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Sweden named 'best embassy' in US capital

Published: 28 Oct 10 07:33 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/29866/20101028/

The Swedish embassy in Washington, DC has been named the city's best embassy by the readers of the Washington Post newspaper, by virtue of its design and programme of events.

"This award feels extra special just at the moment as we have just reached 250,000 visitors to the embassy's programme. It shows us that we have put Sweden on the map with Washington residents," said Swedish ambassador Jonas Hafström.

The Swedish embassy won the "Best Of" competition from a field of 181 embassies in the US capital, beating Brazil and France in to second and third place respectively.

The newspaper's 300,000 readers motivated their choice with respect to the Swedish embassy's "fantastic, different design", but also due to the active and diverse programme of events that are open to the general public.

The embassy is now conducting its 11th Public Diplomacy programme which has its starting point in Sweden's progressive image and spans politics, culture, trade and research/science.

"My fantastic team's work continues to reap rewards after the embassy and the House of Sweden were already in 2008 named as Venue of the Year by the Washington Post.

The "Best Of" competition is conducted annually by the Washington Post/Express and canvasses readers for their choice of leading establishment in a number of categories, for example restaurant, museum and embassy.

Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6518

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08:32 October 28, 2010 by Rishonim
How lovely. It feels good to know my tax money is being used to build admirable prize worthy buildings.

C'est drôle, ma vie de Château
08:48 October 28, 2010 by Keith #5083
kudos to the Embassy staff, diplomatic service, architects and builders...mostly doing quiet steady friendship-building work in the background.
13:37 October 28, 2010 by Sandy106
Would love to visit someday, it looks pretty cool
15:14 October 28, 2010 by Traveler2010
I've been there, it's nice. Right on the Potomac.

:)
15:22 October 28, 2010 by Swedesmith
Is there any Ölandsten in the lobby?
15:35 October 28, 2010 by Traveler2010
You mean the flooring material? I can't remember what the floor is made out of. I think it might just be regular ceramic tiling.
16:10 October 28, 2010 by Swedesmith
Ölandsten is mined in Öland, an island off the east coast of Sweden. It's used all over the Baltic region. It's very, very Swedish and very, very pretty. Probably would have cost a fortune to ship over.
22:45 October 28, 2010 by maxbrando
Wait a minute, boys and girls. Oland (for the Olandsten), last time I looked, is FINLAND, not Sweden. And do not do any equivacation. Olandsten comes from FINLAND, NOT Sweden!!!!!!
00:08 October 29, 2010 by Swedesmith
Sorry Max, Öland is in Sweden and I've been to the Ölandsten fabrik which was a ten minute walk from my house. You are perhaps thinking of Åland which is in Finland.
06:36 October 29, 2010 by MarkinBoston
"Fantastic, different design?" Concrete, with glass walls? Like we've never seen that before. I'll assume the events held at the embassy are what won the award.
06:44 October 29, 2010 by GefleFrequentFlyer
Ive figured out the way to win a swedes heart: Make up some strange ranking system and put them at or near the top.
15:13 October 29, 2010 by Traveler2010
Here's the website for the House of Sweden:

http://www.houseofsweden.com
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