When I’m in Stockholm in December (or early January), I always try to the exhibition Pepparkakshus or gingerbread houses in ArkDes (Swedish Center for Architecture and Design), next to/in Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen. It is really amazing what ingenious constructions they can make with pepparkakor as a base (and other sweets).
Competition
There is a real competition attached to the Pepparkakshus exhibition in ArkDes. There are different categories ranging from children to professional bakers. About 100 to 200 gingerbread houses are sent in every year.
Exhibition Pepparkakshus 2016
In 2016 the theme was “Hemligheter” or “Secrets”.
Exhibition Pepparkakshus 2019
The theme in 2019 was “Hot”. You saw many allusions to global warming with a Greta Thunberg as the showpiece. The fire in Notre-Dame in Paris was also given a gingerbread version. Personally, I was also very fond of the fire truck, especially when you know that the designer was younger than 12! And I also really liked the kakelugn (if I ever buy a house in Sweden, it must be one with such a tiled stove).
Digital exhibition 2020
In 2020 Pepparkakshus was celebrating its 30th birthday. Unfortunately one without a big party. Like many things in 2020, the gingerbread house exhibition could not take place live in ArkDes, but you could admire the gingerbread houses in 3D on the ArkDes site. The theme was, how appropriate, Avstånd or Distance.
In 2021, the gingerbread houses are back. The exhibition runs from November 26, 2021 to January 9, 2022. The theme this year is: Tilsammans (Swedish for ‘together’).
Pepparkakshus exhibition practical information
The gingerbread houses exhibition is accessible free of charge. Pepparkakshus normally runs from the beginning of Advent to the end of the Christmas holidays. ArkDes is closed on Mondays.
ArkDes is located on Skeppsholmen. You can take the bus. There is a stop close to Moderna Museet. I usually walk over there. The bridges to Skeppsholmen offer a beautiful view of Gamla Stan on one side and Östermalm / Djurgården on the other. It is a 5-minute walk from Kungsträdgården.
Address: Exercisplan 4, Skeppsholmen, Stockholm
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