Swedish economy hailed in Davos
Jean-Claude Trichet, head of the European Central Bank today hailed the Swedish economy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “Sweden is doing a very good job, its economy is very resilient. Sweden is a benchmark for sound policies pursued over a long time, which is now rewarded,” he told reporters after a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Swedish politics
What’s happening in Sweden when it comes to politics? Well, according to a new survey by Synovate, Sverigedemokraterna (the controversial Sweden Democrats) have increased in popularity with 1.7%, thus reaching 6.3%, Moderaterna (the leading Moderate Party) drops to 34.6% (-1.7%), the two smaller alliance parties are also dropping while the Red-Greens are climbing: Socialdemokraterna (the Social Democrats) get 27.0% (+0.3%), Miljöpartiet (the Green Party), 11.1% (+0.7%), Folkpartiet (the Liberal People’s Party) 6.5% (-0.8%), Vänsterpartiet (the Left Party) 4.7% (-1.1%), Centerpartiet (the Center Party) 4.7% (-1.1%) and Kristdemokraterna (the Christian Democrats) 3.6% (+0.4%).

Yoko Ono at Wanås
The Wanås Foundation in Knislinge, Sweden, has presented contemporary international art with a focus on sculpture and site-specific installations and now they have spring in sight with an upcoming exhibition featuring famous New York artist Yoko Ono. “All my works are some kinds of wishes,” says Ono. “Keep wishing while you participate.” Yoko Ono will participate with four pieces of art work, one has been created specifically for Wanås. Yoko Ono has been working as an artist since the 1960’s and has, among many other things, been awarded the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2009 Venice Biennale. www.wanas.se

Scandinavian affair at Bocuse d’Or
Swedish chef Tommy Myllymäki was more than happy about how he did at the Bocuse d’Or, the World Championship for chefs, that took place in Lyon, France. “I’m very happy with the championship and what we did. The days in Lyon will be a memory for life,” Myllymäki said about coming in second. The Swede had a great group of supporters with him, including Prince Carl Philip who happily waved the Swedish flag during the competition. Rasmus Kofoed from Denmark (who, among his supporters, had Prince Joachim of Denmark and his French-born wife Princess Marie), won the competition and Norwegian chef Gunnar Hvarnes came in third.