Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1946-01-01

scandinavian countries are now
preparing for the reception of
American visitors who will find
Denmark, Norway and Sweden
better able perhaps, than most
parts of Europe, to care for trav-
elers in any considerable number.
German occupation of Norway
and Denmark wrought havoc with
both the lands and the people, but
Scandinavian residence, with the
expulsion of the Nazis asserted it.
self, so that the scars left by the
intruders are scarcely visible. AS
for neighboring Sweden, her neu-
trail position during the war en-
abled her not only to plan for the
future, but to lend a hand to her
fellow Scandinavians across the
Sound and the Skagerak in their
darkest hours.
From the visitors point of view,
the geographical positions of Den
mark, Norway and Sweden con-
stitute a trinity that lends itself
most excellently to observing much
in the shortest possible time. With
air transportation increasing con-
stantly in speed and efficiency,
and the early resumption of travel
by sea, there is every reason to
believe that Scandinavia will focus
the attention of Americans who
will find the Danes, the Norwe-
gians and the Swedes ready to
welcome visitors in an environ
ment as democratic and cultural
as their own United States. 1t is
this kinship which makes a trip to
Scandinavia a o-be- forgot
ten experience. In addition to the
well-known northern hospitality,
English-speaking people are found
everywhere in Denmark, Norway
and Sweden.
Starting in Sweden
Assuming, then, that you make
Sweden your starting point in
Scandinavia, it is logical that
Stockholm, the capital, shall claim
your attention. This Venice of the
North" as it has been justly called
because of its surrounding waters,
is CONSPICUOUS for it's architecture
that has reached a very high de-
gree of national originality An
outstanding example of this is the
Stockholm Town Hall, with which
the name of Ragnar Oestberg, its
architect, is inextricably associ-
ated. Mirrored in the open waters
of Lake Maelaren, a masterpiece
in design and purpose, the Town
Hall contours melt into the frame
of the landscape and the perspec-
tive of the city. The architects
creative imagination found still
freer play in the interior, where
the Blue Hall, the Golden Ban
quoting Hall, the Princes Gallery
afford fascinating examples OF
modern interior decoration.
A must while in Stockholm is
visit to the Nordic Museum
which aims at giving a picture
of SWeden's culture from medic
val times, and in connection with
the museum is "Skansen," where
a number of authentic buildings
and objects have been collected
from various provinces, represent
ing the daily life of various strata
of the population.
The National Museum owes its
origin to the collections acquired
by Gustavus III. Among its great
paintings is Rembrandt's "'Clau-
dius Civilis." The State Historical
Museum is another great estab-
ishment that should be included
in the program of the visitor.
Modern hotels, many places of
amusement, restaurants and what
ever else makes for a great cap
ital, are at the disposal of the
visitor who, if time is short, may
now want to deive further into
what includes Scandinavia.
BY Canal to Denmark
For that purpose you can do
no better than leave Stockholm by
way of the famous Goeta Canal,
which intersects Sweden from the
Baltic to the North Sea. The Goeta
Canal links up a series of lakes