Inaugural Events, June/July 2009

The inaugural week of festivities included a concert at the Guildhall by the Nordic Chamber Orchestra, featuring world renowned trombonist and conductor Christian Lindberg, an open fun filled family day at Hampstead Heath with amongst others The Benny Andersson Band (of ABBA fame) and an extensive Ingmar Bergman film season at the Barbican.

Global climate change is high on the agenda of the Swedish EU Presidency. During 2009 there will be a number of “green” features promoting environmental sustainability and contemporary Swedish society in the UK. The opening event of the Presidency was a debate on sustainability at the Swedish Residence. The Swedish-Czech Jazz-evening was a unique event celebrating the end of the Czech Presidency and the beginning of the Swedish, on the ship appropriately named HMS President...

London Highlights of the Swedish EU Presidency 2009

21 June – 12 July
Ingmar Bergman Film Season
A series of films by Sweden´s greatest director, including the Magic Flute – Bergman´s historic production of Mozart´s masterpiece.
> Read more about Ingmar Bergman Film Season

30 June
Presidential Jazz
A groovy Swedish-Czech jazz-evening with a spectacular view over the river Thames. The evening celebrated the end of the Czech EU-Presidency and the beginning of the Swedish.

1 July
A New Green World
The opening event of the Swedish EU Presidency was a debate at the Swedish Ambassador's Residence in London.

1 July
Gala Opening and Concert
The grand official London opening of the Swedish EU Presidency at the historic Guildhall. A world-class musical experience with the Nordic Chamber Orchestra featuring renowned trombonist and conductor Christian Lindberg.
> Read more about the Gala Opening and Concert

4 July
Sweden on Stage
Many joined the cycling ambassadors for this unique Family Fun Day with an environmental theme on Hampstead Heath and sampled some of the best on offer from Sweden including The Benny Andersson Band, some Swedish ecological food and a variety of innovative activities for all ages.
> Read more about Sweden on Stage

4 July
The Benny Andersson Band
Benny Andersson, pianist, composer, member of ABBA and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music founded the immensely popular and successful dance orchestra, The Benny Andersson Band, in 2001 together with his friends, some of Sweden´s best known popular musicians. Their records are bestsellers and the band tours Sweden every summer playing its very own eclectic mixture of jazz, folk, pop and dance music, inspiring audiences to participation.
> Read more about The Benny Andersson Band

4 July
The Cycling Ambassadors
Swedish EU Commissionaire Margot Wallström and the EU ambassadors in London biked to Hampstead Heath on the 4th of July to join the event at Hampstead Heath. They left from the Swedish Residence (Portland Place) at around 3.30-4.00 and they are scheduled to arrive at Hampstead Heath between 4.30 and 5pm.

This is an initiative to promote the green agenda in general and green transportation in particular. The bikes - Puch electrical - were donated (through generous support by Cycle Europe) to all the EU-embassies taking part in the convoy. The overall idea was that the bikes could be used, not only on the 4th of July, but during the fall for briefings during the Swedish EU Presidency.