The carnival of the Swedish students

This year, I stayed away from the carnival in Copenhagen, and I crossed the Øresundbro as I often do, to see how it was in the country of our dear neighbors. Because at Lund, a university town located about twenty kilometers from Malmö, is holded every four years a completely delirious carnival organized by the students. Luckily, it fell this year, I couldn't miss that. I had already visited Lund several times, it is a cute medieval town, but a little bit tiny. And that day, it seemed that all the inhabitants of the region had an appointment here, the streets were tremendously crowded. Having showed up a little late, I missed the beginning of the parade, but I saw things that din't make me regret the trip:

I saw dancers...

other dancers...

musicians...

a pirate boat...

a truck full with anarchists inside...

some alternative culture...

the float of the medical students...

a float to make fun of the SJ trains (Swedish national railway company), 

with the sign "The Upsala of 1:65 PM never comes"...

some guys sliding on an Icelandic volcano...

But my favorite was unquestionably the Svensson float, filled out of blonds

All around, were jumping around typical elements of the Swedish folklore, the opportunity to review together the basics of the culture:

the true Swedish girl

the IKEA shelf

the moose, the animal emblem of Sweden

 more difficult: this guy is dressed in Dalahästen (Dala horse), a traditional figurine

 no, this is not toothpaste, but kaviar (infamous mixture to spread)

and this is a köttbulle (meatball), a basic of Swedish cuisine

(They are consumed in Denmark as well, where they are called frikadeller)

Personally, I would have completed the picture with a potato (present in absolutely ALL Swedish meals) and with some knäckebröd (Wasa crackers) ... Have a good carnival!

No, I haven't forgotten you!

I know I know, it's more than a month since I've not written anything. That didn't mean that I was running out of ideas, even quite the contrary, but it was rather a lack of time. I was on vacation, then I came back, I left again, for being trapped by the famous volcano. After a long journey to return to Copenhagen, I again flew for a short weekend, well I haven't stopped. In addition, I was looking for a new job, because my contract in Denmark ends in a month. Yes, that's official, I'm going back to France in a month, in a new area for me (and with a good weather, big change for me). This will  not prevent me to continue my articles, don't worry, I have plenty of stock!

And to make it up to you, I share with you this video of the birthday of Queen Margrethe II, who celebrated her 70th birthday on April 16th (big party that I unfortunately missed because of that stupid Icelandic).

Last news of the summit

Being there, I took the opportunity to go to the big demonstration on Saturday, you've probably heard of in the media last weekend. The procession started under a beautiful blue sky from Christiansborg Palace in the heart of the city, to finish at the Bella Center, a nice little walk. We were between 30 000 and 100 000 according to the sources. Here are some quick pictures:

Riddle: what did the sign carriers get for dinner?

Review: it was a kind of big catch-all, everyone demanded something different. The procession was not only composed of anti-globalization or Greenpeace activists, but of any kind of people from everywhere. The atmosphere was generally peaceful and friendly, unlike what you probably saw on TV, where they only speak about the naughty-masked-guys-who-break-everything.

About the daily life here, I admit that it's special right now, especially this week, the atmosphere of the city is a quite unusual. The first thing one can notice, besides the exhibitions, is the incredible number of policemen patrolling in the streets. There was even some who came to the control center with their dogs for sniffing the server room, in the case of there would be a bomb ... And they are also above our heads! Actually, I'm starting getting kind of tired of hearing this herd of purring helicopters flying over us 24/24. I let you calculate how much CO2 those damn devices will have rejected in the atmosphere by the end of the conference.

Regarding the affrays, they are happening at the Bella Center, which seems to be besieged (*). I talked to people who went there, you have to queue for an incredible time to enter. But I did not even try to check it out, apparently the subway doesn't stop there anymore. And then on Thursday and Friday, with the agglutination of great leaders of this world, the public transportation will have the good old taste of their Parisian counterpart during a strike. So I don't have the choice, I must take my bike. Unfortunately for me, at this very moment, Copenhagen is covered with a brand new white coat. Why did I decide to fly on Friday, uh?

(*) Check your friend G*** instead of believing me!

Copenhagen at this time: the climate-deco

This time, it is the round of photos on the theme of climate change.
If you come back to Kongens Nytorv, one can now see an outdoor photos exhibition called "100 Steder at Huske før of forsvinder" (100 places to remember before they disappear). The pictures come from all around the world and their beauty is astounding, but underneath all of them, a text reminds us that each of these places is in potential danger because of the global warming.

And in orbit around the square are arranged a multitude of decorated planets (they have also invaded the underground stations).

Now let's take Strøget and have a look to Amagertorv.
Well, there are weird things but I think it has nothing to do with climate.

Oh, not this one of course

I also checked out Nytorv / Gammeltorv, which is under the theme of melting ice. No need for explanations.

Pictures taken on Saturday

And there was on Tuesday night
(Yes, in Copenhagen there is more than 0 ° C, what did you imagine?)

And we approach our ultimate goal, Rådhuspladsen. But just before we pass in front of some stuff.

And when we finally arrive on the spot, we see a lot of greeny information stands.

But something catches the eye: there is a huge white ball in the middle. I first wondered if it was a balloon or something like that, but at night time, I understood!

Otherwise, I've not checked the Bella Center (I am afraid it might be kind of difficult to access these days), and I've not yet seen any demonstrations...

A festival at the summit

You all know it by heart because all the media only speak about that since a looong time, that this month takes place in Copenhagen the summit on the climate change, aka COP15. So since it has not yet begun, I shall not speak about yet. In fact, I just wanted to point out to people who will be there at that time, that there will be a big festival on Rådhuspladsen throughout the duration of the summit (from the 7th to the 18th). There will be concerts, films, exhibitions, debates ... Basically, that's the place to be (well I mean for people who do not attend conferences). The festival is called Hopenhagen and here is the program.