World Summit on Media for Children and Youth, Karlstad Sweden 2010

KARLSTAD – THE DELTA CITY

The city of Karlstad lies on the river delta where two of Sweden’s great natural waterways meet; the 500 km long Klara river and the mighty Lake Vänern, with its archipelago of 22,000 islands. The river sets the tone of both the style and atmosphere of a visit to our city as does our people’s reputation for warmth, friendliness and hospitality. Turning the clock back, Karlstad’s history stretches through down through the ages; to the Viking times on the islet of Tingvalla just outside the city. Karlstad received its charter in 1584 and it is named after King Karl ix of Sweden (‘Karl’s town’, or ‘Charles’ town). The fine architecture, our museums, typically Swedish country houses, manors, buildings and historical sites in and around the city testify to Karlstad’s importance to the region and Sweden through the ages.

ADVENTURE PARADISE

Karlstad is a wonderfully compact Swedish city, built on a grid pattern with wide, tree-lined streets, avenues, promenades and squares. It has a ‘big city’, grand feel, with many quality hotel and other accommodation options, with the advantage that Karlstad’s many attractions are just a short walk away: shopping streets, malls and arcades, culture, historical sites, urban nature activities, parks, transport and amenities. Don’t forget that this is child-friendly Sweden and children are welcome everywhere in Karlstad. If you look for Karlstad on a map of Sweden, you’ll find us in the west of Sweden, on the northern shore of Lake Vänern. Journeying north of the city takes you out to a wilderness and outdoors adventure paradise and the cultural heritage of the province we are the capital city of – Värmland. Here there is kayaking, canoeing and timber rafting holidays. Fishing trips, camping, wildlife spotting, the most child-friendly winter sports resorts in Sweden and much more. All within a two-hour travel radius of Karlstad.

CELEBRATING KARLSTAD

At magical, mystical Midsummer maypoles are made and erected; on the menu are all types of pickled herring, new potatoes in dill and lashings of cold beer and schnapps. All to celebrate the lightest night of the year. You can join in this most Swedish of celebrations in and around Karlstad in mid-June. Christmas time sees Karlstad glittering in lights reflecting on the Klara river and Xmas markets opening up all over the city. The restaurants and hotels of Karlstad are busy preparing their ‘julbord’ or Xmas table for guests. The shops and department stores of Karlstad also put on their Christmas finery to welcome shoppers and here you should look out for Swedish design clothes/accessories and household goods. December is a great time to discover Karlstad and a real Swedish Christmas.

TURBO CHARGED OR TRANQUIL

The wrc Rally Sweden makes a very welcome return to Karlstad in 2010. It is the only leg of the 16-race championship raced on snow, in the freezing, forested terrain of Värmland. For a white-knuckle adventure you can even test-drive a rally car before the race – if you visit Karlstad. For all you ice-hockey fans, Karlstad is home to legendary ice-hockey club Färjestad bk, winners of the Swedish ‘Elitserien’ 2009! The season starts in September. If turbo-charged cars is not your gig, how about a boat cruise to one, or several of the Lake Vänern islands. Or take a boat-bus and go restaurant and nightspot hopping. Why not rent your very own island in a lake surrounded by deep forest in Arvika in north-west Värmland. Or a timber rafting trip down the Klara river. Maybe even a week-long cycling trip for the entire family on the 90 km long Klarälvsbanan. This silky smooth cycle-path runs north-west from Karlstad, is free of road vehicles and safe, set in gorgeous Värmland country, with lots of accommodation, facilities and towns and sites of interest along the way.

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS OF KARLSTAD

Wherever you stay in Karlstad, the city’s cultural hotspots are just a stroll away. The Värmland Museum has a permanent exhibition about the province of Värmland that is a ‘must see’ and has a great gift shop selling local handicrafts. A place of great interest just outside the city is Alsters Herrgård, the birthplace of Swedish national poet Gustav Fröding, born here in 1860. The manor house is a fabulous piece of Swedish architecture from the 1730s and has been added to since and is well worth visiting. Carrying on this literary tradition a ‘must visit’ is Mårbacka the birthplace and home of Selma Lagerlöf, winner of the Nobel Literature Prize. Mårbacka is a one-hour drive from Karlstad. Historical sites of interest in Karlstad include Karlstad Cathedral, ‘Östra bron’ a beautiful stone bridge from the 1760s that traverses the city and many others. Pop into the tourist office and book a free guide to take you around Karlstad and show you our wonderful sights. A statue of ‘Sola’, which means ‘sunny’ in Swedish, stands proud beside the Klara river in Karlstad. It is in memory of Eva Lisa Holtz, who owned an inn in the city in the 18th century and she is legendary for her hospitality and pleasant nature. For the people of Karlstad she represents their warm, welcoming and hospitable nature.

Gustaf Fröding's home 'Alsters Herrgård'

MORE INFORMATION

Situated on the northern shore of Lake Vänern, Karlstad is ideally placed in central Sweden with convenient access to the major urban centres of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo, by car, bus, train, or air.