The Optimist orchestra

in Swedish

The Optimist orchestra is probably Malmö's most photographed sculpture by far. It invites you to play and socialize. The image of the girls' joy is now also available in a digital app.

next to the sculpture you will find an old building and very modern pharmacy - Apoteket Lejonet

The Optimist orchestra

The sculpture is in bronze and was made in 1985 by Yngve Lundell. He has made several humorous sculptures, among other things..

Just a few steps from the orchestra you will find a king.

One who enjoys himself royally

Karl X:e Gustaf↗svW has a great view of Stortorget (IDstory) in Malmö.

If you are a "quite skilled", you can benefit from the entire sculpture. Here, one of Sweden's most skilled trick cyclists jumps up and down with his bike.

If you are less of a devoted royalist, maybe we should move "Uncle King" and his horse down to the square's ground, so we can get to know each other.

I captured the "conductor himself" Yngve Lundell in early May 2007, when he was there to assist with the repair of his sculpture for the third time. The conductor of the orchestra has received an unwanted kiss from a truck and Yngve says; I want to make sure that she has the proud posture she should have. On the right you can see the beautiful house where pharmacy Lejonet (IDstory) ligger.

Yngve Lundell was born in 1931 and passed away in June 2015. His famous orchestral figures played for him in the obituary in Sydsvenskan and he was quoted about his work with the words I fight every day to keep my children's eyes.

An encore

But all musicians are expected to do an encore after the applause. Yngve Lundell changed the stage to Folkets Park near the children's entertainment stage and why not a Drummer on a horse - no, no, on an Elephant.

References

• About BiBB, a media company and an encyclopedia 4.0
• Yngve Lundell: från skulptur till datakonst, Hans Janstad, utgiven 2007
• Kort konstnärsbiografi
• Text and photo: Johan Schlasberg

Published: 2007.06 Updated: 2025.09.18

Kategorier 25 Kultur 12

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