Bohuslän
Coat of arms
Country	Sweden
Land	Götaland
County	Västra Götaland County
Area
• Total	4,400 km2 (1,700 sq mi)
Population (2009)[1]
• Total	287,223
• Density	65/km2 (170/sq mi)
Ethnicity
• Language	Götamål
Culture
• Flower	European honeysuckle
• Animal	Harbour seal
• Bird	Eurasian Oystercatcher
• Fish	Mackerel
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal codes

 Bohuslän (help·info) is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Götaland on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the west, and the county of Østfold in Norway to the north. In Norwegian the province is known as Båhuslen.

Bohuslän is named after the Norwegian medieval castle of Båhus. Båhuslen was a Norwegian province from around 1050 until the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, which also saw the transfer of Skåneland (Blekinge, Halland and Skåne) from Denmark to Sweden.

Administration[link]

The provinces of Sweden serve no administrative function. Instead, that function is served by the counties of Sweden. For centuries, the administrative county for Bohuslän was the Gothenburg and Bohus County, and as its name implies it consisted of the entire Bohuslän province together with the city Gothenburg. In 1999, some Swedish counties were merged to reduce administration costs– and Gothenburg and Bohus County was merged into the much larger Västra Götaland County.

Heraldry[link]

Bohuslän was granted its arms at the time of the funeral for Charles X Gustav of Sweden in 1660, it was identical to the arms of the Town of Kungälv. In 1962 the higher claim of the town was established and a variation for the arms of the county was introduced. The coat of arms is surmounted by a ducal coronet. Blazon: "Argent, a Castle embattled Gules with one embattled Tower of the same and two doors Or hinged Sable between a Sword point upwards and Lion rampant holding the Tower both Azure langued and armed Or."

Geography[link]

Old fishing-village in Bohuslän

The geography is distinguished by the rocky coast, bordering an archipelago: there are about 3,000 islands and 5,000 islets (skerries). These make up the northern part of the Gothenburg archipelago, Sweden's second largest after Stockholm archipelago. In old days, the seascape was renowned for its many reefs and sunken rocks which caused many shipwrecks. Two of the largest islands, Orust and Tjörn, constitute their own municipalities. Both islands have a distinctive culture and history. However, the rocky terrain cannot be said to be mountainous: the highest point is Björnepiken at 224 meters.

Sweden's only fjord, Gullmaren, is located near Lysekil. It is 25 kilometers long, between 1-3 wide, with a depth of 118.5 meters at its deepest, with a unique marine life.

Unlike other parts of Sweden, there are relatively few lakes or streams in Bohuslän: out of a total land area of 4,500 km² only 177 km² is freshwater. Although lakes are common, they tend to be small in size. The largest lakes are the northern and southern Bullaren lakes, with a combined area of about 40 km².

Population[link]

As of December 31, 2009, the number of inhabitants was 287,223,^[1] giving a population density of 65.3 inhabitants/square kilometer.

Islands of Bohuslän[link]

Larger settlements in Bohuslän[link]

Bohuslän's formerly chartered cities are:

• Kungälv (approximately 1100)
• Lysekil (1903)
• Marstrand (approximately 1200)
• Strömstad (1672)
• Uddevalla (1498)

They are now non-administrative urban areas.

In addition there are several other notable settlements:

History[link]

Nordic Bronze Age rock art in Bohuslän, Three men performing a ritual, circa 2nd millennium BCE, the Bronze Age.

During the 2nd millennium BC, the Nordic Bronze Age began (c. 1700-500 BC), including rock art such as the examples found throughout Bohuslän. During the Migration Period (300 to 700 CE) and the Viking Age (700-1000 CE), the area was part of Viken, and was actually known as two entities: Ranrike in the north and Elfsyssel in the south. It has been claimed that King Harald Fairhair made it part of the unified Norway in about 872, but contemporary sources give rise to doubt that Harald actually ever held the Viken area properly. The earliest proof of Båhus lands being in Norway's hands is from 11th century.

As long as Norway was a kingdom of its own, the province prospered, and Båhus castle was one of the key fortresses of the kingdom. When Norway was united with Denmark, the province began its decline in wealth; the area was frequently attacked by Swedish forces as part of the larger border skirmishes. The Norwegian fortress, Båhus, was built to protect this territory. Being a border zone towards the Swedish kingdom, and to a lesser extent against Danish lands in Halland, the Båhus region was disproportionately populated by soldier families.

Båhuslen belonged to Denmark/Norway until it was ceded to Sweden in the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658. This fact explains why the treaty was signed in Denmark. The fortress of Carlsten was built in Marstrand during the 17th century. For a period Marstrand was also a free port (porto franco), with a free religious practice and, as such, home to the only synagogue in Sweden at the time.

The commercial fishing of herring increased in the 18th century, and the province flourished during a major herring period around 1747–1809. Many small fishing communities grew up around the coast.

Before the large scale fishing of herring started, Bohuslän had a considerable forest cover. Timber was once the largest export product and main source of income in Bohuslän. But with the increased importance of fishing, more wood was needed as construction material for houses and boats, and as fuel for herring oil boilers (trankokerier). Deforestation during the 19'th century gave rise to today's rugged, rocky landscape.

Culture[link]

Urhultsberget in Lysekil Municipality.

In Bohuslän a variety of the Götaland dialect of Swedish is spoken. The province was a part of Denmark/Norway until 1658 as mentioned above. That year a peace treaty was signed in Roskilde in Denmark. Still today traces of Norwegian remain in the dialect. "Bohuslän", literally means the "Fief of Bohus", referring to Bohus Fortress and Län.

The Nordic Bronze Age (c. 1700-500) BC) produced rock art showing scenes from the daily life and religious rituals, such as the examples found in Bohuslän. The rock art at Tanum, possibly made earlier, c. 2,500 to 3,000 years ago, have been entered as a site in the UNESCO World heritage program. Rock carvings can be found scattered throughout Bohuslän. The carvings portray the life of an agricultural society with images of daily life, with human figures, religious rituals, ships, circular objects, soles, animals, and fertility figures (E.g. phalluses); and the creation of shallow bowls.

Hundreds[link]

Hundreds of Sweden were sub-divisions of the Swedish provinces until early 20th century. Bohuslän's hundreds were:

Sports[link]

Despite the non-administrative status of Bohuslän some historical functions remain with football being administered by Bohusläns Fotbollförbund.

Notable people from Bohuslän[link]

People from Bohuslän are known as bohuslänningar.

• Percy Barnevik, Uddevalla - businessman
• Emilie Flygare-Carlén, Strömstad - author
• Karl-Axel Gadd, Sotenäs - artist
• Charles Magnus Lindgren, Dragsmark - Swedish-American shipping executive
• Karl Nordström, Tjörn - artist
• Karin Parrow, Vinga - artist
• Ernst Skarstedt, Kungälv - ‎ Swedish-American author, journalist and editor
• Gustaf B Thordén, Uddevalla - shipping

See also[link]

• History of Sweden
  • Prehistoric Sweden (9,000 BC– 800 CE: Stone and Bronze Ages)
  • Nordic Stone Age
  • Nordic Bronze Age
  • History of Sweden (CE 800–1521) (Viking and Middle Ages)

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} Statistics Sweden

• article Bohuslän from Nordisk familjebok (1905). In Swedish.

External links[link]

• Bohuslän - Official tourist site
• Destination northern Bohuslän
• Destination south Bohuslän
• Language
• The religious background of Bohuslän rock art (PDF)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bohuslän

v t e Provinces (landskap) of Sweden Ångermanland Blekinge Bohuslän Dalarna Dalsland Gästrikland Gotland Halland Hälsingland Härjedalen Jämtland Lappland Medelpad Närke Norrbotten Öland Östergötland Scania (Skåne) Småland Södermanland Uppland Värmland Västerbotten Västergötland Västmanland

Coordinates: 58°14′53″N 11°53′13″E / 58.248°N 11.887°E / 58.248; 11.887

Sven-Bertil Taube
Background information
Birth name	Sven-Bertil Gunnar Evert Taube
Born	(1934-11-24) 24 November 1934 (age 77)
Genres	Folk music
Occupations	Singer, actor
Instruments	Singing, guitar
Years active	1954–present
Labels	Folkways, EMI

Sven-Bertil Gunnar Evert Taube (born 24 November 1934) is a Swedish singer and actor. Born in Stockholm, he is the son of songwriter Evert Taube^[1] and sculptor Astri Taube.^[2]

Biography[link]

At age 14, Taube began playing guitar. While traveling throughout Europe, he developed an interest in folklore and folk music. He performed in concerts and on Swedish and Norwegian radio while a student at the Royal Beskow School in Stockholm.^[2]

Taube graduated in 1954 from the Cherry Lawn School in Darien, Connecticut.^[3] While he was a student at the school, Folkways Records invited him to record an album of Swedish folk songs.^[4]

Taube has been married four times, and has four children, born in 1960, 1965, 1979, and 1994.^{[citation needed]}

Musical career[link]

Taube released his first album in 1954; it included a cover of one of his father's songs.^[2] He has since released many albums which include songs written by his father. Several of his most well-known versions of Evert Taube songs come from albums recorded in the 1970s, but he recorded more of them at later stages, including his 2007 album Alderville Road. Referring to that album, reviewer Peter Dahlgren said, "Evert had the yarns and Sven-Bertil had the voice."^[5] He has also recorded songs by the popular Swedish 18th-century songwriter Carl Michael Bellman,^[6] and the poet Nils Ferlin (1898–1961), whose poems were mostly put to music by Lille Bror Söderlundh.^[7] Taube also recorded an album with songs by the Swedish songwriter and musician Ulf Peder Olrog, one with Swedish translations of songs by French songwriter Léo Ferré, and one with Swedish translations of songs by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.

Selected discography[link]

Acting career[link]

Taube also started an acting career that took him to London, where he performed in theater and musicals, notably as Prince Albert in I and Albert.^[13] He won a role on the television series Upstairs, Downstairs. In the 1970s, Taube tried to find work as a film actor, and had some minor roles, most notably in the 1976 World War II drama The Eagle Has Landed^[14] and a starring role as a US agent in the 1971 film version of Alistair MacLean's novel Puppet on a Chain.^[15]

During the 1980s and 1990s, Taube starred in a number of Swedish films and television series, while keeping his music career alive.

Taube starred in the Swedish film version of Stieg Larsson's novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in the role of Henrick Vanger. The film was released in early 2010. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Guldbagge Award for his role in the film.^[16]

Awards[link]

Guldbagge Awards[link]

Best Actor in a Leading Role
1995 Händerna

Selected filmography[link]

• The Buttercup Chain (1970)^[15]
• Puppet on a Chain (1971)
• The Eagle Has Landed (1976)
• A Game for Vultures (1979)^[16]
• Codename: Kyril (1988)
• Händerna (In The Hands, 1994)^[14]
• Jerusalem (1997)^[14]
• London Voodoo (2004)^[14]
• Arn – The Knight Templar (2007)^[14]
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sven-Bertil Taube at the Internet Movie Database

Henning Kvitnes

Henning Kvitnes (born 13 May 1958) is a singer/songwriter from Tistedal, Halden in Norway. His debut came with The Ice Cream Band, but he later found bigger success as a solo artist.

Biography[link]

Kvitnes first made a name for himself in 1978, with The Ice Cream Band, who warmed up for Elvis Costello at Chateau Neuf in Oslo. The band soon changed name to The Young Lords. As a member of The Young Lords he released his first album, Same Shit - New Wrapping in 1980. In 1991 he released his first album in Norwegian, titled Veien hjem.

Kvitnes has during his career collaborated with several of Norway's most famous musicians, Åge Aleksandersen, Arve Tellefsen, Steinar Albrigtsen and Claudia Scott, to mention a few.

In 2007 he won a Norwegian Grammy, Spellemannsprisen, for his album Stemmer i gresset.^[1] He has also won Norsk artistsforbunds ærespris,^[2] an annual honorary title given out to stand out musicians.

Discography[link]

• 1980 - Same Shit - New Wrapping (with The Young Lords)
• 1981 - We Like to Watch (with Saturday Cowboys)
• 1982 - Little Big Horn - Live (with Saturday Cowboys)
• 1982 - The Tunnel (with Henning Kvitnes Next Step)
• 1984 - Open Roads (with Next Step)
• 1987 - Back to Little Eden (with Henning Kvitnes Little Eden)
• 1988 - Solitude Road (with Little Eden)
• 1989 - Everyday Life (with Little Eden)
• 1991 - Veien hjem
• 1991 - Songs people play (Greatest hits album)
• 1993 - Postcards from life
• 1995 - Godt Vann
• 1996 - Tida bare kommer (de beste)
• 1998 - Evig eies (kun et dårlig rykte)
• 1999 - Heartland
• 2001 - Scandicana
• 2003 - På godt norsk
• 2004 - Bare vente litt på sjelen
• 2005 - Manda' morra - 14 sanger av Stein Ove Berg
• 2006 - Ut av veggen
• 2007 - Stemmer i gresset
• 2009 - Tid for latskap
• 2010 - For sånne som oss - de beste
• 2010 - Bortkomne julestjerner med Koret på Botsen
• 2012 - Ingen tid å miste

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official homepage
• Henning Kvitnes on MySpace

Evert Taube
Evert Taube in 1961.
Background information
Birth name	Evert Axel Taube
Born	(1890-03-12)12 March 1890 Gothenburg, Sweden
Died	31 January 1976(1976-01-31) (aged 85) Stockholm, Sweden
Genres	Folk music
Occupations	Musician Author
Instruments	Vocals, Lute
Years active	1918–74
Website	Evert Taube homepage (unofficial)

1985 statue of Evert Taube at Järntorget in Stockholm.

Taube's grave in Stockholm

Evert Axel Taube (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈeːvɛʈ ˈtoːb] ( listen); 12 March 1890 - 31 January 1976) was a Swedish author, artist, composer and singer. He is best known for his folk songs, and is widely regarded as one of Sweden's most respected musicians.

Early life[link]

Evert Taube was born in in 1890 in Gothenburg, and brought up on the island of Vinga, Västergötland, where his father, Carl Gunnar Taube, a ship's captain, was the lighthouse keeper. His mother was Julia Sofia Jacobsdotter. Taube belongs to an untitled branch of the Baltic German noble Taube family, introduced at the Swedish House of Nobility in 1668 as noble family No. 734.^[1]

Career[link]

Having spent two years (1907–1909) sailing around the Red Sea, Ceylon and South Africa, Taube began his career as a singer-songwriter and collector of sailors' songs, and on Christmas Eve 1908, on board the Norwegian ship SS Bergen headed for Spain, he performed "Turalleri, piken fra Hamburg".

Following a five-year stay (1910–1915) in Argentina, he developed an interest in Latin American music and introduced the Argentinian tango to Sweden in the twenties. Contrary to widespread perceptions, Taube did not work as a gaucho (cowboy) on the Pampas but as a foreman supervising workers who were digging canals designed to prevent flooding on the vast plains.

He is perhaps best known as a depictor of the idyllic, with motifs from the Swedish archipelagoes and from the Mediterranean, from a perspective every Swedish four-week holiday tourist could recognize. But he also wrote the most hitting anti-fascist anti-war poem in the Swedish language, "Målaren och Maria Pia", about the Italian war in Abyssinia, from the late 30s, as well as the anthem of the budding environmental movement in the 70s, "Änglamark" (originally written for the successful 1971 "Hasseåtage"-film The Apple War).

Among Taube's most famous songs are "Calle Schewens vals", "Min älskling (du är som en ros)", "Dans på Sunnanö", "Flickan i Havanna", "Änglamark", "Sjösala vals", "Fritiof och Carmencita", "Så skimrande var aldrig havet" and "Så länge skutan kan gå".

Taube has been translated into English by Helen Asbury,^[2] Paul Britten Austin,^[3] Emily Melcher^[4] and others. His songs have been recorded in English by Roger Whittaker,^[5] Sven-Bertil Taube,^[6] Martin Best,^[7] Roger Hinchliffe^[8] and Emily Melcher.^[4]

Personal life[link]

In 1925, he married Astri Bergman Taube, a painter and sculptress.

Taube had a summer house called Sjösala, located in Stavsnäs, which was burned down by Mona Wallén-Hjerpe in 1969.^[9]

Taube died in Stockholm and is buried on the graveyard of Maria Magdalena Church on Södermalm.

Honors[link]

On his 60th birthday in 1950, Taube received the Bellman Award from the Swedish Academy and in 1960 he received an honorary doctorate from Gothenburg University. He was elected as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 1970.

Taube is regarded as one of the finest troubadours in Sweden. There is a complete pavilion, opened in 2008, dedicated to him at Liseberg Theme Park in Gothenburg.

On 6 April 2011, the Bank of Sweden announced that Taube's portrait will feature on the 50 kronor banknote, beginning in 2014-15.^[10]

Children[link]

1. Per-Evert Arvid Joachim Taube (1926–2009)
2. Rose Marie Astrid Elisabet Taube (1928 - 1928)
3. Ellinor Gunnel Astri Elisabeth Taube (1930–1998)
4. Sven-Bertil Taube (born 1934)

Publications[link]

• Sjösalaboken (1942), with illustrations by Roland Svensson.

Biography in English[link]

• I Come From A Raging Sea 1967 ^[11]
• A History of Swedish Literature 1989 ^[12]
• A History of Swedish Literature 1996 ^[13]

See also[link]

• List of Swedes in music
• Swedish ballad tradition

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2011)

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Evert Taube

Swedish

• Taube society
• Evert Taube discography
• Evert Taube at Open Library.
• Evert Taube homepage (unofficial)

English

• Evert Taube biography
• Evert Taube at Allmusic.

Translations

• A Talk While Dancing
• Sea Ballads and Other Songs
• While still the boat sails along (Så länge skutan kan gå)

Videos

• Byssan lull
• Så skimrande var aldrig havet (The ocean has never been more beautiful)
• Calle Schewen's Waltz and Sov på min arm (Sleep in my arms)