Culture

Umeå has been designated cultural capital of Europe in 2014. That tells you a lot about the rich culture in Umeå – and Västerbotten. You’ll find all kinds of opera, jazz, pop, theatres, cinemas and art here. In spades. And of course, the culture of the Lapps is also well represented.

Umeå has long enjoyed culture on a scale seen in few other Swedish cities. Here, for instance, you have one of the most northerly opera houses in the world, an internationally renowned sculpture part, a museum of contemporary art which is famous the world over and jazz and pop festivals that bring in some top names from all over the world, year after year.

Here, too, you’ll find extensive, intensive culture at grass roots level, an inquisitive do-it-yourself spirit which means exciting events are always happening. This was something that Umeå used for its application to become the cultural capital of Europe in 2014. And it actually turned out to be something of concept for success! The application also stated that Umeå will have close ties with other locations in Västerbotten in respect of cultural issues. In other words, this means that Västerbotten in its entirety will benefit on a cultural level before, during and after 2014 from Umeå being granted this honour.

For instance, you can visit craftsmen working on duodji (genuine Lappish handicrafts), listen to tales from Sápmi (the land of the Lapps) or enjoy a good yoik, a kind of improvised Lappish chant. Find out more about mountain plants, hunting in a land without borders, or visit a Lappish mountain farm.

You’ll find mountain camps and Lappish cots both old and new all over Västerbotten. The first Lappish cultural reserve is here, too. On the holy mountain of Atoklimpen are traces of reindeer farming dating back to prehistoric times. The Lappish church village of Fatmomakke has been a place for Lapps and settlers to meet since the 18th century.

Show on map 100 000 cheeses at Ostens Lager Ancient ruins by Gråtanån Art at Tuggengården Asplunda Lanthandel At the cottage of Maria Lilja at Strand Atoklimpen Cultural Reserve Bastuträsk Gästgivargård Bergrum Boliden – part of Gold of Lapland Bjuröklubb Bone stamp/watermill Bygdeå church, with sculptures Byske Sportfi skemuseum, Hållhägnen – part of Byske Laxdal Craft traditions at Slöjdarnas Hus Cultural buildings in Bastuträsk Dahlbergsgården Fatmomakke – church village since the 18th century Finnfors Kraftverksmuseum Forum Museum Rönnskär – part of Gold of Lapland Gammplatsen, Lycksele Garden holiday – a garden to delight the senses Gillesnuole Sami Chapel Handens Hus Hembygdsgården Ammarnäs Historic railroad bridges Holmöarna - lovely islands in northern Kvarken Inland Railway Museum in Sorsele – a century of ideas, dreams and reality Jano Knives, Näsmark Jubilee year in Bjurholm Konst i Kvarn Konsthantverkarna - craftsmen Koppsele Kullerbacken Lapp-Lisa memorial Lappstan Laxtunneln, Fällfors Lively open-air museum and contemporary art at Gammlia Malå Hembygdsområde Milles in Dorotea Church Motor museum and nostalgia café Motorcykelmuseum, Dikanäs Museum Anna Nordlander Museum Göta & Verner in Malå Museum in Kvarnåsen Nordanå Nordmaling town centre Norgefarargården – listed building in Klimpfjäll Norrbyskär – adventure on this idyllic island Norsjö Bildmuseum Norsjö Church Norsjö Hembygdsområde Nybyggarland, Storuman Olofsfors Ironworks Ostens Hus, Burträsk – part of the Kingdom of Cheese Potato Hill - a real highpoint Pålssons stuga RenSame i Vindelfjällen Ricklundgården, Saxnäs Risbäck Hembygdsområde Rismyrliden Robertsfors Bruk – 250 years Saga cinema in Adak Samegården Ammarnäs Sami artisan – and fantastic story-tellers Sami culture, Tärnaby Hemavan Settlement remains at Gråtanån and Sjulsbacken settlement Skogsmuseum – part of Gold of Lapland Skulpturum, Ammarnäs Sorseleholmen local heritage area Steam locomotive from 1915 Stensele Kyrka Stone Age rock paintings Stornorrfors Power Station and rock carvings Storuman Library Summer in the Holmön archipelago Sutme Lappläger Svansele Vildmarkscenter im Goldreich The Boat Museum in Stackgrönnan The longest cableway The Salmon Observatory – part of the Byske Salmon Valley Torvsjö Mills Travel through time Umedalens skulpturpark Umeå Energicentrum, Klabböle Umeå Energy Centre– for all ages Underground church in Kristineberg Varuträsk Vildmarksgruva Viktoriakyrkan church Vilhelmina Kyrkstad Vindelfjällens naturreservat, Kungsleden trail and Naturum Ammarnäs Vindelforsarnas Naturreservat Vindeln Hembygdsområde Vindelåforsens Stugby Vormforsen on the Vindelälven river Vännäs Motor Museum– aircraft and vehicle museum Ångsågen, Drängsmark – part of Byske Laxdal Åsele Hembygdsområde and museum Älgens hus Örnbo – with beautiful views Överklintens Kvarnhotell