I Made The Headlines

Newspapers can be a wonderful reminder of the place you have been, as they can include both the major news events happening at the time, as well as the smaller details, such as the weather and what’s on television. I’ve still got a copy of The London Times from when I first visited Europe in 1983, which holds a special place in my heart.

But as I’ve scaled down my baggage needs when travelling – I actually did my last trip to Sweden with carry-on luggage only – I’m trying not to bring back too many physical copies.

Instead, for the last two trips to Sweden, I’ve taken a photograph every day of the newspaper banners outside the local Pressbyrån.

The bombings and killings in Norway dominated the headlines for most of my time there, naturally enough (eight days). But so too did the celebrity breakup of Måns Zelmerlöw and Marie Serneholt (four days). In between there were stories about other celebrities, the weather, and a major feature on the founder of IKEA. It was summer, after all.

And in case you’re wondering, “I Made The Headlines” is a reference to a song by Swedish group, Alcazar.