David Rubenstein speaks from the podium at the Nordic Cool 2013 Opening Celebration. Photograph by Margot Schulman.
Because the Nordic Cool dinner was designed to replicate the Nobel Prize dinner in Sweden, there were two “king’s tables” set up with a number of round tables on either side. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The dress for the Nordic Cool dinner was white-tie optional, which means some of the men wore white tie, some wore black tie, and others wore traditional national dress. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Morten Sohlberg, a designer, chef, and restaurateur, created the menu for the Nordic Cool dinner, using vegetables and meats from his own farm near the Catskills. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Gunnar Kaj came over from Sweden to design the flowers for the Nordic Cool gala. He’s also the florist for the Nobel Prize dinner in Stockholm. He is wearing traditional Swedish national formal attire. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Benedicte Brocks is the curatorial coordinator for the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The girl with the tattooed arm and the red dress, playing at the Lego tables, which are part of the Nordic Cool exhibition. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The authentic Swedish meatballs were a popular item during the cocktail reception. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Maestro Sakari Oramo leads the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert of Sibelius, Leifs, Alfven, Grieg, and Nielsen before the Nordic Cool dinner. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
A selection of the flowers designed by Gunnar Kaj for the Nordic Cool dinner. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
A floral table setting by Gunnar Kaj for the Nordic Cool dinner. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The culinary finale was a dessert of spun maple sugar, lit from within, accompanied by berries, mousses, and meringues. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The installation called “Are We Still Afloat,” made up of one thousand shirts that belong to DC residents, is on display in the Kennedy Center’s Hall of States. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
Florist Gunnar Kaj in Swedish national formal dress talks with a man wearing white tie and tails. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
