Almedalen

Almedalen (in literal English translation: "The Elm Valley") is a park in the Swedish city Visby on the island of Gotland, well known in Sweden as the central site of the Almedalen Week.

In medieval times the area, just outside the city walls, was the city harbour. In the 19th century the area went by the name "Gamle Hamn" ("Old Port"). When the area was planted with elms in the 1870s, the name Almedalen was coined.cite web|author=The Historical museum of Gotland|url=http://www.gotmus.i.se/databaser/visby-forr/bilder-03/057.htm|title=Visby förr i tiden. Gamle hamn (Almedalen). Akvarell 1840-talet.|accessdate=2007-06-05]

In Sweden, the name Almedalen is generally associated with the Almedalen Week, an annual event in Visby, which is an important meetingplace for everyone involved in Swedish politics. During the week, which takes place in the first week of July every year, representatives from the major political parties in Sweden take turns to hold speeches in the park.cite web|author=SR International - Radio Sweden|url=http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=891303|title=Almedalen Week Under Way|accessdate=2007-06-05]

Next to the park, the county library of Gotland, the conference centre Visby Strand (opened in April 2007), and the University College of Gotland are situated.

References

External links

* [http://www.gotland.se/imcms/28255 Municipality of Gotland: Almedalen] sv icon
*Pictures in the Historical museum of Gotland database:
** [http://www.gotmus.i.se/databaser/visby-forr/bilder-03/057.htm 1840s painting]
** [http://www.gotmus.i.se/databaser/visby-forr/bilder-03/062.htm 1896 photo]