Road to Stockholm with the KAROQ, Part 3: Sweden

SURPRISE! MANDO DIAO WILL PLAY LIVE AT KAROQ PREMIERE

Famous Swedish rockers, Mando Diao, will perform at Stockholm's Artipelag in just a few hours. The performance will be part of the premiere of the new ŠKODA KAROQ model. Before the official revelation, the band was given the opportunity to see the car exclusively. "It looks really good!" the members said.

Even though Sweden has no more residents than the Czech Republic, it seems to produce a fountain of musical superstars. Why is that? "It's probably something in the water," laughs Björn, frontman of the band. "In Sweden, it's very easy to learn to play an instrument at school. Besides, there is not much happening in this country besides nature and it gets dark, so you have to find something to do."

MAGICAL ARTIPELAG. PREMIERE OF KAROQ AT AN EXCEPTIONAL SPACE

There are not many similar places in the world like this. On one of the islands near Stockholm lies The Artipelag art hall. It’s the perfect link between architecture and nature. This beautiful location, sits between charming sceneries, literally embedded into the countryside. There are rocks rising from the floor, the whole area is surrounded by trees, the main building material is wood and the roof is overgrown with vegetation. It’s all so perfectly Swedish.

The modern metropolis of Sweden is spread over 14 islands at the mouth of the 120 km long, Lake Mäleren. Water is therefore ubiquitous here. It covers a third of the city's surface with the other third occupied by its beautiful parks. Just like Venice, The very centre of Stockholm also sits on the water. The layout of this city embraces that challenge masterfully, thus gaining its flattering nickname, “Venice of the North”. The birthplace of Alfred Nobel and gaming phenomenon Minecraft is a sophisticated city rich with cultural diversity and beauty.

Just like in Berlin and Prague, KAROQ has blended perfectly with this city thanks to its modern design and agile drive. "I was expecting a pretty tough trip across three countries, but it was amazing. KAROQ handled every situation with grace. It is pleasantly compact in the city, as well as conveniently spacious for long journeys. It behaves as confidently on the highway as it does off road. The ride has been very comfortable and even the rear seats can be moved independently! Actually, I’m not sure what else I’d want from a car. I really don’t want to say goodbye to it,” says Alex before the end of his trip.

At first glance, it seems that all Swedes are fluent in English, have good taste in design and clothing, and that they’re not really open to outsiders. But how do they see themselves? What would they tell people who visit their country for the first time? “Sweden is a very quiet and beautiful country. Maybe the people here are a bit too closed and reserved, but we’re good people. We have a very close relationship to the sea, and we love nature,” explains young Jenny, staring at the mysterious KAROQ. “This is a cool car, I like it very much. It’s unique, different from other cars,” she says.

Other inhabitants also confirm that there’s a welcoming face hiding behind the Swedish mask. “Maybe we’re just more shy than spiteful. We’re very friendly, but we’re wary of things we’re not familiar with,” explains Bodil, a stylishly dressed model and journalist. You certainly shouldn’t be put off by first impressions. “Don’t be afraid to address the Swedes. They might not come up to you, but if you take the first step, they’ll definitely help you out. They’re friendly, honest, and they’re not afraid to speak straight,” says the American André, who grew up and studied in Malmö.

According to him, the Swedes are surprisingly interested in politics and other cultures, and they’re very liberal. The cold and often dark weather, however, ultimately gets under your skin. “Sweden is an attractive and clean country. It’s really cold in the winter, so everyone is watching out for themselves. But we make up for it in the summer. That’s when everyone’s celebrating, enjoying themselves, and meeting,” says young Gabrielle. And she also adds a tip for visitors – in Sweden, it’s important to respect everyone’s personal space, even in the queue in the supermarket.

It’s still true, however, that the various regions of Sweden are quite different from each other. “Here in Malmö we were once part of Denmark, and culturally we’re still close to them. We laugh a lot more than people in the north, we like to talk, and we’re probably a bit louder. We think of Copenhagen as our capital, right over the bridge. Stockholm is hundreds of miles away,” says Bodil. Thirty-year-old Peter confirms that when Swedes are choosing a car, the relationship to nature and design is also important. “I like SUVs, and I like this one. It looks great for trips into nature,” he says of the KAROQ.

Over the last 20 years, Malmö has undergone a major transformation. From what used to be a working-class town, whose original name Malmhaug meant a “pile of gravel”, it has become a university city with modern architecture and a great emphasis on services and information technology. For example, it’s also home to the famous Turning Torso, the first building of its kind in the world.