all buildings in this substantial block where the said hotel is located today. They also have their magnificient Head Office and Lodge premises in the old Bååtska Palace, just behind the Strand Hotel. That private Palace, which was inaugurated in 1669, was built for Baron Seved Bååt, who died before he could move in. Several other famous Swedish Nobel families have since then owned it until the Freemasons took it over in 1874. They added two new wings to the main building and put it back in excellent order. The house is open for guided tours, but you have to preorder such a visit and you have to be at least 20 persons. It is indeed a very interesting old house with a fascinating history and filled with beautifully decorated rooms. If you are real lucky, this blog owner might be your guide. I am taking a couple of groups per month thru the building on guided tours. It is quite fun and keeps me alert.

Radisson Blu Strand Hotel - Stockholm

The Bååtska Palace (SFO))

But presently my life is all about my new book: Here is the cover:

As you know, the American Civil War started 150 years ago.The release of this book could thus be regarded as a work of good timing.

Contains 412 pages and will be on display at the Göteborg Book Fair September 22-25, -

tells the fabulous story about the only Scandinavian who rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the American Civil War:

CARLOS J. STOLBRAND

PS Do you want to make money? Talk to me about Lyoness

Vill Du tjäna extra pengar- tala med mig om Lyoness!

STOCKHOLM Festivals of Music and Culture

2011-08-15T21:15:00.001+02:00

The month of August in Stockholm is blessed by several festivals and they are almost all free of charge.
It is also a convenient time for festivals since this month is the major vacation month for most Central and South European countries. And this city really likes visitors from abroad. The Culture Festival takes place as of tomorrow (Aug.16) with a variety of pop music, opera and film. The theme this year, which has been planned for a long time, is actually and appropriately "Norway". At the main stage called GAT, which is short for Gustaf Adolfs Torg (torg means square), you will be entertained tomorrow (starting at 9.45 pm) by the great singer Peter Jöback and his group of beautiful ladies called Cookies'n'Beans and then other famous local and foreign artists will follow:

Another thrilling event, which is part of the festival, takes place on August 21, when it is time for the annual event called THE LONGEST BOOKTABLE IN THE WORLD. You will find it at Drottninggatan( Queens Street) and this is the place to make book bargains. I will be there for sure!

Another Festival is the Stockholm All Star Festival at Skeppsholmen island, home of the Museum of Modern Art and close to the Grand Hotel. August 24-28 as of 5 pm each day. For reggae- and jazz fans. Entrance fee. But if you feel like something more cosy, try the Grolsch Block Party on August 19 between 5pm - 10 pm at SOFO (Skånegatan, Åsögatan , Södermannagatan and Nytorgsgatan) on the Southern island. All the restaurants and bars here are going to be filled with Fashion, Art, DJs and Live Music.
ENJOY STOCKHOLM!

THE CHOICE IS ENTIRELY YOURS

2011-08-06T22:12:00.007+02:00

During the past week STOCKHOLM has hosted another PRIDE FESTIVAL, which terminated with a great parade today. I took a quick look at the latter and as far as I could see, it is not a matter of a beauty contest of any kind. It is a rather noicy gathering of all kinds of people of all walks of life.

A small group of employees from the Skansen Park (which is a must while in Stockholm, by the way),

was followed - very appropriately - by a whole lorry of BEARS !

I could not see much humour in the Parade this time - except for the sign, carried by a small group of teachers and students from the Swedish National Defence College. Their sign said: "HARD TO GET IN - BUT EASY TO COME OUT". Humour is essential for a cause like this. May be the City Authorities thought they understood that, when they decided to provide the newest Street Cleaning Car they have - an expensive-looking white one - which showed up at the very end of the parade. Looking for trash perhaps, but very little was to be found....

If you happen to stay at the new HOTEL NOBIS – which incidently was honured the other day by the Condé Nast Magazine Traveller as the only interesting new hotel in Scandinavia -(The Guldbaren is an award winning cocktail bar concept at the hotel, which has created great interest)- well then you could not miss it. This whole week you could see all flagpoles in the square in front of the hotel occupied by the gay multicoloured flag. Nobis is conveniently located indeed and from the hotel it is just two minutes to Stockholms major departmentstore NK:

Across the square from the NOBIS, is MAX - the favourite hamburger "joint" in Sweden. A special MAX de luxe product line is to be found only at NOBIS !

Another choice, right, shopping! Or you could visit the Haymarket Flower and Grocery Market at another department store square i.e. P.U.B. at Hötorget. Swedish Chanterelles are in season - yummy, yummy! These can also be ordered at any restaurant right now at a very decent rate.

To tell you the truth I really believe the above was the goal for the guys below. When I saw them they were marching in the right direction for it! Hope they enjoy it as much as I do.

IT IS STILL HARD TO BELIEVE....

2011-08-04T22:30:00.003+02:00

Dear Friends,
I must admit it has been very difficult to really comprehend and understand the sad events in Norway last month. I saw the interview with the totally bewildered young man´s father and obviously he has not used his diplomatic skills (he is a former Norwegian highranking diplomat) sufficiently at an earlier stage in his son´s life to prevent such a terrible act he now master-minded. Aren´t you the father of your son as long as he and you live? A certain responsibility and concern is lifelong, right? I have not heard the whole story, so I should perhaps keep quiet. One thing is for sure: I have had great difficulties in finding something of interest and of a more positive nature to say on this blog since then. But we have to forget, forgive and move on - even if it is very hard. Is there a less grim future?

Tonight I got a reminder from a good friend of mine, who wrote;
1. “Forecasts are very difficult to make, especially about the future”
2. “An expert is an individual, who can explain why a forecast was wrong, after it fails to materialize”
Ergo, don’t listen seriously to forecasters or experts, as they probably work in tandem and share professional fees.

PAX VOBISCUM!

PS Good news - my new book is at the printers!

TODAY WE ARE ALL NORWEGIANS!

2011-07-23T09:07:00.003+02:00

These are the words on Twitter yesterday by our present Foreign Minister Carl BILDT. We are a small nation, said their Prime Minister Jens Stoltenmberg in his speach to the nation and added "under no circumstances shall we by fear or force accept to change our nation and our way of living. This is a moment when we stick together!"

When writing this , nobody seems to know who is responsible for the bomb attack yesterday on Oslo and on Outer Island, (Utöya) just north of the Norwegian capital city. Indications seem to point towards one single nut case and this time no foreign terrorist group but a plain Norwegian gone mad. So if you have a visit planned to Norway this summer, what ever you do, do not cancel! Such a reaction would only give fuel to similar "nuts"

Today is a day we are all Norwegians and we join all those families, who have been severely hit that unfortunate day yesterday, in mourning, in regrets and in condolences.

CHARMING VISITOR

2011-07-16T09:20:00.003+02:00

A real Tall Ship or a Full-rigged ship built in 1960 for the film 'Mutiny on the Bounty' is now an educational sailing vessel and in this capacity she is presently visiting the Stockholm harbour. It is indeed an added beauty for us Stockholmers and other visitors who happen to be here "on the right time" so to speak.. This is the real Hollywood production, ready for inspection.

Here are my pictures after an early Sunday call in the Old Town harbour of Stockholm. It was indeed amazing to see many cruise ships anchored and you could tell by all the foreign buses in town that we have many visitors, which is a fact we are very grateful for.

The Bounty is a good representative of an 18th century square rigger. The main working sails are square in shape and square to the ship hence the name square rigged. The Bounty is 1/3 larger than
the original commercial ship.

A FORTUNE COOKIE?

2011-07-13T09:51:00.002+02:00

My hometown STOCKHOLM has been given very good remarks in a most recent survey just published by the American paper FORTUNE MAGAZINE. The question was: what is it that is significant for an attractive business climate? Why are you picking a particular city for more investments; on which grounds?

Cities with a young population, growing assets and good infrastructure are popular cities. The only two (big surprise!) cities mentioned in Europe were STOCKHOLM and WARSAW. Two other cities I found of special interest on this list are BOGOTA and VANCOUVER.

Kista Science Tower - en route to Arlanda Airport,Stockholm

The Managing Director of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce - Ms Maria Rankka – comments the FORTUNE MAGAZINE conclusions by saying that Stockholm offers a broader type of advantages as a city and is not dependent on one big employer only. Other important aspects are the presence of very creative cultural activities and not the least a well functioning educational school system. She warns, however, the Stockholm authorities must pay careful attention to the importance of housing developments which have to keep pace with the increasing interest in Stockholm as an investment place.

For a Stockholmer like myself, I am proud of seeing the fast development of this City in front of my eyes on a day-to-day basis and it is understandable that Stockholm is nowadays referred to as the Capital of Scandinavia! Come and see us soon!

Very old thoughts, Mrs Minister!

2011-07-03T15:39:00.011+02:00

I read with great surprise and a great smile the new discovery our Minister of Economic Affairs has just announced. She proudly states that the tourist industry must be considered a base industry and that the money spent by foreign visitors in our country represents more than the export value of the Swedish iron- and steel industry! I remember when we were trying to make our voice heard and compared us (the IPV segment) with the export value of the car industry. Nor the Volvo or the Saab is a Swedish car any longer....so we really need a booming IBV segment. Go for it!

This up-coming Monday in Visby on the beautiful island of Gotland in the middle of the Baltic Sea, (you should really consider a visit to this exceptional destination soon!) a proposition will be put

There is always somebody waiting for you in Visby

forward by a mixed number of representatives of the tourist industry. I prefer to call the specific aspect we should be concentrating on "Income producing visitors" - the IPV segment. Why not to talk about tourists???! Well, to talk about "tourists" means you are talking about everyone travelling whether they go or come to your country. The IPV people are those of special interest to the national economy. The Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association is one important player in the marketplace of course and hence they will be behind this proposition called "Can we double the value of the net results of the tourist industry?", along with many others. If the Minister has finally come to understand the importance of those visitors, then so much the better. But if more money is alotted to the industry as such, that money should be wisely spent and in a very professional manner. Those "experts" who happen to represent larger organizations, does not necessarily possess a "larger" quantity of knowledge and know-how, but they are more or less always "the speakers of the trade". A more creative and constructive thinking is needed by the whole industry if goals like: Turnover in 2020 for "Swedish Tourism" (whatever that is......) 500 billion kronor and provide some 300.000 annual job opportunities should ever become a reality. Good luck to those pushing for more visitors to our country! We pushed but the socialist government did not listen then - let´s hope this rather new non-socialistic government will act more constructively.

SWEDISH HERITAGE

2011-06-30T21:43:00.006+02:00

Under the headline "Heritage", the national tourist organization "Visit Sweden"informs on their web- site about various organizations ready to assist those visitors who come to our country to investigate a possible genealogical tie with Sweden - mostly in combination with their vacation.

As the number one source of information the organization lists The Swedish Emigrant Institute, a national research center, located in Växjö, Småland (an area with so much beautiful handmade glass) helps visitors find living relatives and establish contact with them.

The Institute also arranges courses in genealogy and assists in the reading of old hand-written documents. The Institute has Europe's largest collection of emigration history and has a 13,000-sq. ft. space for exhibitions, library, archives and reading rooms.

The Institute’s collections cover the 1846–1930 period of Swedish overseas migration, during which time 1.2 million people left Sweden. The archives contain approximately 6,000 ft. of materials, the library has over 20,000 titles, and the comprehensive database and church record inventories contain literally millions of names, dates and places.
Other research sources they do list are:

The House of Genalogy
Leksand, Dalarna.
Ph. +46 (0)2 471 22 80

The House of Migrants
Alfta, Hälsingland, Sweden
Ph. +46 (0)271 108 61
E-mail. alfta@migranternashus.se

Swedish American Center
Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden
Ph. +46 (0)54 671 51 00
E-mail. info@swedenamerica.se

The brochure “Discover your Heritage in Sweden” is available from VisitSweden and can be ordered by sending an email to usa@visitsweden.com. but as you can guess the brochure deals mainly with Swedes who left for the US. but there is hope for others too. They have omitted one very important soucre, namely the largest archive in Sweden for Genealogy and Personal History located in Solna, not more than 15 minutes by subway from downtown Stockholm. This is operated and owned by the Genealogical Society of Sweden - the oldest national society for family research in Sweden. They can be found at the following address and will be open for the major part of the summer:
Genealogiska Föreningen
Anderstorpsvägen 16
171 54 Solna phone: (08-32 96 80) web-site: www.genealogi.net

Visit Sweden also offers a page of Images from Sweden, which is a convenient source for pictures (and inspiration) if you intend to write something in your local press about a forthcoming trip - f.ex. - to Sweden.Their home address is:http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/. Here are two examples of pictures from their Image Bank:

View from Strandvägen in downtown Stockholm to the left. And don´t miss our great museums - you never know what´s waiting there...

HOW CAN WE HELP ?

2011-06-20T19:33:00.008+02:00

Some of my blog readers are not aware of the fact that we have a family corporation, which was founded back in 1977 and is still going strong under the management of my eldest daughter Pauline Risbecker Kim. Quite frequently I get the question: how could we help? I then suggest they contact Risbecker International via their web-site at www.risbecker.se

Last weekend I had the opportunity to check out a specific program for a mixed group of conference partipants from many different parts of Europe. There were Swedish speaking people from Österbotten in northern Finland as well as a single Swede from Stockholm plus Russians, Germans, French and some Italians.They decided to add a post-conference program as proposed by us and thus the fairly new French operated hotel property was chosen. It is called Nynäshamns Havsbad & Spa in a lovely archipelago surrounding at Nynäshamn, some 50 minutes by car from Stockholm downtown. Many of the guests had heard about the upcoming Midsummer celebrations, (commencing Friday eve this week) which are the most important holidays for the Swedes. If you can´t join us at the precise day, then we offer you something very similar on the dates you prefer. One week ahead the above conference guests did actually celebrate Midsummer here at the Sodexo property in Nynäshamn.. Here is the Spa building i.e. one of the three buildings of the hotel, as seen at dawn:


And the main building-all in all some 75 rooms

A wonderful boat-ride took the participants from the Grand Hotel in Stockholm to the above unique hotel the first evening. Then we added a perfect rib-boat tour the next morning of around three hours out in the seal.areas way out in the Baltic Sea.Here is the group and here are the boats getting ready for the deep sea adventures:

When departing from the hotel, the weather was not too good, but once they were further out the sun became a solid partner for the rest of the day. And here below is the entrance to the Homestead Park, where they danced up till it was time for dinner followed by a very popular disco at the hotel...

The group departed (after a lavish Swedish smörgåsbord luncheon) by private coach to Stockholm-Arlanda airport this past Sunday -that´s when some rain finally came down...

The program was a great success thanks to careful planning by the Risbecker team and our client. This is one way we can help but there are many other ways too. Give us a try! Check out the company contact page at www.risbecker.se

WHAT IS A "KRAV" LABEL? WHAT HAS IT TO DO WITH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS?

2011-06-16T22:46:00.012+02:00

The KRAV-label is well-known among Swedish consumers. The aided awareness is 98 percent. KRAV is a key player in the organic market in Sweden since 1985. They develop organic standards and promote the KRAV-label and this label stands for:

Sound, natural environment
Solid care for animals
Good health
Social responsibility

Based on the above philosophy, the Swedish National BAKER´S TEAM (seen here above), have just qualified to participate in the World Bakery Championship in Paris in March, 2012, which is the biggest competition of its kind . The national team consists of seven bakers namely Robin Edberg, (owner of the bakery workshop Cum Pane in Göteborg, which is a KRAV-licensed bakery), Mattias Wallmark, Söderbergs Bakery (outside Stockholm), Moa Brink, Xoko (from the famous dessert bistro in Stockholm), Niklas Beck, Grillska Huset (Stockholm Old Town),Tobias Bergstrand, (Bakery at Utö island in the Stockholm archipleago) and the man behind my local favourite bakery namely Håkan Johansson, (Albert and Jack's in Stockholm - picture below).

The baking of bread can take you a long way. The couple Anders and Matilda Påhlsson founded Påhlssons bageri (which later became Pågens) in Malmö 1878 and nowadays this successful venture - controlling 35% of the Swedish Breadmarket- is in the hands of the 4th generation of the Påhlsson family.

A TASTEFUL BITE OF SWEDEN

2011-06-09T13:11:00.003+02:00

Have you ever tried a Swedish Beer? The fact of the matter is that the local beer production is increasing rapidly - a number of new brands are popping up so even I with a "narrow" taste can have my requirements fullfilled. The small brewery in the port-town of Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm, has even started to produce a beer they have named after my summer island i.e. it is called Bedarö Bitter.
They name their brands after small islands and beaches such as Landsort Lager, (this mone goes particularly well with Skåne Akvavit) Sotholmen Stout, Ålö Ale, and Indianviken Pale Ale. Another one is the Wisby Brewery on the island of Gotland. Give those smaller brands a chance while you are on vacation in our country.

In around the year 1890 we had some 554 breweries in this country - nowadays it is considerbly less because of bigger "dragons" now dominating the market, but slowly and surely smaller private and very personal breweries are coming along again. Let´s give them our support. The press reported this morning that these breweries have increased their sales to the German market by 2,8 percent (in comparison with the same period last year) during the first three months of this year. Perhaps a little bit more impressive were the figures from the restaurants for the same period: sales increased by some 9,4 percent! But what can you do to the Ice Cream Industry? A family owned company called SIA- the second largest producer in Sweden - reports an increase in sales of 20 percent in comparison to last year and all this because of
creative marketing and above all : sunny weather!

THE BEAUTIFUL MONTH OF MAY IN SWEDEN

2011-05-26T19:02:00.002+02:00

This is indeed the time to look around and enjoy the beauty of our nature. Here are some pictures from my visit to the Castle at HOVDALA in the norther part of Skåne. The 500th anniversary of

the Castle is celebrated this summer!

My maternal grandfather´s paternal grandmother´s mathernal mother´s father (Sic!) was an Inspector at this Castle - did you get it?

In the first picture below there is actually a very unique little specie flying around - it is a Colibri Bee-type called "Macroglossum Stellatarum" but unfortunately difficult to see in this picture. We saw it at Hovdala gardens - another reason for a visit to this lovely place.

This is the towerless church (from the 11th century) at Brönnestad in the province of Skåne

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

2011-05-11T20:22:00.005+02:00

A local survey I have completed lately indicated that there were some interesting "unknown" restaurants in town I ought to take a closer look at. That´s what I intend to do! The local French-speaking community have a favourite namely Bistrot Paname. The name has nothing to do with the Panama Canal or the same republic - no it is actually a sort of nic-name of Paris. If you have seen the wonderful BBC-serie of 2nd World War related programs called "Allo,Allo- the secret Army" - then you know how they speak in this particular restaurant located at Hagatan in the Vasastan "arrondisement" of Stockholm. I will keep you updated shortly about the food, the wines and the rates of said Bistro on this blog. They are doing well, becasue they do not take any reservations before hand (sic!).

Should you long for a taste of Korean food, my son-in-law (who has a Korean background) tells me that you can get an absloutely fantastic bibimbap dish at Korean restaurant Arirang at Luntmakargatan 65
in the vicinity of Sveavägen and Tegnérgatan in downtown Stockholm.. And while we are at it: Villa GODTHEM on Djurgården island will soon be reopened (estimated date June 15) under the management of Danyel Couet - the French guy you can spot sometimes at Balthazar in New York! - and Melker Andersson, who already owns quite a few (6) of the most successful restaurants in Stockholm, such as F 12, Brasserie Le Rouge, Grill, Kungsholmen etc

The original section of Restaurant Villa Godthem by Skansen Park

The so called Planked Steak used to be the speciality at Godthem in the old days and the new owners have promised to bring this specialty dish back on the menue. If that is your "cup of tea" so to speak then you know where to enjoy yopur next Stockholm dinner after June 15 this year. In the meantime enjoy this picture and remember that at the "new" Godthem it will be served at a special wooden plank to guarantee a maximum clean and healthy plate.

STOCKHOLM City of Opportunity

2011-05-06T14:49:00.003+02:00

Partnership for New York and PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) have "scrutinized" some 26 cities in the world to find out where the most favourable conditions are to be found for human activities in a couple of very important categories/conditions. The investigation rates STOCKHOLM as city number 4 on the list and this also means city number one in Europe! Three of of the ten categories have Stockholm as City number ONE worldwide namely: Intellectual Capital and Innovation- Demography and Conditions of Life-Health and Security.

Perhaps we should consider the famous success story of the ABBA-group as a result of some of the above conditions. And thanks to the man behind them, Mr Stikkan Andersson, we have, since 1989, the music awards called the Polar Prize, which we consider beeing sort of the Nobel prize in music. It has just been announced that Patti Smith is a winner and here is why: "The Polar Music Prize 2011 is being awarded to American poet and musician Patti Smith. By devoting her life to art in all its forms, Patti Smith has demonstrated how much rock’n'roll there is in poetry and how much poetry there is in rock’n'roll. Patti Smith is a Rimbaud with Marshall amps. She has transformed the way an entire generation looks, thinks and dreams. With her inimitable soul of an artist, Patti Smith proves over and over again that people have the power.”

The Polar Prize is shared by two different type of winners i.e. popular music and traditional or classical music. In the classical segment the winners were the Kronos Quartet for the following reasons: “The Polar Music Prize 2011 is being awarded to American string quartet Kronos Quartet. For almost 40 years, the Kronos Quartet has been revolutionizing the potential of the string quartet genre when it comes to both style and content. The same type of chamber music ensemble – two violins, a viola and a cello – for which Mozart and Beethoven wrote can also be used to comment on international politics, interpret avant-garde rock and incorporate music from every corner of the world.”

There are many good reasons to consider a trip to Sweden and Stockholm!

GRAND IS GETTING THERE!

2011-04-30T23:24:00.002+02:00

Actually I was the first Director of Sales and Marketing of the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. In those days
I was suggesting that in accordance with "wisdom" I had earlier picked up at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York some 10 percent (at least) of the total rooms of a five star property should consist of suites. At my time Grand had 347 rooms and 11 suites. This was in the mid 70´s and now finally the hotel has taken action. Some additional suites are being added on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor of the main building, making the total number of suites to 45. The new suites are open for reservations as of the end of the month of May this year.

The Stockholm Grand Hotel - photo from 1901 - still the leading Swedish Hotel

I will soon report back on this blog how these above suites are being laid out. In the meantime, if you are close to Sweden and/or Swedes today, just remember that this is Valpurgis Eve, when we celebrate the arrival of Spring and gather around huge bonfires. Join us and enjoy!

HAPPY EASTER

2011-04-22T12:01:00.000+02:00

A CITY TO REDISCOVER

2011-04-19T16:28:00.007+02:00

Despite of the fact that I was born in the city of Stockholm, there is always something new to discover here. I took a walk the other day, while on my way to the Royal Library, and passed thru the Humlegården Park. One of the more pompus statues in this park is the one we could call "A national hero" namely the one of Carolus LINNEUS or Carl von Linné´. Nowadays he looks a bit surprised when looking down at all those Stockholmers either dealing with their dogs, lovers or coffee baskets in the lolvely park or perhaps it is that new big stone - see picture below - which has not really caught my attention before. It is a gift of friendship from the Republic of Chile to the Kingdom of Sweden

This stone was added to the park collection 2002, in honour of the two Nobel prize winners in Literature from Chile i.e. Gabriela Mistral in1945 and Pablo Nerdua in 1971

Not far from the above stone, you have the following view:

This is the new ELITE HOTEL EDEN PARK which will open in June this year. It is the fifth Elite Hotel in Stockholm owned by the India born hotelier Bicky Chackraborty. The new property will offer 125 rooms including seven juniorsuites with balconies overlooking the park. A great asset to the new hotel will be the restaurant towards Sturegatan street, where local star chef Melker Andersson of the F12 will run a top notch restaurant with Asian inspired menues. The hotel has a corner position at Sturegatan and Linnégatan- and Melker´s place is at Sturegatan and around the corner there will be a Bishops Arms Pub. A spa and relax section is also available as well as car parking in the house. You will be hearing more about this on this blog in due course.

Whatelse is new in Stockholm? Well, the parks are full with "sunbathers" - take a look:

And what are they waiting for? Probably the Japanese Cherry flowers which are about to explode in pink masses very shortly:

FORWARD, COMRADES !

2011-04-12T13:29:00.001+02:00

It is indeed encouraging that Sweden is listed as country no five on the list of the competitiveness of 139 countries of the world with regards to business climate and best potential of the development of tourism. We have gone from n.o 17 in 2007 to n.o 5 in 2011 – source: World Economic Forum. On top of that, we are indeed listed as number one when it comes to sustainable development, infrastructure and cultural values. The conclusion should be that international investors have some quite interesting factors to take in to consideration when looking for safe and profitable future investments.

Part of the above news created food for thoughts during the most recent TUR Fair in Göteborg on the Swedish West Coast. It was the 28^th of its kind and operated between March 24-27, 2011. I did not attend this time.

We are all grateful for the fact that finnally theSpring has arrived in most parts of the country except the northern, where you can still ski in a milder and sunnier climate.

PS If your are interested in the space , I ´m pleased to report that Ms Karin Nilsdotter is in charge of

SPACEPORT SWEDEN - a local organization trying to establish a commerical basis for tourism

trips into space from Sweden. We are indeed looking forward in this country, don´t you agree?!

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AT STRANDVÄGEN

2011-04-05T21:22:00.002+02:00

Hotel Diplomat, Stockholm

at downtown Strandvägen

130 excellent rooms

Our company is providing a rather unique service for the hotel industry: we evaluate the services offered by a particular property and we do it while staying overnight and checking things out anonymously. A staff member from us who is preferably dealing with clients whith a potential interest in that type of product/hotel will then be appointed to fullfil the evaluation task.The susequent report will then be either an internal client owned report or a report we would publish on our home page. A few days ago, my wife and I did the job ourselves when staying overnight at the 100 years old DIPLOMAT HOTEL in downtown Stockholm. If your are interested in knowing what we thought, what was good and what was less good, then contact Ebba Risbecker at ebba@risbecker.se.

Here are some pictures:

The T/Bar is the cosy restaurant of the Diplomat Hotel with the adjacent reception

APRIL FOOLS DAY

2011-04-01T14:54:00.004+02:00

You got to be careful a day like this but after reading the information I picked up today on the Internet about the dynamic STUREPLANSGRUPPEN, owners of a number of restaurants, bars, hotels and event venues, in Sweden, I had to conclude that this ought to be the best April fools joke of this day. First take a look at this picture:

this is one of some 24.000 islands of the Stockholm archipelago. This is the place where this said group is going to add man-made beaches, run the biggest outdoor nightclub in the country here, add a big hotel, restaurants and cafés and also add a boat connection from Stockholm said to bring the potential clients to this unknown island in 1,5 hours from downtown Stockholm. The project seem to be working under the name of: "Swedens answer to Ibiza!!!" If this is true, should I then eat my invisible hat?

HOW IMPORTANT IS FITNESS?

2011-03-29T22:54:00.003+02:00

The Grand Hotel in Stockholm took help from "Raison D´Etre Spa & Fitness Co" in order to really be able to offer a Spa and Fitness Centre worth its name. They have invested a lot in making it quite right the second time around. I have taken a close look and here is what I noticed:

Welcome to our Spa!

Jeanette Finqvist is in charge of the Grand spa

THE WATERFRONT COMPLEX IN STOCKHOLM IS NOW OFFICAILLY OPENED

2011-03-17T22:51:00.004+01:00

The Bar was filled quickly (above) when the new Radison Blu Hotel and Conference complex in downtown Stockholm opened tonight with a huge party. You have already earlier been able to see a preview of mostly the hotel on this blog, namely on January 27. However here are now some additional comments and photos from the inauguration this evening:

Former owner of Frösundavik Hotel and Grand GM Tord Smidt w.his.s.o. talking to Mrs Ann Risbecker

Mrs Per Axel Brommesson discussing that great party 88 in Mpl

Mrs Viveca Nordström: More champagne,please!


Exccllent singer Peter Jöback put the good spirit back in the audience after we had been forced to endure that horrible ad-film the Norwegian Bank (DnB-owner of the building) is so proud of.

The Lord Mayor of Stockholm Sten Nordin, spoke and gave the building his full approval. He was accompanied by many of his very ambitious party members of his local "government". Here is one, namely my friend Joakim Larsson.

ROYAL SKIING IN STOCKHOLM

2011-03-16T20:04:00.004+01:00

Today was one of those extraordinary days in winter Stockholm! Awsome! Clear blue sky, sunshine and just a few degrees below cero. And you could do a lot of things because this is a city with lovely restuarants, cafés and museums. Or you could take a look at the traditional ski race called:

which took place today. It is a contest which is part of the World Cup Championships and the winner this year was the Swede Emil Jönsson followed by the Norwegian Petter Northugg. Perhaps the fact that the Swedish King did give Jönsson a personal phone call just before the sprint was about to start and told him to "go for it" really made the difference.

SPRING?

2011-03-11T09:04:00.002+01:00

Spring means jump in German, and the same word in Swedish means run but it is the English version that I am foremost interested in. That beautiful time of the year when special flowers announce the arrival of this precious time of the year, called SPRING. Looking out through my windows I can tell we will have to wait here in Stockholm just a little bit more time before celebrating the arrival of the real springtime. Meanwhile, let us enjoy the colours of some spring flowers (i.e. lovely tulips!) brightening up our days while waiting....

AN AMERICAN DINER in STOCKHOLM

2011-02-24T12:00:00.011+01:00

Today is the inauguration day of a real American Diner in Stockholm and I have been invited to check it out! Though it is loacted at the premises of the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, (and operated by the Sheraton-Stockholm Hotel) I cannot yet advise you about how accessible it is going to be for non-american citizens. Howeveer keep you eyes on this blog and i will report back after the ceremonies . I am not permitted to take pictures

for this blog but I hope there will be some press photos I can share with you. Yes, some special photos will be forthcoming from either the Sheraton Sales Department (Martin Blix) or from Christopher Dunnett of the Embassy. Let´s see who is fast in delivering!

In the meantime I can also tell you that a special colletion of Coca Cola memorabilia was inaugurated at the Embassy, foremost posters and especially old bottles. Emphasis was given to the work of Alexander Samuelson, a young Swede who at the age of 21 emigrated to the Unted States in 1883 and then in 1915 designed the famous Coca Cola Glassbottle in 1915 - see picture below. One of three originals left, was deposited (heavily insured, of course) at the new

American Diner of the Embassy yesterday. Ann and Tom Risbecker will be donating another very rare Coca Cola bottle to the collection shortly.

Alexander Samuelson was born 1862 in the Kareby parish, close to the small town of Kungälv, close to Gothenburg, Sweden. He died in 1934 in Indiana, USA. Another person of importance in this connection is Haddon Sundblom who was born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1899 to Swedish-speaking parents and died in America in 1976. He was the man behind the famous Coca Cola Santa Claus:

              His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
             His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
             And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

Now how was the food yesterday? Excellent of course and as a special gift we were given a bottle of the real Hellmanns Mayonnaise - thank you!

UPDATED NEWSLETTER etc

2011-02-17T14:03:00.006+01:00

An updated version of the Risbecker International Newsletter was published today. Please turn to the following address to get access to the latest version: newsletter@risbecker.se

For guests at the Grand Hotel, the Radison Strand Hotel and Lydmar Hotel, I strongly recommend you to walk around the corner from each hotel and visit the B.A.R. Restaurant at Blasieholmsgatan for excellent sea-food but also meat dishes. Take a seat opposite the open kitchen area and enjoy the professionals at work while enjoying good food. You will also be surrounded by young affluent managers from the banking and advertising community of Stockholm. While waiting for my guest the other day, I started with a hot cocomilk soup with clams, which was just the right thing to eat on a cold winter day. A reservation is required if you want to lunch at the standard meal time for the area i.e. at 12 noon. However if you arrive shortly after 1 pm, you get a seat. The same thing applies for the evenings and would you believe, at Valentine´s Day on February 14, they had 2,5 seatings of tables for two only, from 5 pm till midnight...

If you want to read again what I wrote on this blog about the above B.A.R. Restaurant (and to see the pictures I then took), when they had just opened, then please back up to the date December 03, 2009.

Yesterday the private pre-opening of the Stockholm Antiques Fair took place and the excellent show will continue thru the weekend. On an occassion like that yesterday, you will meet just everybody of the local personalities of good standing. And you will simultaneously enjoy the sight of excellent pieces of art and antiques. You still have a chance to find something extra if you happen to be in Stockholm right now!

While at the show you could also listen to Ernst Billgren-(above) - the outstanding artist who talks about his most recent book "What is art?" where he claims that art is exactly what makes us human beeings. Enjoy!

LET´S PARTY!

2011-02-09T12:21:00.007+01:00

We are still embraced by the arms of King Bore - the God of Winter, but you can already see signs of the emerging spring. It feels like party-time! So if you are considering a private function, a surprise celebration party, a birthday or wedding event, here is a "new" private place ( comfort level we would suggest 120 and max cap. 160) we can offer you in the Old Town i.e. in the very heart of the Swedish capital city of Stockholm ! Enjoy the fresh pictures we took today here below:

PS If you are interested, do contact Pauline Risbecker at pauline@risbecker.se

PPS The Stockholm City Hall will be closing their banqueting space for up to 4-5 months as of June this year. Total renovation of the kitchen area is the reason. Check with Pauline for operational dates.

SWEDEN IS DOING QUiTE WELL

2011-02-05T11:36:00.010+01:00

The fact is that this country has managed to go through the economic turmoil over the past two years in a rather professional manner. The Minister of Finance, Mr Anders Borg (he is not the brother of Björn...) got patted on his pony tail and the Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on his emerging baldness, when they returned from that recent World Economic Meeting in Davos, new and very positive figures were presented regarding the results of Swedish tourism for the past year i.e. 2010. By the way, I totally dislike the expression "tourism". I feel that the most important thing in terms of Swedish export figures, is the number of visitors to the country - those people who are paying for themselves in foreign currency. "Tourism" covers travel in many directions - "visitors" speaks for itself.

However the number of visitors to Sweden last year has gone up again and now by some 4,5 percent in comparison with the year before. And this is actually during a period when the Swedish krona currency has further strengthen its value. It proves, I believe, that we should continue to concentrate on delivering value for money. We have excellent products and those of us involved in the production of same should constantly be reminded how important the quality is, when con- sidering to choose Sweden as the next desti-nation. Calm and safety are of course facts of great importance which we can truly offer. These are facts, I believe, more on top of the evaluation process today during the present days of unrest in the Middle East. Play it safe - play in Sweden!

CARLSON FAMILY STRENGTHENING STOCKHOLM PRESENCE

2011-01-27T17:53:00.003+01:00

A great advantage indeed for Stockholm is the brand new STOCKHOLM WATERFRONT CONGRESS CENTRE and the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel offering 14000 m² of flexible sectioning solutions allowing a vast number of floor plan combinations - for 500, 1000 or 3000 attendants. Stone, steel and glass dominate the building and it represents really Scandinavian Design at its best. There are some 2800 hotel rooms within a radious of 300 meters from this new conference centre.

Enjoy panaoramic views over the waters of Lake Mälaren, the City Hall and most of the center of the Scandinavian Capital Stockholm. The adjoining Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel is an international first class hotel (which in local terms means a 4 star hotel) with 414 comfortable light, comfortable rooms equipped with all necessary amenities. The hotel also offers an all-day restaurant and bar. In the same block is also the restaurant WAGAMAMA located -see this blog for January 13.

We wish you the best of luck and success!

Entrance to Congress Centre and Hotel

Entrance seen from KBV-side

Group & Conference Supervisor Elin Mengüc in front of the hotel reception

Yes, close to the City Hall

Outstanding view from many rooms

Even the rooms in the back so to speak are light and spacious

Separate beds are available but no single rooms

The business reception at the Congress

The main stage in preparation for tv production

The official opening is yet to come!

SHERATON-STOCKHOLM HOTEL celebrates 40 years in business

2011-01-18T22:13:00.007+01:00

Indoor fireworks at Sheraton-Stocholm

I was staring at a seafood buffet I had never ever seen before in my whole life. It was almost mind boggling! And I was invited. This was in 1971 ! The company I had a stake in at that time was called Scandinavian Express, so it was in my capacity as a partowner of said company I was present at that inauguration of the new 470 rooms Sheraton-Stockholm property. It did also represent the opening of almost the first international hotel of any importance in Stockholm.

Some 8 GMs have passed through since the opening and I came to know them all more or less. This evening I met with old friends like Dorthe Thing, Per Kjellström, Erhard Norreich, Paul Peters, Tommy Danielsson, Fritz Piehlen and many more. Chris Schunack is the only GM of the eight having passed away. I also talked to the US Ambassador to Sweden Mr Matthew Barzun, who was actually born the year the hotel opened! Sic! I also learnt from him that there will soon be a real Diner at the US Embassy and operated by the Sheraton people.

Christina Guggenberger of Stockholms Visitors Board - always ready to party and to smile and to answer all your Stockholm questions.

Then my own family corporation Risbecker International (founded in 1977) emerged and has enjoyed a continous excellent corporation with the Sheraton-Stockholm Hotel since then and we look forward to further strengthen our cooperation in the years to come..

Excellent food, high service level and good entertainment as well as indoors firework made up for a memorable evening to which we can only say: THANK YOU!

Here are some pictures from this pleasant evening:

Among the former GMs present , above is Per Kjellström with Michael Wale from the UK European Head Office. Below are additonal photos of former GMs

Former GM Dorthe Thing

Present GM Paul Peters obviously likes beer- and it was good beer offered!

HIDDEN SECRET (6) IN STOCKHOLM

2011-01-13T20:26:00.002+01:00

Now and then I am able to report on some local restaurants, which I consider important for potential or traditional Stockholm guests. Today I had a memorable lunch with my eldest daughter Pauline at one of her favourite places i.e. WAGAMAMA located in the not yet officially opened Radisson Hotel WATER-FRONT very close to the Central Railway Station in Stockholm. The restaurant is part of the British chain

with the same name and with 104 restaurants worldwide and 66 in Great Britain. The first one did open in Bloomsbury, London in 1992. They offer Japanese inspired food of a variety we have not seen much of before in Stockholm. Behind this local franchise operation is the locally well-known so called Stureplansgruppen. More Wagamama restaurants are to be expected in the country quite soon. The real experts on this kind of food say, however, that this restaurant is not the best of its kind in Stockholm yet. They prefer Ramen Ki-Mama on Birger Jarlsgatan 93 instead, so I will have to check it out and report back at a later stage. From my own point of view I was quite pleased with the dishes I did choose and so
was my daugther.

TONS OF HEALTH

2011-01-07T11:50:00.005+01:00

Already the year 2011 has begun and we - as a family - have enjoyed superb dinners together with suberb friends, excellent concerts and the joy of associating with children and grandchildren.

We are looking forward to a great year (with at least one family wedding!) and we wish you all the same but most of all: health and happiness!

I just heard Larry King talking about cancer on his show and what we do about fighting it, especially considering that in the US- he said- still to this day people die in great numbers. In the US only, numbers corresponds to 4 (FOUR!) Jumbojets per day every day of the year...so no wonder I wish all our friends tons of health! Try to get hold of the King Talkshow on cancer - it was filled with very interesting but also extremely positive information.

Yes, let´s think positive and enjoy every day more thoroughly in 2011!

ps If you wonder how the snow has affected us this year, I can assure you we have had TONS of SNOW. The good thing about it is, that the water between the main land and our summer home island, may freeze. This makes a visit to our summer vista quite possible already during the month of late January or early February. The picture below:

shows the situation today as seen from the main land. "Our" island in the background. (photo: Fredrik Johnson, Nynäshamn)

GOTT NYTT ÅR I.E. HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-12-31T16:13:00.005+01:00

Very soon I will be there - let me introduce myself: I am called The Year 2011 and my intentions are to bring a lot of happiness and peace ! See you at the very same time next year and we shall see then how well I did succeed!

In my family we are looking forward to a less dramatic year and to enjoy "the cream of the cake" - a wedding March 26!

God bless you all!

A TRADITIONAL DIP IN THE POT

2010-12-23T23:24:00.002+01:00

"Lilla Julafton" or "Little Christmas Eve" is what we celebrate with close friends the day before Christmas eve. The guests are often those who have their own Christmas traditions to follow on Christmas Eve, which day is more important for the Swedes than the Christmas Day. Many of our guests look particulary forward to have a taste of our very special "Dip in the pot".

In the old days the main source of ingrediences for the dip as such was the broth as the result of the cooking of the ham. Today you can buy such broth readymade in plastic rolls. Let the contence boil

together in a casserol pot without a lid and under rather high temperature to start with. Lower the heat considerably and spice the broth up with some dried salvia, a few drops of soya and a glas of porter plus 6 cl Skåne aquavitae. Place the raw "Prince Sausages" together with slices of grainy so called Värmlandskorv i.e. a special Sausage from the province of Värmland, in the broth and let it cook
slowly for about ten minutes. Cut slices of wort bread and dip the bread with the help of a flat cooking spade with holes in so the soaked bread can drip back in the pot before the bread ends up on a plate with some of the sausages and mustard. Enjoy a glass of dark bitter or ale and match it with a glass of chilled aquavitae. Skål! Let me know what you think!

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

PS Would you believe that Stockholm has not had one single day- since November the 24th- with a plus degree. This has not happened here since the winter of 1788-1789!
The good news is that such strong winters always seem to be followed by unusually warm and sunny summers! So continue planning your trip to Sweden next summer!

ANOTHER NEW DOWNTOWN STOCKHOLM HOTEL

2010-12-17T20:52:00.005+01:00

Sweden has an excellent trade paper dealing with meetings and conferences called simply MEETINGS International. In their latest edition for the month of December this year, they do have a breaking news story: another new downtown property - this time it is a budget 250 room hotel to be owned and operated by the Finnish hotel chain Omena.

The location is quite good and in the new Stockholm hotel district with Hotel Clarion Sign as closest neighbour. Another new property is also coming shorly closeby and to be called Scandic Grand Station

Hotel. The latter will open in less than a year from now and offer 400 rooms. The Swedish Scandic hotelchain, reports Meetings International #) (www.meetingsinternational.se ) was just recently nominated by JD Power and Associates, as the hotel chain with the highest ranking by satisfactory guests. Some 14000 European hotel guests and 35 hotel chains have been subject to the research work behind the nomination.

Another, (but not very surprising), story told in the same issue of Meetings International is the third bankcruptcy of local DMC Grand European North under the management of Mr Dag Kastensson. Court hearings are scheduled for January 18, 2011. A professional prohibition is perhaps to be expected for mr Kastensson.

Let us think about nice things instead, like celebrating Christmas with your family and friends. Share the joy of Christmas gifts and the traditional food specialities like "Dopp i Grytan" - a dip in the pot. The latter is very Swedish and is a favourite amongst our kids and friends. I will revert with more details once we are getting closer to Christmas Eve. Talk to you soon!

#) Meetings International also produces an English version for those of you who like to keep yourself updated about business and things in Scandinavia.

LUCIA WITH A BANG

2010-12-13T12:49:00.010+01:00

The day before the Santa Lucia Day - a very important day; especially in our schools - some confused immigrant made an effort to hurt a lot of innocent people in downtown Stockholm. By God´s grace he failed! And life goes on in an organized manner. We consider it an accident. Let me now offer you a link to a happy web-site namely:

http://vimeo.com/14779444

which is produced by Visit Sweden and shows - among many smiling people also my daughter Pauline Risbecker Kim and her twins. Enjoy! Let me also share with you some pre-Christmas pictures:

Here below is The Royal Opera House in Stockholm on December 12 offering a childrens program with short performances in various rooms and - of course a Lucia choir, with a performance in the main stairway. When you enter, the ceiling is impressive.

The choir performed exceptionally well!

A BIG ELEGANT STOCKHOLM PARTY

2010-12-10T09:34:00.008+01:00

This very day will terminate with a big and elegant party - a party everybody wants to attend but just a few are invited to. It is the NOBEL PRIZE AWARDS CEREMONY AND DINNER in the Stockholm City Hall. Those who are guaranteed a ticket, so to speak, are the Award Winners of course. Here are the Nobel Prize winners this year:
Medicin: Robert Edwards, United Kingdom/ Chemistry:Richard Heck, USA - Ei-ichi Negishi,USA-
Akira Suzuki/Physics: André Geim, United Kingdom, Konstantin Novoselov, United Kingdom/Litterature: Maria Vargas Llosa, Peru-Spanien/Economy:.Peter Diamond, USA- Dale Mortensen, USA - Christopher Pissarides, United Kingdom.
Other attendees who are guaranteed a "ticket" is of course H.R.H. the King of Sweden as well as H.R.H. the Queen of Sweden, and their children Prince Carl Philip , Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel. Princess Madeleine will not attend though.

The rest of us will have to turn to our television sets...

Note: that only the Peace Prize is handed out in Oslo. This years "controversial" winner: Xiaobo, ChinLiu, China.

Litterature winner 2010: Mario Vargas Llosa

NOBIS HOTEL IS NOW OPEN!

2010-12-06T19:23:00.012+01:00

The discussions locally if the planned new de luxe hotel in downtown Stockholm is going to be a real competition for an oldtimer like the Grand Hotel, can now be debated on site, so to speak. The new

201 room NOBIS HOTEL has just opened and here are my own pictures from the hotel. Personally I must confess I probably belong to the "wrong" generation to appreciate what is considered to be "chique" and "in vogue" with modern design. I think the competition will be more fierce for the Lydmar Hotel, playing in the same league. But on the other hand, who am I to judge - let the pictures give you an opportunity to make up your own mind and perhaps consider the hotel for your next Stockholm visit. Under all circumstances we were met by very service minded people despite the unannounced visit we did.

Posh parking (above) and reception area (below)

Cosy Bar next to the entrance (below)

Unique ORREFORS glass product from the 1920´s (above) and bedroom lighting (below)

View from a corner suite over BERNS (above) and the Vasa Museum and the Strand Hotel (below)

The bedroom in the Tower Suite (below)

A singlebath is not extremely spacious but has everyrthing you may require. Rate sek 1890 per night (below)

Aview (from lobby steps) of the main restaurant (below)

Here and there in the hotel they have made serious efforts in preserving beautiful old woodworks (below)

Who took the time to guide me through the new property, if not beautiful Mrs Pauline Risbecker Kim - presently in charge of the foremost DMC in Scandinavia i.e. Risbecker International and above all: my daughter! (below)

LIGHT UP !

2010-11-28T11:28:00.003+01:00

Take your time and back up in this blog, back to November 29, 2009 and you will be reminded about the things going on in this country as of today! This is the picture I displayed on this page then and it is as appropriate this time as it was then:

And just in time for the Christmas season my private club SÄLLSKAPET has come up with another new club product. I was personally part of the introduction of the port wine a few years ago and now there is an excellent champagne on the market. The club members are to be congratulated. I understand a new aquavitae (snaps) will also be launched shortly. It is not going to be the same as the very old brand we already have had for a long time but which can only be bought in the Club Restaurant. The new one will be sold as the other products via "Systemet"- the state owned liquor stores.

Christmas time is party time - come and join in!

Meet the RISBECKERS in Barcelona !!

2010-11-17T19:00:00.003+01:00

Soon it is time again for another trade show for the meetings, conferences and incentives markets. Once again it takes place in Barcelona, Spain and once again Risbecker International will be represented by own staff.
     Meet us at EIBTM in Barcelona, Nov 30 - Dec 2!
   WELCOME

We work with multinational corporations and handle their incentives, meetings, product launches, conferences and congress needs.

Our motto is: if there is a will there is a way. And according to our over thirty year experience, there is always a way to the perfect experience with motivation in mind.

                      Let us handle your planned activities next time and in Sweden!

THE QUEEN IN MY LIFE

2010-11-09T11:13:00.011+01:00

WE ARE CELEBRATING TODAY - THIS WAS 36 YEARS AGO ON THIS VERY DAY:

CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES RIGHT NOW - SEE PREVIOUS BLOG CONTRIBUTION- TODAYS PARTY HAS BEEN RATHER RESTRICTED- ONE PICCOLO BOTTLE OF MOET CHANDON SHARED BY FIVE GUESTS AT THE HOSPITAL PLUS A WONDERFUL CAKE WHICH TASTED GREAT AND LOOKED LIKE THIS:

Yes, I will tell you who did the cake

(which is called a Fruit Princess Cake)- it was my local TOMTEBAGERIET ! They are to be

recommended!

WHERE ARE THE SWEDES GOING?

2010-11-06T23:22:00.008+01:00

If you are contemplating a trip to Sweden and wondering what to include, perhaps you are asking yourself what the Swedes themselves are including in their domestic travelling plans. Here is a most recent update of the places in the country a Swede and his family would include:
1.Gekås (budget shopping) Ullared, attracts around 4. 100 000 visitors per annum. This is considered to be the largest department store in Scandinavia with some 1000 employees. It is a low price shopping hall close to the city of Falkenberg in Western Sweden. This past Saturday Ullared broke all records and sold (in one day) for Swedish kronor 25,7 million ! (equals approx.3,9 mill. US dollars)

The 2nd place on the list is the Liseberg Amusement Park in Göteborg with 3.600-000 visitors, follow- ed by the House of Culture in Stockholm with 3.100.000 and the Kingdom of Glass in Småland on 4th with 3.000.000. Here is the rest of the list: (5) Sälen Mountain Resort 2.100.000, (6)Skansen Open Air Museum in Stockholm 1.700.000, (7) Globen Event Center in Stockholm 1.600.000, (8) Eriksdalsbadet Swimming Stadium, Stockholm 1.400.000 (this is where the final World Cup competition in swimming takes places this very day), (9) Gröna Lund Amusement Park, Stockholm 1.350.000, (10) Åre-Duved Mountain Resort 1.100.000, (11) Vasa Museum, Stockholm 1.050.000.

PS I´d like to appologize to my readers for the fact that I have been a bit slow in producing for this blog lately, but we have had a terrible accident in the family last Sunday, when my wife fell down on the subway track in downtown Stockholm and got badly injured. In a sense we were still lucky, because if we had not managed so quickly (especially through the help of an unidentified young man who jumped down on the track and lifted her up to the platform) so we could drag her to safety before next train came.. As you can imagine we are still all in chock while my wife is recuperating at Stockholms Sjukhem.

TAKE YOUR TIME

2010-10-19T10:46:00.012+02:00

If you are staying in Stockholm for a longer period of time and if you are not too familiar yet with the country, you might be wondering if there are any excursions in the immediate vicinity you should have tried already, then here is one obvious I´d like to suggest. Take a break and visit STRÄNGNÄS - an old town (first mentioned in 1327) with a mighty Dome from the 13th century and a top-class restaurant which became very famous in Edsbacka outside Stockholm during the past decade.The owner decided to convert his restaurant operation in to a bistro and also open up here in Strängnäs. (picture below):

Some 14000 inhabitants live in Strängnäs today and they are all very proud of the Dome just mentioned (picture below) It was actually along the northern wall of the church where Gustav VASA on June 6, 1523 was elected Swedish King and hence June 6 is still our National Day.

Where to stay while in Strängnäs? There are many good hotels but in my case I would like to suggest the small 12-room unit named Hotel Laurentius.(info@hotellaurentius.se - picture below) It is a bed#breakfast operation but with excellent rooms equipped with everything you could possibly need. That long shoehorn is there, so is the hand-mirror as well as comfortable beds. The breakfast room has an excellent waterview as well as anything you would expect for a great start of the day in terms of the breakfast offered.


                                      Take a break and visit STRÄNGNÄS

PS A few days after this info had been published, a friend of mine got inspired and took his wife to    Edsbacka Bistro in Strängnäs and started a suberb dinner with "Lightly poached eggs from Sörmland   with mixed Forest Mushrooms" followed by "an absolutely perfect version of Pike quenelles (my friend´s own remarks) and a suberb winelist. The only problem he and his wife encountered was the ventilation in the former Tourist Office House, which perhaps was not really built for the kitchen activities of a restaurant...

HOTEL UPDATES

2010-10-14T10:55:00.003+02:00

For your information here is a little recap of some of the major additions in terms of new hotels in the two main cities of the country i.e. Stockholm and Göteborg (Gothenburg):
Stockholm: Nobis Hotel (close to NK) 201/2010 December, Radison Park Inn /Stockholm Waterfront Hotel 418/2011 -spring. Scandic Victoria Tower Hotel Kista, 300/2011 - fall. Scandic Grand Central Hotel (corner Kungsgatan/Vasagatan) 400/2011 -fall. Quality Hotel Arenastaden Solna 400/2012 - fall.
Göteborg: Clarion Hotel Post (by Central Railwaystation), 501/2012 spring, (pictures below -exterior and unusual interior post jugend design):

THE MAGIC OF NUMBERS

2010-10-10T10:10:00.002+02:00

Did you consider at all, it is the 10th of October 2010 today ?! It could be written like this:

10-10-10

Time for SWEDISH NOBEL AWARDS

2010-10-09T23:52:00.002+02:00

About this year annually the winners of the various Swedish Nobel Awards. In waiting for the announcement of the winner of the Nobel Prize for Litterature, one clever local bookshop for used books took a chance and announced how many books they had in store for the potential winners they had in mind. This is their list: Adonis - 10 titles, Bob Dylan 18 titles and 58 records titles -from 15 sek.

Ian McEwan 19 titles from 10 sek, Haruki Murakami 5 titles from 30 sek, Joyce Carol Oates 69 titles from 10 sek, Thomas Pynchon 6 titles from 35 sek, Philip Roth 26 titles from 10 sek, and Ko Un 2 titles from 100 sek.

And the winner was: Mario Vargas Llosa - from Peru but living in Spain.

The only Nobel honour which will behanded out in Oslo and not in Stockholm, is the Peace Prize, which was awarded to the Chinese dissident: Liu Xiaobo

FUN STATISTICS

2010-09-27T18:47:00.080+02:00

From an old schoolmate and dear friend of mine named Monica, who is living in Southern California, I did receive the below statistics. She admitted it was a bit corky but worth laughing at. So here is your daily portion of laughs!

"If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. (Hardly seems worth it.) If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb.(Now that's more like it !) The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet. (O.M.G.!) A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (In my next life, I want to be a pig..) A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy.) I'm still not over the pig!! Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour (Don't try this at home, maybe at work) The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off. (Honey, I'm home. What the...?) The flea can jump 350 times its body length.. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. (30 minutes. Lucky pig! Can you imagine?) The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?) Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (I still want to be a pig in my next life...quality over quantity) Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.) The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue. (Hmmmmmm......) Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people. (If you're ambidextrous, do you split the difference?) Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump.(Okay, so that would be a good thing) A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder who was paid to figure that out) An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.) Starfish have no brains (I know some people like that too.) Polar bears are left-handed. (If they switch, they'll live a lot longer) Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (What about that pig??)"

Now talking about Southern California, I did notice last spring, in a trade paper, an article about an interesting wineyard in Sonoma called RAVENSWOOD. They are mainly in to the grapes of Zinfandel, which actually is the oldest in California and originates from Croatia. The man behind this success story in Sonoma is Joel Peterson and I was also intrigued by his marketing expressions such as NO WIMPY WINES and "if your favourite color is beige, perhaps you should not drink our wine". I love it! Their wines are now being introduced on the Swedish market but I am not sure the local ad agency has understood the marketing philosopy expressed by the owners. They launch the brand (on this market) by using the expression "This is nothing for young pigeons" as translated from Swedish. And???? By the way, that is another mystery to me: have you ever seen young pigeons? Perhaps they hide and drink wine....

PS In all fairness this Zinfandel wine has been available on the Swedish market in the bottled version since 2007.

HIDDEN STOCKHOLM GEM (5)

2010-09-24T13:59:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was the premiere of the new design of Restaurant ELVERKET located in bjuilding of the "second stage" of the Royal Dramati Theatre. This is a building in the residential and posh area of Stockholm called Östermalm. ELVERKET means Power Station and that is precisely what it used to be before turned in to a theatre and a restaurant. Running the latter place -with great success- is Kalle KARLIN. Very good food at decent rates and service minded staff. for those who -like me - likes dark and bitter beers, his choices are excellent. Try them at Linnégatan 69 and phone number for reservations is 08-661 25 62.

WORLD PREMIERE IN STOCKHOLM

2010-09-23T21:22:00.007+02:00

Tonight Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Edward Lachmann and sponsoring medical company Eli Lilly had invited some 900 guests from the EASD Congress in STOCKHOLM to attend the world premiere of his heart-rending film about children with diabetes, called "No child should die of diabetes- Lifeblood".

Dr Marguerite De Clerck, an 82-year-old nun, who has dedicated herself to the children’s care amid civil and political unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (in the western part of Africa) was present and thanked the audience for their presence and support.She and the sponsors were greeted by standing ovations in the unique setting of the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall - perhaps more famous for the Swedish Nobel prize ceremonies on December 10 annually. Producer of the evening was twinbrother of Ed i.e. Wayne Lachman supported by Risbecker international represented this evening by Pauline Risbecker Kim (Chair) and her staff.

IMPORTANT NATIONAL ELECTION IN SWEDEN TODAY

2010-09-19T20:59:00.018+02:00

A national election is always important. The importance to cast your vote is right in the spotlight! If you do not use your right to vote, then you should not complain about anything afterwards. That´s my firm belief and opinion! To vote is no less than an obligation in a democracy!

The political spectrum looks pretty much the same in Sweden as in most other countries in Europe. The old strict traditional party systems are slowly but surely finding new ways to secure success. The Conservative party is called the Moderate Party and appears this time as the Working peoples party i.e. those who take the lack of working opportunities for many capable people seriously. They have been the major force in the coalition called the Alliance organized by them, the Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats,and together they have formed the government during the most recent four years. The Social Democrats, who have ruled this country during the previous almost 60 years took their power for granted in a way and thus made way for the Alliance. The Socialists have thus now formed a coalition with the former Communist Party and the Green Environmental party in order to have a chance to come back to power. This evening will tell whether we go back to a rather sloppy management of the country or to a more firm and responsible one performed by the present government. The final results will be published here below as soon as they are available. There is of course an issue of all party concern this time and that is the new anti-immigrant party called the Sweden Democrats. If they get a min. of 4 percent of the votes they will
get access to the Swedish Parliament and thus perhaps play a role of the weighing-masters in the parliament, which would be a very negative situation and certainly have a negative impact also on the Swedish currency. On verra!

And as predicted and feared above the Alliance will be dependent of the new Sweden Democrats but the Alliance remains in power. The Alliance got the following votes: M 30,o %, Lib 7,1 % - The Farmers Center Union 6,6 % - Christian Democrats 5,6 %.

The Prime Minister of Sweden: Fredrik Reinfeldt

A TASTEFUL NURSERY

2010-09-11T19:16:00.011+02:00

Yes indeed - while the summer is still in place, make a point to visit the nursery at Rosendal on Djurgården island close to Skansen Park.The latter is one of Stockholms main attractions, as you probably already know! Apart from the fact that they serve fairly good food at ROSENDAL (and in an unusual surrounding too), you are also precisely that:

surrounded by a rich variety of wonderful flowers and interesting people.
Take the new tram from downtown Sergels Square to the end of the line at Djurgården and then add a short walk. This will add up to a wonderful little excursion you will not regret!

THE BEST OF THE BEST

2010-09-08T18:00:00.018+02:00

This is the time of congresses and international meetings in Stockholm. The rather comprehensive Cardiology congress has just been completed and some 4000 of the 12000 participants were fortunate enough to be taken care of - while in Stockholm - by the specialists in our company Risbecker International. The selection of restaurants in the program of the attendees is a major concern for all organizers. To help you when considering your next trip to Sweden here is a list of the the top restaurants in our country as we see it:

1.Mathias Dahlgren - the dining room - in the Royal Automobil Club building adjacent to the Grand Hotel in Stockholm.
2. Oaxen Restaurant'-on an island outside the small town of Oxelösund south of Stockholm - a good one hour by car. NB: Your last chance is this year because the owners have decided to close and open a new restaurant in Stockholm instead perhaps already next year. Their famous Christmas Smorgasbord this December will be the very last venture on the present premises open to the public. Take the opportunity!
3. Restaurant Kock & Vin in the city of Göteborg on the Swedish West Coast.Outstanding!
4. Esperanto Stockholm - operated by two very skilled kitchen chefs who have competed for Sweden in the national cooking team. The name of the restaurant was inspired by that book written by Paulo Coelho called "The Alchemist"- close to Hotel Birger Jarl.
5. Vassa Eggen - in the same building as Elite Plaza Hotel in downtown Stockholm. Caters to a younger audience with a creative menu and design.
6. F12 Restaurant in downtown Stockholm - close to the Sheraton-Stockholm Hotel- a bit on the expensive side but excellent quality food and ambiance.
7. Lux Stockholm - this is quite an experience and hard to get a table. Located on one of the many Stockholm islands fairly close to the new Stockholm Marriott property.
8. Trio Restaurant (with hardly 20 seats) in the city of Malmö is worth an extra effort to reach.Chefs Ola Rudin and Sebastian Persson run this place together with sommelier Erik Berne and they are running a real success story. Go there before all the others will discover this secret. You better book well in advance! . The little great restaurant TRIO in Malmö, south SWEDEN.
9. Frantzén / Lindeberg in Stockholms Old Town- see this blog dated March 16, 2010.
10. Mistral Restaurants in the outskirts of Stockholm, not far away from the Globen Arena- operated by very talented kitchen chef Fredrik Andersson.
11. Restaurant 28+, downtown Göteborg - close to Park Avenue Hotel and with a star in Guide Michelin. Very creative gourmet people.

If you need information about a suitable restaurant for your upcoming group arrangement in Sweden, then get in touch with me.

GO NORTH YOUNG MAN, GO NORTH!

2010-08-17T20:39:00.007+02:00

NEWSWEEK has just published an article listing the best countries in the world to live in. The author ANDREI CODRESCU has written a witty article which I recommend you to read in full length at the following address:http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/16/why-cold-depressive-countries-end-up-the-best.html

For those of you who prefer just a little tidbit of the same here it is:"The word SMÖRGÅSBORD may have originated in Sweden, but looking over the metrics for “best -countries”—where Sweden is No. 3 and Finland No. 1, Norway No. 6 and Denmark No. 10—I find it hard to imagine just how much variety that Northern European buffet holds. Why is it that the Nordics always dominate such lists, anyhow? Since it’s dark and cold outside for most of the year, the smorgasbord itself must be an attempt to offset tedium, angst, and monochromatism. Even so, there couldn’t be that many kinds of pickled herring, smoked fish, dark rye bread, and mustards on the smorgasbord, be-cause we know from the 1987 movie Babette’s Feast that a French woman on the run in Scandinavia after the Paris Commune turned the austere locals into insane bons vivants by means of spices. Also, as Ingmar Bergman’s movies and Stieg Larsson’s novels show, Scandinavian angst is nothing to laugh about. Pass the vodka, the incest, and the noose."

I hope he has been to the Nordic countries otherwise I think the Tourist Boards of these countries should invite him for a so
called "Fam Trip" - he might come home as a much happier man!

This is a flag suggested for a political union between the Nordic countries as (in turn) has been suggested by the Think Tank LIMBO at the following address: http://badlandshyena.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/nordiska-unionens-flagga/ I can assure you however that this suggested flag will under no circumstances get my vote - it looks more like an advertising gimmick for some kind a joint Scandinavian cemetery on American soil.... Civil War Memories again??

REMEMBER THIS??

2010-08-13T11:43:00.011+02:00

This used to be one of the most popular restaurants ever in Stockholm:LIDINGÖBRO VÄRDSHUS /INN with a long history for many generations of Stockholmers. They also had an adjacent area for the outdoor guests and it was always jampacked för lunch in the summertime: Luckily there are creative people in each generation and this red sign (below)
announces what is going to happen - a new hotel and spa in operation as of the summer of 2011!
------- . ------- Welcome back Lidingöbro!
To be quite honest there is not much to be seen yet and the segment having advanced the most is to the left of the previous main site, where the hotelrooms and the spa are going to be located as far as i could tell. Here are some pictures with out comments but we will report more in due course on this blog.

THAT TASTEFUL STRANGE CREATURE

2010-08-08T19:14:00.006+02:00

This is the time of the year when the Swedes turn to the small delicious crayfishes for a quite acceptable reason to psrty, have fun and to drink that strong Swedish special beverage called "Aquavitae" or "snaps" or "sup" and many more pretty harsh nick names can also bed used.And there are many different brands to meet your personal taste.The most common brand is called "Skåne" after the Swedish landscape on the very south of the country. Along with these festivities a number of funny songs have to be executed. This is indeed an important part of the fun. These songs should preferably be short and with aa very distinct funny edge and be terminated by the internationally known commando i.e. SKÅL. Some historians claim that this particular word, which today also means "bowl" in Swedish, was created out of an habit during Vikingdays when the enemy´s head was crushed and the warrior then used the "skull" as a bowl to drink the blood of the defeated enemy. So when invited to a Swedish Crayfish Party, be very careful....

Mrs Aina BARTON -with a solid SWEDISH AMERICAN background tought me the following song a few years back. Use it when you want to impress on your Swedish host once ivited to real crayfish party:

You little Sushine
you are not here
since down my throat
now you disappear
but when thru my kidney
you pass my dear
you will again
be a stream so clear

SKÅL

STOCKHOLM IS PROUD AGAIN

2010-07-27T10:45:00.005+02:00

The Stockholm Pride Festival officially opens tomorrow July 27 with an opening speech by the Head of the Ministry for Social Affairs Mr Lars-Erik Holm and the number one expert on social behaviour in the country: Ms Magdalena Ribbing.

Like most other festivals nowadays,this local one also has a serious deficit in the budget but perhaps the change of the festival site to a more attractive location (see piocture below) may help the financial situation. That is what the new management is hoping for. Despite the fact that this is the biggest pride festival in the Nordic countries and it started already in 1979,I must admit that I have yet to attend one festival one day! But now the location is much better next to the Maritime Museum on the Djurgarden Park area very close to the Skansen Open Air Museum.