War and Peace, a photo from Sodermanland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

I am back to present days after my short scanned excursion to 2003. This is certainly nothing special, but I couldn't resist a snapshot when I came across this in a park on Södermalm island a few days ago.

A young woman was relaxing on the lawn while young soldiers were learning how to erect a radio antenna. Considering that Sweden has just applied for Nato membership, it would be tempting to see this as part of preparations against the hostile Russian interference that is expected, but I guess there is really no connection.

The sculpture in the center of the photo has been here since 1976 and was created by artist Arne Jones using stainless steel.

I borrowed the title from the well known novel by the Russian author Lev Tolstoy. It was written long before the attack on Ukraine.

pajaran, Fis2, pierrefonds, ikeharel, worldcitizen, aliabazari, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ, ktanska, jean113, adramad ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115779) 2022-05-20 0:18

Pozdrav.

Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Interesantna scena u parku, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Sta ce vojnici ovde ...
Gospodja se nije uplasila, prati dogadjanja u aprku, tu je bicikla da sto pre ode ako nesto ne bude dobro.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja

ifege (47957) 2022-05-20 0:21

Hi Gert
An interesting photo and given Ukraine and NATO thoughts an appropriate one for these times. Well composed. That man on the right seems more interested in the woman than in the soldiers.
cheers
Ian

Fis2 (170639) 2022-05-20 2:37

Witaj Gert!
A very nice place, interesting scene.
The soldiers and the sculpture are impressive.
A woman and a bicycle add flavor to this composition.
Good framing, colors and light.
Interesting notes.
Well done.
Have a nice day.
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (221463) 2022-05-20 4:30

Ciao Gert, I prefere peace on the rigt, lovely composition, relaxing atmosphere, great view of fantastic sphinx, fine details, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (114347) 2022-05-20 5:23

Hi Gert,

The presence of the soldiers and of a young woman is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the sculpture. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Tue (92302) 2022-05-20 10:07

Hej Gert,
Det er fristende at se dette billede med soldaterne i nutidens lys med større trussel fra Rusland og Sveriges kommende NATO-medlemskab (hvis Erdogan giver op sit forsøg på at stoppe det). Kontrasten med kvinden der ligger i græsset er meget god og billedets titel er meget passende. Antennen ser ud som et kunstværk.
Lars
PS - du nævnte mit nye kamera. Det var faktisk også lidt dyrere end jeg havde tænkt mig at bruge på det, men jeg kunne alligevel ikke bruge mine penge på noget andet i sidste års lockdowntider

jmdias (115046) 2022-05-20 10:40

gert

for coincidence war and peace is resting in my desk waiting the day I will read it, it is a very long journey of literature and I have to get more courage, at this moment I am reading smaller books. hahaha.
curious to see soldiers making their work in a public park. a nice view of the sculpture, looks interesting.
yes, putin is putting you in the target now..

take care

jorge

ikeharel (113241) 2022-05-20 10:41

Hello Gert,
Many thanks for your latest criti1que with warm words.
Nice contrast of two subjects combined. like tw separate photos.
Aso, the title has good meaning to nthe scene.
Good evening,
Ike

lousat (139170) 2022-05-20 13:29

Hi Gert,it seems quite strange to me that the soldiers come to train in the public parks of the city, however the photo testifies to it and also the girl who looks very interested, certainly more to the soldiers than to the antenna. Beautiful composition that in fact can also refer to the next inclusion of Sweden in NATO. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

worldcitizen (16048) 2022-05-20 18:43

Hello Gert,
These are three things I never expected to see in the same scene: a woman lounging in the grass, some modern art, and a group of soldiers! It's amusing to see those soldiers working in the middle of a park. It's an interesting shot. Take care!

aliabazari (22089) 2022-05-20 22:24

Hello Gert
It shows an attractive and peaceful view of everyday life. The calmness of the young woman emphasizes this peaceful atmosphere. Good sharpness and lighting. Beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing

mcmtanyel (68383) 2022-05-20 22:27

Hello Gert,
Yes, very apt title for this photo. The statue separates war from peace.
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (116377) 2022-05-20 22:50

Hello my dearest friend Gert and have a nice day
and a happy evening
your chosen title is really impressive and your thoughts
that sWEDEN has just applied for Nato membership
are interesting too....but the sculpture dominates
this photo,the soldiers make the difference
and the young lady on the grass adds
a relaxing tone to the whole scenery
regards
Costantino

ChrisJ (171794) 2022-05-22 7:29

Hej Gert

Already Russia has tried to blackmail Poland, Bulgaria and now Finland into paying for gas in rubles. All of them have refused. Finland is now getting its gas from the Estonia pipeline. A striking contrast of the soldiers at left and the relaxing woman at right. Tfs!

ktanska (44714) 2022-05-22 10:17

Hej Gert,
It is funny to see these totally unrelated things together. I was actually wondering if that sculpture was part of the thing the soldiers were doing. And it is surprising that they practice in the city.
Kari

GyurMaster (24818) 2022-05-23 0:53

Hello again,

It seems that now you have an absurdity series. :) It is another shot I would have taken gladly myself.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

PS: Accidentally, do you have any information on jhm (John Maenhout)? He has been absent from the site for two months. I hope he is okay.

jean113 (27819) 2022-05-23 4:33

Hello Gert, I Ike how the sculpture separates the shot into two halves with the soldiers busy in one half and the woman and man in civvies in the other half.
Was the woman watching the progress of the soldiers at work, do you think?
I notice a camouflaged vehicle on the l/h/s at the back of the shot.
It is an interesting sculpture.
Once again, great observation.
Kind regards, Jean.

adramad (72934) 2022-05-26 9:43

Hi Gert.
Certainly a curious photo with the remarkable contrast, between the relaxation and tranquility that the girl lying on the grass next to her bike gives, with the group of soldiers who, especially in these times, remind us of the insecurity and risk of Europe with the evil Putin, the sculpture is a complement that I don't know what it means.
Great color that brings out the details of the image, the sharpness is excellent and the lighting is splendid.
Very good work. I like very much.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.

emka (158030) 2022-05-28 5:56

Hello Gert, I had in London good weather and in lawns of every park (I have visited some of them) there were people picknicking like this girl biker. But there were no soldiers.
Pleasant scene.
Borrow means to take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it. I wonder how will you return this title to Tolstoy.

Best regards

Malgo