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The
aircraft painter and the bunny 2006.
January 13 is Knut´s
day. For the people in Scandinavia and especially Sweden, this is the
very last day of Christmas. For aircraft painter Jörgen Mattsson(30+)
this is a always a special day. January 13 is the day when he and his
friends find out if their efforts are going to pay off. They have worked
hard for a whole year to prepare masks and dresses for the big parade
through small rural village Gimo.
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The village lies some 80
kilometers north east of Stockholm. In the 17th century, Gimo was known
for the Walloon fining process. Today, the village is well known for the
winter carnival that takes place every winter on Knut´s day evening.
Already in the early afternoon many young people, dressed up in fantasy
costumes, walk around the village, ringing on doors. The purpose is the
inhabitants of the houses should donate gifts to the anonymous callers.
Later in the evening, thousands of people walk the village street and
look at the amazing parade. Several teams from the neighbourhood show
their most fantastic masks made mainly from papier maché. During the
parade, people can vote for their favourite team. The team with the best
masks and dresses, receiving the majority of the votes, are elected
winners. Naturally, the competition is fierce between the teams.
For Jörgen, this year was
going to crown his efforts. Together with his friends he worked
extremely hard. First the team gathered for a creative session,
selecting what figures they were going to prepare. The choice fell on
"bunnies". Next, the long process in making the masks and dresses began,
involving dedicated work for months and months, until Knut's day finally
arrived.
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