Summary information

Study title

Friends in a Cold Climate: Norrköping

Creator

de Jager MA, E. J. (Erik J. de Jager Documentary Films & Projects)

Study number / PID

doi:10.17026/SS/MTDTIC (DOI)

Data access

Information not available

Series

Friends in a Cold Climate

Friends in a Cold Climate: After the Second World War a number of friendship ties were established between towns in Europe. Citizens, council-officials and church representatives were looking for peace and prosperity in a still fragmented Europe. After a visit of the Royal Mens Choir Schiedam to Esslingen in 1963, representatives of Esslingen asked Schiedam to take part in friendly exchanges involving citizens and officials. The connections expanded and in 1970, in Esslingen, a circle of friends was established tying the towns Esslingen, Schiedam, Udine (IT) Velenje (SL) Vienne (F) and...

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Abstract

Stefan became a youth leader at a community center called “Hemgården”, taking over a stamp collecting club from hisbrother, running weekly sessions during autumn and spring. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the speaker's community center organized summer camps for youngsters at a location near Norrköping. These camps included discussions and talks led by people from the United Nations, facilitated by a friend known as "International Kalle," who worked on international exchanges. He was involved with the United Nations team leading these activities at the community house. Despite the challenges during and after the war, Sweden had better conditions compared to neighboring countries. Stefan reflects that Sweden they had a lack of awareness about other parts of Europe during that time. However, there was a shift towards internationalism in the 1960s and 1970s, with people from countries like Italy and Yugoslavia coming to Sweden to assist in industries. Regarding Norrköping's connection with Esslingen and nearby towns, the purpose was to foster international friendships and learn about life in other countries. This collaboration provided valuable exposure during this time when Sweden was relatively isolated, lacking television and internet in the 1950s and 1960s. Stefan recounts a trip where he traveled by train and then took a ferry from Holland to Great Britain, changing trains in London. Passing through London, he noticed poorer districts, contrasting with the perceived equality in Sweden during that time. This observation led him and his company to reflect on societal disparities between countries. In Neath, which was their first trip abroad, he stayed with a friendly widow who took good care of him and he made many new friends. The trip was filled with scheduled activities, including visits to factories and clubs. One memorable experience was visiting a rock club for the first time, where they watched bands perform—an unfamiliar but interesting...
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Topics

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Methodology

Data collection period

06/07/2023 - 06/07/2023

Country

Time dimension

Not available

Analysis unit

Not available

Universe

Not available

Sampling procedure

Not available

Kind of data

text, video data

Data collection mode

Not available

Access

Publisher

Erik J. de Jager MA

Publication year

2024

Terms of data access

Not available

Related publications

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