So the Malmö carnival came and went, heralding the end of the holiday season. The week-long carnival has become a popular event, celebrating the diversity of this growing cosmopolitan city. In a city in which almost half the population (including myself and, of course, Igi) are not of Swedish origin, a walk around the food stalls of Gustav Adolf’s Torg offers clues to the many cultures of Malmö’s inhabitants. The korv wagons, falafel vans and noodle stands that pitch up for the week may reflect the cultural influences and changing tastes of Sweden’s youths (after all, Malmö does boast more falafel stands per capita than any other city in Sweden), but local restaurateurs like Igi believe that there was one vital element missing within the main area during the festivities – healthy, locally produced cuisine. Where were the cloudberries, or locally farmed organic meats?
In addition to the local producers, “Why the absence of the city’s fine dining restaurants?” I asked. “Fine dining is all about the experience” responded Igi, and it’s true. Why does a simple club sandwich at Le Ritz in Paris leave such an indelible memory, while an outstanding meal can be tainted by its presentation and surroundings? Food is more than mere energy, it’s a sensorial experience, one of the greatest pleasures in life. If our body is a temple, then each meal is a veritable sacrifice that should be offered with passion.
Igi’s second argument was that Malmö Karnevalen is a celebration of a city, so why should it be segregated to one small area, when there are so many outstanding sights to see throughout the city, Pildammsparken being a prime example “Why should visitors be subjected to the chaos of one small area, when this is a celebration of the city? Why can’t the organizers offer tours, including culinary tours, taking the visitor beyond the stigma of Sweden’s falafel capital.” Is Mr Vidal possibly laying down the gauntlet for next year?
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I agree with Igi (and btw OMG the prices they charge!), so I was glad to see a start of a new trend (hopefully not just an experiment) where several restaurants had set up stalls at Stortorget and presented different interpretations on Skåne themes, but this was only on the Monday and the Tuesday at lunch time. It was different though, AND the price was 30 kronor a ration, so I went ahead and tried ALL of them. I did ask Titti if you were going to be there too and hope that you are next year.
SvaraRaderaThere is one part of the Festival that has changed already and that is the KULTUR set-up; instead of laying it on thick during one week, they have now spread the cultural events during the whole summer (Sommar Scenen) and a good part of them take place right there in your back garden; the outdoor theater in Pildamsparken. Bollywood Bhangra, Kåserier and the Malmö Philharmonic are some of the ones I remember attending. On one occasion I was late and starving, so with only minutes to spare, I left the missus looking after my place and ran off to grab something to eat (is it illegal to kill the ducks?). Anyhow I ran into the nearby café and ended up being disappointed at the baguette a was handed over .
I really do think that you guys can “hook on” to this part and offer anything from a baguette to a full blown picnic korg to take (people do turn up with all sorts of elaborate stuff, including the wine and bubbly). It would be fun to follow the themes (I’d love to see Titti’s interpretation of tandoori chicken with Bollywood music) and I can tell you I would have definitely run around the lake for that and I’m sure many other spectators would be delighted to do that too.
I can eat falafel any day in Malmö and that is precisely why I want to be surprised with something different at the festival.
So, SI Señor Vidal, you go ahead and poke the folks at the Malmö Festival Committee into this new direction.