Friday, April 13, 2012

The Beautiful Linköping Domkyrka

Today we met up with our friend Kristina at Stora Torget (Great Square). This is a beautiful city square in Linkoping with lots of sites, shopping, cafes, and parks. It was pretty rainy so we decided to save the parks for a sunnier day, but we did get to visit the breathtaking Linköping Domkyrka (Linkoping Cathedral).

On this day, there were several canvas paintings displayed on easels. These were created by amateurs who were asked to paint their favorite gospel. These ranged from serene landscapes to abstract paintings with vivid colors. It was so inspiring to see how each painter interpreted the gospel and translated it into a work of art.
The cathedral also hosted a small garden right in the middle of the sanctuary. This is something even Kristina hadn't seen before. We believe it was added recently in celebration of Easter.Below is the newest art piece to be added. It begs the viewer to consider those in today's society who are suffering. Those who need compassion and understanding. The artist hid the subject's face from the viewer for reasons left to your own interpretation. I like to think he is prompting us to "fill in the blank" with the identity of someone we could be helping. Someone familiar to us, or several who are familiar to us.
This was by far my favorite. A Tree of Life! The branches are lined with small candles and the tree itself is framed in a ring of candles lit for loved ones lost. Each piece of crystal fruit on the tree represents a different virtue.
After the Cathedral, Kristina took us to her favorite coffee shop. a cozy little house filled with character. We sat here for hours discussing the education systems of our cultures, the aqcuisition of second languages, and the amazing experiences we have had through this program. I still can not believe how blessed I am to be a part of something so incredible.

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