Reflections on Five Years in New York

Six years ago, Inger Claesson Wästberg and I were asked by the late Foreign Minister Anna Lindh to move to New York in order to represent Sweden and to promote Swedish culture and business.  Everyone was well aware that although the proposal was formally extended to only one of us, it in fact included us both.  

Once installed, Inger and I decided to make full use of our new home, the residence at 600 Park Avenue, to lend a unique and modern profile to Swedish public affairs.

Consistency is the key to credibility.  Representing Sweden means driving a Volvo or SAAB and using Ericsson cell phones.  And this rule applies in other areas as well.

With this in mind, we gave the residence a thorough makeover.  Students from Konstfack (The University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm) were commissioned to redesign large portions of the interior.  Several Swedish companies also contributed to the revitalization effort.

Today, 600 Park Avenue has become a veritable showcase for modern Swedish design.  It is an appropriate setting for our design exhibitions, a literal manifestation of Sweden's prominence in the field.

And now, after two extensions of our appointed stay, it is time (perhaps even high time) for us to return home.

It has been a period of intense and constant activity.  The 25 staff members of the Consulate General of Sweden in New York have consistently performed under pressure.

We were involved in bringing over seven Swedish theater productions. Three symphony orchestras. 25 rock bands.  Numerous jazz groups.  Many Swedish artists exhibited their work and we made every effort to support them.  Five full-scale art exhibits were displayed at 600 Park Avenue, as well as several shows featuring Josef Frank, Swedish glass, and young Swedish designers.

A great monument was raised at the corner of 81st Street and Columbus Avenue, in honor of Alfred Nobel and all American Nobel Laureates.

Swedish films lit up screens at theaters throughout the city, culminating with the New Faces of Swedish Cinema series at Lincoln Center.

15 investment seminars provided a forum for Swedish companies to present products and meet investors.

In the past five years, a total of 15,000 guests have visited the residence, often sampling the latest in contemporary Swedish cuisine.  Sweden and Swedish activities have received substantial media coverage, with close to 500 articles or mentions during the past five years.

The saying is true: if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere!  This goes for Sweden as well.

Olle Wästberg
Consul General of Sweden in New York
June 2004

Photo: Catarina Lundgren Åström