Ett Svenskt Mysterium!

In the spirit of exploration, I have started using many different routes to get back to my apartment on Ringvägen on the island Södermalm. I get off the bus off at different stops, catch different buses and take a walk from my apartment returning by another route. One evening a couple of weeks ago, on approaching my apartment through a park situated between the river and Ringvägen, I came across a fenced off piece of land in the middle of a grassy area; this is in a fairly highly populated urban area. However, I could see evidence of some sort of livestock! I prowled around looking at the imprint of hooves on the ground and had my suspicions.



A few days later I walked up the hill, through another park and then down towards the mysterious empty area. As I approached I saw two grey Arab stallions being led across the zebra crossing and into the fenced off area. The horses, when set free, proceeded to cavort around with great enjoy ment. This is in built-up area, around the corner from where I live on a Stockholm island! I was entranced, ecstatic, there were not only horses on my doorstep but they were some of the most beautiful horses imaginable. Arab horses hold their tails very high and are also extremely highly spirited. What were they doing there?

Here is where they live The Orion Theatre. Yes, they are in Stockholm to perform - but not alone. Six grey Arab stallions perform with six mime artists. They are appearing at the theatre up until May. Here's the poster for the performance but it does not do justice to these magnificent animals. And so beautifully mannered as well. You have probably guessed by now that I did more than observe.



The woman who works with these horses is part of a large Scandinavian circus family from Denmark. They have a total of 52 horses in Denmark and took part in an opera The Magic Flute with the same artistic director Lars Rudolfsson. It was at the Opera Hedeland - 'The theatre’s mission is to present the large opera-titles for a wide audience at the unique amphitheatre, seating more than 3500 people. One full scale opera is produced annually'. Here is a picture of the woman, Suzanne Berdino, working with some Friesan horses when they performed at the theatre last year.As you have probably guessed by now, I did more than observe. I couldn't contain my enthusiasm and it was evident that I was a fellow horse woman. We soon ended up in a long discussion on horse behaviour and I was taken across and shown the horse accommodation and the performing area. It was amazing! The horses had been there since March so had been there through the snow, ice and the cold. The stables had been constructed and air conditioning had been installed. These horses were looked after magnificently. I was, of course, introduced to them - wow! I was invited to be backstage for an evening performance last week. That was fascinating seeing the level of concentration of the mime artists, the woman trainer and the horses themselves.

But nothing prepared me for actually seeing the performance from the audience. I bought my ticket and, with great excitement, went back two nights later to be part of the audience. The performance was incredible, magical, breathtaking and at times totally surreal. The mime artists (some of whom had had no contact with horses until they started these performances) were amazing. The horses were beautiful - these are stallions and are running free. Talking to Suzanne, the trainer, a few days later I realised what an incredible mental effort is needed to keep control of the entire performance. Of course, every performance is slightly different. At one point, early in the performance just one white stallion comes out and joins the mime artists. The horse is free and the mime artists mimic whatever it does. During the final scene six horses are moving (trotting) in a circle around a semi-dark arena while above their heads six mime artists are suspended from a large rotating wheel. The horses each in turn swing around in a circle; above their heads the mime artists do somersaults in the air. You would have to see it to believe it!!!