This display represents a rather sub-optimal event in Gothenburg’s history and humiliated Sweden on the global stage. In June 2001, Gothenburg transitioned from a hopeful host city for an EU summit into a scene of unprecedented chaos that left the nation in shock. The event began with months of careful preparation, with city authorities and police meeting with sixty different activist groups to ensure a peaceful environment. In an effort to foster cooperation, the city even allowed demonstrators to stay in local schools for free, hoping to avoid the violent sparked riots that had plagued summits in other international cities. However, despite these proactive measures, the atmosphere shifted violently as paving stones began to fly through the air and fires were lit in the middle of Avenyn, the city’s main boulevard.
The city authorities struggled to understand how such a breakdown in order occurred and business owners and residents described an unreal scene where thick smoke filled the air and the streets were littered with destruction. Confusing technical failures added to the turmoil as while activists stayed a step ahead using quick text messages, police radios screeched and new mobile phones were plagued by busy signals. To this day, the city can’t really explain what went wrong.
The exhibit here is an honest look at the event, they’ve got paving stones to represent what were chucked about, alongside a police radio and police hi-vis jacket which were used at the summit.