Gingerbread House Exhibition at ArkDes

One of the fun, annual holiday events in Stockholm is the Gingerbread House exhibition at the museum ArkDes (Sweden's National Center for Architecture and Design). This is actually a competition as well and the entries are all on display in the exhibition, until January 9th, with winners being awarded on December 19th. And... you can vote for your favorite either at the museum or on their website.

What makes this competition more fun and interesting is that the competitors are split into three categories: architects, people who love to bake and children 12 years or younger. So... you have a wide range of abilities, creativity and points of view. Every year, they have a theme for the competition. This year it is "together". 

The theme is especially poignant (and obviously chosen) because of the pandemic. Though it was funny to read how some of the children incorporated the theme (or at least the word) into their work. One child, who made a gingerbread model of the Titanic sinking, explained: "together they had the same dream, but not the same fate. Some survived, others didn't. But they struggled together". Cute, not totally incorrect, if perhaps a bit macabre...

There is NO admission to visit the exhibition, which will be showing through January 9th. If you are interested in architecture and design, don't miss visiting other exhibitions in the museum. ArkDes is located on the island of Skeppsholmen, in the same complex as Moderna, the modern art museum. In fact, they share the same entrance and are a great museum pair to visit in one afternoon.

The easiest way to get there from the Hotel Rival is either by taking the Djurgård ferry from nearby Gamla Stan (just tell the staff that you which to disembark at Skeppsholmen) or else walking across the bridge that connects the island to the downtown area. Great views of the old town and royal palace from the bridge!