Uppsala, Sweden
Clear thinking
Known as the Cambridge of Sweden, Uppsala is a clean, green university city that bridges the gap between academia and modern innovation, writes Ellie Evans.
The country's Covid-19 regulations meant events only recommenced in early October: among the first to take place in Uppsala was the 11th Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Music and Minorities from 25 to 29 October.
This hybrid event saw 22 attendees on-site at the Institute for Language and Folklore in the city’s Arkivcentrum while 26 delegates took part online (mainly non-EU citizens due to Sweden's entry ban on international travellers until 31 October). The institute's lecture hall made it the ideal venue, says organiser Charlotte Hyltén-Cavallius, with the large meeting room at the top of the building hosting the symposium dinner.
"We had to co-operate with a professional film team to be able to produce a hybrid symposium with presenters on-site and on zoom. We also had to use a professional audio technician," she says of the logistics of organising a hybrid event. "The local arrangements committee had to follow the zoom event, pinning those who would like to ask a question or make a comment. This was a lot of work during the whole week. In the end it was very successful with online streaming, but we had to tackle many late changes, a majority of which were pandemic-related."
Highlights included the welcome reception at Uppsala Castle and a visit to the Erik Sahlström Institute in nearby Tobo, where delegates attended a live concert. Adds Charlotte: "Uppsala holds Sweden’s largest (and oldest) university, Uppsala University, which gives a special feeling to the place. It has many beautiful buildings and a cosy air."
CITYFILE:
Airport
The closest airport is Stockholm Arlanda, located 35km south of Uppsala (a 20-minute trip by train, which runs several times an hour).
Accommodation
There are 2,000 hotel rooms at 12 four-star hotels and nine three-star hotels, with an emphasis on sustainability. Unique hotels include Gimo Herrgård, Sweden's first Gustavian manor house with 87 individually designed rooms, or the 50-room Rånäs Slott, an Italian-inspired manor house which also boasts impressive conference facilities.
Key venues
The Fyrishov Arena, within walking distance of the town centre, offers plenty of space with the largest room accommodating 3,700, and Uppsala Konsert & Kongress has capacity for more than 3,000. For a light and airy industrial space that can seat 450, try Hyllan or, for summer events, traditional restaurant Flustret boasts a beautiful outdoor area, while Norrlands Nation combines the latest tech with old-school elegance.
Key industries
Uppsala has become synonymous with life sciences, ICT and clean tech; its Green Innovation Park is home to some of the region's most influential green entrepreneurs. Pharmaceutical giant Pharmacia has been headquartered here since 1951, and upsalite, the world’s most absorbent material, was discovered at Uppsala University.
Subventions
Funding is available for congresses to cover speaker costs and marketing, or to help with receptions and visits to local incubators for example, plus there are subventions for public transport.
Worth a visit
Cruise the river Fyris, visit the magnificent 13th-century Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrka) or wander the winding streets of the Old Town. Visit Uppsala University Museum for its cultural history collections, including Nordic and Egyptian antiquities, as well as a stunning art collection, or explore Uppsala's history dating back to Viking times at the Gamla Uppsala Museum, due to reopen in January 2022 after a revamp.
Who to contact:
Anna Lindström
Director Uppsala Convention Bureau
Office of Business and Tourism Development, City of Uppsala
Destination Uppsala
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: + 46 (0)18 727 48 34
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