Sunday, May 11, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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Christmas with Jenny Nyström – Mother of the Swedish “jultomte”

After an initial rejection by the major publishing house Bonnier, Jenny Eugenia Nyström became a prolific artist, celebrated especially for her Christmas-themed works. More than a century after her prime, her art continues to embody the traditional spirit of Christmas in Scandinavia.

Published 24 December 2024
– By Editorial Staff
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Left: "Self portrait", Right: "Winter landscape with Christmas gnomes"

Jenny Nyström (1854–1946) was a Swedish painter and illustrator best known for shaping the iconic image of the Swedish jultomte – a figure akin to Santa Claus, or more precisely, a Christmas elf or gnome – on Christmas cards and magazine covers.

Her artistic journey began in Gothenburg, where her family relocated when she was eight years old.

Trailblazing in art and illustration

Nyström’s formal education began at Kjellbergska flickskolan and Göteborgs Musei-, Rit- och Målarskola (now Konsthögskolan Valand). At just 12 years old, her exceptional talent caught the attention of renowned teachers like Fredrik Wohlfart and Hilda Lindgren. In 1873, she was admitted to the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm, where she studied until 1881.

Her ambition and talent set her apart, and in her final year, she became only the second woman – after Emma Ekwall in 1871 – to earn the Academy’s prestigious gold medal for her painting Gustav Vasa as a Child before King Hans (Gustav Vasa som barn inför Kung Hans).

Jenny Nyström’s painting “Gustav Vasa as a Child before King Hans” earned her the distinction of being the second woman to win the prestigious Swedish Royal Academy of Art’s gold medal.

This honor, along with a scholarship, enabled her to study in Paris from 1882 to 1886 at the Académie Colarossi and Académie Julian. Her time in Paris not only honed her technical skills but also exposed her to the thriving postcard market, which later became central to her career.

Newspaper clippings in Nyström’s Paris studio.

Although initially rejected by Bonniers publishing house, Nyström’s illustrations for renowned Swedish author Viktor Rydberg’s Little Vigg’s Adventures on Christmas Eve (Lille Viggs äfventyr på julafton) found a publisher in S. A. Hedlund. This collaboration cemented the story as a Swedish Christmas classic.

One of Nyström’s illustrations for Rydberg’s Little Vigg’s Adventures on Christmas Eve.

Nyström’s extraordinary output established her as Sweden’s most famous painter and illustrator of her era, with her works distributed nationwide by Strålin & Persson AB in Falun, Dalarna.

Beyond her iconic Christmas illustrations, Nyström created a diverse range of artworks, including plein air landscapes, genre scenes, and portraits in oil, watercolor, and pastel. Notable examples include A Farmer’s Garden on Aspö (En bondes trädgård på Aspö) and From My Studio in Paris (Från min atelier i Paris), which highlight her versatility and skill.

“From My Studio in Paris”. Photo: Bukowskis

Nyström often said her goal was to transport both children and adults to the “beautiful land east of the sun and west of the moon”, inspired by her mother’s childhood tales. In a 1910 autobiographical article, she reflected:

“The fact that I mostly draw for children is probably due to the fact that I have always loved children, and that I have always wanted to show them something of the beautiful sunny land east of the sun and west of the moon, the beautiful things that have stuck in my memory from my childhood in Kalmar. From this you can also understand why I prefer to draw beautiful pictures.”

“Skiing children”

This warmth and affection for childhood and imagination became defining elements of her artistry, resonating deeply with audiences then and now.

A Lasting Legacy

In 1887, Nyström married medical student Daniel Stoopendaal. However, Daniel’s struggle with tuberculosis left him unable to complete his studies or pursue his profession, making Jenny the primary provider for their family. Despite these challenges, she remained dedicated to her craft, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.

Their son, Curt Nyström Stoopendaal, born in 1893, followed in her footsteps, becoming a renowned postcard and poster artist whose style closely mirrored hers.

“The two of us” – a self-portrait of Jenny and her son, Curt.

Her contributions are honored with a permanent exhibition at Kalmar läns museum, and her works are part of collections at institutions such as Göteborgs konstmuseum, Nationalmuseum, Länsmuseet Gävleborg, Nordiska museet in Stockholm, and Kalmar konstmuseum. She is also commemorated through Jenny Nyströmsskolan in Kalmar and Jenny Nyströms gata in Fruängen, Stockholm.

Throughout her life, Jenny Nyström created thousands of works, immortalizing her as the quintessential “mother of the Swedish christmas gnome.” Her art continues to enchant new generations, bridging the magical charm of Swedish folklore with the warmth of Christmas traditions. Jenny Nyström’s vision and artistry inspire artists and admirers alike, securing her place as a timeless figure in Swedish culture.

Nyström at work at her desk in her home in Stockholm.

For a deeper look into her and her son’s artistry, visit the database of the Jenny Nyström and Curt Stoopendaal Foundation.

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Bizarre children’s series described as “digital drug”

Cultural revolution in the West

Published yesterday 10:53
– By Editorial Staff
The characters of the children's series Cocomelon with its abnormal proportions.

The children’s series Cocomelon attracts young children around the world with its colorful animations and catchy songs. Despite its enormous popularity, criticism of the series is growing, with some warnings that its extreme editing could have a very negative effect on children’s brains.

More and more parents and experts are questioning the extremely fast pace of Cocomelon and whether the mass-produced style is really good for young minds, or whether it risks overstimulating children and making them restless.

One of the major objections to Cocomelon is its rapid editing technique, where camera angles change every two to three seconds. This is a hectic and exaggerated pace that is unfortunately all too common in modern children’s entertainment, but here it is taken to a new level.

According to a study by PubMed Central (PMC), the executive functions of 4-year-olds, such as self-control and working memory, are at risk of being severely impaired after being exposed to fast-paced clips for too long.

Many parents also report that their children become agitated after watching children’s series such as Cocomelon, and there is plenty of criticism on social media platforms such as X.

Mass-produced aesthetics

Other research also indicates that rapid camera and clip changes can negatively affect young children’s concentration. The fast pace is no accident either. Cocomelon is designed to capture children’s attention, but some argue that it now goes too far.

According to Findmykids.org, the constant impressions can trigger dopamine release, causing children to seek the same quick rewards even outside the screen – something that can make it harder for them to focus on calmer activities such as reading or playing.

In addition to the pace, the series’ aesthetics have also been criticized. Like most animated productions today, the characters have disproportionately large heads and overly cheerful expressions, which some find unpleasant.

For many parents and viewers, it feels like the series is made on an assembly line where quantity takes precedence over quality, resulting in an aesthetic that is more frightening than charming.

Opinions are divided

Unlike traditional cartoons such as Scooby-Doo, Cocomelon is animated in a way that prioritizes quantity over quality, which is evident in the disproportionate characters and the assembly line feel.

Opinions about Cocomelon are divided. Some experts, such as Rebecca Cowan at Walden University, argue that there is insufficient evidence to single out Cocomelon as the problem – instead, it is total screen time that may be harmful.

– Without empirical research on the show Cocomelon, there is no data to substantiate claims that this show is overstimulating due to the pace of the scenes, she says.

But others warn that the series’ pace and overstimulating elements can have a very negative impact on children’s development, especially in terms of concentration and calmness.

Cocomelon may seem like an easy solution for entertaining young children, but it is worth considering what the fast pace and mass-produced style do to young viewers.

Trump wants 100% tariff on foreign films

Donald Trump's USA

Published 9 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff

Donald Trump has announced that he has initiated a process to impose a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the US that are then imported into the country. Critics warn of the consequences and argue that tariffs will worsen the situation for the American film industry.

The decision, which was announced on May 4, is intended, according to Trump, to protect the American film industry, which he believes is on the verge of “a very fast death”, reports industry publication Variety.

– This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda, Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social.

Trump said he has instructed the Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to quickly begin the process of imposing the tariffs.

Exact details on how the tariffs will be implemented, such as whether they will also cover streaming services or how the size of the tariffs will be calculated, have not yet been announced.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has confirmed that the authorities are working on the issue.

“Incredibly stupid”

Many American productions are currently filmed in several countries that offer financial incentives for film production, including Canada, the UK, and Australia, and industry representatives are now concerned about how the tariffs would affect ongoing projects and collaborations.

The chair of the Swedish Film and TV Producers Association, Eva Hamilton, called the proposal “incredibly stupid” and warned that it could isolate the US culturally and economically.

It just sounds incredibly stupid, and I find it hard to see how it could be implemented. He’s right that Hollywood hasn’t kept up, but stopping all foreign expertise sounds like shooting yourself in the foot, Eva Hamilton said in an interview with Schibsted owned TV4.

Trump has previously singled out Hollywood as a “very problematic place” and, in early 2025, appointed actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as ambassadors to promote American film production.

The American film industry has already been affected by Trump’s trade war, and China, among others, has reduced its quota for American films allowed to be shown in response to the new American tariffs on the country.

Record number of Swedes read books last year

Published 8 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Two thirds of Swedes read or listened to a book at least once a week last year.

In 2024, a record number of Swedes read or listened to books, a new survey shows. This is the highest level measured so far in the 21st century.

More than half, 51 percent, of Swedes between the ages of nine and 87 read or listened to a book on a typical day, according to the 2024 Media Barometer from Nordicom at the University of Gothenburg. A full 66 percent read weekly.

– This is the highest figure we have seen in the Media Barometer since the measurements started in the late 1970s, says Jonas Ohlsson, media researcher and director at Nordicom in a press release.

The printed book is still the most common format, with 38% using it daily. In comparison, audiobooks reach 15 percent and e-books only seven percent.

In terms of books sold last year, print books also remained at the top of the list, although sales declined. Audio books are also becoming more common to buy and listen to.

Older, highly educated women read the most

The Swedes who read the most, especially printed books, are highly educated women over 65. At the same time, reading is weakest among men without a university education. As a rule, women read more than men, but the gaps are not as great when it comes to listening to audio books.

– These patterns are not the same for audiobooks, however. The possibility to listen to books seems to lower the threshold to literature, which means that the audiobook reduces the socio-economic gaps that we see in traditional book reading, says Ohlsson.

The survey was conducted on 6000 randomly selected people aged nine to 85.

Swedish criminologist fired after linking genetics and ethnicity to crime on state TV

organized crime

Published 2 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Leif GW Persson in a discussion with the Liberals' Johan Pehrson.

Recently, Swedish criminologist Leif GW Persson stated that there is a very clear link between genetics, ethnic factors, and crime – a link that researchers and authorities have deliberately silenced.

Now he is suddenly being forced to leave the state television program Veckan – which is also being shut down completely without further explanation.

In an episode of SVT’s Veckan med Camilla och Leif GW (The Week with Camilla and Leif GW) just over a month ago, Persson caused quite a stir when he presented a not entirely politically correct explanation for the spiraling crime rate in Sweden – factors that the authorities choose to ignore completely.

– There is one factor that has been studiously avoided, or rather two. One is the genetic link, which is actually stronger than the social links. So what about genetics if you trace this young criminal back through his family?

– That’s one thing. The other is the ethnic factor. They have avoided that, he continued, describing the link between ethnicity and crime as “very strong when it comes to serious organized crime in marginalized suburbs”.

According to Persson, these explanatory models are something “people don’t like to talk about” – and he argued that researchers are well aware of the importance of genetics and ethnicity, but that they have avoided focusing on these factors for purely political reasons.

– Criminological research can, with some justification, be accused of not really aiming at the target. The reason for this is not because people have been unaware, but because they want to avoid anything that could cause problems for them.

“At any cost, I had to be here”

The criminologist also expressed harsh criticism of politicians and other people in power, saying that they have failed completely in building a functioning police organization, among other things.

The TV personality’s comments caused an uproar among left-wing activists and liberals on social media, and he has now been fired from the tax-funded channel.

– It came as a surprise when SVT called and said they were cancelling the program. I have a clear idea of why that is, he told Bonnier-owned Amelia.

– I was actually a bit surprised because they were very eager to get me here. And that was just about a year ago. At any cost, I had to be here. Then it turned out that it was basically just to do 20 programs, Persson continues.

He does not want to confirm at this time that it was his comments about ethnicity, genetics, and crime that led to his dismissal, but he promises to comment further on the matter at a later date.

“That’s for SVT’s managers to answer”

Persson also points out that the program had good ratings, was inexpensive to produce, and received positive feedback, but that SVT’s managers nevertheless chose to cancel it. Program host Camilla Kvartoft also declined to comment on why the program was suddenly canceled.

– That’s for SVT’s managers to answer, but we’ve had two really great seasons with very high viewership, and I’m proud of our programs, she says.

Sofia Dahlström, who is the “acting commissioner for society, documentaries, and minorities” at SVT, states that it was decided from the beginning that there would only be two seasons – something Leif GW Persson does not recognize.