Back to the Middle East!

We spent almost 10 days including New Year in Egypt - a wellneeded injection of Middle East for my peace of mind. Despite the dramatic developments in Egypt and the region (right now Tunisia is at the top of our attention), that is - it felt good to be close to Egypt and Egyptian friends at the time of the New Year bombing in Alexandria and to show solidarity by celebrating Orthodox Christmas mass in Cairo.

These shots are from Alexandria.

Final odds and ends

A last look at an amazing exhibition!

Mass effect

Maybe not quite mass effect, for this was a small selection of terracotta soldiers, but something of the repetitive effect of rows and rows can maybe still be felt.

Not only soldiers

but horses!

The amazing location

Maybe the room was the best bit, amazing hallways in the undermath of Stockholm, originally built as military facilities, but truly awesome for the exhibition purposes!

Details

Every man formed in minute detail - apparently according to a range of predetermined alternatives, though but still very personalized.

Faces

Unlikely lively faces, almost scary.

New Year

Well, back now from the first trip in ages - to Cairo, with lots and lots of photos to show eventually. Will not start there today though, but finish at least the theme I was on from the autumn in Stockholm. Maybe other waiting photos from 2010 will have to wait though...

Generals and soldiers

What was shown was of course but a small selection, of highly individualized faces and features of the Chinese emperor's army.

Terracotta army

The autumn's most breathtaking exhibition here in Stockholm must have been the Museum of East Asian Arts showing of selected pieces from the Chinese terracotta army, in a former military shelter underground - all in downtown.

Happy holidays!

Finally they came - Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate! I have worked to the last and have a few days left after the weekend before taking more time off - and in our line, holiday season not rarely means still keeping a lookout for trouble in the world.

I wish you all a peaceful holiday season!

Marcel Khalife!

Another concert highlight, but this already from September, Lebanese oud virtuoso Marcel Khalife played in Stockholm! It was a magic event really.

Medieval concert

We went to a lovely concert this afternoon, medieval music sung by some friends, at the National History Museum in Stockholm. They also had a historic Christmas market and sold handicrafts and jewelry. Usually, the highlight is the Gold room with historic treasures - Sweden has hidden troves of Islamic coins for instance.

Uppsala Light Festival

This event took place in November, featuring light installations in a range of downtown locations. I spent a Saturday evening with friends looking at a few of them - this one below was in the stream running through the town.

Oud special

Re:Orient treated us to an oud festival here in Stockholm in November, featuring Kamilya Jubran, Wadie Bouhassoun and Naseer Shamma!

December sunshine

There is actually such a thing - these are from Karlberg train station on the northern edge of downtown, showing the buildings of Vasastan and Karlberg itself.

Christmas kitchen endeavors!

Spent the afternoon baking with the family children and can proudly show the results here!

Undecorated gingerbreadhouse.


Same house, beautifully decorated


Assorted cookies - see the camels and the bunnies? Not to mention the spitting image of Sniff himself!


And last but not least - the Moomin house!

Swedish Institute in Alexandria 10 years!

We celebrated the 10 years anniversary of the Swedish Institute in Alexandria tonight, with a lecture at the Museum of Near Eastern Art. Interesting talks and many many friends were the highlights of tonight, with frank exchanges and discussions on ideas, challenges and possibilities.