I interrupt this hibernation to take issue with Matthew Engel's article in the Financial Times with the same name as this blogpost: the new face of Sweden.
It is just another typical media much ado about nothing and is evidence to the truth that zeitgeist can never literally be captured in print. I particularly take issue with the articles focus on Rosengård:
'The migrants are concentrated in one district, Rosengård, with the newest ones in the sub-district of Herrgarden, where the male unemployment rate is 82 per cent.'
Drinking aside, multi-kulti, mixed racial community living along with the effect of immigration on the individual will never be without it's hard questions and even harder realities. Sweden might one day move to an immigration policy aimed at attracting skilled labour as Canada and Australia have pioneered.
I don't see this as a moral back pedal, the fall of the socialist state, or failure on the part of the
Swedes. However, I think it is spurious to represent Rosengård as the only face of Sweden without at least visiting Möllevången, and the hope and goodwill that resides there. Perhaps the Financial Times should focus their journalistic muscle on the Swedish economy which with its' strong output and budget surplus is in a leading position to weather this 'recession'.
It is just another typical media much ado about nothing and is evidence to the truth that zeitgeist can never literally be captured in print. I particularly take issue with the articles focus on Rosengård:
'The migrants are concentrated in one district, Rosengård, with the newest ones in the sub-district of Herrgarden, where the male unemployment rate is 82 per cent.'
Rosengård is no bed of roses; no Kensington or Beverly Hills, even though Zlatan grew up there. However, there is a counterbalance to Rosengård called Möllevången. The majority of inhabitants of this inner city suburb are also immigrants and live in a thriving community that serves also as the unofficial arts centre of town. Möllevången, or 'Möllan' (mill) as it is affectionately known is also the place in Malmö to buy fresh produce. There's a Saturday market in the square, and as all locals know it doesn't do to drive down Ystadsgatan on the Saturday morning. At these times the safe and decorous Swedish rules of traffic engagement do not apply. It's like Baghdad, but that's okay because right across the square is Baghdad Livs
(Baghdad convenience store) one of the icons of the area . Möllan also offers some of Malmös best bar life. A night at Skolegatans öl kaféet or Tempo is always a night well spent.
(Baghdad convenience store) one of the icons of the area . Möllan also offers some of Malmös best bar life. A night at Skolegatans öl kaféet or Tempo is always a night well spent.
Drinking aside, multi-kulti, mixed racial community living along with the effect of immigration on the individual will never be without it's hard questions and even harder realities. Sweden might one day move to an immigration policy aimed at attracting skilled labour as Canada and Australia have pioneered.
I don't see this as a moral back pedal, the fall of the socialist state, or failure on the part of the
Swedes. However, I think it is spurious to represent Rosengård as the only face of Sweden without at least visiting Möllevången, and the hope and goodwill that resides there. Perhaps the Financial Times should focus their journalistic muscle on the Swedish economy which with its' strong output and budget surplus is in a leading position to weather this 'recession'.
