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WHATS ON

What’s on in Sweden: October 2 – 8

What's on in Sweden: International poetry festival & American football in Stockholm; International art biennial & World music festival in Gothenburg; Kings of Convenience (NO) in Malmö/Lund

What's on in Sweden: October 2 - 8
Fiona Tan & Frith Street Gallery; Quique López; Mika Takehara/ISCM World Music D

STOCKHOLM

Ordspråk 2009 – International Poetry Festival

Ordspråk is an international poetry festival taking place at Stockholm Stadsteater and the Regina theatre in Uppsala this weekend.

This year’s focus is on the USA and brings two double National Poetry Slam Champs, Sonya Reness and Anis Mojgani to these climes.

Compatriot Steve Larkin will also be performing, as well as Andreattah Chuma from Botswana, and Sweden’s own Daniel Boyacioglu and Soran Ismail.

Price: 230 kronor

Time: Friday October 2nd & Saturday October 3rd, 7.30pm

Tickets: International Poetry Festival Tickets

Location: Stockholmsstadsteatern, Sergels torg & Reginateatern, Trädgårdsg. 6, Uppsala

More information: International Poetry Festival Programme

Azhar Usman (US)

Azhar Usman was one of the founders of “Allah made me funny”, a riproaringly successful stand up show at home in the USA and abroad.

Usman brings his brand of holy humour to Södra Teatern on Tuesday as the guest of the American Embassy in Stockholm and it won’t cost you a dime.

Price: Free of charge

Time: Tuesday October 6th, 9.30pm

Tickets: Azhar Usman Tickets

Location: Södra Teatern, Mosebacke torg 1-3

More information: Azhar Usman at Södra Teatern

International American Football – Sweden vs Finland

Sweden’s gridiron community gets its own “Finnkamp” when Sweden entertains Finland in an international American Football match in Östermalm on Saturday.

Matches will take place between both women’s and men’s teams.

Price: 150 kronor

Time: Saturday October 3rd, 11am & 1.15pm

Tickets: At the gate

Location: Östermalms IP, Fiskartorpsvägen 2

More information: International gridiron

Josh Tillman & Malcolm Middleton (US/UK)

US singer-songwriter Josh Tillman made his name as a member of the Seattle band The Fleet Foxes.

The release of his solo album, “Vacilando Territory Blues” in the early spring 2009 has establish him as a rising star in his own right and has won him praise worldwide.

Scot Malcolm Middleton, one half of the pop duo Arab Strap will support.

Price: 150 kronor

Time: Friday October 2, 7pm

Tickets: Josh Tillman Tickets

Location: Debaser Medis, Medborgaplatsen

More information: Josh Tillman at Debaser

GOTHENBURG

ISCM World New Music Days

ISCM World New Music Days is a large international festival with a focus on new contemporary music and sound art. Composers from around the globe have sent in works to the festival which unites musicians from all corners of the world in three locations across Sweden – Visby, Växjö and Gothenburg.

The festival hold its finale this weekend in central Gothenburg

Price: 100 kronor for the festival card plus concert entry

Time: Thursday October 1st – Sunday October 4th

Tickets: Listen to the World Tickets

Location: Locations across Gothenburg

More information: Listen to the World

Ane Brun (NO)

Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun brings her myriad country and blues-inspired talents to Lorensbergteatern on Sunday.

Brun has scored a series of successes since moving to Stockholm nine years ago. Her latest album “Changing of the Seasons” further established her burgeoning reputation in Scandinavia and abroad.

Price: 300 kronor

Time: Sunday October 4th, 8pm

Tickets: Ane Brun Tickets

Location: Lorensbergsteatern, Berzelliigatan 4

More information: Ane Brun plays Gothenburg

inuti – Jeanette Langert

Gothenburg-based choreographer Jeanetta Langert returns with “inuti” – a dance performance drawing inspiration from the work of Elfride Jelinek (the 2004 winner of the Nobel prize for literature).

Langert has previously won praise for “Fröken”, an interpretation of August Strindberg’s “Miss Julie” and she is one of the most exciting young dance choreographers working Sweden today.

Price: 150/110 kronor

Time: Thursday October 8th, 11am (open rehearsal); Friday October 16th, 7pm (première); Saturday October 17th, 7pm & Wednesday October 21st, 1.30pm & 7pm

Tickets: inuti Tickets

Location: Pustervik Teater, Järntorgsgatan 12

More information: Pustervik Theatre

Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art

The fifth Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art continues this week at venues across the city.

This year’s theme is “What a Wonderful World,” and is curated by Celia Prado and Johan Pousette, and presents works by 17 artists from different parts of the world.

Price: Gothenburg Art Biennial hours & admission

Time: Saturday September 5th – Sunday November 15th

Tickets: Venue entry

Location: Art Biennial Venues

More information: Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art

MALMÖ/LUND

Kings of Convenience (NO)

Norway’s equivalent to Simon & Garfunkel, the Kings of Convenience are back with a new album entitled “Declaration of Dependence” and come to Lund on the second date of their Scandinavian tour.

The duo broke through in 200 with their self-titled album, followed up with “Quiet is the New Loud” and “Riot on an Empty Street” in 2004, and have worked with the likes of Feist.

Price: 250 kronor

Time: Sunday October 4th, 7pm

Tickets: Kings of Convenience Tickets

Location: Mejeriet, Stora Södergatan 64

More information: Kings of Convenience play Mejeriet

Lisa Ekdahl

Jazz queen Lisa Ekdahl brings her dulcet tones to Malmö’s Babel on Saturday.

Ekdahl is one of the most well known Swedish performers and has produced memorable music in both Swedish and English.

This tour promises something of the “Best of Lisa” and is promoting her latest album “Give Me That Slow Knowing Smile”.

Price: 275 kronor

Time: Saturday October 3rd, 7pm

Tickets: Lisa Ekdahl Tickets

Location: Babel, Spångatan 38

More information: Lisa Ekdahl at Babel

NORRKÖPING/LINKÖPING

Bern Kerlsey (UK) – Sweden’s only Swinglish comic

Sweden based Anglo comic and The Local blogger Ben Kersley brings his brand of quintessentially Swinglish humour to the twin cities of Norrköping and Linköping next week.

Ben will also be performing at the Playhouse Theatre in Stockholm on Sunday October 11th.

Time: Sunday October 4th, 7.30pm & Wednesday October 7th, 7.30pm

Tickets: On the door

Location: Kultukammaren, Norrköping & Lillascenen, Linköping

More information: Ben Kersley – 110% Lagom

Do you know of any upcoming events our readers might like to attend? Drop us a line at [email protected]

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TOURISM

Eight corona-safe events not to miss in Germany in October 2020

Despite the coronavirus and restrictions which followed, there are still several socially distanced events taking place around the country. Here are our top picks.

Eight corona-safe events not to miss in Germany in October 2020
One of the displays at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in 2019. Photo: DPA

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly disrupted Germany’s events calendar this year, with staple celebrations such as Oktoberfest being cancelled due to safety concerns.

But despite restrictions, organisers have adapted to the circumstances and put together corona-safe events that can be enjoyed by all (albeit at a safe distance).

Here are some of the most exciting events to look out for in October:

German Unity Day Exhibition: September 5th – October 4th

The commemorative exhibition is running over thirty days to allow social distancing to be maintained. Photo: DPA

The Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day) is one of the nine nationwide public holidays in Germany and takes place on October 3rd every year. 

It commemorates the formal completion of the reunification process between the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) after decades of division. 

It is normally celebrated with open air concerts and attractions in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but due to coronavirus things will look slightly different this year. 

READ ALSO: 10 things you never knew about German Reunification

A special anniversary celebration on October 3rd at Potsdam’s Metropolis will be attended by only 240 guests, six times fewer than originally planned. 

The event, which includes performances from musicians and interviews, will be broadcast for people to watch on television. 

There’s also no need to miss out on celebrating entirely – a special open air exhibition is running in Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, until October 4th. 

The exhibition has been extended to last thirty days to ensure that a safe distance can be maintained amongst visitors. 

Berlin Leuchtet Illuminations: September 25th – October 4th

The light show at the Brandenburg Gate this year celebrates 30 years of German unity. Photo: DPA

It’s not too late to catch the tail end of Berlin’s spectacular illumination festival. As the darker evenings draw in, many of the city’s landmarks are being lit up with colourful projections, videos and laser shows.

The illuminated buildings are scattered all over the city, with some highlights including Gendarmenmarkt, the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column in Tiergarten. 

It is asked that visitors maintain 1.5 metres distance and the wearing of face masks is recommended. 

Halloween Horror Festival at Movie Park Germany: October 1st – November 8th

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

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Be warned: this event is most definitely not for the faint hearted! Head to Bottrop on North-Rhine Westphalia to test your wits in the horror mazes at Germany’s most popular Halloween Festival.

Various spooky attractions including gut-churning rides, live entertainment and haunted houses await those brave enough to visit, although most are only suited for those above the age of 16.

The park is open every Thursday to Sunday in October, as well as on November 1st and November 6th – 8th. 

Advance booking is essential due to strict capacity limits, and no costumes are allowed – the only masks permitted this year are the mouth-nose coverings that prevent the spread of the virus!

European Month of Photography: October 1st – October 31st

The European Month of Photography has something to offer for everyone. Photo: DPA

This October sees Germany’s largest photography festival return to Berlin. The event has taken place every other year since 2004, and offers a wide range of exhibitions for photography enthusiasts to enjoy. 

For the whole month of October, 100 galleries, photography schools, museums and other cultural institutions will offer the public a chance to see incredible work from 500 artists across Europe.

Exhibitions can be found all across the capital and also in the nearby city of Potsdam.

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival: August 28th – December 6th 

The festival boasts impressive pumpkin displays and fun-filled activities. Photo: DPA

A trip to Ludwigsburg is an essential for all those in awe of autumn, and makes for a fun day out for the whole family.

This year’s theme is music, with various impressive pumpkin displays paying tribute to famous artists ranging from Elvis to the Rolling Stones.

The programme also boasts an array of other activities: try your hand at pumpkin carving, sample pumpkin flavoured specialties or visit the pumpkin Santa Claus tent to get in the festive mood!

German Mozart Festival Augsburg: October 9th – October 31st

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

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Classical music fans won’t want to miss this celebration of the two of the greatest composers of all time, Beethoven and Mozart.

The German town of Augsburg, birthplace of Leopold Mozart (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s father), is hosting various concerts to celebrate the life and work of these two classical titans. 

Events range from lower-key chamber music recitals to large-scale renditions of their most impressive symphonies, and includes performances from renowned soloists and orchestras. 

READ ALSO: The show must go on: How German orchestras are continuing concerts amid the pandemic

Games Week Berlin: October 28th – October 30th 

The gaming conference may be online this year, but there is still lots on offer. Photo: DPA

This year’s Games Week won’t be held in Berlin’s Kulturbrauerei as normal, but game lovers need not fear – an extensive online programme is available for everyone to enjoy. 

The festival’s three strands – “Play Experience”, “Pro Experience” and “Art Experience” – offer something for everyone, from gaming enthusiasts to industry creatives. 

Live ‘let’s plays’, multiplayer tournaments, interviews with gaming influencers and game development conferences are just some of the events available to those who purchase an online ticket.  

Wine tasting along the Deutsche Weinstraße – Various dates in October

Despite cancellations, there are still plenty of chances to try some German wine. Photo: DPA

September and October marks grape harvesting season in Germany, meaning it is the perfect time to taste some of the best wines the country has to offer. 

Sadly, many of the wine festivals that usually take place along the German Wine Route have been cancelled this year, but there are still ample opportunities that are too good to miss.

Take a weekend trip to the Bacchus Wine Festival in the town of Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate, where you’ll find live music, delicious food and plenty of wine.

Similar delights await visitors in the nearby Weisenheim am Sand, albeit at reduced capacity. The company BottleStops also offers group and private tours to visitors who want to get a taste of local wineries, a majority which are currently open.

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