Södermalm's Mystery - Sweden Day 2
- Emily Salazar
- Aug 7, 2016
- 3 min read
Today we followed in the Millenium series' Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander's footsteps through Södermalm, an island just south of Old Town where all the Swedish people actually live/shop/eat. Originally Södermalm was a working class island, but it's been revitalized (aka hipster-ized) and now has the trendy nickname SoFo (South of Folkungagatan).
This tour was odd because, even though we were visiting places specifically mentioned in the Millenium Series books, Stieg Larsson was writing fiction. When we were in Iceland we were visiting places mentioned in the sagas, but the sagas are just as much history as they are tales of bravery and treachery. Still, doesn't fiction capture the zeitgeist of a time and place just as much (if not more than) a history could?
Anyway, I would say today was my biggest literary nerd day of the trip.
Also, before we get into the tour of Södermalm, I'd just like to point out that I enjoyed the Millenium Series books as an adult and in no way would ever consider teaching them to my students. :) While there is a ton of redemption in the novels, a bit too much horrible-ness needs to happen in order to get there.
Stop 1 - Blomkvist's and Salander's Apartments
Blomkvist has an attic apartment, but with a breathtaking view of Old Town and the water. Not too shabby. Lisbeth rented the entire upper floor of this building on the right, all 21 rooms! (I loved the details of all the Ikea furniture she bought to furnish a few of those rooms with, too.)
Stop 2 - The Millenium's Editorial Office
The source of all the troubles. Their office would be on the first floor. Which means the second floor. Because Europe.
Stop 3 - A 7-Eleven
This is where Lisbeth gets her groceries! (Told you: total nerd alert.)
Stop 4 - "The Sisters" Statue/Sodra Teatern
At the end of the books, Lisbeth and her lawyer/Blomkvist's sister have a heart-to-heart and a beer here. This moment is a thoughtful end to the series.
Stop 5 - Bonus! Monteliusvagen (aka a little path with one of the most beautiful views of Stockholm)
From this vantage point you can see the Radhuset (the brown building with the tower and the green roof) where Blomkvist is convicted of slander and Lisbeth is finally declared legally competent.
You can also see the death church and the life church. The black spire to the left is the church where all Swedish royalty were buried for years and years. The green spire on the right is the church where the royalty get married and baptize their babies. Blomkvist's apartment had a very clear view of the death church - makes sense!
At the end of the day, we went to Stockholm's Museum of Modern Art. Their collection includes some incredibly big names!
Including:
Alexander Calder - The Four Elements
Marcel Duchamp - The Urinal
Conceptual art. I know this piece is incredibly pivotal for our contemporary ideas about art, but... it's a urinal
Andy Warhol - Marilyn and Brillo Pads
Slightly artsier than Duchamp, but still messing with ideas about what qualifies as art.
One last thought - we have been allowed to take photographs in every single museum that we've visited. In the U.S., we are on total lockdown when it comes to photos in museum spaces, but why? Isn't art for the world's enjoyment? Don't even get me started on the iPhone updates that won't allow you to record concerts... I feel like most Europeans would just laugh at that.
One final day in Stockholm tomorrow! So sad, but we're looking forward to Skansen! (If you don't know what Skansen is, just wait and see...!)
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