FAIR IN A GARDEN PORT

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30745, 8 May 1965, Page 5

FAIR IN A GARDEN PORT

(From GORDON IRVING in Goteburg, Sweden)

r pHOUSANDS of overseas businessmen and tourists, are expected at the Swedish Industries Fair in Goteborg, a bustling international seaport, this month.

The largest and most modern fair of its kind in Scandinavia, it is notable for its architectural section. “We call ourselves the garden city of Sweden, and are proud of the fact that by air, rail and sea, we have direct links with the whole world,” a Goteborg Tourist Board Official said. Starting Point “Many better-versed vacationers know that this centre can be the handiest starting point for journeys through Sweden and the Scandinavian countries."

Goteborg today is thriving and shows signs of a new prosperity. It has grown rapidly as a port and trading centre in recent years. Shipping fills the harbour, industry is in good shape and the population of this onetime fishing village has risen to 400,000. Situated at a point where the river Gota flows out into the Atlantic, it has grown as a seaport since the First World War. Its most spectacular development, however, was in the 1730 s with the formation of the East India Company, whose ships brought home the rich products of the Far East. As a tourist spot, Goteborg has much to offer. The travel-

ler is intrigued by old builddings. He can linger in the fine Kronhuset, once the Parliament building, with a hall of state still used on ceremonial occasions. A magnificent view of the harbour can be had from the “Kvinna vid havet,” the striking statue of a seaman's wife looking anxiously out to sea for a sign of her husband’s homecoming. I sampled one of the more intriguing trips through the city in a “paddan” boat (“paddan” means toad), sailing quietly under the 19 bridges of the city through the cen-turies-old moat and the inner harbour.

Behind Goteborg lies some fascinating territory, whisking the twentieth century tourist

back to the eighteenth century of Sweden. One place' worth a visit is Kungalv,' where a fourteenth century Bohus fortress is perched daringly on a rock. At Tanum, up the coast,, are interesting relics from the i Bronze Age in the shape of some well-preserved rock carvings. Garden, Homes For the family vacationer there is a huge Slottsskogen Park, with its woodlands and, deer park, its open-air museum, and its children's playgrounds. The botany lover can wander to his heart’s content in the nearby Botaniska Tradgarden, which boasts 13,000

botanical specimens from the whole world in a magnificent setting of natural scenery. The home-lover will find special interest in the Rohsska Konstslojdmuseet in Vasagatan. It contains nearly everything associated with the home—from gold and silver to the most modern of Swedish furniture. Theatre-lovers enjoy the Gotaplatsen, a culture centre for theatre, art and music, and the Atelierteatern, a picturesque little avant garde theatre in neighbouring Liseberg. The picture shows one of the world’s most modern apartment complexes. This set of apartments is only four miles from the I centre of Goteborg.