NJUT LAGOM! The secret art of being swedish
GUNTA PODINA
NJUT LAGOM! The secret art of being swedish
GUNTA PODINA
Visitors to Sweden intent on enjoying all that this country has to offer are very likely to innocently overlook the cultural phenomenon that is widely known to all Swedes as “Lagom”; an almost esoteric unspoken code of conduct only really fully understood by those that have been born and bred within its influence. Whilst all Swedes certainly strive to improve both themselves, their family and their community the paradox is that “Lagom” somehow unconsciously prevents people from becoming too different from their neighbour. Lagom defines Sweden in a way that is rarely duplicated outside the country. Near neighbours in other Nordic countries look to Sweden and see this difference in the culture. Sweden is somehow “different”, even the standard dictionary definition of “Lagom” does not quite do this “difference” justice. Lagom - “enough”, “sufficient”, “adequate”, “reasonable” or “just right”. All of these descriptions are synonymous with a sense of fairness, a concept easily found in many other countries worldwide. “Fairness” is seen in health care systems, political systems, and taxation systems worldwide. So what makes Sweden unique? Perhaps it is best defined for Sweden as, “Lagom är bast”–“everything in moderation”, a uniquely social application and, importantly, social acceptance of fairness. The series of photographs within this volume reveal a wide cross section of Swedish cultural activities that have been shaped by this elusive concept of “Lagom”, a way of life that Swedes like to defend. A quick glance at the scenes depicted will show an equality of spirit, a shared joy, a shared moment of early sunshine after a long dark winter, a collective enjoyment of an outdoor event or a shared moment in a swimming pool. But on closer examination a sense of separation is revealed.
Students of “body language” cannot fail to notice how the majority of subjects are enjoying “themselves”, but no necessarily together as “ourselves”. A sense of separation is portrayed in all scenes and activities. Equlity shows itself in the swimming costumes worn in the local pool – all black. Is this an unconscious conformity with “Lagom”, perhaps? Do they ask themselves: “We are not too different are we?” Perhaps they also ask themselves, “I’m not enjoying myself too much am I?” The reader is invited to view this series of photographs as a coherent whole. Take time to compare these human activities, captured over Sweden’s four distinct seasons, with similar events and functions in your own culture. Gunta Podina’s body of photographic work has been obtained through patience observation. An observation that has allowed her to get very close to her subjects without affecting their beha- viour. Close examination of the images in this volume reveals human emotions such as “relief”, (the sun has returned: sunbathing on the ski slope or the ladies exercising in the pool!),“fellowship”, (a chat around the pool!), the “loneliness” of a game of “lucky dip”, (girl employed behind a prize tent), “tolerance” (on the train) and plain old “hope”, (a group of sports fans hoping the best for their team). Discover a Sweden “just enough” where behaviour means blending in appropriately without extreme displays of emotion. Typical of the Swede is to be very calm, planned and rarely impulsive. “Njut Lagom!”
Michael Culligan
Plane spotting. Skavsta Airport
Barbecue area. Ryssbergens hill
Romme Ski Resort. Borlange
Making angels. Nykรถping
Rosvalla Event Center
Previous pages: Hjortensbergsbadet
Bubble pool. Hjortensbergsbadet
Library. Nykรถping
Second Hand shop. Nykรถping
Aqua Gym. Hjortensbergsbadet
Coffee shop. Ryssbergens hill
Cake party. Nykรถping
Nykรถpings streets
Ă„ngstugans allotments
Camping. Strandstuviken
Dog walking. Nykรถping
Ă„ngstugans allotments
Playground at campsite. Strandstuviken
Coffee break. Ă„ngstugans allotments
Friends visit. Ă„ngstugans allotments
Open-air cafe. Stockholm
Bus station. Nykรถping
Previous pages: “Melodifestival”. Nyköping
Walpurgis Night. Nyköping
Old car cruise. Nykรถping
Graduates riding around town on flatbed trucks. Nykรถping
Graduation day. Nykรถping
Ă„ngstugans allotment
Birthday party. Ă„ngstugans allotments
Campsite. Strandstuviken
Camping. Strandstuviken
Campsite. Strandstuviken
Game of boules. Strandstuviken
Game of “lucky dip”. Ängstugans cafe
Strandstuvikens beach
Barbecue party. Nykรถping
Flea market. Oxelรถsund
Car Bingo. Oxelรถsund
Antique car show. Nykรถping
Antique car show. Nykรถping
Line Dance. Nykรถping
Midsummer´s festival. Ängstugans cafe
Old car cruising. Nykรถping
Flea market. Oxelรถsund
Mexican themed party. Strandstuvikens campsite
Duke Karl’s Market. The Nyköping Castle
Performance. F책f채ngan
Big Power meet. V채ster책s
Big Power meet. V채ster책s
Big power meet. V채ster책s
Folk Music Festival. Stockholm
Midsummer´s eve. Strandstuvikens campsite
Midsummer´s eve. Strandstuvikens campsite
Midsummer´s eve. Strandstuvikens campsite
Midsummer´s eve. Strandstuvikens campsite
Midsummer´s eve. Strandstuvikens campsite
Strandstuvikens campsite
Tivoli. Nykรถpings festival
Metro. Stockholm
Shopping center. Stockholm
Flea market. Nykรถping
Football fans. Stockholm
Parking place. Nykรถping
Bird watchers. Marsviken
Bird watchers. Marsviken
Plane spotting. Skavsta Airport