nordstjernan Swedish News – from Sweden & America
Published by Swedish News . Volume 142 No. 12, June 30, 2014. Price per copy $2.50
This Week, Page 11
H.R.H. Princess Leonore Lilian Maria christened at Drottningholm Palace Church.
Sweden, Page 2, 3
Bonus for newborns in parts of Sweden / Urban farming continues to grow / Carl Linnaeus—still among the most influential / Ever think about renting a pet? / First female archbishop inaugurated / The Swedish Driver’s License will set you back $2,000 plus.
In Brief, Page 3
‘Keep Sweden Swedish’ used in an OP-Ed recently caused an uproar among politicians and anti-racist media. Find out why.
InBox, Page 3
‘Even’ a Swede can appreciate Fourth of July - Independence Day.
“Studenten” - high school graduation in Sweden. Every year in June roughly 100,000 students graduate from the Swedish Gymnasium and it’s just as big a celebration as, if not bigger than, the U.S. High School graduation. Above: Students at Sundsgymnasiet inVellinge, Sweden. Brief / Page 11
Emil Sergel guest@nordstjernan.com
Majblomman, the 2014 June flower arrived.
Used empty bottles — ketchup, wine, beer and whiskey bottles — are turned into wine glasses, decanters and vases at Hauge Glassworks in Småland.
garbage. The word upcycling was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braun-
Photo: Emil Sergel
We recently reported Sweden ranks high when it comes to collecting and sorting food waste. Reduce, reuse and recycle or reuse, rethink and redesign. That’s the mantra environmentalists fight with in order to take care of our planet. Now add to that upcycle, a procedure where rest material is used to create even better products: Car tires or covers from car seats become shoes, plastic bottles become wine glasses, and vinyl records become fruit bowls. These days upcycling has become fashionable everywhere, in Sweden it started early. According to research, 99 percent of everything we buy turns to garbage within six months. 99 percent. That calls for a change. Upcycling is part of a solution to the problem of our growing mountain of
gart, authors of the book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way Continued on page 5
‘Sweden on the Road’ June 6, 2014 was more than a memorable day in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sweden’s national day was celebrated for five days, beginning on June 5 at San Francisco’s City Hall. There, before an entourage of Swedes and officials including Ambassador Björn Lyrvall and Consul General Barbro Osher, the Swedish flag was unfurled from the front balcony by the city’s chief of protocol, Charlotte Maillard Schultz. Following this opening celebration was a whirlwind of visits and activities for the “Sweden on the Road” bus tour team arranged / Page 13 by the Consulate General and SACC SF/SV.
While going to press preparations were in full swing for Midsummer celebrations all over the U.S. —Solstice arrived early in Ohio. / Page 7
Dashboard, Page 10-11
West Coast shrimp, smögenräkor, are about to become red listed / A highly needed Royal facelift / Fikatrend: Best cafés in Sweden.
Pacific States, Page 14, 15
Sweden Day celebration in Sveadal / Connecting Europe and the U.S. for 60 years.
/ Page 4
Deliciously perfect Swedish Summer Mixes.
Photo: Midsummer 2013, Colorado/ Judy Stover
Upcycling for the future
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News Kastrup är skånskt, Löfven Gästledare
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 18 juni, 2014
A baby due next year? If your baby is born in Norsjö in Västerbotten (in northern Sweden), it will come with a $750 gift certificate.
Bonus for newborns
Norsjö in Västerbotten wants more babies in their municipality and have therefore invested in a somewhat novel idea: Those who give birth during the next year will receive 5,000 SEK ($750) in the form of a gift certificates to various companies, according to the online version of daily Norran. People who move to the municipality with children born in 2015 will also be included.
Space to grow
Stadsodling (urban farming) is a trend that’s getting stronger and may soon take a major step forward in Stockholm, where Miljöpartiet (the Green Party) now suggests every household should be given a square meter to grow their own vegetables. ”Our vision is that everyone has the possibility to have access to a smaller plot where they can grow their own vegetables,” says Daniel Helldén from Miljöpartiet.
Fewer choose confirmation
In the 1970s more than 80 percent of 15-year-old Swedes were confirmed, but in 2013 only 30.1 percent were. There’s an exception from the trend: Confirmations that take place during summer at camps still have a following. ”The congregations have become incredibly good at organizing camp alternatives, because we know that’s the best way with which to work with children at confirmation. We are investing in more camp sites,” says Britt-Marie Frisell, confirmation consultant in Härnösand parish. While the percentage of Swedish 15-year-olds choosing confirmation is dwindling, in Finland it’s different: nearly 80 percent still get confirmed; in Denmark the equivalent percentage is 75 and in Norway 70. Confirmation is a rite of initiation in several Christian denominations, normally carried out through anointing, the laying on of hands, and prayer, for the purpose of bestowing the Gift of the Holy Spirit. In Protestant churches, the rite tends to be seen rather as a mature statement of faith by an already baptized person. It is also required by most Protestant denominations for membership in the respective church.
Linné most influential
Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist Carl von Linné (or Carl Linnaeus as he is known in English), is one of history’s most influential persons, at least according to Wikipedia. The list of the people who today are considered influential has been analyzed by Young-Ho Eom, a researcher at the University of Toulouse. The experiment was conducted across 24 Wikipedia pages in 24 languages, with clear results, according to New Scientist. The experiment also shows that Linné never really became a prophet in his own country, where he ends up in fifth place after August Strindberg, Astrid Lindgren, Carl XVI Gustaf and Bob Dylan. First on the Arabic Wikipedia is Muhammad, but Linné shows up in third place. German Wikipedia is topped by Napoleon, followed by Linné, and in the third spot is Hitler. When a similar investigation was conducted in 2010, the list was topped by Jesus, Napoleon and William Shakespeare.
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
S-ledaren Stefan Löfven vill göra Arlanda störst i Norden. Det vittnar om en oförmåga att se bortom Mälardalen. Danska Kastrup är den största flygplatsen i Norden. Norska Gardermoen kommer på andra plats. När det gäller interkontinentala avgångar överträffas Stockholms Arlanda också av Vandaflygplatsen utanför Helsingfors. ”Det är inget bra”, framhöll Sledaren Stefan Löfven i Sydsvenskan häromdagen. Han efterlyser nu en statlig ”aviationsstrategi” med målet att göra Arlanda till den främsta nordiska flygplatsen.
förbindelserna”, menar Löfven. har lämpligare läge för transatlantiska Visst, men Sverige är mer än Stock- flygningar. holm. Och resonemanget är inte Möjligen är det delvis av strategiska glasklart när Löfven framställer sin skäl som Löfven så starkt tar ställning tänkta satsning på Arlanda som något för flyget i Sverige. Vid en socialdesom bör göras ”för att vi tänker på mokratisk valseger i höst väntar tuffa förhandlingar om politiskt samarbete miljön”. Så som flygmarknaden nu ser ut är med flygkritiska Miljöpartiet. Från Tala om tröttsamt Stockholmsper- den inbördes konkurrensen mellan sin nya position kan Löfven backa en spektiv. de nordiska storflygplatserna när- smula utan att för den skull riskera att Över en miljon svenskar har Kas- mast ett nollsummespel. Arlanda kan beskyllas för att svika flygnäringen. trup som givet förstahandsval vid knappast bli störst med mindre än att längre flygresor. I synnerhet för de någon av de övriga krymper. På vilket Om Löfven faktiskt menar allvar skåningar som snabbt och enkelt kan vis skulle det gynna miljön? med sin aviationsstrategi vittnar ta sig dit är de många avgångarna det om en oförmåga att se bortom från den danska storflygplatsen hur Stockholmsregionen är inte Nor- Mälardalen. Storleksförhållandena bra som helst. En femtedel av de dens folkrikaste del och för resenärer mellan Kastrup och Arlanda är bra 24,1 miljoner resenärer som kom till från andra håll blir mellanlandningar som de är. Så ökar konkurrensen om Kastrup förra året var på väg till eller på Arlanda ofta omvägar oavsett vart rutterna får väl skåningar helt enkelt från Sverige. de ska. Kastrup ligger närmare kon- hoppas på danskarnas beryktade list ”Svenska staten har en roll att se till tinenten, Vandaflygplatsen är bättre i förhandlingssammanhang. att Sverige har de bästa transport- för rutter till Asien och Gardermoen
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News in brief. page 3
Swedish News Rent-a-pet
Uproar among politicians and anti-racist media in Sweden after the phrase “Keep Sweden Swedish” is used in an OP-Ed by Bodil Sidén, Press Secretary at Moderaterna (Screen dump from the debate section of Nyheter24)
‘Keep Sweden Swedish’
In an OP-ED for Nyheter24 online, the press secretary for the New Moderate Party, Bodil Sidén mentions a string of Swedish phenomena Swedes ought to be proud of and celebrate on a day such as June 6th. Among them Zlatan (the Swedish soccer star), child leave for men, humanitarian reception of refugees, kebabs, punctuality and herring on midsummer... In spite of the article’s overall antiracist message, it has caused an uproar among politicians and anti-racist media in Sweden, and that’s because Sidén in a play on words wants to ”Bevara Sverige svenskt”, or ”Keep Sweden Swedish”. This phrase was the name of a racist organization during the 1980’s and has more recently been used as a slogan among Swedish ultra nationalists. Now
Sidén is accused of being ignorant when it comes to history, and for taking too lightly a phrase that has made many immigrants fear for their lives, as it has been scribbled on detention centers. ”How can someone so unwittingly use the phrase ’Keep Sweden Swedish’?” ”Study the history, Bodil!” one person writes in the comments section at Nyheter24. Sidén is also criticized by politicians for her choice of words. ”The content is OK, but do you know what ’Keep Sweden Swedish’ was????” Patrick Kronholm, political secretary for the Social Democrats tweats. Sidén did not grant interviews when asked for an explanation, but instead answered in a message through another press secretary, Anna Lööf: ”My text is the opposte to
what BSS (Bevara Sverige svenskt) stood for. They don’t own those words. I celebrate the National Day by openly standing for openness, diversity, antiracism, and solidarity and against racism, nationalism, and populism. If anyone has taken offense at that it was not my intention, but I believe my text as a whole clearly shows what I stand for.” Another example of Swedish media’s misdirected political correctness. We say, why not use the expression for a good cause? To keep Sweden Swedish is a good thing - everyone will gain from this in the long run and besides, why let ultra nationalists hijack a phrase that in itself makes a lot of sense? /Ed.
A Swede appreciates Fourth of July When I was a child visiting America, I remember my aunt having these square pans, deep, with chocolate cake, and upon it in the right colors, the American flag was drawn in enough sweetness to now make my teeth hurt. That was the summer, too, she took me to a drivethrough bank, and I recall getting from the teller a pen that had a coin-shaped cap with the American flag on it. It hardly gets any better than that for a child, no matter his or her nationality, and from what I understand now the summer of the Bicentennial that I spent under the tutelage of my Chicago relative was a big party, even by American standards. This was the summer also of travel with the family out West, to behold the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and a place called Tombstone that has set forever its mark in my memory that air conditioning was not a great nightmare, as I later read and understood metaphorically, in a book by Henry Miller. When you are a child, America is wonderful, whether you come from a developing country or the cool dark north of Europe, famous for its nonstop light if you catch it at the right time. I establish my background as a U.S.
citizen, as an American, which I became years later during a swearing in ceremony when I remember not being too happy about being corralled by my father to have my photo taken with my brother, fellow sworn-in citizen, under who happened to be president on that occasion, Ronald Reagan. As an academic I am definitely conservative, two words which do not go together for most people when they think about the professoriate, no matter the recent showdown at Cantor Corral. But imagine a country where a young man can attend two schools in Texas, Trinity University and TCU, and get a great education and become an English professor. All the while going both with and against the grain, and no Dear Leader chopping my head off or someone banishing me to a cold place as if Solzhenitsyn’s fate lived on for generations to experience. Whenever I set pen to paper to write about America and Independence Day, or more accurately, begin to move my fingers across the keyboard, they assume a lighter dancing motion, a fluidity, that comes, so unlike a more stuttering and banging activity when I write about other
subjects. I check my reasoning self to be sure I have not bought all the propaganda, but even so, how can one not enjoy some of the propaganda of America. Even Putin would be upset if we took away his privilege to travel to Disney World. For all of its ups and downs and shows of extreme wastefulness, America is a country that has offered me so many choices in my life. This is not to say that if I had stayed in Sweden life would have been hell if we must also employ in our judgment that wonderful as it can be to some annoying American way of uttering and giving voice to things being black or white. But every time I begin to think about America I remember in my studies as an English major the Irish Nobel Prize recipient Seamus Heaney’s lines of “The unquestionable houseboy’s shoulders that could have been my own,” of realities different, not peaceful, maybe violent and speech-guarded in other countries. Now I have choices, and yes, even Swedes celebrate Independence Day, have and do make the choice to call it that instead of 4th of July. Ulf Kirchdorfer
Tired of the kids bothering you about getting a pet? Or perhaps you’re not sure they (you) can really handle one? In Sweden you can do a little trial by renting a pet over the summer. Rabbits and hens are rented out from farms and come equipped with a kit consisting of bedding and a cage. ”I have 70 rabbits ready to be Rent-a-rabbit? It’s not a rented out until Midsummer,” joke; it’s actually quite says Kristin Karlsson from a popular thing to do Gangvide farm on Gotland. during the summer in Sweden. For an intial fee ”I can’t have more. The interof around $60, you get a est is huge, especially among rabbit, a cage, and hay for families in cities, and those one week, after which you who want to see if they’re al- pay an additional $15 per lergic.” The rabbits are usually week. bathed in love and returned safe and sound at the end of the rental, oftentimes they even remain with their families on a permanent basis. The sound of a cackling hen is also irresistable to some, especially retired couples. The starting cost for renting a rabbit on Gotland is 350 SEK ($53) plus another 50 SEK ($7.50) for a cage and hay the first week. After that, you pay 100 SEK ($15) a week. For four hens and a rooster on loan, you pay 40 SEK ($6) per animal; after that initial cost, you pay 10 SEK ($1.50) a week.
First female archbishop inaugurated
Sweden’s first female archbishop, Antje Jackelén, was received with cheers and standing ovations during her morning inauguration service in Uppsala Cathedral on June 15. Sweden’s king and queen were present as was Crown Princess Victoria and leader of the Social Democrats Stefan Löfven. Jackelén entered the cathedral at 11 a.m and proceeded up the center aisle. Before she could be received as Archbishop of the Swedish Church, she promised to do her mission in a way that will honor God, to be steadfast in the faith of the Church, to defend and proclaim that same faith, to protect the Church, and live in such a way that she becomes a witness of God’s love and the secret of reconciliation. It wasn’t until after these promises that Jackelén received the outer signs of her exaltation — the cross and pastoral staff of the archbishop. “God is not a mathematical problem, nor a sudoku that becomes uninteresting as soon as it has been solved. The more we ask for God, the more fascinating it becomes. God is always more and greater than our images of God,” said Jackelén.
Investing in a driver’s license
Sweden is one of Europe’s most expensive countries when it comes to getting a driver’s license. It’s twice as expensive as England and Ireland, for instance. Only in Norway and Denmark does a driver’s license come with a heftier price tag, according to EFA, the European Driving Schools Association. However, according to an investigation by Ikano Bank, if a person invests 15,000 SEK ($2,243) in getting a license and that means going from zero to a monthly salary of 20,000 SEK ($2,992), then he or she has earned the investment within 29 days. And if a driver’s license leads to a job with 500 SEK ($75) more per month, then that income becomes a total of 164,132 SEK ($24,553) higher over a 40-year period.
The Exchange rate: $1.00 = SEK 6.67 06.18.2014
June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
feature. page 4
Summer Mixes
—Skagen, Old Man’s Mix and Suovas
Skagen mixture gets its name from Toast Skagen, a dish that did not originate in Denmark, in spite of its name. It was invented during the 1950s by legendary Swedish restaurateur Tore Wretman. Old man’s mix (herring-egg salad) makes Swedes think of summer inns and local hotels with white tablecloths, where people enjoyed a lunch of herring, cheese and butter chased by flavored spirits (snaps). Most people who ordered this lunch were men, which is also true of the herring-egg salad known as “old man’s mix”. Souvas means smoked in the Sami language and is coldsmoked reindeer meat. In earlier times, lightly salted meat was hung up by the smoke hole in the tent where the Sami lived. Now there are special tents for smoking.
Skagen mix
Ingredients: 14 ounces (400 g) fresh shrimp in their shells (7-8 ounces/200 g without shells) 1/2 inch (1 cm) fresh horseradish 3 1/2 tablespoons (1/2 dl) chopped dill 1/3 cup (3/4 dl) mayonnaise 2 tablespoons (1/4 dl) creme fraiche or sour cream Salt and pepper 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Instruction: 1. Shell and coarsely chop the shrimp. 2. Grate the horseradish, chop the dill and combine with the mayonnaise, creme fraiche and shrimp. 3. Season with salt, pepper and Dijon mustard.
Gubbhyllan’s old man’s mix
Ingredients: 3 eggs 3 small potatoes 3 matjes herring fillets (available at your local Scandinavian store or IKEA Foods) 1 tart apple 1 small red onion 3 1/2 tablespoons (1/2 dl) finely chopped chives 3 1/2 tablespoons (1/2 dl) finely chopped dill Instruction: 1. Hardcook the egg (around 8 minutes) and boil the potatoes. Refrigerate. 2. Chop all ingredients into fine dice and combine. There are many classic variations of this mix, and many use Swedish spiced anchovies instead of matjes herring. For some, apples and potatoes are not traditional ingredients, but I think they work beautifully and that the tart apple adds the perfect touch.
Reindeer mix with suovas
Ingredients: 7 ounces (200 g) suovas (smoked reindeer is hard to find but can be replaced with cold-
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
smoked salted beef or even lean air dried ham such as Jamon Serrano) Scant 1/2 cup (1 dl) parsley 1 red onion 1/3 cup (3/4 dl) mayonnaise 2 tablespoons (1/4 dl) creme fraiche or sour cream 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard Salt and pepper Instruction: 1. Cut the smoked reindeer into fine dice, chop the onion and parsley, and combine with the mayonnaise and crème fraiche. Season to taste with mustard, salt and pepper. Suovas, which means smoked in the Sami language, is salted and smoked reindeer meat. Suovas is one of the oldest means of food preservation in Sweden. The meat is salted for a few days before it is smoked.
The saltiness of these mixes make them perfect for a warm summer evening. Serve with crispread and a cold beer or other tart drink or serve on toast (perfect as finger food on small toast squares).
Recipes: KG Wallberg Photography: Bruno Ehrs Recipes are from the recipe book “Wonderful Sweden” – a culinary journey through Sweden, from Skåne in the south to Lappland, covering provincial specialties, points of interest and traditions. We have a small amount of the book for sale at a discount for subscribers; call 1.800.827.9333 extension 10 to order.
feature. page 5
Reuse, rethink, redesign... Continued from page 1
We Make Things,” published in 2002. They defined upcycling as a method for taking garbage and waste material and turning it into something with a greater worth.
‘We love the leftovers!’
Creatables is another Gothenburg-based business with a similar agenda. They make products out of surplus material. They buy surplus material from industries. Among their products are notice boards and maga-
not really enough resources to know what to do with it. “We now work on establishing ourselves in the Swedish market, and later our goal is to have a global production. Which is to say, a local production in many countries.”
Upcycling refers to reusing an object in a new way without degrading the material it is made from, as opposed to recycling. When it comes to uses, you are only limited by your own imagination ...
Bittra Britta
The Gothenburg-based company Bittra Britta makes bags out of old rice sacks, an idea management consultant Ali Mohtadi Tabrizi got when he found some old rice sacks in a pantry. “Right away I thought there’s got to be a way to reuse these. I saw them as raw material, which could be added as a resource in a new cycle of production. Trying to find ways to recycle a material, trying to figure out a material’s qualities and patterns is very tempting.” He got the bag idea and made a prototype that was later named “Baggage.” And today rice sacks from sushi restaurants all over Gothenburg are being used. Bittra Britta simply walks around town collecting garbage. Everything must be locally produced, which it is in an industrial section of Gothenburg. But why a bag? “The thought of creating yet another piece of furniture made us tired. Is another bookshelf or table that fills the same function as other bookshelves and tables, really needed? We had also gotten a bit bored with feeling guilty for consuming. The present environmental debate has made many change their attitude but few have really changed their behavior.” The people at Bittra Britta wanted to be able to consume products free of guilt, and really created the bag for themselves. But they also have other products in the pipeline. “We assess the value of a product others have discarded. A wine decanter doing double duty as vase from Hauge Glassworks in Småland. We take things that should have been thrown out or burnt and we find new zine racks made from surplus floor material. We look up more of Sweden’s green entreways to apply them. Using all kinds of waste “We realized how much leftover material preneurs and find one of the more popular material we’ve made a foldable grill, gloves, the industries have, so we began by sketch- projects in the forests of Småland, right in and a laptop cover.” ing products that could be made in the same the heart of the Kingdom of Crystal. This is The word “baggage” refers to our collec- industry. That means we can easily mass- where Leif Hauge has a small glassworks fotive human guilt here on the planet. But by produce something, instead of spitting out a cusing on upcycling. He uses empty bottles consuming wisely, there’s no need to feel single work of art,” says Erik Thorstensson, — ketchup bottles, wine bottles and whiskey guilty. Buying smart products will instead one of the founders. bottles — and turns them into wine glasses, make the planet more sound. Creatables has filled a gap. Swedish in- decanters and vases. A dirt road leads up to dustries have a lot of surplus material, but Hauge’s glassworks, where he receives us.
This chair was developed in the skiing districts of Canada (where else?).
This settee could be in any Fifth Av apartment.
Ever wonder what to make of your old Nordstjernan? Creative parents have started making newspaper toys (you’ll never have to rent a pet again).
Leif Hauge is busy making carafes out of little Ramlösa bottles when I meet with him. “I got the idea in 1991,” Hauge says. “I lost my job at another glassworks, I was unemployed but wanted to continue working with glass. Investing in a huge furnace was something I simply couldn’t afford, so I Continues on next page
June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
feature. page 6
Founders of the Creatables network rethinking the next step to reuse, redesign... Continued from previous page
Gothenburg-based company Bittra Britta (Bitter Britta) makes bags out of old rice sacks, but also decorates public spaces and personalized interiors for businesses. The ‘bitter’ in the name stands for change and forward thinking rather than bitterness.
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began by reusing empty bottles. It took two years of experimenting until I got it right, but then it all took off quickly.” Today Hauge produces around 6000 items in his glassworks. In comparison with regular glassworks, the environmental profits are enormous. Hauge’s business uses only a fourth of the energy it takes to produce new glass, unlike the huge furnaces which devour big amounts of energy and cause pollution. There are thousands of glass products on exhibit. Try to guess what that vase over there was in its earlier life. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes you see it right away. The beer glasses that were once beer bottles are a hit. It’s a short process, too — from garbage to pitcher in a matter of minutes. With an experienced hand, Hauge takes the empty bottle and transforms it into something new. It looks so simple. It probably isn’t. “There are always challenges, and we get more and more special orders. Whiskey clubs want pitchers for their favorite whiskey, and many people come in with some beautiful bottle they’ve found abroad, something they feel is too attractive to throw out.” Hauge is under pressure, he has many orders, and that means he will have to work intensively during the next three months.
Ecoistic
Many Swedes have ventured into upcycling. Ecoistic is another company that works for a sustainable future. They import designs of recycled materials. “We want to get out of the stereotype environmental way of thinking, which is a bit granola, and make it a bit more chic. Besides, we didn’t want to compromise the design part. All the parts must compliment each other: Being green shouldn’t be a sacrifice,” says Gisela Chand. Among the products we find Spanish Vaho Works, a manufacturer which identifies as “trashformers.” They use old banners as material for bags. Another popular product is the so-called Waste Bean Bags. The Spanish designer Benjamin Mordoh uses old car fabric to make floor cushions.
“We want to take something unwanted and turn it into something that’s wanted. Without making too big a footprint in nature.” All products are made by hand in Barcelona, Spain. A recent project makes use of pool balls. Old pool balls are being given new life as salt and pepper shakers by a company called Cueboid. Old circuit cards begin again as notebooks. Ting makes tables out of surplus material, which Ecoistic imports from England. Inghua Ting founded the British company in 2000. After having studied the future of fabrics in Japan for a couple years, she began thinking about how to shape a sustainable development and saw possibilities in investing both time and energy in old fabrics. “Now I design different pieces of furniture made out of nothing else but old safety belts,” she says. “Hammocks, footstools and pillows are woven by materials that used to be thrown out.” Another interesting product of Ting’s is a vintage floor made of old belts. It’s unlike anything else. “It’s all about seeing creative possibilities,” she says. The entire trend of upcycling is about logical thinking, really. To reduce pollution and garbage and at the same time create good design. To do what is necessary. The only tools needed are ingenuity and a will. That way we can lower that 99 percent. For more info on Swedish solutions and groups of designers, see www.aroundcollective.se www.bagagebrands.com www.creatabels.org www.glasweb.se/hauge www.ecoistic.se
Looking for the right fashion statement this summer? ResoleMalmö makes sneakers out of leftover fabric from old city buses. http://resole.se
local events. page 7
Early celebration in Cleveland
June 14 may not be the summer solstice, but being readily adaptable to circumstances, we celebrated like it was. Dr. Daniel van Heeckeren graciously invited the Swedish Cultural Society of Cleveland, Ohio to hold its annual celebration at his home in Gates Mills on that date, and we happily accepted. Our president, Bo Hammerling, recently moved to California and vice president, Marianne Johnson was still recovering from illness, so the second vice president, Ingemar Svala and secretary, Peter Carlsson pitched in to organize what turned out to be a fantastic Sunday afternoon for the 74 participants. The Cleveland weather, never predictable, presented us with 80 degrees and a beautiful, cloudless afternoon. First order of business was to decorate and hoist the maypole! While that was in progress, Rolf Bergman, who had prepared 10 Swedish questions, posted them about the area to be answered by those who wished to do so. Prizes for the top three winners. Here is a sample of his multiple choice questions: 1. Sweden’s National Day is June 6. Which is one of the names on that date (namesday)? - Bo, Gösta or Birgitta 2. The bones of which Swedish king are being examined to determine his origin? - Erik IX, Gustav Vasa or Birger Jarl. 3. What word is written on every Swedish fish candy? Swedish, Sverige or nothing written 4. What is the name of the princess baptized
June 8, 2014? - Viktoria, Estelle or Leonore. Of the 10 questions, and they were pretty tough, the highest score was 8, won by a guest from Sweden. Second place got six correct, and six entrants tied for 3rd place with scores of 5. I guess we had better pay more attention to the land of our heritage. Our manly crew, under the age of approaching infinity, garbed the maypole in lush greenery then awaited donations of spring and early summer blooms with which to complete the task. Alas, due to Cleveland weather few were in evidence outside the Botanical Garden which, unfortunately, frowned upon such petit theft. Yes, even for Midsummer.
A save-the-maypole moment as a gust of wind threatens to topple it. Photo: Gaye Ranstrom Left: Dr. van Heekeren welcoming the members from the Swedish Cultural Society of Cleveland to his home for an early midsummer celebration.
It was a struggle to raise the maypole —
several times, despite truly herculean efforts, it almost toppled before being set and tied down. But then the dancing could begin! Anna Rietsch boldly stepped up to the leadership roll while Ernie and Lois Swanson, our senior members, were given the seats of honor. After the dancing the van Heeckeren family served O.P. Anderson to all participants, minus
the kiddies. SKÅL! It was time for food, and what a glorious repast it was. Each member, and many guests, brought a favorite dish, resulting in a grand smorgasbord. A most satisfying ending to a most wonderful celebration and no one left hungry. Arthur F. Lustig, Cleveland OH
SACC New York visits Brooklyn Brewery
On June 10, members and friends of SACC New York gathered in Brooklyn for a tour of the famous brewery. On site was Orrefors, which generously treated all guests with a beer glass. Steve Hindy shared stories from his amazing career. From coming back to New York after several years as a war correspondent in the Middle East and starting his own brewery with his friend and neighbor, to running one of the most successful breweries in the U.S., starting up Carnegie Brewery in Stockholm.
Why is Brooklyn Brewery so popular in Sweden? “I have no idea,” said Hindy. “The beer drinkers discover and owns our brand. They believe in the beer.” So do we but, that said, Swedes have a strong love-hate relationship to the U.S. and when it comes to Brooklyn and New York it’s really just unconditional love. Anything Brooklyn or New York is bound to be popular in Sweden through name alone.
L-R: Lars-Arne Lundholm, Håkan Swahn, Renée Lundholm, Steve Hindy and Rolf Gren.
Record attendance at a SACC event? Quite possibly since beer and this brand in particular is popular among Swedes. Here, David W. Johnson, Houman Afsar, Mickey Maher and Corey Crawford (L-R).
Eric Ottaway, General Manager of Brooklyn Brewery showed the audience around the facility, a microbrewer in constant change, constantly developing new flavors. “We are growing and need to be more creative than ever, he said” June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
Viewpoints. page 8
The ‘sinful’ Ingmar Bergman The other night I decided to take in some Bergman. I had a few choices, thanks to Amazon’s instant video streaming service. It made it possible for me to avoid my old standby, “The Seventh Seal” (“Det sjunde inseglet”). While it does feature a young, gaunt and very Nordic looking Max von Sydow, whose hair appears blond and lit like a fire even in black-and-white, after my hectic week at work, a scene of him playing chess against Death with a capital D or people dying from the bubonic plague was not necessarily the stimulating intellectual fare I am had in mind. Imagine how delighted I was to come across “Summer with Monika” (“Sommaren med Monika”). What an idyllic title and how beautiful it sounds in Swedish. In addition, frankly, remembering from years back the stills of the lovely and voluptuous Harriet Anderson as Monika in the nude against the backdrop of the sea and an island, both the reptilian part of my brain and its more reasoning areas were in a receptive mode. I should have known that Ingmar Bergman would not disappoint. Even my wife, who upon learning that I was going to watch one of his films, was not disappointed, as she retreated to the other end of the house with the dogs and catalogs and a home improvement show on the television. She soon announced, while I turned down the volume, “I can hear lots of Swedish angst screaming!” “Well, that’s just how he is,” I said, almost feeling the need to defend Ingmar Bergman for not having worked on “Saturday Night Live!” or producing “Scooby-Doo.” I don’t know why I had expected Bergman to produce something that was not full of pain, disappointment, with maybe only a moment or pinch of hope. “Sommaren med Monika” is a 1953 film, made when Bergman was young, so why should it have had peace and beauty, even the healing power of love, as offered by the more recent films of Woody Allen, a great admirer and, by his own admission, student of Bergman’s work. At least Woody Allen’s early works display a sense of humor that is neither biting nor cruel. “Sommaren med Monika” offers a love story of two young persons. Monika needs no further introduction. The male character, with the unlikely name of Harry Lund, is played
Born in Sweden and raised both in Europe and the U.S., Ulf Kirchdorfer is as Swedish American as we come. Ulf, who has a Ph.D. in English, is currently teaching modern American literature and English composition at Darton College. Ulf keeps all of us - Swedes, Americans and Swedish Americans alike - on track.
Harriet Andersson) in a scene from Ingmar Bergman’s Summer with Monika (”Sommaren med Monika”) from 1953. The famous director’s movie is considered one of the first Swedish movies to live up to the epithet of the ‘Swedish Sin.’ Does SuperSwede agree?
by Lars Ekborg. Harry Lund has a very boyish, almost pretty, and innocent look, and his hands tremble when a very assertive Monika asks him to light her cigarette in a dreary bar. She approaches Harry with an aggressiveness that today would earn her the title of “maneater.” Wonder how she came across to film audiences in the 1950s? The two escape their dead-end jobs and unsatisfying home lives by motor-boating to a world of islands so lovely in the Swedish summer. Dialogue early on is idyllic in a way that unfortunately turns even the most kind and optimistic filmgoer into a snarky observer. The manner in which the couple carries on about the man getting an education so the two can buy a house and have a child while the woman stays at home, would make even the most ardent Palme hater hiss with disgust. Bergman manages to ruin any kind of good memories we might have of youthful idealism or loving support of such we might muster. How cruel and sarcastic Bergman is! The clouds in “Sommaren med Monika” are a recurring tableau, watchable without a soundtrack, even as they heavy-handedly spell out trouble in paradise. And how hard to tune out that we are being told the couple is on a journey when toward the beginning of the film we are shown the motor boat owned by Harry’s father running through bridge after bridge to escape the city and civilization.
“SKANDJAM” @ Vasa Park, NJ The Walter Eriksson MusikFest 20th ANNIVERSARY DINNER-SHOW Saturday, July 26, 2014 $40/person 5 PM Welcome Reception with “The Swedish Meatballs” Dinner, Concert, Dancing, Dessert, Raffles & NON_STOP MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC! Featured Artists: The Amazing Accordion Kings Rsvp by July 23 to Skandjam c/o Andersen, 48 Camille Ln, Patchogue NY 11772 Facebook.com/skandjam VasaPark 1 Wolfe Rd. Budd Lake, NJ www.WalterEriksson.com
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
We must also forgive Bergman for rendering it as if he were stage and prop master intent on not remaining invisible when we watch Monika becoming savage in the absence of civilization as she steals a roast and begins to eat it like an animal. Then there is the almost-killing that the author of “Lord of the Flies” would be proud of. Since this is a Bergman film so joy and beauty must not be allowed to rule, the couple returns to civilization. And what a paradise it is not. Monika is pregnant, Harry has to get a job that is still not fun, and what money he brings home to Monika is not enough. Monika makes this very clear. The story continues with the noble Harry trying to study and quiet the screaming baby while Monika does nothing to help the couple build their future together. Harry, as directed by Bergman, appears a puppet of good, and one can only wonder if Bergman wants us to suffer while we watch the good man suffer or if he wants us to help Harry grow a spine and take action to put an end to his suffering. Monika is a bitch and whore the way Bergman depicts her (I choose these words to convey tone compliments of Bergman and not because I want to use bad language), as she sleeps around while good Harry exists only to show suffering. Even the most diehard feminist could be turned into a man’s rights activist, if there is such a role.
On the other hand, is Ingmar Bergman’s portrayal of Monika a once-in-a-lifetime situational sketch? Can we understand and forgive Bergman the artist for perhaps using the film as a therapeutic vehicle for Bergman the man? Many of us know, either from personal experience or from friends whose relationships have ended badly, that anger, even bitterness has its unfortunate place in the lives of human beings. Can we forgive Bergman’s heavy-handed moving of the pieces across his chessboard of a film because it is the work of a young filmmaker? Is the lens through which we view “Sommaren med Monika” today clouded by experiences of a world so different from the 1950s that we fail to laud Ingmar Bergman for having created something that was indeed artful when the film first appeared? Do we need to make any excuses for Bergman the artist or man? When and where will we — Swedes, Swedish-Americans, citizens of the globe — watch Ingmar Bergman films? Will his work endure — and more so than simply as a national treasure or monument that is only visited dutifully or not at all? When is the last time you watched an Ingmar Bergman film? Should Swedish school children watch Bergman’s work? Will they watch it or is Bergman yet another dying giant who in our current generation is dead on arrival? As Bergman wrote on a note to his housekeeper, “Om den här osten är Jarlslberg är jag Kalle Anka!” (“If this cheese is Jarlsberg, I’m Donald Duck!”) Perhaps we have lost our artistic taste buds and ability to appreciate anything that deviates from safe superswede@nordstjernan.com staples. It’s early Bergman but what makes this movie doubly interesting is that the screenplay was written by Per Anders Fogelström, one of the leading figures in modern Swedish literature. Not just island life but the Stockholm scenes are amazing. Fogelström’s first book in the five-volume Stockholm Series, “Stockholm: City of My Dreams” was published in 2000 by Penfield Press (ISBN13: 9781572160880). Two more in the series have been published, “Children of Their City” and “Remember the City” (published 2011) all three in translation by Jennifer Brown Bäverstam. “Summer with Monika” was the second collaboration between Fogelström and Bergman, who based the 1950 film “While the City Sleeps” on the darker parts of the author’s depiction of Stockholm. /Ed.
local events. page 9
Scandinavian Folk Music and Dance Festival Celebrated in Minnesota:
Nisswastämman, USA
Nisswa, MN—Ethnic and cultural education, folk music, dancing, good food and fun were significant ingredients during the 15th annual Nisswastämma in Minnesota during early June. Fiddle-builder and musician Paul Wilson is the director, who, together with a group of planners and benefactors, assembled a cast of the best Nordic folk musicians from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, plus about 150 members of the community of Scandinavian and Finnish musicians, singers and dancers from the upper midwest. Guests at the festival numbered close to two thousand. The event began with a series of music and dance workshops on Friday, followed by an evening sampler concert, just to give a little taste of the music scheduled for the rest of the weekend. Dancing completed day one, which lead directly into the early hours of day two of the festival. On Saturday morning, a musicians’ parade made its way through downtown Nisswa, giving the whole community an opportunity to hear some music and see colorfully costumed performers as they approached Pioneer Park and the Allspel. Then the assembled throng dispersed to five different stages for a day filled with 36 shows of Nordic folk music, dance, poetry, song and children’s activities. Bands on tour from Norden were Ellinor Fritz and Leonor Palazzo, a rikspelman and five-string cello duo from Sweden, Jæ Sweevers, a Danish trio from Fanø, a small island on
more about the Nordic countries through crafts. A traditional smörgåsbord provided the needed sustenance to energize all guests, volunteers and performers so they were ready to partake of the evening dancing, which once again went into the wee hours of the morning. Each group played for 30 minutes and provided music for favorite dances from Scandinavia. The final day for musicians included a brunch on Sunday, during which time they jammed one last time and fit in one more Telespringar before farewells sent the various groups on their way. Jæ Sweevers headed for Wisconsin, Georgia, Florida and Oregon before returning home to Denmark. Ellinor & Leonor had some gigs in the upper midwest and New York. The groups from Minnesota had steady sets of gigs throughout June as they headed for the American Swedish Institute Midsommar, Gammelgården in Scandia, the Scandinavian Hjemkomst Fes-
Ellen Brekken from the band Maar, cradled her string bass lovingly at the musicians’ brunch that brought the weekend festival to a close.
“Björnen Sover” was a favorite song game at the children’s tent—Kari Tauring and Lynette Reini-Grandell taught the song.
The Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag had several opportunities to perform at the 15th annual Nisswastämman in early June, providing music at the main stage as well as for evening dancing.
the west coast of Denmark. Peter Uhrbrand, Ole Mouritzen and Kirstine Uhrbrand performed on fiddle, accordion and keyboard, and Maar, a trio from Norway featuring Britt Pernille Frøholm on hardanger fiddle, Irene Tillung accordion, and Ellen Brekken string bass. In addition to formal stage sets, there were smaller groups jamming under the soaring white pines. There were couples and children dancing on the outdoor dance floor, a showcase of nyckelharpa instruments, the decorating and raising of the midsummer pole, wood carving lessons and plenty of activities at the children’s tent to help the younger set learn
tival in Moorhead, the Scandinavian Festival in Roseau, Svenskarnasdag in Minneapolis, Batttery Park in New York and a new international festival in Forest City, IA. For more information or to see videos and images from 2014 and previous events, visit www.nisswastamman.org or go to www.youtube.com/user/nisswastamman. The festival in 2015 is slated for June 12-13.
At Pioneer Park in downtown Nisswa, MN, the outdoor dance floor was dappled with sun and shade while dancers, both the young and the young at heart, enjoy the traditional Nordic tunes performed on the adjacent stage.
At the musicians’ brunch Ennis De Coux made music with Irene Tillung from the band Maar of Norway.
June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
Photo: Tibor Bárány.
dashboard. page 10
Beijing, China
Ingela Holm, publisher Massolit/ICA Bokförlag with Mai-Lis Hellenius, author. Professor Mai-Lis Hellenius and Bo Hagström took home first prize in the Mediterranean cuisine category with the cookbook Solens Hälsa (“The sun’s health”) in the cookbook World Cup recently held in Beijing. Over 10,000 titles compete in 40 categories at the annual Gourmand World Cookbook awards. The book can now put the prestigious “Best in the World” label on the cover.
Sweden
No need for Swedes to buy imported strawberries even for Midsummer, there’s plenty of Swedish ones. Thanks to a new test introduced last year, Swedes can also be sure the Swedish strawberries they buy really are Swedish and not from other countries. (If you’ve ever had Swedish grown jordgubbar, you know there’s a difference in taste!)
New York, NY
Early Crumbs customers recently enjoyed a free sampler of the new breakfast menu developed by Executive Pastry Chef Morgan Larsson. Nowhere more so than in the garment district of New York where people were lining up for a taste and a look at the chef himself— above with co-workers at the NYC location. Danish, cinnamon buns, the cardamom and cinnamon braids... look for a Princess cupcake next! www.crumbs.com
Beauty
Lifestyle
Red listed: The West Coast shrimp
West Coast fishermen may have to find another catch in the future. The Swedish West Coast shrimp – in trouble again, as it has been placed in the “endangered species” category by the University of Agricultural Sciences.
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
Photo: Bruno Ehrs
Shrimp from the Swedish west coast may soon be officially red listed according to the Artdatabank (the database for species) at Lantbruksuniversitetet (the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). The World Wide Fund recently put the Swedish shrimp on their red list, so they welcome Lantbruksuniversitetet’s decision. The species will be
Royal Facelift
Look at the king’s smooth, wrinkle free face .. even the stubble is gone! Of course, we’re talking about King Gustav II Adolf (or Gustavus Adolphus, who led Sweden to military supremacy during the Thirty Years War, helping to determine the political as well as the religious balance of power in Europe). After 160 years in fog and pollution, wind and rain, the statue of the 17th century king in central Göteborg needed to get some of its luster back. On Thursday, the statue was uncovered after nearly nine months of renovation. “We’re very pleased. The facial features and all details are much more clear now that all dirt has been removed,” says project leader Oskar Hägg at Park- och naturförvaltningen. Facelifts are rarely cheap and this one was no exception, it cost around 2 million SEK ($300,000), and has meant cleaning, polishing, and even the use of a scalpel to scrape off many of the barnaclelike plants that have clung to the statue. “Now the statue has also been treated so that he is good for at least another 100 years,” says Hägg.
Gustavus Adolphus has been given placed in the “endangered species” category. a $300,000 much-needed facelift. “The statistics we have access to, show Photo: Eva Ekeblad Bengt Erland that the shrimp has decreased by 40% the Fogelberg. The king (1594-1632) is last ten years. That means it meets the cricredited as the founder of the Swedish teria of being red listed,” says Ulf Gärdennation as a Great Power (Swedish: fors, acting head of the Artdatabanken at Stormaktstiden). Lantbruksuniversitetet. The West Coast shrimp, also known as the Smögen shrimp, is not a species by itself but Händerna på sveriges statyer är högst 11 tum långa, rather a stock of the North Atlantic shrimp. för annars blir de en fot. WWF recently gave it red light in its fish guide, which caused a heavy debate. “Some[The hands of Swedish statues are maximum 11 inches, since otherwise they become a foot.] thing has to be done. There’s no doubt there are huge problems. The shrimp fishing in the Kattegat and Skagerrak (combined known as Västerhavet) must be better organized. ‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: July 01 Aron/Mirjam The controls need to be more effective,” July 02 Rosa/Rosita /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar says Inger Näslund who is responsible for July 03 Aurora July 04 Ulrika/Ulla fishing issues at WWF. Some have pointed July 05 Laila/Ritva out that it is not prohibited to fish for shrimp July 06 Esais/Jessika along the West Coast, and that one therefore July 07 Klas can ignore the advice from WWF. But that July 08 Kjell sort of reasoning is strange, to Näslund. July 09 Jörgen/Örjan “Sure, it is perfectly legal,” she says. “But June 30: July 10 André/Andrea at the same time it’s a fact that fishing there Sunrise Sunset July 11 Eleonora/Ellinor is not sustainable.” The Artdatabank’s listIn New York 5.28 a.m. 8.31 p.m. July 12 Herman/Hermine ing is preliminary. Not until April 2015 will In Stockholm 3.37 a.m. 10.05 p.m. July 13 Joel/Judit the new list be published. In Kiruna Over the horizon July 14 Folke Lund 4.28 a.m. 9.53 p.m. July 15 Ragnhild/Ragnvald In Los Angeles 5.45 a.m. 8.09 p.m. July 16 Reinhold/Reine
dashboard. page 11
Stockholm and elsewhere in Sweden
Many Swedes want to continue to study, but more and more are getting jobs without an education. Over half of those who graduate high school plan to continue studying, but three years after “studenten,” more of them work than study. And the prospect of getting a job immediately following graduation looks better than in a long time. According to Statistics Sweden, six in 10 students who graduated (tog stundenten) in June plan to continue studying. Travel
Best cafés in Sweden
The distinction ”this year’s best café” goes to Johan & Nyströms Konceptbutik in stockholm. According to the restaurant guide ”White Guide”, they have an unerring feel for service, knowledge and quality. Other great cafés, according to ”White Guide”, are PM Bröd & Sovel in Växjö (this year’s pastry shop, or ”konditori” in Swedish), Drop Coffee in Stockholm is this year’s coffee bar and Gunnebo Kaffehus in Mölndal is the year’s most sustainable café. According to the motivation, Gunnebo uses locally grown produce in their baked goods. To make the 2014 compilation, 350 cafés were tested, and of these 263 made it into the guide. ”The café business in Sweden has entered an exciting developmental phase, where quality, business knowledge, and produce become more and more important, both for the baristas, the cafés, and the bakers. There’s an enormous amount of enthusiasm
in this trade, which is experiencing a new spring as the interest in ’fika’ grows among those in the younger generation. Because of this, I hope the café guide becomes an important take-along companion, in the pocket or glove apartment or as an app,” says project leader Lena Ilkjær in a press release for ”White Guide”. For more information: http://johanochnystrom.se www.pmrestauranger.se/sv/brod-sovel www.dropcoffee.com www.fl-lundgren.se and, for the full list, check Sveriges bästa Caféer - www. whiteguide.se/klassificering-cafe (in Swedish only)
Stockholm, Sweden
H.R.H. Princess Leonore Lilian Maria was christened at Stockholm’s Drottningholm Palace Chapel on June 8. Above with her parents and godparents: Standing, L-R - Miss Alice Bamford; Mrs. Tatjana d’Abo; Count Ernst Abensperg und Traun; H.R.H.. Crown Princess Victoria; Mr. Patrick Sommerlath; Miss Louise Gottlieb; Seated: Mr. Christopher O’Neill; H.R.H. Prinsess Leonore; H.R.H. Prinsessan Madeleine. Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström/The Royal Court, Sweden.
Food
Nanne Grönvall’s salmon
Swedish artist Nanne Grönvall shares her favorite salmon recipe. Photo: Daniel Åhs Karlsson
Swedish artist Nanne Grönvall likes pasta and fajitas and always has soy milk in the fridge. But when asked for a recipe, she pulled out one for oven-baked salmon with lemon, the best food there is according to Grönvall. Research
The café worth traveling for? Why, Flickorna Lundgren på Skäret, of course. For more information: www.fl-lundgren.se
This is what you need for 5 people: 1 salmon filet of about 1 kg (or 2.2 lbs) 2-3 Tablespoons sweet and sour chili sauce 2-3 Tablespoons soy sauce 1 lemon 6 oz soy cream (we assume regular cream is also OK) lemon pepper Instruction: Pre heat oven to 300 F. Put the salmon filet in a dish. Mix the chili sauce and the soy in a bowl and brush the salmon with it. Squeeze the lemon juice over the salmon and let it sit for awhile. Drizzle the cream on top and also the lemon pepper. Place in the middle of the oven for 40-50 minutes. The low temperature will ensure the fish is juicy and it can be eaten both warm and cold. Serve the salmon with mashed potatoes or rice, prepare either one by putting a pinch of turmeric in the water to give it a pretty yelOven baked salmon with lemon. low color.
Have Swedes found cure for Mers?
After five years of testing, scientists in Gothenburg have found a substance that can stop the dreaded Mers virus. The Mers virus has spread from the Middle East and so far more than every fourth infected person has died. But the Swedish scientists at Sahlgrenska, together with scientists in Switzerland, have found that the K22 substance inhibits the virus without killing the cells. The result has been presented in the medical journal PLOS Pathogens. ”What’s especially nice is that we have found the achilles heel of the virus; all viruses have one but it is rarely the same mechanism,” says Tomas Bergström, a scientist at Sahlgrenska, to TT. Mers is a corona virus, like Sars, which led to close to 800 deaths in Asia in 2003. Hopefully, the research from Sahlg-
renska will lead to a medicine that helps against all respitory infections corona viruses cause in Sweden each year. The risk for an otherwise healthy person to get Mers is small, but not non-existent. ”We cannot exclude the possibility that you could become seriously ill, even if you have no underlying disease,” says deputy state epidemiologist at the Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Public Health Agency of Sweden), Anders Wallensten. ”As long as it doesn’t get more contagious, the risk zone for getting it is the Arabian Peninsula, and it has mostly struck sick people in hospitals there,” he adds. WHO has not issued any travel restrictions for the most severly affected countries.
June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
Viewpoints. page 12
Ulf Nilson Sweden, June 2014 ulf.nilson@nordstjernan.com
.. liberators of the green rectangle. We’re right now enjoying the world’s largest, most popular movement—well, at least most of us do. It’s a fight for victory and a feast for the eye. I watched Chile outplay Spain today, the Netherlands win over Australia and then Croatia beat Cameroon. Sweden didn’t make it this time but the U.S. did and will be playing against Portugal on Sunday. I am of course talking about soccer and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I used to dream about a future on the grass during my glorious time with Slöinge GIF. I never made it to the top team but nevertheless. I even succeeded in making a goal once although that was during a training. I’m kidding but not entirely. You know how or you don’t and regardless of which it’s my conviction that a majority of the world’s young men dreamt of becoming a soccer star at some point in their lives. I remember – and I get goose bumps and my eyes water as I write this – when I got to shake hands with the great Pelé. It was a soccer match in Brazil and after the game Gunnar Göransson, renowned vice president of the soccer club Flamengo, brough
The Liberators me with him into the locker rooms. There were several other journalists and photographers so small wonder the good people of Rio singled me out several days afterwards as “He’s the one who got to shake hands with Pelé” Since Pelé was the entire world’s super star at the time everyone was envious and I enjoyed the admiration immensely. People even wanted to touch me as the person who had shook hands and touched the idol. It made me understand what enormous power soccer has. I’ve given this a lot of thought since and come to the conclusion that the guys on the green rectangle first and foremost are liberators. When the referee starts the game only a single thing matters; the ball. Politics, business and even love disappears in favor of passes, dribble, tricks and GOOOAL! Most important is the opportunity to show one’s superiority in the audience. “’My’ team won …. See, what did I tell you?” Soccer creates feelings, sometimes of a rather primitive kind. That goes for most sports, I don’t know how often I’ve heard ‘Kill the @#$!%!’ in the boxing ring. I don’t think this is meant literally but who knows? They say
sports breeds noble feelings but undoubtedly also the opposite from time to time. I believe soccer, from the lowest series to the World Cup belongs to the healing powers in nature. I’m not suggesting you should go to a soccer game instead of a visit to the doctor – there’s a time and a place for everything – but I strongly believe soccer offers a vast amount of people an outlet for aggression. They release their adrenalin during the match, then return to normal and in most cases avoid a fight. I myself never made it to the big leagues. I used to blame the fact I am left-footed, which has nothing to do with it of course. Truth be told – and I can afford to say it at my age – I lack the feet or the head or wherever it is, to play soccer. I didn’t even make it in my childhood’s Slöinge. But enjoy watching I do and a good soccer game is among the top entertainments in the world. I covered soccer in Helsingborg in my youth and knew many of the era’s top players. The names come and go but the discussion on who’s better or worse, who did this and who did that, is eternally going on. Let me conclude with this: There’s no sport like soccer!
Att bli rånad Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
Precis som andra läser jag i tidningarna och hör om på radio och TV att folk blir rånade. Ofta blir jag uppbragt av att höra hur spröda gamla damer, som just hämtat ut sina snåla pensioner från posten blivit rånade på sina slantar. De blir givetvis omtumlade till sinnet och kanske rädda. Vid sidan av att de måste knappa in ytterligare på sina små utsvävningar. I grövre fall kanske också antastade och slagna till marken. Det sägs också inträffa, att till synes hyggliga människor hjälper äldre personer att bära hem sina inköpta kassar från närbutikerna. Väl framkomna rycker dessa förment hyggliga till sig väskor och pengar. De till synes vänliga hjälparna visar sig vara förslagna rånare. Personligen har jag ”ta i trä” aldrig utsatts för något rån. Jag har t.o.m. något övermaga trott, att rån aldrig skulle hända mig. Jag har intalat mig, att jag är en försiktig typ. Är till naturen feg. Utsätter mig inte för farligheter . Utan är på min vakt. Men ändå hände det i fredags . På blanka förmiddagen. Eftersom vi hade beräknat att åka ut till Torö för att njuta sommaren några månader begav jag mig iväg till banken för att vara stadd vid kassa. Janne fiskare skulle betalas för att han linoljat bryggan och skaffat en ny boj till båten. Pålle för att han tagit hand om båten i sin trädgård under vintern och nu lagt den i sjön. Det är en hel del man måste ha hjälp med . Grannarna på Torö är inte bara nödvändiga för en bekymmersfri tillvaro utan även klart underbara som män-
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
niskor. Förutan dem vore det inte möjligt att njuta av skärgården och dess säregna fröjder. Därför hade jag plockat ut tillräckligt från banken för att kunna ge mig ut i övärlden och i varje fall pekuniärt ersätta mina vänner på Torö för alla tjänster de utfört. Jag var därför vid behagligt mod och god kassa, när jag tillsamman med Marianne traskade hem från banken. Oftast går jag aldrig runt med kontanta pengar i plånboken. För det mesta räcker det med Visa-kortet. Nu till själva rånet. Från banken traskade jag med fru Marianne och en ovanligt välfylld plånbok den ständigt myllrande Västerlånggatan fram till Österlånggatan 39, där vi bor. Vår kåk har, som de flesta andra gamla kåkar i gamla stan, praktfulla och aningen trögöppnade portar. Jag är förresten mycket förtjust i gamla stans väderbitna portar. Tänk vilka konstverk arkitekterna lade ner på att smycka även enkla ingångar. Där tolererades inga enkla standardvaror. På vägen in genom porten förstod jag, att någon bakomvarande person också ville komma in. Jag upplevde ingenting märkvärdigt i, att en annan person också ville komma in genom dörren. Även om jag tycker illa om att bli knuffad, märkte jag nästan inte att det var just vad jag blev. Så snart jag väl stod innanför porten tittade jag efter om den, som ville komma in genom porten samtidigt och puffat på mig, hade kommit in. Ingen syntes till. För säkerhets skull kände jag även efter i fickorna om allt fanns kvar. Då upptäckte jag, att min plånbok, som jag hade haft i byxfickan, var borta. Under ingåendet genom porten hade jag inte för en sekund känt att någon trevat i min ficka. Snabb
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A memorable Sweden Day in SF Bay Area June 6, 2014 was more than a memorable day in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sweden’s national day was celebrated for five days, beginning on June 5 at San Francisco’s City Hall. There, before an entourage of Swedes and officials including Ambassador Björn Lyrvall and Consul General Barbro Osher, the Swedish flag was unfurled from the front balcony by the city’s chief of protocol, Charlotte Maillard Schultz. Then everyone crossed the street to Civic Center Plaza where Chef Pelle’s food truck served free coffee and Swedish pancakes while people gathered for photos in front of the “Sweden on the Road” bus parked nearby. Thanks to Consul General Osher’s arrangements, the ambassador had time to meet with San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and California Governor Jerry Brown to discuss mutually improving business — the governor was very interested in Sweden’s environmental example, and the mayor in Sweden’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety program, which the city is now adopting.
Photography: Isak Bodin Alfredson
Ted Olsson, San Francisco ted@nordstjernan.com
Children from the Scandinavian School in San Francisco greet Ambassador Lyrvall.
and most useful uniform regulations. And, as expected, the topic of privacy in the transfer of big data was of concern. After such a hefty discussion, people couldn’t wait to get to the delicious refreshments and cordial conversations on less weighty matters.
Bus Tour of Innovative Companies Consul General Barbro Osher; SF Mayor Edwin Lee; Ambassador Björn Lyrvall.
Partners in trade
Thursday afternoon provided a helpful Swedish perspective on the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) between the European Union and the United States. This was presented at the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, which recently produced its excellent report, “Europe and the Bay Area,” on the potential mutual benefits of the treaty, initiated by President Obama and emphasized last year during his visit to Sweden. Sean Randolph, president of the institute, put into perspective the magnitude of this trade — Asia is currently the U.S.’s largest trading partner by some 40 percent; NAFTA (Mexico and Canada) is second with about half that, and Europe, for now, is a distant third. Because we have so many common values and advancements with countries in the EU, however, it is likely these ratios could change considerably under TTIP. In his remarks, Ambassador Lyrvall said that while Sweden ranks 12th in overall trade with the U.S., Sweden has the largest per capita investment in the U.S. — 120 Swedish companies in California have created more than 330,000 jobs here. Because Europe and the U.S. are the largest free trading economies, with similar focus on human rights, property and democracy, the potential of TTIP to create two million new jobs, stimulate education, research
California Governor Jerry Brown meets Ambassador Björn Lyrvall.
and innovation, boosting entrepreneurism could dwarf the success of previous trading zones. He listed three goals for TTIP: 1) aim high to produce a tariff-less free trade zone; 2) accommodate common values and find ways to mediate areas of social disagreement; and 3) strengthen our exchange of ideas, cultures and goods. The U.S. TTIP negotiator Skip Jones agreed with the ambassador on the goal of creating a free trade zone and eliminating all tariffs. He acknowledged the desire to include and enhance all service providers and pay special attention to small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs who can grow our economies rapidly. However, he also recognized that the difficulty will occur in the agricultural and pharmacological sectors, as well as in respecting and reforming regulations. Sweden’s TTIP coordinator, Magnus Rydén, echoed much of his colleague’s observations, especially to abolish tariffs, particularly for cars, chemicals, ICT and pharmaceuticals. He added that this new trade agreement must not only set a new, high standard for the future but also be expandable to incorporate other countries that may wish to meet the requirements. Other panelists, Liselotte Shafiee representing the service sector, and Katarina Bonde with perspectives from both high tech and wine (consumables) provided additional advice to the negotiators and audience of nearly 100 interested people.
Consul General Barbro Osher thanks soloist Kate Offer and accompianist Walter Anderson for National Day Concert at the Swedish church.
Bonde reminded all that the cloud, for commercial and personal large data transfers, has already presaged the future, and must be protected and considered a model for international collaboration. But it will require negotiation and diligence. As vineyard and vintner owner, she expressed the frustration of food producers who cannot sell the same packaged product on both sides of the Atlantic because the laws are not uniform. In California, with the most stringent wine rules, it may be easier but no less costly to adapt to European standards. Ultimately such a vision requires smart collaboration for greater productivity. The negotiators agreed that persistence and flexibility are required. Rydén emphasized that the treaty must be transparent and open; standards should be raised rather than lowered to find common agreement; and that we must accommodate global supply/value chains and international flows of big data. The questions were as fascinating as the preceding positions. Asked how high TTIP is among U.S. priorities — since he is negotiating simultaneously both for transatlantic and transasiatic trade — Jones said he is trying to advance on both fronts simultaneously. Another attendee recommended that they must scientifically analyze the purpose and particulars of all rules and regulations and then create criteria by which to include only the best, necessary
On Sweden Day, the “Sweden on the Road” bus tour, arranged by Gabriella Augustsson of the Embassy and by Anne Lidgard of Vinnova at Stanford, took everyone to Silicon Valley to visit and learn from innovative companies. The day was filled with scintillating discussions at Nordic Innovation House, Google, Ericsson’s Silicon Valley Research Center and Tesla. It was interesting how distinct yet complementary were the issues learned at all visits. At the Nordic Innovation House they learned from the emigrant entrepreneurs that while at home nationalistic competitiveness is significant, in Silicon Valley — home of risk and reward — the Nordic identity is more important, for it allows young business people to mix and learn without silos or barriers. It was also noted that while failure at home is socially penalizing; here the emphasis is not upon the failure but on the lessons learned from the failure that will push success. While everyone enjoyed the tour of the Googleplex and the opportunity to experience Google Glass, the visitors were mightily impressed by the many ideas originated by the employees themselves. They are allowed up to 20 percent of their paid time to be spent working on projects of passion. The other takeaway was learning how important the free flow of information within a company has to do with success. Even the open office design facilitates this value. Whether physically or virtually, employees are encouraged to mix, Continues on page 15
June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
The Pacific states. page 14
A party at Sveadal even Gustav Vasa would have enjoyed
sandwiches to choose from and everyone left the table satisfied. Actually they were more than satisfied because the wine tasting, which was scheduled to follow lunch, was changed to precede lunch, which only whetted the appetite. The beautiful baristas provided flights of the same wine from several local wineries so that those with sophisticated palates could explain the complexities of their choices from among the Generations: Katie Montoya (youngest member) and Anita Peterson sampled wines. A tally was kept and the district (oldest) Photo: Katherine Lipscomb must have profited from Swedish-Americans certainly like to celthis exercise, given that at one time the ebrate their ancestry on Sweden Day, in nacrowd at the Sveadal bar was five deep to ture, with delicious food and plenty to drink. sample the offerings. So it was that Vasa District #12 (Golden Ted Olsson guaranteed that his afternoon Gate) for northern California hosted its tour of Sveadal would be no longer than one Sweden Day celebration at Sveadal for all hour, for he too intended to be back in the of its members during the weekend of May Clubhouse by 3 p.m. for the aquavit contest. 30 to June 1. They returned on time. A couple dozen people began to gather This is the third year that Scott Schulkin on Friday night. Everyone had brought a has hosted his aquavit taste-off. What betasty hors d’oeuvre — from elk sausage and gan then with half a dozen bottles, this year paté to delicious salads. There was plenty to had 27 entries lined up across the tables for drink with a delicious dinner but mostly it testing. Everyone was given a scorecard was just convivial dining with old friends. to judge various qualities of the infusions. But this was just the warm-up for a wonderScott even created nearly a dozen eyeful weekend. dropper bottles of extracts so people could The next day was full of activities crowned by a sumptuous feast. Only the board mem- brew concoctions right there on the spot. All were judged on one of three categobers had to get up for an early meeting in ries: Best Presentation, Best Tasting and the Clubhouse, so despite the fact that Kubb Most Traditional. A few people had more and Crafts were scheduled, most people than half a dozen entries, but the women didn’t arrive until lunch. The Beesons had swept the prizes: Vicki Fedor-Thurman won prepared half a dozen large open-faced
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both Best Presentation and Best Tasting while Katherine Lipscomb won Most Traditional. Many a traditional Swedish snapsvisor was sung, yet in the end there still remained plenty of aquavit to quaff after dinner. A full house of nearly 100 people attended the delicious dinner by master chefs Kathy and Bob Beeson — medallions of elk cooked to perfection with pota- Aquavit Contest—Vasa members had to make discerning comments toes and greens, a salad to select the winning home infusion among the 27! entries. and a wonderfully rich dessert. A silent auction with a dozen or other delicious dessert. All lingered to enjoy more brimming baskets of goods was held, the camaraderie and to try to remember all the events of the weekend. Whether or not and the party lasted well into the evening. However that night’s festivities did effect their memories were sharp, all agreed that it how many arrived on time for the Sunday had been a wonderful weekend and thanked breakfast. Without reservations, the Beesons Gustav Vasa for the occasion. performed a loaves-and-fishes miracle, feedTed Olsson ing more than 50 people with eggs in any Sveadal, June,2014 style with full trimmings, fresh fruit and anThe Aquavit competitors: Victoria Fedor-Thurman (sitting, centerright white blouse) won both Best Presentation & Best Tasting; Katherine Lipscomb (sitting center left, black dress) won Most Traditional; Scott Schulkin (standing, short center), created the contest for this third year in a row.
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Local SACC members, the Consul General and Swedish bus tour team beside Tesla robotic arm. Continued from page 13
mingle and exchange ideas across disciplines. And this was practiced even at the highest level of the company: Every week the founders and top executives confidentially brief their global employees on the issues and solutions affecting the company. The variety of dining, sports, hobby and exercise activities offered for free to all employees round the clock is amazing, too. Where do I sign up! At Ericsson we received a lesson in exponentiation to appreciate the unlimited compounded growth in data expected in the near future. Ericsson Silicon Valley is the think tank leading the company. With the ever-increasing significance of data telecommunications and distributed processing at their radio towers, they are helping companies and individuals put off the day that data overwhelms us. Their affiliation with Facebook and purchase of Microsoft’s Media Center technology enhance their strategic position. Finally, it was off to visit the Tesla plant in Fremont. Peter Carlsson, vice president of supply chain logistics and board member of SACC-SF/SV, shared a view of innovation from one of the most successful disruptive creations: the fully electric car. The founder, Elon Musk, believed so deeply that electricity could be both more powerful and sustainable than petroleum-based fuels — and in his other transformative company, SpaceX — that during the depth of the recession he spent his last $30 million on employee salaries and recouped it all when both companies succeeded. And now he is even willing to open source his patents to speed the transformation to sustainable transportation. What is most fascinating with the current cars and their future falcon-winged affordable sedan, is that their stationary charger, which provides a full tank of fuel daily for continually extended ranges, is itself one of the most remarkable inventions. If every home and factory with solar panels used these, they could operate well into the night more profitably. We continued discussing the implications of our visits as the bus passed along the beautiful freeway back to the city. There, the evening
celebration of Sweden’s national day was just beginning with a concert at the Church of Sweden in San Francisco. This provided Ambassador Lyrvall an opportunity to thank everyone for their warm welcome and stimulating ideas. He reminded the congregation that each of them is Sweden’s true ambassador with far greater outreach to one’s neighbors than the official embassy staff could ever muster. He recalled the colony of New Sweden founded on this continent 376 years ago and that for 230 years Sweden has had the longest official relationship of any nation with the U.S., since Sweden was the first to sign a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the fledgling U.S. after the Revolutionary War. This shared history paired with shared values and Sweden’s leadership in transparent innovation provide great pride and promise for the ultimate success of the TTIP. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in congratulating Swedes and Sweden on the anniversary of its constitution (June 6, 1809), stated that it “set forth the principles of democracy and freedom to which all nations should aspire. Those shared values continue to form the bedrock of the close friendship between Sweden and the United States today.” The evening’s celebration began with delicious homemade cakes, cookies and refreshments, with ladies bedecked in their regional or national costume, and it ended with a beautiful concert. Saturday was a family day with refreshments and entertainment at IKEA. In the evening a nostalgic look at Sweden was enjoyed in a showing of the 1980s film “Vi är bäst! (We are best!) by Lukas Moodysson, about the experiences of three ostracized teenage girls who find themselves by forming a punk band. A reception followed at the San Rafael Theater with delicious wines, hors d’oeuvres and convivial conversations. As the embassy staff boarded their bus to continue their road trip, the next morning the rest of us rolled over for our Sunday morning snooze, wishing them a hearty four-fold hurrah for coming to the Bay Area and providing us such a special opportunity to renew our spirit on Sweden Day 2014. n
By Sofia Englund On April 8, SACC - San Francisco/Silicon Valley organizational sponsor SAS celebrated the one year anniversary of the launch of their Copenhagen - San Francisco route. The new route marked the return of the Scandinavian flag carrier to the US West Coast after an almost four year hiatus having previously served Los Angeles until April 1994 and Seattle until July 2009. SAS’s decision to “Go West” has proven to be a great success as the airline continues to ramp up its flight schedules to meet the ever increasing demand for air transportation between the United States, Scandinavia and beyond. In addition to the San Francisco flight, SAS is continuing to augment flight frequency to New York and Chicago and recently announced the upcoming launch of a new route from Stavanger, Norway, to Houston, which will no doubt be much welcomed by businessmen in the oil and gas sectors. Commenting on the launch of the Copenhagen-SFO route, SAS President and CEO Richard Gustafsson highlighted the airline’s longstanding experience connecting Europe and the United States: “SAS has been flying to the USA for over 60 years and we have a good understanding of what customers need when they fly long-haul … San Francisco is an attractive destination in itself, but the city is also the ideal starting point for the West Coast and many other US destinations in the Star Alliance network.”
‘Helge Viking’ 1954
In fact, it was by connecting Europe and the US West Coast, through initiating the transpolar route, that the SAS success story began. In the morning of November 15, 1954, SAS aircraft “Helge Viking,” a Douglas DC-6B, embarked on the first commercial flight over the North Pole. Destined for Los Angeles, the flight took off from Copenhagen airport carrying forty-four passengers, including the three Scandinavian Prime Ministers at the time: Hans Hedtoft (Denmark), Tage Erlander (Sweden) and Oscar Torp (Norway). Stops were made at Søndre Strømfjord in South-West Greenland and at Winnipeg, Canada. “Helge Viking” touched American soil at Los Angeles International Airport in the evening of November 16, with a delay of only 3 minutes. The total flying time was 24 hours and 13 minutes. Shortcutting the California - Europe route by some thousand kilometers, the new SAS
SACC SF/SV SACC San Francisco www.SACC-sf.org
route became highly popular with Hollywood celebrities, the film industry and American tourists, making the transpolar flight a great publicity coup in the late 1950s. Now, in these post millennial times, there is a new synergy growing between Scandinavia, Europe and the United States. The stars of our time, especially in Scandinavia and the Bay Area, are no longer the actors on the screen but the entrepreneurs in the start-ups. By connecting two of the most innovative areas of the world, the new SAS route allows for the transportation of creative ideas and contributes to greater economic trade and knowledge exchange between the two regions. To book travel, visit: www.flysas.com/us On its non-stop transatlantic flights, SAS offers wide-body Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, audio/video entertainment at every seat and EuroBonus frequent flyer points. For the past 3 years, SAS was ranked Europe’s most punctual airline according to flightstats.com.
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local events. page 16
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
l California
06.28.2014 05:00 PM - 10:30 PM Annual Summer Shrimp Feast Annual Midsummer Shrimp Feast at Nansen Field. All you can eat of you- peel shrimp and other delicious food will be offered. Live music and dancing around the Maypole. $30 includes all you can eat shrimp, wine w/dinner, bread, salad, strawberries, coffe, Danish kringle. Limited amount of BBQ meat available at additional charge. Reservations and payment by June 25! For more info www.nansenfield.org or call Sue Berlin (310) 869-4337
l Colorado
06.28.2014 05:30 AM - 12:00 PM Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Largest Scandinavian festival in the Rocky Mountains. Annual midsummer celebration includes Scandinavian crafts, vendors, food, music and dancing, craft & lefse demonstrations,wreath making, Viking ship/encampment/combat, silent auction, and raffle air fare for two on Icelandair. Starts 9:30 Saturday with raising of the maypole, followed by colorful parade of flags and opening ceremonies. Live entertainment all day. Free, all ages, wheelchair accessible. . Estes Park Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. 303.449.9596. bouldercathy@indra.com. http:// www.estesmidsummer.com
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Continuously The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach has begun working to promote trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Sweden, Fort Lauderdale Palm Beach and members. See www.sacc-sfl.org
l Georgia
08.23.2014 05:00 PM - 08.23.2014 11:30 PM Crawfish Party and 40th anniversary Crawfish Party and Celebration of Nordic Lodge’s 40th anniversary. Location: Brown’s residence at 4165 Whitewater Creek Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Costs TBA. For information call 770-361-1074.. Nordic Lodge # 708, Atlanta, GA. 770-361-1074. rygert@bellsouth.net.www.vasaorderatlanta.org
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07.25.2014 05:00 AM - 07.26.2014 01:00 PM Vesterheim at Decorah Nordic Fest Vesterheim Events at Decorah’s 48th Annual Nordic Fest. Vesterheim hosts great activities during Decorah’s premier ethnic festival, featuring Scandinavian food, music, arts, crafts, and more. Check www.nordicfest.com for more info about Nordic Fest.. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. 563.382.9681. bidstrom@vesterheim.org. vesterheim.org. 08.22.2014 06:00 AM - 04.19.2015 12:00 PM Scandinavian Modern Design: Norwegian Enamel Featuring enamel design from the mid-nineteenth century, including designer Grete Prytz Kittelsen. . Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. 563.382.9681. bidstrom@vesterheim.org. vesterheim.org
l Illinois
rent exhibit featuring works by Swedish artist Birger Sandzén. During the 60 years since the death of Sandzén, his southwest American landscape scenes have become acclaimed far beyond the collection at the Kansas school where he taught. Born in Sweden in 1871 as Sven Birger Sandzén, he first studied art at age 10 under Olof Erlandsson. In 1890, impatient with the waiting list for admission to the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, he joined a group of young artists that included Anders Zorn studying in Paris. Sandzén later accepted an offer to teach art and languages at Bethany College and moved to Lindsborg, Kansas. Known for strong, colorful brushstrokes and thick textures, his work has been described as post-impressionist, expressionist and fauvist. In addition to oil painting, he was a watercolorist and a talented printmaker in woodcuts and linocuts. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 06.21.2014 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Guided tour of our permanent exhibit, A Dream of America: Swedish Immigration to Chicago, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. This fascinating tour starts in the mid-1800s in Sweden and takes the visitor on a journey from Sweden to the New World, providing insights into the struggles and triumphs of Swedish immigrant life in Chicago. Cost for the tour is $4 adults, $3 seniors and students, and Museum members are free. Space is limited, and reservations are recommended. www.swedishamericanmuseum. org | 773.728.8111 Continuously Step back in time in historic Bishop Hill. Utopia on the Prairie, then and now. For information call 309-927-3899 or email heritage@bishophill. com. Visit our Website at: www.bishophill.com
Do You Know Pippi Longstocking? This original ASHM exhibition engages visitors with Lindgren’s delightful sense of humor and love of play. Life-sized tableaus of Ingrid Vang Nyman’s lively and timeless depictions of Pippi’s world will set the scene for creative play. Kids will have the opportunity to go inside Pippi’s home, Villa Villekulla, and experiment with one of Pippi’s favorite activities: cooking in her kitchen. You can also test your strength by lifting Pippi’s horse, explore “Thing-Finding” in Pippi’s cabinet of treasures, and scrub-a-dubdub the floor with sponges on your shoes. Visitors will also discover how Astrid Lindgren influenced Swedish attitudes toward childhood; what childhood in Sweden looks like today; and how Pippi may, or may not, embody Swedishness. American Swedish Historical Museum. 215.389.1776.info@americanswedish.org. www.americanswedish.org
Nordic Heritage Night at Safeco Field Friday, July 25, 7:00 p.m. Root, root, root for the Mariners as they battle against the Baltimore Orioles! Help us share the Nordic spirit as we enjoy an evening of baseball and a special post-game fireworks show. Bring your friends and family, because you don’t want to miss this event! $5 from each ticket will benefit the Nordic Heritage Museum! Discounted tickets are available online only. Cost: $16 View Level (normally $20); $30 Main Level (normally $40). How to get your tickets: 1. Go to www.mariners.com/nordic 2. Select “Buy Tickets” then enter “nordic” as your Special Offer Code. 3. Purchase and print your tickets instantly. www.nordicmuseum.org. 206.789.5707.
l Oregon
08.16.2014 09:00 AM - 08.17.2014 10:00 PM Viking Days 2014 Join us for the 31st Annual Viking Days! This family-friendly festival features delicious Nordic foods, lively entertainment, a Viking Encampment, and so much more! New this year, we’re kicking off Viking Days with a race: the new Run Like A Viking 5K! Dress in your Viking best for this race at near-by Goldern Gardens Park. Is your pup fit to be a Viking hound? On-leash dogs are welcome to run-- and dress up-- too! Afterwards, join us at the Museum for all your Viking Days favorites: Salmon BBQ, craft beer, Nordic music, crafts, and children’s activities.
08.09.2014 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM Crayfish Party Kräftskiva, our Annual Crayfish Party at Fogelbo. More information at www.newsweden.org/events/ . New Sweden Cultural Heritage Society. 503-255-6697. them0therthing@aol. com (0=number 0). www.newsweden.org
l Washington
06.29.2014 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM Midsommar Fest Midsommar Fest by Skandia Folkdance Society, Majstång and Långdans, music, dancing, Hemslöjdsmarknad, food and crafts. Info www.skandia-folkdance.org, email: info@skandia-folkdance.org or call 425-954-5262 . Skandia Folkdance Society. 425.954.5262. info@skandiafolkdance.org. www.skandia-folkdance.org 07.25.2014 07:00 PM - 10:30 PM
06.27.2014 10:00 AM - 06.28.2014 05:00 PM Midwest Viking Festival The 37th Annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst & Annual Midwest Viking Festivals. Music, Food, Crafts & Dance, Scandinavian entertainment, Viking Village, children’s activities. More info www.NordicCultureClubs. org or www.hcscconline.org, email ann@nordiccultureclubs.org or call 218-299-5511 or 218-2995952. Nordic Culture Clubs. 218-299-5511 or 218299-5952. ann@nordiccultureclubs.org. www. NordicCultureClubs.org or www.hcscconline.org
l New York
05.11.2014 12:00 AM - 08.02.2014 06:00 PM Sámi Stories: Art and Identity of an Arctic People. Free admission | #samistories Opening Reception: Saturday, June 10, 2014 Curated by the Tromsø University Museum and Northern Norway Art Museum, Sámi Stories is a landmark exhibition examining the history, identity, politics, and visual culture of the Sámi, the indigenous people of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. Featuring a selection of contemporary artworks and traditional duodji (handicraft) – including a reindeer milk scoop, shaman’s drum, cradle, and a selection of hats and dolls – the exhibition offers visitors an overview of Sámi history and visual culture from the 17th century to the present. Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America. 212.847.9717. info@amscan.org. http:// www.scandinaviahouse.org 07.06.2014 07:00 PM - 07:45 PM Swedish World Jazz Flutist Elsa Nilsson Benefit concert for Badass Brooklyn Animal Shelter at Rockwood Music Hall, stage 1, July 6th at 7 pm. WHERE: Rockwood Music Hall, stage 1, 196 Allen Street. Free, donations encouraged. www.elsanilssonmusic.com
06.19.2014 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Birger Sandzén Exhibit Opening. Join us for an opening reception as we celebrate our new cur-
l Pennsylvania
MÅNDAGAR
6 juli / 13 juli Sommarstängt
15 - 17 Ung Svensk i NY caféet öppet 12-16
Nordstjernan, June 30, 2014
06.27.2014 05:00 PM - 06.29.2014 01:00 PM Midsummer Festival at Folklore Village - www.folklorevillage.org
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center National archives and library for Swedish-American historical research Publishers of Swedish American Genealogist 639 38th Street | Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 Telephone 309.794.7204 www.augustana.edu/swenson
03.23.2014 02:00 PM - 02.16.2015 04:00 PM
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06.19.2014 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM Hejsan, the Swedish American Museum’s afterschool program. This week’s program explores the tale of The Man Who Knew Better, a Scandinavian folktale, and make butter. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111
SÖNDAGAR
08.07.2014 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM Documentary: From the Front to the West Coast; documentary film screening at the Nordic Museum. www.nordicmuseum.org. 206.789.5707.
www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork
Välkommen!
TISDAGAR
ONSDAGAR
TORSDAGAR
FREDAGAR
LÖRDAGAR
1 juli / 8 juli / 15 juli
2 juli / 9 juli
3 juli / 10 juli
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12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Veckomässa
12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
4 juli Stängt 11 juli 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
caféet öppet 12-18
caféet öppet 12-18
caféet öppet 12-18
caféet öppet 12-18
caféet öppet 12- 16
local events. page 17
Seated towards the front right are members of the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag, joining in the processional with the tune Kärleksvalsen, traditional efter Sahlstrom.
Valorie Arrowsmith, Minnesota valorie@nordstjernan.com Center City, Minnesota— Costumed musicians in folkdräkt graced the front of the church at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church during its 160th anniversary celebration on May 11,
A tapestry depicting the church’s history is exhibited in the lower level of the edifice. It was completed in 1979 with imported yarn from Sweden, and took two years to make, at a cost of $3000. When viewing the tapestry from left to right, one can see the first church from 1854, then the second, and finally the current building.
Following the worship service the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag performed music during morning coffee, and it inspired participants to get up and dance.
2014. The Twin City Nickelharpalag performed a prelude and participated during the worship service, which included favorite Swedish hymns. Songs in the service were Day by Day, Thy Holy Wings, Children of the Heavenly Father and The Numberless Gifts of God’s Mercies by Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832–1903, and How Great Thou Art by Carl C. Boberg 1859-1940. The nyckelharpalag performed the traditional Visa från Tystberga, Kärleksvalsen, a traditional tune efter Sahlstrom, Josefins Dorval’s by Roger Tallroth, and Trumpet prelude from Drottningholm—Musique 1744 by Johan Helmich Roman, 1694-1758. Guest Pastor Charles Anderson opened his remarks with a Swedish greeting, “Käraste vänner.” While he has served as Bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, he is a native of nearby Lindstrom, and had many friends who were congregants at this church during his youth. The church had its beginnings in Per Berg’s barn when Pastor Erland Carlsson followed a wooded trail from the Falls of St. Croix on May 12, 1854, and met a new congregation, seated on log benches. After the founding of this church, Carlsson trekked again through the woods to found the Elim Lutheran Church in Scandia. The current church interior has a mixture of new, modern and old, with its tin ceiling and colorful butterflies hanging from iron candelabra. The flowers on the altar represented colors and varieties available to Swedish immigrants 160 years ago. Hanging near a folk-painted arch were more butterflies assembled in a mobile. According to the bulletin, the edifice continues to need support from its people, and a notice seeking funding spelled out some specific needs: the bell and clock tower, the stained glass windows, brick and masonry repairs.
While the building is graceful and lovely, the church is the people. In his sermon the pastor predicted what the church of the future might look like. He suggested there would be more focused on diversity, “How about a lutfisk and taco dinner?” This implies acceptance and the ability to get along, and as an example mentioned a story from early in the church’s history. Eric Norelius, born in Hassela parish in 1833, was the young pastor who presided during the
The Chisago Lake Lutheran Church is located on Lindeke and Summit Avenues in Center City.
time of a 10-year fight over where to locate the parsonage and cemetery. Norelius suggested that the decision be tabled for five years, and at the end of that time no one could remember what the fight was about. Following the service, the congregation adjourned for coffee and a Mother’s Day Cake. Music accompanied the visiting, at the nyckelharpalag performed a variety of tunes suitable for dancing. Several couples did just that.
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June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
Photography: V. S. Arrowsmith.
Minn. Swedish church celebrates
local events. page 18
In Memoriam: Mona Johnsson
Det är med stor sorg vi har mottagit beskedet att ”vår” Mona har lämnat oss. Mona, som såväl i New York som världen över, varit en ikon, finns inte längre. Vi minns den fantastiska och varma person hon var, alltid till hands, alltid redo att hjälpa till, oavsett organisation eller person. Mona har betytt otroligt mycket för SWEA New York, Svenska Kyrkan i New York och för de många svenskar som besökt, bor eller har bott i New York. Hon var involverad och engagerad med en entusiasm som lätt smittade av sig. Hon stöttade och hjälpte, informerade och förmedlade, med stor kunskap och med ett enormt nätverk varifrån ingen var exkluderad. Mona var alltid på plats, Med sitt långa svallande hår och ett leende på läpparna hade hon en förmåga att lysa upp ett rum med sin närvaro. Hon månade om alla och lämnade sällan någon oberörd.
Vår Mona har lämnat oss. (Foto: SWEA New York)
En vacker stark fantastisk kvinna som tog för sig av livet och såg det fina i alla. Smeknamnet, Guld Mona, bar hon färgstarkt och elegant. Många trodde att det var på grund av hennes glamorösa look, men vi som kände henne på insidan vet att det var för att hon hade ett hjärta av Guld. En kvinna som gav så mycket gott till så många. En kvinna som kommer att bli saknad av många, många. På Monas telefonsvarare kan man fortfande höra hennes röst. På mobilen säger hon: Life is wonderful. Be good to yourself and others. På hemnumret ändrade hon det till: Life is wonderful. Live it now. Det rådet gav Mona till oss innan hon åkte hem Sverige.
Underbara Mona, tack för allting du har gjort för oss. Tack för din vänskap och för din omtänksamhet, tack för ditt stöd och för att du alltid fick oss att le. New York blir aldrig detsamma utan dig, vi saknar dig oändligt. Mona avled i Malmö, omgiven av sina syskon Christer och Anita med familjer. Begravningen sker i Sverige fredagen den 27 juni klockan 13.00 i Husie kyrka i Malmö, hennes födelsestad. Minnesgudstjänst äger rum den 1 september klockan 18.00 på Svenska Kyrkan i New York. Efteråt inbjudes till mingel i kyrkans bibliotek i sann Guld-Mona stil. Det blommar i somligas spår, det glittrar och lyser. Det porlar från bäckar med levande flöden, det sjunger så vårvinderligt av ljusa ackord, där de går. Det är därför, som allt blir så levande varmt, där somliga går. Det är därför det blommar så rikt, i somligas spår. —Nils Ferlin Vila i frid kära vän. Mona Svensson, kyrkoherde Svenska Kyrkan i New York, Lisa Laskaridis Sarmiento, Ordförande SWEA New York
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sports. page 19
Malmö on top at World Cup break
Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and so, too, is the Allsvenskan break. Although Sweden failed to qualify for Brazil 2014, the Allsvenskan, like most leagues around the world, is on break during the tournament in deference to wishes from FIFA. Malmö continues to lead the league, garnering 29 points in its first 12 games. The defending Lennart Johansson trophy holders have lost just once in their first dozen matches. Malmö has nine wins and two draws and while not every victory has been pretty, so far MFF is perfect against its closest competitors for the 2014 crown. Malmö has already knocked off AIK and IFK Göteborg, and, on June 6 in its last match before the World Cup break, MFF defeated Elfsborg 1-0 at Borås Arena. Former Sweden international Markus Rosenberg scored his fourth goal of the season to lead Malmö to the win. Rosenborg has enjoyed a renaissance to his career since returning to Sweden from Germany. He is second in the league with 10 points from four goals and six assists, one point behind teammate Guillermo Molins. Molins, the Malmö captain, has been the catalyst behind Malmö’s success this season. He came back to Skåne after three disappointing and injury-filled seasons in Belgium. When Anderlecht released him, Malmö was quick to sign the Uruguayan-born midfielder. He has thrived since his return to the Swedbank Arena, scoring eight goals and registering three assists. Elfsborg, despite the June 6 loss to Malmö, sits
in second place with 23 points. The Borås outfit has seven wins and two draws to go along with three losses. Elfsborg has already qualified for the Europa League next – at least, it has qualified to play in qualifiers – after it beat Helsingborg to win the 2014 Swedish Cup. Third-place Kalmar is level with Elfsborg at 23 points but has one fewer win. Kalmar played to an ugly 1-1 draw with second-from-last-place Halmstad at Örjans vall. Kalmar had seven players booked with Tor Øyvind Stensæter Hovda picked up two. Hovda will miss Kalmar’s first match after the break as he serves a one-game suspension. Nenad Djordjevic scored an injurytime equalizer for Kalmar. Kristinn Steindórsson scored his team-leading fifth goal of season for Halmstad. AIK sits in fourth place with 22 points. The Gnaget stepped up their pace just and went into the break with a four-game unbeaten streak which included three wins. AIK beat Elfsborg before drawing with Malmö. AIK knocked off Brommapojkarna 4-2 in its last game before the World Cup. Eero Pekka Sakari Markkanen and Nabil Bahoui each had two goals in the game. Gabriel Petrovic and Dardan Rexhepi scored for Bromma, which is in last place with just one win and five points. High-scoring BK Häcken holds the fifth spot in the standings, Häcken leads the league in scoring with 25 goals in 12 matches and has six wins and three draws for 21 points. Moestafa El Kabir (seven goals) and Simon Gustafsson (six goals) lead the potent Häcken attack, although both fizzled somewhat June 6 as Hacken drew with sixth-place IFK Göteborg 1-1 at Gamla
Markus Rosenberh scores the lone goal in Malmö’s 1-0 win over Elfsborg.
Malmö captain Guillermo Molins.
Ullevi. Göteborg took the lead through an own goal while Gustafsson tied the match early in the second half. Draws have been the bane of Göteborg in the first half of the season as the Angels continue their search for a true striker to replace Tobias Hysen, who is playing in China. Göteborg have drawn seven of its 12 matches, winning just four and have 19 points. Aging midfielder Lasse Vibe leads the team with five goals, but the Dane isn’t the answer to the Angels’ scoring woes. Göteborg also played with goalkeeper John Alvbåge, who is nursing an injury. Djurgården is in seventh place with 18 points from a 4-6-2 record. DIF grabbed its fourth win of the season when it beat 11th-place Orebro 1-0 just before the break. Emil Bergstrom scored
the game winner four minutes into second-half stoppage time. Djurgården is a team in search of identity. Head coach Pelle Olsson continues to look for a core side he can field from week to week, although much of the tumult surrounding Djurgården the past years looks to have subsided. Orebro has 13 points. Åtvidaberg is in eighth place with a 4-4-4 record. ÅFF lost to 13th-place Mjällby 1-0 in the run up to the break. Åtvidaberg played much of the match a man down after Daniel Hallingström received a straight red card for a flagrant foul. Mjällby, which moved to 11 points with the win, got the game-winning goal from Robin Stromberg. Ninth-place IFK Norrköping moved to 15 points when it beat 14th-place Gelfe 1-0 before the break. AlHaji Kamara scored the lone of the match for Peking, which now has four wins and three draws in its 12 matches. Gefle has 9 points and is currently in the relegation playoff spot in the standings. A disappointing Helsingborg side sits in 10th place with just four wins and 14 points. Helsingborg ended the first half of the season on a positive note, beating 12th-place Falkenberg 1-0. David Accam scored the lone goal. Falkenberg has just three wins and 12 points. June 30, 2014 Nordstjernan
★★★ ”Sweden’s best experience” – TR I P Global Award ★★★
Göta Canal is wending its way between the two largest cities in the country. On board the traditional canal boats, authentic Swedish style is combined with an atmosphere that harks back to the glory days of continental rail travel. Welcome on a magical journey! Coast to coast This 4-day cruise will take you from coast to coast, from Gothenburg to Stockholm. The boat is moored every night, so you can experience the entire journey during the daylight hours. At a sedate pace you will enjoy the beautiful scenery that passes by on the other side of the railing. All meals are included in the price and are served in the elegantly laid dining room. Other highlights of the trip include: • The impressive lock staircase in Trollhättan with a total drop of 32 m • Läckö Castle • Sweden’s smallest ferry, “Lina”, in Töreboda • Forsvik with the oldest lock in the canal, built in 1813 • The Carl-Johan lock staircase with seven connected locks
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