What secrets do two women, backs turned, hold? Here at Mosebacke torg, stands the Systrarna statue. It’s a poignant reminder of a tragic love story, shrouded in the societal constraints of its time. The Systrarna statue, carved from Ekeberg marble by Nils Sjögre, depicts two young women. They stand in classical poses, their backs to each other. One gazes openly, a pot resting against her hip. The other has a gentle smile, her hands clasped behind her head. Sjögre began this work in 1935, originally intending to represent Venus, the goddess of love. The project took him ten years to complete. The Systrarna statue finally found its home here in 1945. Over those ten years, Sjögren’s vision shifted. He drew inspiration from a tragic event that shook Stockholm in 1911: the double suicide of two young women in Hammarby Lake. Their story, widely reported in newspapers and even immortalized in a ballad, resonated deeply with the artist. The women, bound together by hat veils, weighted their bags with stones and walked into the lake. This act, a desperate testament to their forbidden love, became the silent narrative of the Systrarna statue. Though initially named “Sisters,” the statue has become a poignant symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by same-sex couples in the past. It acknowledges the societal pressures that forced their love into the shadows. Over the years, the statue has been the site of various installations. These installations highlight its significance as a symbol of resilience and remembrance. Artist Jorun Kugelberg wrapped the figures in cloth bandages in 2007, only to symbolically liberate them, an act echoing the women’s struggle for freedom. The statue’s presence in Mosebacke torg is a quiet invitation. It’s a call to reflect on the power of love, the weight of societal expectations, and the enduring spirit of those who dared to love against the odds. The Systrarna statue reminds us to remember and honor their story.
Hauptfriedhof
Lost in time stands the Hauptfriedhof Trier. A tranquil expanse in the bustling city it’s more than just a cemetery.