ABBA Fan Club Celebration Weekend - Sweden April 2016

This year, the Official International Fan Club are holding their ABBA Fan Weekend in Stockholm Sweden in conjunction with ABBA The Museum. This event is usually held in the Netherlands each year - but this year being the 30th Anniversary of the Fan Club, they have made it extra special.

I am so disappointed to not be there, especially as I thought I would make it this year.

The celebration started on 22 April - and has a couple more days to go - and it is off to a fantastic start !

The festivities began on Friday night with a Welcome Party / Quiz Night.

Photo by Shanika Ranasinghe

The festivities continued Saturday morning with fans gathering outside the Museum to take a nice ABBA walk together before returning to the Museum at 10am for the opening.

They were then treated to a performance by the Museum Choir, including Australia's own Grace McCallum - it has been two years since the Choir performed together, so this was a rare treat.

Grace seen here with ABBA's choreographer, Graham Tainton -  Görel Hanser and Polar Music's Mia Segolsson.

Photo by Grace McCallum

At 12pm they were welcomed to the event by Helga - President of the Official International ABBA Fan Club - and Ingemarie Halling - Director of ABBA The Museum.

Then came the Premiere of the Museum's new attraction - the unique photos by Michael Svensson’s 24 hours with ABBA in Norrköping before the group’s European tour of 1979. Michael was there for Q & A and the newspaper he worked for then, and still does, will do a feature about the Friends & Fans day.

But then, the biggest surprise for the fans - Benny showed up !
He was all smiles as he thanked the fans for their loyalty.
Much to everyone's delight, he then sat at the beautiful white piano and played Thank You For The Music - which the fans all sang to him !!
And if that wasn't enough, he then talked more to fans, and even answered questions.
I can only imagine how exciting it must have been for everyone - and emotional.

Photo by Shanika Ranasinghe

Photo by Henk Jansen

The program for the afternoon was as follows:

14:00 The Polar Studio exclusively opens its doors, with Lennart Östlund.

15:00 POP TALKS - Mia Segolsson (Polar Music) & Görel Hanser are interviewed by Ingmarie.

15:30 ABBA PRESENTATION - Carl Magnus Palm, the ABBA expert, talks about the group’s recording sessions.

Photo by Henk Jansen

Photo by Gunnar Moe

Photo by Mark Dare

16:00 Official Fan Photo 2016.

At 6pm fans gathered at Tre Byttor restaurant for dinner - before heading to Solliden next door to finish off the day with a fabulous ABBA Disco !

Food time ! Or was this Friday night with the ABBA quiz ? Detail to be confirmed.

Photo by Ray Morrison

Disco:

Photo by Shanika Ranasinghe

Wow, what an amazing day it must have been - and there's more to come tomorrow.

In the morning, fans will enjoy a boat tour around Djurgården, being told all about the ABBA sight.

And then they will enjoy the evening at Mamma Mia The Party! Restaurant.

I have no doubt the fans will find many other things to do in between the official activities as well.

I will add more photos - and hopefully videos - as they are shared by fans.

What a weekend !!

One last surprise for today - the new and improved ABBA Holograms at the Museum - looking great !

https://www.facebook.com/AbbaTheMuseum/
 
https://www.facebook.com/officialabbafanclub/?fref=ts

https://www.instagram.com/officialabbafanclub/

Check out the above pages for more images - and some nice little videos.

A great fan interview here:

http://www.svt.se/kultur/musik/abba-fanklubben-firar-30

And the article translation:

ABBA fan club celebrates 30 with full weekend in Stockholm.
ABBA fan club celebrates 30 with helhelg in Stockholm.

They have come from Mexico, the United States, Brazil and across Europe. International ABBA Fan Club celebrates 30 years with a helhelg of ABBA center of the universe, Stockholm.It's been 33 years since ABBA disbanded and the four went their separate ways. Although, of course, Björn and Benny continued to cooperate. But international ABBA fan club, based in the Netherlands, has never sounded ABBA's resolution to stand in the way.

About 300 fans are expected to Stockholm to celebrate 30 years as a club with a helhelg. The program "ABBA hikes", museum visits, pub and disco. Already Friday after lunch, gathered a large group of very dedicated fans of ABBA museum.

- After my matriculation I moved from Finland to Stockholm to if nothing else breathes the same air as ABBA, says Caterina Rivanor"Musical geniuses"If you ask what is so special about ABBA fans say this:- They are musical geniuses. Timeless songs, great music, four beautiful people and amazing avant-garde videos at the time.- The songs, the lyrics, how the votes were combined. Agneta soprano, mezzo-soprano Frida. Crikey! It was like angels singing!

Research on ABBA fansIn the crowd there Shanika Ranasinghe as hell and also have started research on ABBA fans at home in Oxford, UK.- It fascinates me that the group is still so popular, 30-40 years after they were on the scene. And then there's all that came afterward, films, plays, but there are still a lot of very passionate fans who are very loyal to a group who did not play together. I think it's pretty unique, she says.- So what is the answer, why is it so?- I can not say that yet, unfortunately, because I started quite recently. But when I was studying for a doctorate, I will be able to respond better, laugh Ranasinghe.How is a typical ABBA fan?- When I started there were many who said, "Oh, it's gays and 40-year-old women," but I have realized that one can not generalize about ABBA fans. They are very different. Some are my age and younger, others have been fans since ABBA still played.

Update: More photo taken by Fernando Alves- love the flags !

Photos by Gordon Brown and published online by the Official International Fan Club:

Nice video of Benny arriving and greeting the fans on this link.

http://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/abba-feber?cmpid=del%3Apd%3Any%3A20160424%3Aabba-feber%3Anyh

ABBA fever in Djurgården

ABBA is still popular, even though it is 34 years since they made their last public appearance.

Hundreds of fans had gathered in the ABBA museum on Djurgarden to celebrate 30 years as a club. Today was the awards ceremony for the best ABBA outfits, among other things. But what the fans did not know was that one of ABBA members were in place, namely Benny Andersson. And he was greeted by huge cheers when he went up on stage and welcomed the fans.

Photo By Trisha Millman

Disco - Photo by Trisha Millman

Welcome Party - Photo by Trisha Millman

Mamma Mia The Party! Photo by Trisha Millman

Mamma Mia The Party! Photo by Trisha Millman

Mamma Mia The Party! Photo by Trisha Millman

The Boat Tour:

 

Mick Jagger Visits ABBA The Museum !

The Rolling Stones legend knows what's really important.

The Rolling Stones are currently in Stockholm, where they will do a concert at the Tele2 Arena tonight. Last night Mick Jagger visited ABBA The Museum, where museum curator Ingmarie Halling showed him around the premises for 45 minutes.
According to Expressen, who talked to Ingmarie Halling and Björn Ulvaeus, The Rolling Stones are planning a similar museum dedicated to their own career in London. Mick took a lot of pictures with his mobile, "asked a thousand questions" and also tried out the hologram where you can perform with the four ABBA members.
But now to the really important stuff: Mick Jagger left the premises with a tour t-shirt and a copy of ABBA - The Backstage Stories, the book written by Ingmarie Halling and me. So if you want to be like Mick, click here to learn more about the book and to order your copy.

Carl Magnus Palm

http://www.carlmagnuspalm.com/news-container/mick-jagger-has-a-copy-of-ingmaries-and-my-book

From Expressen:

Now, Mick Jagger copy ABBA
Mick Jagger tested ABBA Museum and sang with hologram ABBA.

Now, Expressen tell about the secret plan for a Rolling Stones museum in London.

- That's why he wanted to come and watch, says Björn Ulvaeus.

After Sunday's nocturnal adventures at Café Opera took the Rolling Stones lie.

Then began the build-up to tonight's gig at Tele 2 Arena.

Mick Jagger left the Grand Hotel first at eight o'clock in the evening.

He was escorted out the back door into a raven Mercedes.

A bunch of guards beating an iron ring around Jagger to protect him from the fans.

- Hello there! he shouted.

Then they traveled against Djurgården in Stockholm.

Where swung the car up outside a hotel located adjacent to the ABBA museum.

Mick Jagger had arranged a private tour with the requirement to have come after closing.

- I heard that he would go there. I suspect it will be like for them in London. That was why he wanted to come and watch, says Björn Ulvaeus.

Curator Ing-Marie Halling was the one who showed up around rock star.

"Did thousand questions"

She confirms plans for a Rolling Stones museum.

- It was an inspirational visit. He said they have saved a lot of clothes, they'll show up. He was really cute, and asked a thousand questions, she says.

Mick Jagger took many pictures with his smartphone during the hour-long visit.

But he also took the opportunity to play ABBA.

Rock Star stood namely the stage where one can perform with ABBA projected as a hologram.

- He was very curious and asked practical questions, says Ing-Marie Halling.

http://www.expressen.se/noje/nu-ska-mick-jagger-kopiera-abba/

Djurgården stayed Jagger's car right outside the entrance to the Melody Hotel, which is adjacent to the ABBA museum.
Photographer: Stefan Söderström

ABBA In History - 18th June 1976

On this day in 1976 Abba performed "Dancing Queen" on the eve of the wedding of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm.

Watch that beautiful performance on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Yj5pbsXAs

ABBA Chosen For Swedish Music Hall Of Fame

Live from the press conference at the Swedish Music Hall of Fame: ABBA has just been chosen to be a part in the hall of fame! Stay posted for more info.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article18309637.ab

English Translation:

They become the first elected to the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame.Twelve artists and music creators are selected.
Everlife 's first elected .
Today selected the first musicians in the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame
The jury journalists Jan Gradvall , Kersti Adams-Ray , Amethyst Azordegan and Per Sinding - Larsen.
Those selected must have had a long career . The artists must have debuted at least 20 years earlier.
Swedish Hall of Fame is adjacent to the ABBA Museum on Djurgården in Stockholm.
First to take the step into the hall of fame is Everlife .
- You can not embark on a journey through the Swedish music history without getting off a long time at the bus stop Evert Taube says Jan Gradvall .
Hiphop scene is represented by the Latin Kings who drew on the Swedish music map.
- Today's wave of Swedish artists rapping in Swedish can be traced to the Latin Kings , said Kersti Adams-Ray .
Punks Al Green also got a spot.
- Al Green was the most important Swedish punk band and it still says Amethyst Azordegan .
Hard rockers Entombed selected also recorded. Hard rock is today's folk music, according to the jury.
- Hard rock is Swedish folk music with nitarmband instead of folk-dance , says Per Sinding - Larsen.
One of the most awaited elections is ABBA.
- For each year that passes , the stronger and more indestructible seems ABBA's catalog says Kersti Adams-Ray .

Here are all elected:

Evert Taube.

Jan Johansson.

Latin Kings.

National Theatre.

Cornelis Vreeswijk.

Stina Nordenstam.

Al Green.

Eva Dahlgren.

Entombed.

Monica Zetterlund.

Roxette.

ABBA.