COMING IN SPRING 2010 TO DEUTSCHES HAUS, 420 West 116th Street, New York City THE SWEDISH PROGRAM OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESENTS Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. Iceland in Times of Crisis   (.pdf) A talk in English by Hrafnhildur Hagalín and Pétur Jónasson   (.pdf) During the evening two distinguished Icelandic artists — playwright Hrafnhildur Hagalín and classical guitarist Pétur Jónasson — will create a portrait of Iceland and Icelanders today with a fascinating narrative of observations in English. The couple will report how the nation is dealing with the great collapse of its financial structure. Reflecting on many aspects of the new situation, they will tell how the crisis is affecting artists and thinkers and describe ways in which it has stimulated new waves in literature, theatre and music. In conclusion, the discussion will be opened to the audience. Sponsored by the Swedish Program, Columbia University with the assistance of Iceland Naturally. For further information: Tel.: 212-854-4015; e-mail: [email protected]. Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. "Make Room For Ulla!": Women�s Voices in the Music of Carl Michael Bellman   (.pdf) A talk in English by Brett Umlauf American soprano Brett Umlauf will explore the music of Sweden's beloved national poet in this talk on female performance of his songs. On a recent visit to Stockholm, she interviewed Swedish women musicians tackling the Bellman oeuvre. Her own recent experience as both audience member and performer in Stockholm's annual celebration of the poet's birthday will provide a context for this fresh female perspective on his songs and epistles. Both recorded and live examples of Bellman interpretation, including a singalong with the audience, will illustrate the talk. Does Bellman performance remain the preserve of men? Why, in a country that leads the world in many areas of gender parity, must the performance tradition of "Sweden's Shakespeare" suffer a gender gap? Sponsored by The Columbia Swedish Program. For further information: Tel.: 212-854-4015; e-mail: [email protected].