Swedes in the News

Swedes in the News [ ] Movie Losses and Gains, and a Golden Bridge

Farewell Sven Wollter

Sven Wollter. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Beloved Swedish actor and author Sven Wollter, 86, died from Covid-19 complications at Sunderby Hospital in Luleå on November 10.

Wollter, a Gothenburg native, well known for his roles in Vilhelm Moberg’s series Raskens, Colin Nutley’s Änglagård and Billie August’s A Song for Martin, actively tried avoiding the virus since its outbreak. For example, while touring with rock band “Nynningen” during the fall, the audience was kept to a maximum of 50 people. Wollter also told media that he and his wife Lisa Wede lived a sheltered life in the couple’s house in Luleå in northern Sweden. Wollter tested positive for Covid-19 after a trip to Stockholm. Ten days later, he lost the battle against the disease. Wollter is survived by his wife and four children.

Kernell up for Oscar

The Swedish Film Institute recently revealed that the movie Charter by Swedish director and screenwriter Amanda Kernell will be Sweden’s Oscar contribution next year. Kernell is especially well-known for her movie Sami Blood, which received high praise and several awards when it was released in 2016. Kernell’s recent movie Charter tells the story of a divorced woman who during a troublesome custody battle abducts her children and travels to the Canary Islands. The Academy Awards ceremony takes place in April 2021. Kernell said she was very happy with the nomination.

Amanda Kernell. Photo: Sweprint

Nelson’s Medal

The Nordic Museum, on Djurgården in Stockholm, recently awarded the National Nordic Museum’s Executive Director/CEO Eric Nelson with the Hazelius Medal in Gold. During a virtual ceremony broadcast from Sweden, the Nordic Museum explained that “it had awarded the Hazelius Medal in Gold to Eric Nelson for his tireless work to build bridges of

Eric Nelson. Photo: National Nordic Museum

understanding and cooperation between the United States and Sweden, as well as other Nordic nations”. “It is an incredible honor to receive this award. It is a testament to the international reach and significance of the Museum and its programs” he said.

Bridge fit for a king

Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, has officially inaugurated the spectacular new 140-meter-long goldpainted steel bridge between Södermalm and the Old Town in Stockholm. During the ceremony, the King, accompanied by Sweden’s

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf. Photo: Peter Knutson/Kungahuset.se

Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle, cut a gold ribbon using a pair of gold scissors before crossing the bridge on foot. The event, which was broadcast online, also featured entertainment by singer/songwriter Molly Hammar and The Royal Swedish Army Band. The bridge is now open to traffic on a limited scale.

Duplantis on display

Armand “Mondo” Duplantis. Photo: Frankie Fouganthin

Amazing Pole vaulter Ar-

mand “Mondo” Duplantis

has a lot to be proud of. This year the American-born Swede set one outdoor and two indoor world records, and now he can be seen in one of the world’s most expensive advertising locations: Times Square in New York City. The company behind the ad is the NASDAQ stock exchange. The company wanted to showcase Duplantis and bring attention to his world records. After spending summer and fall in Sweden, Mondo is back at his training camp in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, where he’s getting ready for a busy winter and spring list of competitions.