Although the title gave enough of a giggle for me to stop right there I thought about sharing thoughts from a work-visit to Helsinki last wednesday.

ARS06 – Sense of the Real at Kiasma

Maybe not funny as in laughing funny, but definitely an art-exhibition I would to recommmend anyone having an errand in Finland. It really gives your brain a kick and I strongly doubt anyone leaves without any kind of opinion at all.

I do think PETA would have something to say about the stuffed horse, but when finding Sony’s PSP being the main sponsor in a nearby room it was almost forgotten. Hurrah for gaming!

ALKO – It is just so obvious and well thought out isn´t it? You buy alcohol, basta!

Which made my wonder why the Swedish version is called Systembolaget , Company of Schemes.

After visiting their website I found out that the short version of a long story was that around 1800 all alcohol was not only free to brew and drink, but was every man’s/woman’s/child’s human right. The Swedes, and children included(!), then drank 45 litres of pure spirits per year. This led to some smartasses thinking they had to do something about the so called chaos. Therefore, in Falun the aforementioned started a company who would deal with the brewing.

This, together with a scheme they invented in Gothenburg, where you both bought and drank ( sound like a pub to me), was the beginning of the modern Systembolaget. After the ration-book era this company was here to stay.

Still have not really understood how they have been able to make sure the monopoly hasn´t moved an inch from its standing ground though. Oh yes, I would like to be able to choose myself when i want to buy an aperitif, but I still want to give them credit for having a fantastic and enormous selection of whatever dizziness you require.

It would just sound better to go visit “the Alko” sometimes…