Alex Schulman: Preserve Gröna Lund's Memories

Gröna Lund, Stockholm's beloved amusement park, is more than just a place for rides; it's a repository of cherished memories, a living museum of childhood. Alex Schulman, in his column for Dagens Nyheter, captures this profound connection, articulating a sentiment that resonates deeply with many Swedes who grew up visiting the park.

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På Gröna Lund ligger minnena från förflutna närmare än alla andra minnen. Det är ett museum över människors barndom man tafsar på, skriver Alex Schulman.

Schulman's initial reaction upon visiting Gröna Lund with his children on a chilly, hailstorm-ridden spring day was one of intense nostalgia. The familiar sights and sounds – the ticket booths, the specific rides like Nyckelpigan and Blå tåget – trigger vivid recollections of his own childhood. He describes these not merely as memories but as stored emotions, so potent they feel as if they happened just yesterday. This powerful evocation of the past underscores Gröna Lund's unique place in the Swedish cultural landscape.

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Det är kanske inte ens minnen i vanlig mening, det är lagring av känslor, det är väl därför de är så enkla att ta fram.

Interestingly, Schulman's perspective has evolved. Years ago, he criticized the park for its perceived lack of change, questioning why it wasn't updated. Now, with age and perhaps a deeper appreciation for continuity, he pleads, "Do nothing, please, don't touch anything, don't rebuild." He wants Gröna Lund to remain exactly as it has always been, a constant in a changing world. This sentiment is a powerful counterpoint to the modern drive for constant innovation and redevelopment.

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Gör ingenting snälla, tänker jag nu, rör ingenting, bygg inte om. Låt allt vara precis som det är. Gröna Lund måste alltid vara precis som det alltid varit.

His dismay at the removal of the 'Flying Carpet' ride and its replacement by 'Spindeln' speaks to this desire for preservation. For Schulman, such changes feel almost illegal, as if the ride should have been a protected historical monument. The confusion and perceived unfairness of the queue system for 'Spindeln' further add to his unease. This piece, from a Swedish viewpoint, highlights how such familiar landmarks become anchors to our past, and any alteration can feel like a disruption to our personal and collective history, a sentiment perhaps less emphasized in international coverage that might focus more on the park's commercial aspects.

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Det är därför jag reagerar med någon sorts märklig bestörtning när jag ser att Flygande mattan tagits bort. Det borde ju inte vara lagligt, den borde varit K-märkt, orörbar.