Environmentally Focused

The founders of the Green Salon, a new D.C.-based initiative that coordinates informal, invitation-only gatherings of people concerned about the environment, partnered with the Swedish embassy for a two-day symposium devoted to the world’s water. Changing the group’s name from Green to Blue for the weekend event proved to be appropriate in more ways than one. At the brand-new House of Sweden, an event venue attached to the embassy (which opened in October), attendees not only spent two days talking about the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes, but also took in up-close views of the Potomac River.Environmental advocate and Swedish ambassador Gunnar Lund welcomed the 150 attendees and speakers—an eclectic group ranging from environmentally focused artists and scientists to policy makers and journalists—to the House of Sweden on Saturday. The event's water theme was evident early on: Guests took part in a mystical water blessing that had them releasing yellow roses into the Potomac. In addition, a variety of water- and nature-themed exhibits were on display, including an exposition of photos from Swedish photographer Brutus Ostling that served as the backdrop for coffee breaks throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, attendees focused on fresh water, and Sunday was devoted to salt water. A series of panels on problems and solutions was broken up by intermissions, during which attendees could continue discussions or take in demonstrations about cutting-edge, water-focused technologies. Seating in the panels were horseshoe-shaped to promote participation. “We’re hoping that it will help to encourage dialogue more than cinema-style seating,” said Swedish embassy program coordinator Britt Marie Forslund, who helped plan the event. “The horseshoe format is more inclusive.”

Speakers at the Blue Salon included Alexandra Cousteau, co-founder and director of Earth Echo International and granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau, and Anders Berntell, executive director of the Stockholm International Water Institute. Past Green Salon initiatives include forums on energy and trash at the Georgetown home of Dr. William A. Haseltine, another co-founder, as well as the founder of Human Genome Sciences in Maryland.

Arlington-based Main Event Caterers handled the Sunday lunch, which was served buffet-style with no assigned seating in order to encourage more discussion, and the embassy’s in-house technician coordinated the multiple presentation’s audiovisual components.

Eco-friendly touches came into play, such as invitations designed by Haseltine that were sent out via email, rather than snail mail, in order to save paper. Swedish details were, not surprisingly, also on-site: The ambassador’s chef prepared Saturday’s lunch, which featured authentic Swedish entrées such as gravlax. Guests ate lunch buffet-style on the House of Sweden’s main level, surrounded by glass walls with Potomac River views as well as nature-themed sketches, watercolors, and oil paintings from Swedish artist Lars Jonsson.