The heated debate about station names: "Too international"

Gothenburg Central Station is to be expanded. Now the debate about the upcoming building's name has taken off – since the architectural firm behind the project chose to call it "Gothenburg Grand Central".

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 12 2024

The heated debate about station names: "Too international"
Photo: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter

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Gothenburg Central Station is to be extended. Now the debate about the name of the upcoming building has taken off – since the architectural firm behind the project chose to call it "Gothenburg Grand Central".

Sometimes I think one is stupid if one tries to be too international, says Lars O Carlsson (M), vice chairman of the naming committee, to Gothenburg Post.

The newspaper's columnist Kristian Wedel joins in the criticism and writes that "the name is a sign that we have completely lost our self-confidence".

Eva Lindelöw Sjöö is the head of the place-name function at the Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority, the authority in Sweden responsible for promoting good place-name practice.

One should take into account the rules set out in the Cultural Heritage Act regarding good place-name practice. This includes not having an English name, she says to the newspaper.

In true Gothenburg spirit, a number of other proposals have already emerged. Such as "Granncentralen", "Glenntralstationen" and "Rullevi".

The final word in the debate has not yet been said.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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