The recently built music stage at Restaurang Wega in Malmö Museum has been dismantled following a conflict. Arranger SaraClaes Schmidt, who invested over one million SEK in it, calls it 'fucking tragic'. The dispute concerns permits and obstructed views.
Just a few months ago, a music stage was erected at Restaurang Wega in Malmö Museum, funded by arranger SaraClaes Schmidt with his own money exceeding one million SEK. The 45-centimeter-high stage was built on a shared area without permits, according to the municipality, and it obstructed the view of the Danish Garden, leading to a removal order by January 15 at the latest.
The final concert took place on Tuesday and was a success despite Schmidt's poor condition. "It turned out fantastically well, one of the best gigs we've had. It was packed," he says. Dismantling began on Wednesday morning, stirring strong emotions.
Restaurant owner Monica Bengtsson described feeling sad and angry: "You feel powerless. It's a grief." She plans to ironically buy a cake congratulating the museum. Electrician Christoffer Karlsson, who installed the stage four months ago, now helped dismantle it. "We usually joke that double work means double joy, but not this time," he commented.
Schmidt paces the premises, visibly disappointed. "It's fucking tragic. The most tragic part is that I donated a stage to the museum, the City of Malmö, and Wega. It's a real stage," he says. The stage is now stored in a warehouse and available to anyone who needs one. Concerts at Wega will continue, but without the stage, things will be different. Museum unit manager Camilla Bunke has previously explained the issue with the shared space.