The SVT tradition 'Den stora älgvandringen' is returning soon, according to multiple reports. The programme originated from Irene Hägglund, who according to Dagens Nyheter discovered moose swimming across the Ångermanälven river in the mid-1990s. According to her almanac, on April 20, 2011, 55 moose swam across the river in one day. Irene and her husband Kjell Hägglund built a moose house with two floors and glass walls facing east and the water for guests to watch the swimming moose, according to major media.
Slow TV gained its international public breakthrough in 2009 when Norwegian broadcaster NRK aired a train journey between Bergen and Oslo in real time, according to major media. The concept of slow TV is to depict everyday events without editing or adding sound, intended to be meditative and relaxing. Another Norwegian slow TV project involved a bird cliff with multiple cameras, creating a 'Game of Thrones'-like documentary featuring puffins, razorbills, and common guillemots, according to major media.
The sun was shining right on the river and it was so beautiful, oh, oh, oh. The moose stopped a little because it's hard to get over the stone scree. So you got to see them properly. I just took it in, and then I counted them. I wrote down the time of day and everything for each one.
The local TV news 'Mittnytt' and later 'Mitt i naturen' reported on Irene's swimming moose. Stefan Edlund and Johan Erhag from SVT Umeå got the idea for 'Den stora älgvandringen' after a study visit to the Norwegian bird cliff, according to major media. The production involves placing 20,000 meters of cable between islands, pines, and sounds before the annual broadcast can start. Camera operators in the TV house in Umeå control cameras in the forests around Kullberg during the broadcast. Håkan Lyktberg is one of many people working with the program; according to SVT Västerbotten, he once saw 20 moose out on the ice.
There is a Facebook group called 'Vi som gillar den stora älgvandringen på SVT!' with an excited atmosphere. A pilot study at Jönköping University will investigate why slow TV broadcasts from nature have become a success, according to major media. The study will include interviews with the production team and viewers in northern Europe and Canada, as well as on-site observations during the broadcast. Annette Hill, a professor in media and communication science at Jönköping University, said in a press release: "It's a unique opportunity to explore the craft behind the camera and to learn from audiences outside Sweden what makes them turn on and follow moose on migration." The exact start date of the next broadcast has not been announced, and the number of viewers remains undisclosed.
You both wanted and didn't want others to see this fantastic thing. Then people come. What happens then?
It's a unique opportunity to explore the craft behind the camera and to learn from audiences outside Sweden what makes them turn on and follow moose on migration.
Once I got to see 20 moose out on the ice. That was cool.