Opening speech for new provincial coats of arms
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns the inauguration of shields featuring Sweden's 25 provincial coats of arms in the Riksdag's foyer to mark 500 years since Sweden left the Kalmar Union. The Speaker argues that the shields constitute a symbolic link between past and present and emphasizes the Riksdag's long history 1. By placing these symbols in the foyer, the Speaker wants to emphasize that the Riksdag is the entire country's parliament and that the members represent the whole country 1. The shields shall serve as a reminder that decisions in the chamber affect all parts of the country and that the Riksdag has a long history 1.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
TALMANNEN
Honorable members! 500 years ago, Sweden left the Kalmar Union when Gustav Vasa was elected king on June 6, 1523. Thus, our country became an independent state once again. This is being highlighted, as I mentioned in my Christmas speech here in the chamber, through the project "The Riksdag for 500 years," which can be read more about on the Riksdag's website. As an additional step to highlight this anniversary year, I have the pleasure today of inaugurating shields with Sweden's 25 provincial coats of arms, placed in the chamber foyer. The formal inauguration will take place immediately after I have adjourned the chamber's meeting for ten minutes. But since the foyer is not so well suited for giving a speech, I will say a few words here instead.
In the gallery, we have four guests who have contributed their unique expertise in different ways to the development of the shields – a project that unites art, craftsmanship, and heraldry. Here are state heraldist Davor Zovko, former state heraldist Henrik Klackenberg, woodcarver Carsten Nilsson, and heraldic artist Vladimir Sagerlund. Welcome here, and a warm thank you for your fine work! And you will be available in the chamber foyer after the inauguration for those who wish to ask questions.
Honorable members! The majority of provincial coats of arms were created in the 1500s. They are still used and constitute a symbolic link between past and present.
Through the coats of arms, the Riksdag's long history is underscored. The modernly designed plenary chamber is, by means of this, enclosed by traditionally designed coats of arms.
But there is an additional dimension to this.
As Speaker, I have had the privilege of carrying out Speaker's tours around Sweden together with the Deputy Speakers. During the last parliamentary term, there were a total of 24 tours, and now it is time again. Our Speaker's tours are a way to emphasize that the Riksdag is the whole of Sweden's Riksdag. In the same way, it is with the provincial coats of arms in the chamber foyer.
The coats of arms highlight that you, the members of the Riksdag, represent the entire country and that the Riksdag's decisions affect all of us who live in this country. In the chamber, there are now symbols for all parts of our country, as a complement to the nation's symbols such as the flag in here and the great coat of arms on the rostrum. Perhaps the photos for your next interview with the local newspaper that is coming to visit can be taken in front of your very own provincial coat of arms.
Speaking of the rostrum: Let me mention that we have also made a small development of the decoration here in the chamber. The rostrums in front of the podium have been fitted with the same stylized version of the three crowns of the small coat of arms that has long been on the doors to the chamber.
Honorable members! I will very shortly inaugurate the provincial coats of arms in the chamber foyer. My hope is that the shields shall, every time we enter and leave the chamber, remind us that the Riksdag is the entire country's parliament and has a long history, and that a club strike here in the chamber can echo into the future and shape all parts of our country.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.