Together Around Vättern

Production: Wettersaga AB, Ödeshög

Tel. 0768-95 50 36 info@runtvattern.se · visitvattern.com

Editorial and advertising: Åse Wännerstam

Editor: 0390 Communications, Gränna

Cover photo: CS Kommunikationsbyrå AB

Printing: Mittmedia Print 2023

Circulation: 70,000 copies

Publisher: Åse Wännerstam

The water is what unites all of us who live and work around Lake Vättern. And we pay it special attention this year, when Visit Vättern organises a pilgrimage on the theme of water and sustainability. Did you know that the name Vättern means ‘water’, and that Sweden's second largest lake is also a giant drinking water reservoir?

In this year's edition of the magazine, we focus a little more closely on water. We take a deep dive quite literally beneath the surface, and highlight the special underwater world of Lake Vättern.

The true depth of Vättern has always fascinated those of us who live here, and there are countless myths and legends about the lake. Is the lake really bottomless? Find out more in our article 'Unknown depths'.

There are several ways that, as a visitor, you can help make our area even more sustainable. This also applies to those of us who live and work here. Sustainable travel is about being in a place and passing it on for the next generation to enjoy and experience. Read more about how you can contribute in the article 'Vättern doesn’t divide us, we all share Vättern'.

This year marks 650 years since the death of Saint Birgitta and we take time out to pay special attention to medieval tourists, otherwise known as pilgrims. In collaboration with the Church of Sweden, municipalities and the hospitality industry, the Around Vättern network is organising a pilgrimage during the period 9th of June – 9th of July. This pilgrimage is being undertaken to help protect Vättern as a supply of clean drinking water. The name Vättern, which also means water, will also focus thinking on sustainability and future living conditions.

The pilgrimage visits historical sites and invites us to think about life through the eyes of people like Ellen Key, Verner von Heidenstam, Saint Birgitta and Dag Hammarskjöld. The pilgrimage starts and ends in Jönköping, goes through four dioceses and four regions, and explores Vättern from all four directions and from many different aspects – probably as many as there will be pilgrims. Why not sign up and walk with us?

Cycling around the lake during Vätternrundan is perhaps what most people associate with Vättern. This year we have started working with Naturkartan. We hope this will help give you as a visitor a more cohesive experience of how to cycle, or even hike, around Lake Vättern, at your own pace. Visit the website and check out all the wonderful trails on offer in our area. We've even developed some complete packages to help you explore Vättern, whether for a few days or more. On foot, by bike or touring by car. You can also find these packages on our website.

Thanks to all our colleagues, advertisers and partners who make this possible. Many of us have come together to achieve this and we hope readers and visitors appreciate our efforts.

Welcome to Vättern!

Åse Wännerstam