GOTHENBURG, Sweden—Visby, a small, charming medieval town located on the Gotland Island in the Baltic sea off the south-east coast of Sweden, will turn into the largest political hub in Sweden next week, attracting all Swedish political parties, over 700 NGO’s, hundreds of journalists and thousands of holiday-making Swedes.
The remarkable event, called Almedalsveckan or Elm Valley Week, is a tradition dating back 40 years—political parties will present their agendas and NGOs display their programs.
Swedes travel by the thousands to the island for a chance to chat with their political representatives while on holiday, and journalists flock there to capture the latest political quarrel.
Many people come to Visby to listen to speeches, attend seminars, mingle, and eat pancakes with saffron, salmonberry jam with whipped cream, a special Gotland dessert.
Among the medieval stone houses and the few modern buildings, activities carry on from morning till night. The hundreds of organizations will hold more that 1,300 events, in the form of seminars and debates on current affairs. All activities and attractions are free of charge and open to all.
Political party leaders address their voters with particular eagerness being an election year for municipalities, county councils, and parliament.
While the political issues addressed may be serious, the atmosphere is relaxed. In previous years, high-level politicians could be seen mingling freely with the Swedish people in the park.
The tradition started in 1968, when then Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, who had a summer house on the island, was persuaded to give a unplanned speech to Gotlanders and tourists.
He did so standing on the trunk of an old truck in Almedalen, or the Elm Valley, a park located outside the city walls. This incident became a yearly event when the prime minister could meet and talk to his voters during his vacation.
Thirteen years later, leaders of all political parties in Sweden went to Visby to made speeches, and turned the medieval city into annual political meeting place.
When Palme was assassinated in 1986, many politicians felt that there was a connection between making speeches in Almedalen and the late prime minister. Out of respect, many abstained from making a speech in the Elm Valley during the first few years after his death.
The Elm Valley event has grown dramatically. Today, the event at the historical site has become the largest temporary political hub where democracy and openness provide all those who want to debate social issues the opportunity to participate, says the Gotland Municipality, the host of the event.
Visby is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. It has a well-preserved city wall surrounding it. Inside the old city, there are more than 200 historic stone buildings lining the ancient stone streets. As one of Sweden’s most visited destinations, Swedes call it “the city of roses and ruins.”
The remarkable event, called Almedalsveckan or Elm Valley Week, is a tradition dating back 40 years—political parties will present their agendas and NGOs display their programs.
Swedes travel by the thousands to the island for a chance to chat with their political representatives while on holiday, and journalists flock there to capture the latest political quarrel.
Many people come to Visby to listen to speeches, attend seminars, mingle, and eat pancakes with saffron, salmonberry jam with whipped cream, a special Gotland dessert.
Among the medieval stone houses and the few modern buildings, activities carry on from morning till night. The hundreds of organizations will hold more that 1,300 events, in the form of seminars and debates on current affairs. All activities and attractions are free of charge and open to all.
Political party leaders address their voters with particular eagerness being an election year for municipalities, county councils, and parliament.
While the political issues addressed may be serious, the atmosphere is relaxed. In previous years, high-level politicians could be seen mingling freely with the Swedish people in the park.
The tradition started in 1968, when then Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, who had a summer house on the island, was persuaded to give a unplanned speech to Gotlanders and tourists.
He did so standing on the trunk of an old truck in Almedalen, or the Elm Valley, a park located outside the city walls. This incident became a yearly event when the prime minister could meet and talk to his voters during his vacation.
Thirteen years later, leaders of all political parties in Sweden went to Visby to made speeches, and turned the medieval city into annual political meeting place.
When Palme was assassinated in 1986, many politicians felt that there was a connection between making speeches in Almedalen and the late prime minister. Out of respect, many abstained from making a speech in the Elm Valley during the first few years after his death.
The Elm Valley event has grown dramatically. Today, the event at the historical site has become the largest temporary political hub where democracy and openness provide all those who want to debate social issues the opportunity to participate, says the Gotland Municipality, the host of the event.
Visby is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. It has a well-preserved city wall surrounding it. Inside the old city, there are more than 200 historic stone buildings lining the ancient stone streets. As one of Sweden’s most visited destinations, Swedes call it “the city of roses and ruins.”
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