nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 143 No. 22, December 30, 2015. Price per copy $2.50
This Week, Page 11
Swedish actors light up the silver screen.
Sweden, Page 2, 3
Hovdala Castle, a castle in Hässleholm Municipality, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Although mentioned for the first time in 1130 its oldest presently visible parts date from the early 16th century, a time when the province was a part of Denmark. More on castles / Page 4
Photo: Björn Lindgren/Bildbyrån
Global climate agreement reached / Sweden joins EU in supporting vulnerable countries / Autism is linked to hormones in huge Swedish study / Book on feminism distributed to every teenager in Sweden / Don’t bundle up your babies too much.
Feature, Page 5
An American exchange student tries to pass herself off as a bonafide Swede.
Feature, Page 6
A Swede among the rednecks reflects on Sweden and being Swedish.
Woman with a Golden Mind
Page 11
Continued on page 10
Dashboard, Page 10, 11
Skansen rings in the new year / Did you receive the 2015 Gift of the Year / Memorable Lucia programs / Swedes are taking Hollywood by storm
Julottan, Page 13 Photo: Thomas Engström
To say that Maud Adams is beautiful is a bit like giving Albert Einstein’s intelligence a favorable review. The self-evidence is embarrassing to note, both because you know it’s true and because you are amazed the human race can produce examples that leave you awestruck, whether you want to admit it or not. In the case of Maud Adams, she has been blessed by intelligence as well as beauty. If I need to tell you that Maud Adams was and is a “Bond girl” (very few Bond girls have remained so and achieved an iconic status in the Bond mythology the way Adams has), you have been living without being alive—artistically, intellectually and sensuously. The Bond movies of the Broccoli family have managed to provide
Photo: Rudy Malmquist
by Ulf Kirchdorfer ulf.kirchdorfer@nordstjernan.com
Getting there—a tradition in its own right!
Swedish born actress Maud Adams at her LA home photographed by Thomas Engström.
‘Julotta’ in Sweden
Julotta is the early morning service Swedes celebrate on Christmas Day. Jul as all of you know means Christmas, otta is indicative of a - much too early - time slightly before dawn. The services are known to be held as early as 4 a.m., though they are often as “late” as 6 or 7 a.m. It has traditionally been the most popular service of the year, certainly at Christmas; people who hardly go to church during the rest of the year go to Julotta. That festive image you’ve grown up seeing of a Swedish country church blanketed with snow and surrounded by horse drawn sleighs making their way with passengers carrying torches is likely a depiction of Julotta, the quintessential Christmas tradition. / Pages 12, 13, 17
Perspectives, Page 11
Living between Russia and the USA...
Page 11
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News Inga JAS mot IS
Inte bara Frankrike utan även USA har kommit med en begäran om svenskt Sydsvenska Dagbladet militärt stöd i kampen mot IS. 17 December, 2015 Wallström underströk hur viktig frågan är för “EU:s solidaritet och samRegeringens paket är för mjukt. Ett manhållning” och påminde om att det litet, mjukt paket med rödgröna snören är första gången Lissabonfördragets är den svenska regeringens gåva till solidaritetsklausul åberopas. Frankrike i kampen mot Islamiska staten, I så fall borde Sverige också göra mer. IS.Några Jasplan tänker Sverige inte Och vill Sverige göra verklig skillnad i skicka, även om försvarsminister Peter kampen mot IS är Jasplan förmodligen Hultqvist (S) vid onsdagens presskondet mest ändamålsenliga. ferens upprepade att detta är “ett första I regeringens utrikesdeklaration heter paket”, en “pågående process” samt det: “Sverige kommer inte att förhålla att han “utesluter inget och pekar inte sig passivt om en katastrof eller angrepp ut något”. skulle drabba ett annat EU-medlemsland Dessa uttalanden öppnar för att Sverige i ett senare skede kan bidra med flyg- eller nordiskt land. Vi förväntar oss att spaning, men ska sannolikt mer ses som dessa länder agerar på samma sätt om ett sätt att avvärja kritiken om att den Sverige drabbas.” Genom onsdagens besked lägger resvenska insatsen är för klen. geringen sannolikt ribban för vilket stöd Mellan 50 och 100 timmar flygtransSverige kan förvänta sig vid ett krisläge: porter, möjligen lite militär materiel och inte särskilt stort. så ytterligare en del småplock – som två Islamiska staten är ett dödligt hot inte stabsofficerare till den pågående insatsen bara i Mellanöstern utan även i och i nordafrikanska Mali. Paketets värde mot Europa. Terrordådet i Paris för en ligger runt 40 miljoner kronor. månad sedan talar sitt tydliga språk. Utrikesminister Margot Wallström (S) Också Sverige riskerar att bli måltavla kallade det “ett rejält militärt bidrag” och för liknande attacker. tillade att “vi är stolta och glada över att Hundratals svenskar har redan rest till det här har välkomnats” från fransk sida. Syrien och Irak för att slåss på IS och Möjligen är detta positiva mottagande andra extrema islamistiska gruppers sida. ett tecken på att fransmännen är bättre på Många har också återvänt. I måndags diplomatisk takt och ton än Wallström. dömdes två män från Göteborg till livsAllianspartierna är kritiska och det med tids fängelse för att ha begått terroristrätta, även om denna politiska oenighet brott i Syrien. Alla dessa individer utgör mellan blocken i en så viktig fråga är toppen på ett isberg. IS sympatisörer i olycklig. Gästledare
Minister for Climate and the Environment, Deputy Prime Minister Åsa Romson. Photo: Kristian Pohl/the Government Offices
Sweden pushes for aggressive global climate agreement
After difficult final negotiations at the COP21 Climate Summit in Paris, the countries of the world agreed on a new global and legally binding climate agreement. “Sweden has long been pushing for an agreement that strengthens climate efforts. For the first time we have a global climate agreement where everyone is contributing and this is extremely important,” said Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment Åsa Romson. The agreement means there is a plan in place for reducing climate emissions, setting out to keep the global rise in temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius. “Sweden must continue to show leadership … we will become one of the world’s first fossil-free welfare nations and, in doing so, inspire and encourage others,” said Juris Dr. Romson. The final plan isn’t as ambitious as Sweden wanted, but there are rules for countries to report their emissions, for the most vulnerable countries to receive special priority, and every five years they will gather to see how their combined climate efforts are taking shape. “I feel particularly hopeful for the future ... together we can tackle the climate challenge,” Romson said.
Support of Phase II to benefit vulnerable countries
Sweden, several other individual Member States and the European Union (EU) have pledged support for the second phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). At a Pledging Conference in Nairobi on December 14 a total of EUR 57 million was donated in support of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). This amounts to about twothirds of the total pledges made. The contributions are part of a much larger effort to assist the most vulnerable countries in benefitting from international trade. As the largest Aid for Trade donor, the EU and its Member States have provided over EUR 22 billion since 2012. This second phase of support will start on January 1, 2016.
Swedish study researches autism
A study out of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute links autism with mothers with a hormonal imbalance. The huge study — following all children born in Sweden from 1984 to 2007 — is the first to link an imbalance called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to one in six women, to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. They identified about 24,000 ASD cases. “We found that a maternal diagnosis of PCOS increased the risk of ASD in the offspring by 59 percent,” said Kyriaki Kosidou, lead researcher at Karolinska’s Department of Public Health Sciences, after the findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The causes are not entirely clear, but evidence suggests early exposure to certain sex hormones (such as from mothers with PCOS) — can play a role in the development of autism in children. “The risk was further increased among mothers with both PCOS and obesity,” Kosidou said.
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
Sverige kan sannolikt räknas i tusental. En svensk militär insats i Syrien kan öka risken för terrordåd här. Att delta aktivt med Jasplan för spaningsuppdrag kan möjligen av IS uppfattas som mer aggressivt än att hjälpa Frankrike med transporter och annan logistik. Men att avstå på grund av rädsla är att låta terroristerna vinna. Sverige är redan med i koalitionen mot IS, Sverige är på plats i Mali för att bekämpa islamister där. Sverige är redan fienden, en måltavla. Många av de människor som nu trängs på Migrationsverkets överfyllda förläggningar har flytt IS terror, folkmord och folkfördrivning. Sverige har gjort mer än något annat EU-land – Tyskland undantaget – för att hjälpa IS offer. Men Sverige borde kunna göra mer för att stoppa deras bödlar. För att få slut på massflykten från Syrien och Irak måste flyktens grunder undanröjas. Det kräver i ett första skede militära medel. Ingen politisk lösning är möjlig utan att IS slaktare besegras på slagfältet. Margot Wallström hänvisar till att den militära insatsen mot IS i Syrien och Irak befinner sig i en “folkrättslig gråzon”. Hon antyder att ett tydligare mandat, från FN, skulle göra skillnad vad gäller regeringens hållning. Kanske är det så. Kanske är det i första hand en passande undanflykt. Sverige kan och bör bidra med ett både större och hårdare paket.
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News in brief. page 3
Swedish News
Photo: Sören Colbing
God Fortsättning
God fortsättning på helgerna, Gott Slut på året och Gott Nytt År när det blir så dags - Happy Continuation of the holidays, Happy Ending of the Year and Happy New Year, once the time comes. To all our readers, friends, and all of you contributing to
the content of Swedish-America’s newspaper, the staff of Nordstjernan wishes you continued happy holidays — Peace and joy to all! / Editors & Staff
perspectives. In an important ruling on Dec. 14 from Gothenburg, two men were convicted for life for terror crimes committed in Syria. It is the first time that a terrorist crime has been tried in a Swedish court.
Terrorists Get Life in Prison
Al Amin Sultan, 30, and Hassan al-Mandlawi, 32, from Gothenburg, have been convicted and sentenced to life for terrorist crimes, Gothenburg’s District Court announced Dec. 14. In a high profile trial, the two men were accused of terrorist activities in an industrial area north of Aleppo, Syria during the spring of 2013. The prosecution also called for crimes under international law. The strongest evidence against the pair included movies and photos from Syria — a film where the two were seen taking part in the murder of two prisoners whose throats were slit. While it remains unclear if either of the convicted actually held the blade, the court ruled that the prosecution, Agnetha Hilding Qvarnström, had provided enough proof that Sultan and al-Mandlawi were linked to the planning, location and execution of the murders. According to Göteborgs Posten, the court described the killings as pure executions with great recklessness. The National Forensic Centre analyzed the films and the identification of the convicted, and concluded that the images were genuine. “It is satisfying that they are sentenced for the crime I first called for,” Chief Prosecutor Qvarnström said.
The court deemed that the murders and film were intended to instill fear in those the Syrian group considers the infidel. Thus the court ruled it a terrorist crime. It was also proven that the two had fought in Syria during the spring of 2013. This is the first time a terrorist crime has been tried in a Swedish court. In order to convict someone of a terrorist crime, the prosecution must prove the intention was to cause fear and intimidation. A crime against international law must prove the accused had fought with a group in an armed conflict, reports Sveriges Radio.
Setting a precedent
This conviction stands as precedent and is welcomed by Haisam A-Rahman, one of two coordinators who work against violent extremism in Gothenburg. It is important to Sweden to show that people can be put on trial for what they do in other countries, he told Sveriges Radio. “This will be a positive signal to the work we are already doing in trying to stop individuals from joining the Islamic State, or even committing crime within our borders as well as abroad,” said A-Rahman. While the movies and photos are incriminating, both men maintain their innocence and the lawyers of the convicted have told multiple news sources that they will appeal the verdict. Al Amin Sultan insists it is not his voice in the film and that conclu-
sions were drawn because there were similarities between his clothing and the clothes worn by the man in the film. He also believes that finding the USB stick containing the movies and photos at his house does not incriminate him, nor do the photos of him posing with weapons. He said he was in Turkey and Syria as a volunteer relief worker. Sultan was sentenced last Thursday to one year in prison for aggravated extortion in another case related to a drug situation in Skaraborg. It was in connection with this crime that the USB stick was discovered by police in Sultan’s home. Hassan al-Mandlawi is in a wheelchair due to a gunshot wound to the head. Although he is unable to communicate, the district court pointed out that al-Mandlawi had a central role in the throat slashing and ruled the offense so serious that he can not escape life imprisonment. Al-Mandlawi’s lawyer maintains that several doctors have declared his client is brain damaged. Chief Prosecutor Qvarnström has always doubted the seriousness of his injuries. A life sentence in Sweden generally means a minimum of 20-25 years in prison. In accordance with international practice, Swedish courts may try certain crimes abroad if the suspects live or are apprehended in Sweden, according to the Associated Press, Helsinki. By Lisa Mikulski
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Chimamanda Adichie’s popular TED talk has become a book - a “brilliant crash course in feminism” - now being distributed to every teenager in Sweden.
Swedish teens discuss feminism
While other countries are removing feminism courses from school curriculum, Sweden on Dec. 1 started giving a new book on the subject to every 16-year-old student in the country. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “We Should All Be Feminists” is being distributed in Swedish by the Swedish Women’s Lobby together with publisher Albert Bonniers Förlag and a consortium of other organizations in the hopes of sparking dialogue about feminism. In a country where “gender mainstreaming” is a key strategy for ensuring equality, the give-away has so far been met with praise. “My own definition of a feminist is a man or a woman who says, ‘Yes, there’s a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better,’” writes Adichie. “Mostly, I hope that one day we will not need to be feminists. Because we will live in a world that is truly just and equal.” Adiche, who is from Nigeria and lives in the U.S., based the essay on her 2012 TED Talk which has been viewed more than 2 million times.
Swedes warned against bundling up
Winter hasn’t hit hard yet, but Swedes are already being warned about bundling up their children too much: Do not put them into their carseats with thick and bulky winter clothing, says the German Automobile Club ADAC. The ADAC has tested the collision impact on children and how it differs if they are wearing heavy clothing. This is because the belt is not held firmly against the body, redistributing the weight in an unintended way; when a car jolts quickly in the case of a sudden stop or accident, the belt jolts, too, potentially cutting deeply into the abdomen and damaging the bowel, liver and spleen. In cold climates, children are particularly susceptible to this, but so is anyone who rides wearing heavy layers. The solution? Crank up the heat in the car, maybe even invest in a heater that starts working before you buckle in your baby. And if your little one is still in an infant carrier, use a warm cocoon carseat cover.
Apply for a great Swedish adventure
If you read Nordstjernan, you are likely a descendant of one — or more — of the 1.3 million Swedes who immigrated to America between 1846 and 1930. Swedish Americans have the chance to return to the land of their forefathers and journey throughout Sweden to discover their cultural heritage. Casting is being done for the sixth season of Allt för Sverige (Great Swedish Adventure). Chosen participants will compete in the show’s 2016 season in cultural challenges to discover their roots while trying to win the grand prize: meeting their Swedish relatives. Interested? See episodes from previous seasons and submit your application here. http://www.greatswedishadventure.com
The Exchange Rate: $1.00 = SEK 8.55 12.17.2015
December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
feature. page 4
Crazy, obnoxious or American:
An Innocent Abroad
Sweden made it easy for me to fall in love with her. In fact, I had anticipated falling in love with her. How many stories had I listened to my family tell about the country with green fields and red houses, the country from which our family originated? In 2005, determined to discover this landscape and its people for myself, I enrolled for a year at the university in Växjö, Sweden.
Växjö, whose name derives from väg (road) and sjö (lake), immediately captured my heart. It is the quintessential city where the road meets the lake. Within minutes of landing at Växjö’s tiny airport, I wanted nothing more than to just blend in with the local community and get in touch with my Swedish roots. Naively, I believed there was a standard code of conduct, practiced by all Swedish people, and if I could just get my hands on a copy of said code, I would succeed at convincing everyone that I was a “real” Swede.
To me, it was the ultimate test. All that I’d worked so hard for was summed into one simple question. Did I, or did I not, pledge allegiance? And suddenly, it wasn’t the eyes of a taxidermy moose that I stared into, but the eyes of Lady Liberty. Which country would I choose? Where did I belong? Who was I, really? Deep down inside? Here was the moment of self-actualization I’d been waiting for. And as I stared into those shiny glass eyes, I realized how the toastmasters had waited to take me and Erin last. They hadn’t excluded us. But they hadn’t grouped us together with other Swedes, either. They knew we were different, and despite this difference, we were still welcomed to participate in their important university ritual. I was one of them. Somehow, in that minute, I was both American and Swede simultaneously. “So do you pledge?” The toastmasters waited for my answer. “Javisst. Of course.”
In a sense, I wanted to de-Americanize myself — if only for the two semesters I’d be there — to allow Sweden the chance to teach me something. Something about its culture, its heritage, its people. I wanted Sweden to teach me something about myself. Resolute in my quest, I attempted to pass myself off as a bonafide Swede. My first attempt lasted an hour. As soon as I arrived at Växjö Universitet (now Linnaeus University), I decided to walk from the campus to Växjö’s town square. The bike path into town is a beautiful stretch of pavement running along the perimeter of Växjösjön to the city’s central shopping district. As I walked the route, I greeted every stranger I met with a friendly “hey!” expecting my inflection to convince the locals I was one of them. But instead of enthusiastic greetings in return, each passerby looked at me queerly. Most did utter a quick “hey” as they scurried away, never making eye contact. But some didn’t look at me — or even acknowledge me at all. “My pronunciation must be off,” I told myself, and continued on my way. It wasn’t until weeks later that my Swedish boyfriend laughed at my behavior and told me, “We have a joke here in Sweden that the only people who say ‘hello’ to strangers are drunk, crazy or American.” How had I so easily become a punch line? Well, I would not make the same mistake twice. Not long after that at a dinner party with new friends, I continued my quest to prove my Swedish authenticity. “Just do as they do,” I whispered to myself before the meal. As my hosts began the first round of “Helan Går” at the dinner table, I clutched my snaps glass and imitated the best I could. Perhaps I didn’t know the words, but I could certainly mimic their smiles and their good cheer. And, when it came time to drink the aquavit, I did as I’d always seen my American friends do: I swallowed the
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
By Jessica Lidh
This is a page of my Swedish scrapbook. The red paper on the right is the cover of the program from the Prom at Theleborgs Castle. The photo on the bottom-right is of the castle itself. The photo in bottom-center is of me and Erin the night of the Prom. Photo bottom-left and top-left is me and my Finnish friend at Ölands Skördefest.
entire shot. After finishing the song and my drink, I looked around the table to see I was the only guest to swallow all the contents of my glass. The others had only taken a small sip while mine now sat empty. I sunk a little in my chair, my cheeks burning with more than the sting of the alcohol. Finally, resolute in my pursuit to be as authentic a Swedish girl as possible, I bought tickets to an evening gala hosted by Swedes for Swedes at the campus castle. “I’ll do whatever I have to do!” I promised as I and my American friend, Erin, dressed up in our finest eveningwear and sat down to a formal meal. This time I remembered my prior missteps. Now, I waited to greet the people at my table until they greeted me first. When the toastmasters sang “Helan Går,” I merely took a small sip from my glass. Everything was going so well. My Swedish companions were impressed with my Scandinavian decorum. But it wasn’t until the evening’s close that came the ultimate test of my allegiance, and I was faced with the question of how far I was willing to go to prove my loyalty to this new country. Was I really willing to shed my American identity for a Swedish one? As the hosts ushered small groups of din-
ner guests out of the great hall and into an antechamber, Erin and I exchanged nervous glances. Where was everyone going? Would we be invited to go, too? “Don’t worry,” one of the toastmasters told us. “We’re waiting to take you two last so we can do it in English.” Erin and I nodded and smiled though we had no idea what for. Do what in English? At long last, it was our turn to exit the room. Our hosts took us each by the hand and led us into a private, dimly-lit library. The room smelled of old cigars and faded memories. But it wasn’t the dripping candles in the candelabra or the antiquated books on the bookshelves that caught my eye. It was something else. There, in the center of the wall before us, hung a mounted moose head. I came face to face my Swedish alter ego in the shape of an antlered mammal. I won’t pretend to recall what exactly was said in this intimate encounter. I even called Erin before writing this article, now 10 years later, to see if she could remember, but neither of us could. Not exactly. The one part we each remember, however, is the same. At some point during those five minutes of secret initiation, Erin and I were each asked whether we pledged allegiance to the moose.
1st class, Orden of the Reindeer, Norrlands Nation (Student fraternity from Sweden’s northernmost province, Norrland)
Jessica Lidh penned her first novel The Number 7 (ISBN 9781440583063. Merit Press, December 2014) in 2014. She pulls inspiration from her Swedish heritage and experiences as a high school teacher in suburban Maryland. In encouraging young minds to suck the marrow out of life, Lidh often uncovers the fascinating and hilariously horrifying insights of the 21st century teenager. When she isn’t fervently teaching or writing, Lidh loves to watch old musicals, bake Swedish cinnamon buns and go on imaginary bear hunts with her daughter, Elsa.
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feature. page 5
Readers have on many occasions asked about the many castles of Sweden … how many are there, are they everywhere and do they all belong to the royals? The perception of what castles stand for has been fairly stable over the past hundred years. According to the National Encyclopedia of Sweden, a castle is: “Originally, a building or building complex of royal or state possession and with representative functions, often consolidated, sometimes historically used as a fortress and elaborately designed and decorated.” The construction of castles in Sweden took off during the second half of the 1200s and coincided with kings’ ways of organizing their domains. They had previously toured between so-called royal farms in the provinces and consumed and ruled while in any given location. Eventually they abandoned this system and instead built permanent facilities in a few places, such as in Stockholm near Lake Mälaren, Nyköping in Södermanland, and Stegeborg in Östergötland. A castle had several functions. It would be a lock against monarchy enemies — in low German the word “slot” means latch — but also symbolize the ruler’s power position, according to the historian Thorsten Sandberg. Gustav Vasa was the great builder of the 1500s and most palaces and castles built during his reign are still standing. At the time the nobility still lived in the villages, on farms that were not in any dramatic respect different from regular peasant buildings. But the war economy that characterized the Golden Age in the 1600s resulted in a trend reversal. During Sweden’s time as a European super power, the crown by necessity financed the military operations on the continent by selling huge tracts of land to the nobility, who could now afford to build major mansions, often castles, on their estates. The number of castles in Sweden is not easy to determine. In the book Svenska Slott och herrgårdar: en historisk reseguide (Swedish Castles and Mansions: A historical travel guide) the author Fredric Bedoire
Vi har öppet måndag till fredag kl 9:30 till 15:00 Den mobila passtationen är i Fort Lauderdale den 26 - 28 januari.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Your castle is my castle
Stockholm Royal Palace—recognizable to anyone who’s visited Sweden’s capital
states: “Of the nearly 250 castles and mansions treated in this book many will seem obvious to include, but the reader can probably find a few more that were missed.” Not even the so-called royal palaces are, however, owned by the King of Sweden. In Sweden there’s something called the royal right of disposal, which in short means the King has the right to use palaces, but they are owned by the Swedish State. That is, the palaces that are covered by the law of 1809 are owned by the people and are all at least partly open to the public — with the exception of the Crown Princess family’s domicile, Haga Palace, which was added to the original royal palaces when the family moved there in November 2010. The Swedish royal castles or palaces, all formally owned and managed by Statens Fastighetsverk (www.sfv.se, The National Property Board of Sweden) became publicly owned in an agreement of 1809, which gave the Swedish royal family a royal right of use of the properties shown here. Only one castle in Sweden is privately owned by the royal Bernadotte family, Solliden on Öland, which is more similar to a large villa or mansion than the castles listed here.
Castles vs. Palaces According to differencebetween.net, while the words castle and palace have been used interchangeably, there are significant differences between the two architectural structures. Castles first appeared in history between the 9th and 10th centuries in the Middle East and Europe. They were built as a symbol of power
over the surrounding land, as well as a place where nobility can be protected from threatening attacks. Palaces are more prominent across the world and date back further than castles to the times of the Greeks and Romans. Created to house royalty and dignitaries, palaces were designed for elaborate and extravagant living, not to withstand any form of warfare.
Strömsholm
Gripsholm
Rosersberg
Gustav III:s pavilion
Tullgarn
Ulriksdal
Haga
Drottningholm
Rosendal
Kina
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December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
feature. page 6
Woman with a Golden Mind Continued from page 1
generations with an escape from reality and entertainment, while acknowledging geo-political turmoil, conflict and fantasies deep-rooted in the psyche that would make a jaded psychotherapist sit up straight behind the notepad and abandon Rorschach blots. No, this is not a story about Roger Moore as James Bond and Maud Adams appearing in The Man with the Golden Gun or in the titular role of Octopussy, though she is remarkable for the way she handles her Bond fame. Many actors associated with a successful series—and James Bond is so much more, indescribably so, than that—would either distance themselves from what they perceive to be a cursed mark of only one of many roles and activities in their life, or they would talk of nothing but their own perceived greatness, even magnifying and repositioning its influence within the oeuvre.
Octopussy as feminist
With Maud Adams you get nothing of the sort. During my interview with her I was reluctant to bring up any question about James Bond. As a matter of fact, I waited until the end of our two interviews and was pleasantly surprised that a door did not shut
ams that I found her character of Octopussy to be a feminist in the good sense of that word and that I do not find the character to be a cartoon, the way other characters tend to be in James Bond films. Then I wait. And I am not disappointed. In the good sense. “Bond has been one of the longest running franchises ever,” Adams tells me, “Thanks to the ability to adapt to the public’s taste at the time. The various actors portraying Bond reflect this. Roger Moore’s Bond was remarkably different from Sean Connery’s, for instance. It may have been a stroke of genius when casting Roger, whose comedic sense and lighter touch turned out to be right in the ‘70s through the mid-’80s. In retrospect, movies from that time period can come across as Maud Adams as “Octopussy” in the 1983 Bond movie a bit cartoonish, especially as the with the same name, playing against Roger Moore as genre has now become so technoBond. Image Jamesbondwiki.com driven and hyper-violent. I have not seen Octopussy recently, nor did the floodgates open. but I’m sure I would have the same reacHaving watched Octopussy again, in case tion as when I watched The Man with the I would ask about the movie and of course Golden Gun at a festival a few years back. It to be the ever-prepared journalist, I tell Ad-
seemed quaint, the gadgets antiquated, and still it was refreshingly enjoyable. A long preamble ... but my point is this: Yes, I feel Octopussy is a serious business woman in the usual Bond movie fantasy context of light entertainment.” As you can see, Maud Adams gives thoughtful answers and she has the wonderful ability of contextualizing elements, without viewing the world as one in which she is the center. This intellectual generosity becomes further evident when I point out that we are told in the movie that James Bond and Octopussy are two of a kind, and I directly ask her how. Adams’s response, succinct and as if informed by a reading of Henri Bergson’s essay on the comedic and laughter is, “They are cool, collected and serious in intent, all clothed in humor. Although, unlike Octopussy, I feel that Bond has a slightly quixotic air about him.” By the way, Adams studied German, English, French and Latin, and when she was a model and did film work in Italy, she picked up quite a bit of Italian as well. So much for the stereotype that is promulgated about models’ brains and intellectual abilities. When I tell her, “Please, forgive me, but I must tell you that you are beautiful,” Adams is very gracious. And I ask her if it is strange Continues on next page
Say ‘Sweden’ and what do you expect? Born in Sweden and raised in Europe and the U.S., Ulf Kirchdorfer is as Swedish American as we come. As a contributing writer for Nordstjernan he has shared eloquent and witty essays on how his Swedishness has influenced his life, reflecting on his childhood with his Swedish grandmother and experiences as an adult in America. You might just see a little of yourself in what he (AKA Super Swede) writes, in a collection of essays Kirchdorfer calls Swede Among the Rednecks: The Language That Just Won’t Stay Buried, now available through Nordstjernan. Here, in Say “Sweden” and what do you expect? we wonder whether or to what extent each of us is actually a Super Swede. Last night, at one of those insufferable evening events, I saw and listened to a performer who billed himself as “Almost Elton John.” Digesting what had been an excellent piece of salmon substituting for the rubber chicken dished at last year’s event, I began to ponder just how strange it must be to go through life making a living impersonating Elton John. While we all employ a persona—from the Greek meaning “mask” and referring to masks actors wore a long, long time ago to be clear to the audience what role they were portraying—again “How strange it must be to go through life making a living impersonating Elton John,” rang through my mind like the vocal repetitions by the Almost Elton John’s beating out “Benny, Benny,” and “La la la la
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
lah.” As I looked up at the screens displaying his performance and saw his platform shoes and piano keyboard painted along his leg, I just found the whole concept of walking in someone else’s shoes and singing someone else’s tune bizarre.
The persona of a Swede
Bizarre, yet how familiar! What is it like, for example, to be a Swede, to assume the persona of a Swede? What if someone came up with an act called “Swede” (I resist here the term “Super Swede”) and made a living entertaining tired citizens digesting a dinner after work and thinking about going to work the next morning, or if this Swede actually hopped up on stage and performed like an actor or
standup comedian embodying “Swede” for people who were all infused with anticipatory energy coming to see this act? Would the audience want to see a Swedish policewoman wear a veil? Would the audience want to see the “new” Malmo? Or would they want to see Astrid Lindgren’s Bullerbyn mentioned in the pages of Nordstjernan some time back? If I were an investor, a producer, or in any way involved with the production of “Swede” or “Superswede” touring the country or globe, I would be sure to include in the act at least a tuft of blond hair, a predilection for open-faced sandwiches and milk products, even make the stool and furniture resemblae something with clean lines and allow IKEA to be a sponsor. Of course I would insist on the Swede being fueled by genuine Marabou chocolate on his tour. And Felix lingonberries for quick energy and endurance if the act includes demonstrating fitness habits of the Swede.
Say Sweden and you expect... Sweden
The point I am making, doing so delicately I hope, or with transparency, is that when most people say Sweden and expect Sweden, Swedes or Swedish, they want to see that rarified species that now runs the danger of
becoming extinct. The world community at large goes to great lengths to establish animal preserves and breeding programs so we can see Pandas, lions, all sorts of animals on a list, imperatively survive and thrive. I hope I will not be labeled a racist when I compare Swedes to animals and preservation programs, as such preservation programs appear with regularity across the world with Aborigines, historically black colleges and universities, Native Americans, and a long list of parties that insist their “pure” culture must be preserved and any outside interferences are intolerant or even racist. Which brings me back to the stage act or persona of “Swede” or “Super Swede.” Should such be allowed or accepted—is that what people want? Does it hurt anyone if that version of Swede exists? Would financial backers line up to support such an act? Would the people who might be opposed be willing to finance their alternative Swede act with expectations of profits? Is an act of anything beyond the stereotypical Swede financially, emotionally or culturally viable? Send your email or check to . . . . By Ulf Kirchdorfer
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Swedish roots
Maud Adams was born Maud Solveig Christina Wikström in Luleå, Sweden; and considering her busy work schedule that has necessitated incessant travel, she has quite remarkably kept in close touch with her roots and family. She often visits her relatives, and her parents used to visit her in America. Adams’s mother frequently kept her company during filming. Adams’s brother Bernt still lives in Luleå and the family farms nearby. Adams says, “I love the Swedish landscape, the quiet, the light and clean air, the sounds and smells of the forests and the unpolluted nature.” But her frequent returns and proximity to Sweden has her existing in that state so many multi-nationals know well. “I feel comfortable around Swedes and trust them more easily, deservedly or not, presuming we have common values and are of similar character,” she says. Poignantly, conveying the typical immigrant experience so many
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of us have, she adds, “On the other hand, I also really like Americans. Their optimism, belief in self determination, generous spirit and inclusive nature, to name a few and speaking broadly. I have succeeded in this country beyond my imagination and probably in a way not possible had I remained in Sweden.” That is not to say Maud Adams was not succeeding in a very European way or beyond Europe. For example, when I mentioned to my wife that I was interviewing Adams she immediately mentioned the Ford Agency and Vogue, and, to her credit managed to be supportive of my enthusiasm (I am usually enthusiastic but was exceedingly so this time), more so than I likely would have been if I had been cooking dinner after a long day and heard from her that she was decorating the house of Kenneth Branagh.
A boy and his Lux Girl
My first encounter with Adams as a model, as I mentioned to her quite bashfully, took place when I was a child, on one of my frequent visits to my mormor (my maternal grandmother), at her large house on a beautiful farm in Skåne, Sweden. My mormor’s living room, which was very spacious, always had an ample supply of magazines on hand. I was about 5 and loved going through those magazines. I think one of them was called Hänt i Veckan. The publication’s feature photos of kändisar, the Swedish word for celebrities, meant people who were well-known but mostly not stars. But there were also photos of world famous people and royalty, who were a staple of this and at least another magazine, with captions. This is where I taught myself to read and I don’t think my mother approved of her mother’s reading material. Be that as it may, in the chaotic mosaic of photos and gossip I remember coming across a photo of a woman who made an impression on me—I did not have the words to describe back then nor did I quite understand what I was feeling. Suffice it to say this woman was beautiful, and years later when I found out I was going to interview Maud Adams, the ad, which I had not thought of in decades, entered my mind. It was an ad for Lux, a brand of soap. Fortunately, my mind had not been playing tricks on me and part of the imprinting I had received as a youngster in Sweden was not only healthy but turned out to be a wonderful coincidence in my adult life.
Photo: Thomas Engström
to have people appreciate you for your beauty, the way I am sure it was tiring for the ever-obliging Irish poet Seamus Heaney, winner of the Nobel Prize, to have read his wonderful poem for decades about digging with his pen instead of being a farmer like his father and working with a spade. Adams says, “I appreciate your comment, of course, although I don’t see myself that way, which is a bit strange considering how this perception has been such an obvious asset. My perspective comes from having worked in the ‘beauty business’ for so long and having been surrounded by and competed for work with many other beautiful and talented models and actresses, which has a very humbling effect. I’m greatly thankful for the opportunities I have been afforded, but it is hard to take credit for something I’ve had little to do with. I will, however, take credit for being professional and reliable in all my endeavors. Looks-wise, I have good and bad days like everybody, and as I’m approaching my later years, I’m glad that I’m in good health and still can enjoy the benefits of having taken good care of myself.”
“Yes, that was me,” Adams says, and I feel greatly relieved not only because I did not misremember but because she is gracious in the way she handles my story from early adolescence. She says of the ad: “It came out around the time of my first Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. I think our PR person had some sort of product arrangement with Lux for a time. Not a big endorsement compared to today’s product placements, though. Still, being a Lux girl had a certain caché. Advertising product was not new to me, as I had spent many years having a successful modeling career prior to being ‘discovered.’ At the time, I was still living in New York and working as a Ford model. I continued this work for quite a while in between movies, as I really didn’t trust that I could sustain an acting career. I had done three feature films prior to The Man with the Golden Gun and was enrolled in acting classes at the time but felt undeserving and
unprepared as the lead actress I had become so quickly. Somewhere along the line I realized that insecurity in an intrinsic part of an actor’s life.” It had been a commercial for a lipstick that landed Adams her first film role, in a movie called The Christian Licorice Store. The French actress Leslie Caron brought Adams to the attention of her then husband, who was the producer of the movie. Adams was flown to Hollywood, where she tested with Beau Bridges, and after two other Canadian independent features, Adams became that Bond girl the whole world knows. Adams tells an amusing anecdote about being a Bond girl. “I do encounter ‘funny’ glances by men from time to time. I can tell they are unsure of who I am, how we may have met and interacted. It’s particularly funny when they are in female company. I’m just dying to tell them they are having a ‘James Bond delusion,’ but, of course, I Continues on next page
December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
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Certifiably northern Swedish, American and hybrid
Adams has been able to make the transition and also preserve, or if you so wish, practice her Swedish heritage. She still eats surströmming, which in her own words makes her “not just certifiably Swedish but certifiably northern Swedish.” She likes cheese and hårt bröd with Kalles Kaviar from time to time and she raids IKEA periodically for some longed-for Swedish staples. I tell her about my habit of balancing peas on top of my fork and catching myself either having both hands on the table or one in my lap and she tells me, “I still eat with knife and fork at the same time.” This is of course, as far as some of us are concerned, the ultimate test of nationality. Traveling or existing between cultures can be difficult territory to navigate and I ask Adams how she feels about this position so many of us find ourselves in, whether we want to or not. “I was lucky to get a green card shortly after arriving in the U.S. in 1966, under some ‘special talent’ category,” she says. “However, it took me until 2004 and a time when I could retain my Swedish passport, to commit to [U.S.] citizenship. I was sworn in with thousands of other people in L.A.’s convention center with my mom and husband present. I don’t know why it took me so long, as I certainly knew by then that my life was firmly established here [in the U.S.] and I felt mostly in sync with American culture and values.” Adams admits that she “will probably always feel like a ‘hybrid’ though, a common feeling among first generation immigrants.” But she is quick to point out, “Like many Swedes in America, I always react proudly—as if I had anything to do with it!—to
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
the accomplishments of other Swedes. On the other hand, I can also get very defensive to criticism of America and Americans I encounter ‘back home.’ I often feel they have a limited understanding of the complexity of the New World.”
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Stereotypes, books and a full life
This is when I ask Adams what she thinks are some Swedish stereotypes and if any of them are funny, silly, even hurtful. Her answer is both self-effacing and refreshingly honest. “Stereotypes can be both funny and tedious. For us Swedish women, though, it comes with its own set of typing—blond, beautiful and sexually liberated being the most obvious labels. I’m not blond, not by nature anyway. I’ve been perceived as a beauty, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s in the eye of the beholder. I have never felt especially sexually liberated (whatever that means) in spite of surviving the ‘60s and having made a living from what is sometimes viewed as a conspicuous profession. Sweden and Swedes have a pretty good reputation as a whole, though, and I’ve been a recipient of that.” While I would of course like to continue this conversation and write Adams’s biography, I also realize—perhaps it is the Swede in me—I must not wear out my welcome. Asking probing questions right off the bat, well, the expression alone shows I am very American. I always like to learn about people’s hobbies, what artists they like and what books they read. That last question, although a standard, often reveals much or very little about a person. But at this point I do not expect to hear any awkward silence. Not only is Adams a fellow book lover but she reads books that are Swedish. She tells me, “I read the latest works of Swedish popular writers when I’m in Sweden, such as Stieg Larsson, Jan Guillou and Liza Marklund. My most recent read is Norrland, a great collection of essays about regional policies by Po Tidholm. Right now, I’m reading Analfabeten som kunde räkna by Jonas Jonasson. I really enjoyed his previous book, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared.” Adams has always been a reader. She tells me she was fascinated by American writers early on. “As a teen, I particularly liked Steinbeck, Hemingway and Ayn Rand, which subconsciously may have influenced my interest in American culture.” When it comes to art, Adams likes Swedish handicraft and design and often brings back textiles and clothing by Swedish designers. She has a few Swedish antiques and cherishes what she refers to as her small art collection, mostly by local artists from Norrbotten. The wonderful and frightening movie, Sunset Boulevard, starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson is about an out-of-luck
Photo: Thomas Engström
say nothing.” As we travel in our conversation in the realm of the mind, I find the perfect opportunity to ask Adams about what it is like to act speaking Swedish as opposed to speaking English. “Not easy,” she says. “I first spoke with a Swedish/English accent, as that’s how I was first taught and also had married an English fellow. An accent is, of course, another limiting factor unless the part calls for it. Also, so much emotional memory is attached to language. This obviously helps an actor’s performance and is a block when speaking in a different language than your own. I certainly feel it was the latter for me, in my early work.” Adams also points out what many Americans do not consider: dubbing and the way work is done in Europe. “A lot of my film work has been in European countries, such as Spain, Italy and France, where some leads have been American and later dubbed. For example, I have worked with Peter Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Telly Savalas and even our own Max von Sydow in these kinds of films. In those cases having an accent was less of a problem.” Adams considers herself lucky, knowing that many first-rate Scandinavian talents in the past were not able to transcend into American film because of their accents. Fortunately, the movie business is changing in this regard and more Nordic actors are able to make the transition.
screenwriter and a movie star of the silent era who has isolated herself in her mansion and lives in a kind of tomb of memories from days gone by. Some of us also know of actors who will repeatedly watch episodes of television shows or movies they were been in. Not so with Maud Adams. It is reassuring to find just how full a life Adams lives, in more than one way. She takes daily walks in several hiking areas in the Hills, with the two rescue dogs she and her husband, Charles a.k.a. “Skip” Rubin, a mediator and retired judge, have as companions, while I suppose their two rescue cats strike out on their own. Saturday mornings she and her husband meet with friends to go hiking. Adams loves gardening and is a native garden enthusiast. She belongs to the Beverly Hills Garden Club and Friends of Robinson Garden, the latter a fundraising group that annually puts on a spectacular garden show to maintain the Robinson estate in Beverly Hills. Adams and Rubin travel extensively and have visited all the continents; Antarctica is Adams’s favorite. Just when you think Adams would want to sit down and put her feet up, it’s time for her to cook for small gatherings of friends. And oh yes, as far as simply enjoying a movie? No, Adams is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures & Sciences (AMPAS), which is the group that awards the Oscars, so focused viewing, at least part of the year, is a given m.o. for Adams. Come to think of it, she needs to move that garden Manzanita, as it is getting too much shade now. Visitors, friends and interviewers beware: Do lower back strengthening exercises and wear running shoes or hiking boots if you are coming to see Adams. Any residual soreness of body will be well worth the gain of mind.
FYI: I am Swedish!
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China stakes claim to Santa in Gällivare, Sweden. According to local reports the winning Hong-Kong Santa proposed to his girlfriend back in China on camera after the win. Unfortunately no one knows what her answer was. We can only hope. Santa Apple fine tuned his skills by eating apples, a favorite after porridge, and jumping fearlessly down as many chimneys as possible.
Photos from an earlier year’s contests couretesy of www.snoyran.nu
A Hong Kong man earned the title as the world’s top Santa in a Swedish competition that included throwing lasso, piling Christmas gifts, racing on skiis and kicksleds, dancing, eating porridge and decorating a Christmas tree. Santa Apple of Hong Kong bested five competitors from diverse locations including Germany and Japan at the 2015 Santa Games
Herr & Fru | Mr. & Mrs.
Her: “It’s midnight!” Poff. Him: “It’s about to pop now!”
Her: “KABOOM!”
‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: January 01 Nyårsdagen /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar
In New York In Stockholm In Kiruna Lund In Los Angeles
December 30: Sunrise Sunset 7.19 a.m. 4.37 p.m. 8.45 a.m. 2.55 p.m. Under the horizon 8.37 a.m. 3.42 p.m. 6.40 a.m. 4.44 p.m.
Porridge eating (above), kicksled racing... definitely no contest for the faint of heart.
Her: “Happy New Year, honey!” Him: “What a bang! It didn’t scare you, did it?”
January 02 Svea January 03 Alfred/Alfrida January 04 Rut January 05 Hanna/Hannele January 06 Kasper/Melker/Baltsar January 07 August/Augusta January 08 Erland January 09 Gunnar/Gunder January 10 Sigurd/Sigbritt January 11 Jan/Jannike January 12 Frideborg/Fridolf January 13 Knut January 14 Felix/Felicia January 15 Laura/Lorentz January 16 Hjalmar/Helmer
His best advice: “Just take a deep breath, and jump!” The participating countries have different criteria for choosing their representative Santa, but each of them have to endure rounds of chimney climbing, porridge eating, present wrapping and racing while maintaining jolly dispositions during the event held this year on November 22. Hundreds of people usually brave the Gällivare subzero temperatures to watch the games, which have been reported in both the Wall Street Journal and through AFP in earlier years. All participating Santa’s have to stand up to following criterias; Santa has to be nice to everyone, especially children. Santa has to be completely sober. Santa has to be clean and looking it’s Santa best (red or gray and
white)! Santa can preferably have a big beard, but not a silly mask For more info and to sign up for next year’s championships, follow the games on Facebook (SantaWG) or see www.visitgellivare.wix.com/ santa-winter-games
‘Not my time to die’ The Titanic and the Swedes on board Perfect bound, large size paperback, 296 pages. Richly illustrated. Please send me ____ book(s) x $19.95 = _______
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December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
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Stockholm, Sweden
Swedish opera singer (Lyric mezzo-soprano) Malena Ernman, left, will ring in the new year at Skansen this year. She replaces Loa Falkman, who in turn replaced actor and entertainer Jan Malmsjö who had the honor for 12 years,between 2001 and 2013. To ring in the New Year is a tradition from the late 1800s. The radio began with the ringing of bells in 1927, and Swedish television now broadcasts New Years celebrations at Skansen with the reading of Alfred Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild bells” as a permanent feature. Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius and thus celebrating 125 years next year, was a gingerbread centerpoint (above) this year at the annual Christmas decorations at Stockholm’s Bloomingdale’s—NK department store on Hamngatan. For more info, see www.skansen.se
2015 Gift of the Year
Every year HUI Research in Sweden deems one product the best Christmas gift of the season. This year the robotic vacuum cleaner is the gift to give and get. In order for an item to be considered the Christmas Gift of the Year, it must have piqued interest throughout the year, sold in high quantities and represented a trend for that kind of product. The robot vacuum cleaner meets all the criteria to be Christmas gift of 2015, according to HUI: It represents the times we live in, has sold volumes, is available in various price ranges and models, and today’s models show improved quality and corresponds better to consumer expectations and needs over older models. When time is scarce, many consumers demand smart tools that facilitate everyday life: the Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, the perfect Christmas gift.
America asks Sweden for assistance President Barack Obama and U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter have requested help from Sweden in the fight against terrorism. Carter’s letter to Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist asks for increased support and solidarity from Sweden. Hultqvist cannot comment specifically, but he makes it clear Sweden stands united to fight IS (ISIS).
Everything is expected to be on the table in discussing how deeply Sweden can get involved. Mikael Oscarsson, member of the Defense Committee says, “It’s basically the same request we have received from France. They have asked for help in accordance with the declaration of solidarity in the Treaty of Lisbon, and we should help.”
First refugees move into tent camps
On Dec. 8 refugees started moving into a tent camp in Revinge, outside Lund in southern Sweden. Some 20 tents are ready, and permission for a total of 76 tents has been secured for this site; three other tent camps are planned in Sweden, accommodating a total of about 3,000 refugees. The tent camp, built by the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), offers tem-
porary housing for asylum seekers during the three- to seven-day period the SMB needs to make permanent arrangements for each individual. Designed to withstand winter weather, the tents are insulated and heated; they each house five or six people. Internet access, catering, showers and toilets are also available in heated, temporary accommodations.
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
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Grand Rapids, MI
Most solemn and atmospherically lighted Lucia image of 2015—Grand Rapids, Mich. Lucia, portrayed by Nelle Lindholm. The Swedish American Heritage Society of West Michigan held its Nineteenth Annual Lucia Celebration at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. The choir performed a number of traditional songs in Swedish in front of a large, appreciative audience. Coffee, saffron buns, cardamom bread and gingerbread cookies were served after the program. Photographed by Rudy Malmquist. Submitted by Kerstin Trowbridge. For more info, see www.sahswm.org
Hollywood
Make way for the Swedes! Alexander Skarsgård, above and Alicia Vicanders, right—two Swedish stars who’ve made it to the A-List in Hollywood. Skarsgård first became known to the public through a part in the HBO’s series “True Blood” about vampires.
Swedish actors light up the silver screen
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Glögg with Jimmy Fallon
Alicia Vikander Shares Swedish Glögg with Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon (YouTube)
What do Tarzan and The Danish Girl have in common? They are both hot movies starring Swedish actors. The Legend of Tarzan doesn’t open until July 2016, but actor Alexander Skarsgård, 39, worked for months before filming even began to build his body into the muscular hero who was raised in the jungle. In this new movie, Tarzan and Jane have made it out of the jungle and into civilized life ... at least temporarily. Skarsgård was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the oldest son of actor Stellan Skarsgård. The Danish Girl is one of seven major movies Swedish actor Alicia Vikander, 27, has been in this year alone. The star is rising fast, taking the silver screen by storm after childhood dreams of ballet dancing were interrupted by a key opportunity to act. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden to veteran Swedish stage actor Maria Fahl Vikander, perhaps that’s not really a surprise. The Danish Girl, was released in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27.
Fulfilling the NBA dream Sweden’s best basketball player is now in the U.S., playing for the NBA. Jonas Jerebko signed with the Boston Celtics this fall; he hasn’t played too much yet this season, but it’s still early and he is optimistic that the more time he gets on the court, the more he’ll improve. “He’ll make shots; I’m not worried about that,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens recently said. Stevens said Jerebko is still adjusting to practicing and playing more as small forward – a new position for the 6 foot 10 Swede, who recently announced another change in his life: He and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in 2016. Maybe the new father will raise his child in a bilingual household as his own English is practically perfect. Jerebko spent many summers with his grandparents in Syracuse, NY, and after English classes in Kinna where he grew up on Sweden’s west coast, and several years on other teams in the U.S., his accent is imperceptible.
Jonas Jerebko, the first Swede to play in the NBA, was with the Detroit Pistons and signed with the Boston Celtics in Oct. 2015. Bildbyran photo
December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
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Early Christmas morning in Sweden
Julottefärden
Sleigh Ride in olden times. Image by Lerbäcks Hembygdsförening, Sweden.
“Nu dånar det under hästhovarna och man far över en bro, skogen glesnar, slätten vidgar sig och små kullar ligga med björkhagar här och där, och nu lyser ett ljus ur ett stugufönster, nu synes ett bloss ila fram, och i fjärran över slätten star morgonstjärnan och strålar så stor och skön. Vägen kröker sista gången och genom de avlövade lindarnas långa spön syns kyrkan I all sin glans. På kyrkvallen har man kastat blossen i ett stort bål vid vilket körsvennerna värma sig sedan de satt in hästarna i kyrkstallet. Och sedan man bladdrat hit och dit, ringa klockorna anngången och då går man in i kyrkan. Och det är kallt som att sitta i sjön men det känns icke ty man fryser i gott sällskap och för övrigt håller man sig varm vid predikan och sången och de unga hava så mycket att se på och de gå omkring och hälsa på varandra och kunna icke nog beskåda de många ljusen.” Så berättar August Strindberg om en svensk julottef¨ård I slutet av 1800-talet. Skildringen ingår I novellen Per och Pål, hämtad ut verket Svenska oden och äventyr. Midnattsmässa blir tidig julotta Att julotta i en svensk landsortskyrka anses som ett typiskt svenskt inslag visar inte minst tidiga reportage om svensk jul i utländska publikationer. Där saknas så gott som aldrig bilden av julottefärden, gärna efter häst och släde och med brinnande facklor och bloss. Även om just denna detalj hör det förgångna till anser fortfarande många svenskar, oavsett religiöst intresse i övrigt, att julottebesök hör traditionen till såväl som skinkan, risgrynsgröten och glöggen. Hur har då denna morgotidiga tradition vuxit fram? Med all sannolikhet hittar vi rötterna till vår julotta i den katolska midnattsmässan.
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
Under katolsk tid var det nämligen en midnattsmässa, därefter en tidig morgonmässa och senare på förmiddagen en högmässa. Men eftersom vägarna var långa på landet började man föra samman mässorna så att de firades i nära anslutning till varandra. Midnattsmässan blev därmed en början till vår nuvarande julotta. Stora skillnader mellan landskapen Man får emellertid inte tro att julottetraditionen är densamma i hela vårt land. Här förekommer åtskilliga lokala intressant drag. Särskilt tidiga julottor har man firat i Småland och Dalarna. Kyrkolagen 1686, som i vissa delar gällde fram till 1 januari 2000, stadgar att julottan ska börja klockan sex på morgonen. Men fortfarande 1787 berättar Biskop Wallquist i Växjö att i Älghults församling är det bara åtta år sedan man flyttade julottan från midnatt till klocka fyra på morgonen. De flesta smålandsförsamlingar tycks ha älskat dessa tidiga julottor och det vara inte lätt att få dem att gå med på någon ändring. Dråpligaste är svaret från Angelstads församling där man hotar att ta tillbaka ljuslampetter, kronor och ljusstakar som man skänkt till kyrkan ifall det blir så att tidpunkten för julottan ändras. Annorlunda var situationen i de gammaldanska landskapen. Här hade vid ett prästmötesbeslut i Lund år 1555 julottan i princip förbjudits. Orsaken kan ha varit att julottan förr var förknippad med nattvardsfirande. Sådan skulle ju förberedas med fasta och andakt, men julaftonsfirandet med mycken mat och dryck stämde ju dåligt överens med detta krav. När sedan dessa landskap blivit försvenskade visade det sig svårt att återinföra julottan. Fortfarande 1821 var det få Skåneförsamlingar som firade julotta. Seden återvände
successivt under 1800-talet, men fortfarande i början av 1900-talet fanns det församlingar, där ingen julotta firades. Kappkörning hem från julottan År 1727 klagar prästen i Kimstads församling på, som han säger, “djävlasedan av vidskepelse att springa ut ur kyrkan att de kunna trampa ned varandra.” Bakgrunden till denna brådska var en vida spridd uppfattning att den bonde som kom först hem från julottan fick skörden först inbärgad när hösten kom. Därför skydde man inga medel för att komma i täten. Åtskilliga historier berättar om knepiga bönder som satte allt på spel för att hinna först. Så sägs det om en att han stannade kvar ute vid skjutsarna tills alla hunnit in i kyrkan. Därefter plockade han bort skaklarna på de andras vagnar och slädar och placerade dem väl blandade i en hög. När bönderna sedan kom ut från kyrkan tog det åtskillig tid att hitta rätt. Under tiden hann gärningsmannen iväg och kom före alla andra hem till byn. Det senare mötet med bymajoriteten förtäljer emellertid inte historien. Dråplig är också skildringen av den bonde som utan några sådana trick kom iväg först av alla i sin släde med hustrun vid sidan om. I en stor driva välte hela ekipaget. Bonden lämnade då bade släde och gumma i drivan, spände loss hästen och red hem till byn. Väl hemma vände han sedan tillbaks och lyfte upp släden, placerade hustrun tillbaks i sätet och körde hem. För detta fick han inte bannor av makan, som man skulle befarat. I stället berömde hon honom för hans rådighet att säkra hemkomsten fore de andra i byn. Julottefirande ej utan risker Att julottefärder inte alltid slutade lyckligt visar en gravsten med minnestavla på Grangärde kyrkogård i Dalarna. Inskriften
på minnestavlan förtäljer: “Här invid jordades i gemensam grav tio av de elva finnmarksbor i ålder 4-71 år, som med två hästar drunknade i sjön nedre Noren under Torsbergsbornas slädfärd till julottan.” Sådana tragiska händelser har väl ändå hört till undantagen. Däremot innehåller traditionerna ofta skildringar om risken att komma för tidigt till julottan. Så berättas t.ex. om en flicka som mycket tidigt kom till kyrkan för att säkra sig en sittplats. Hon fann emelertid till sin förvåning att kyrkan var fullsatt. Dock lyckades hon få plats i en bank där en mycket gammal gumma satt. När hon sedan såg sig om fann hon till sin föräran att hon kände alla dessa människor som satt här, men det var inte nu levande utan de döda. Även prästen som steg upp i predikstolen var död sedan flera år. Kvinnan som satt vid sidan om henne böjde sig fram och viskade: Lägg sjalen löst över axlarna. Hon såg upp och kände då igen den gamla som sin farmor, också hon död för länge sedan. När hon så försiktigt reste sig för att komma ut störtade de döda upp för att ta fast henne, men sjalen blev deras enda byte. När så kyrkobesökarna kom till julottan fann de bitar av den söderrivna sjalen på gravarna. Historien som kallas de dödas julotta har ett omfattande spridningsområde och rötterna till den finner man i en tidig medeltida skildring, som dock inte handlar om en julotta utan om en helgonmässa och har en helt annan och mer andäktig karaktär. Birger Ohlsson
Julotta in a Swedish country church is considered so typically Swedish that it used to be pictured in publications sent abroad, like this one from Bohuslans Museum.
feature. page 13
The ride to Julottan August Strindberg has described a Julotta from the end of the 19th century in his short story Per och Pål. He recalls the sights and sounds as the horses’ hooves echo when the sleigh goes over the bridge, noting the occasional lights coming from the small houses. In the distance the morning star shines beautifully. As the last curve in the road is reached, the church is seen in all its glory. Torches have been tossed into a bonfire where the drivers warm themselves after they have tied up the horses in the church stalls. As the church bell rings again everyone goes into the church. It is cold but people are warmed by the companionship and the sermon and songs. The children have a good deal to look at as they go around greeting each other and are amazed by the lights.
Midnight mass to early Julotta
Julotta in a Swedish country church is considered so typically Swedish that it used to be pictured in publications abroad. Almost always the picture showed a horse and sled with the passengers holding torches. This detail from the past inspires many Swedes to attend an early Christmas morning service even if they are not religious. The tradition belongs to Christmas like ham, rice pudding and glögg do. In looking for the origins of the tradition one finds that it almost certainly originated in the Catholic midnight mass. During Catholic times it was permitted to celebrate three masses on Christmas Day, a midnight mass, an early morning mass and then a high mass later in the afternoon. But since people had to travel great distances, services began to be held closer together. Midnight mass was the beginning of what eventually became known as Julotta.
Provincial differences
The Julotta traditions are not the same all over Sweden, however. The difference is reflected by local interests, with especially early celebrations in Småland and Dalarna. In the church law of 1686, which in some cases is still valid, it is stated that Julotta should begin at 6:00 in the morning. But as late as 1787, Bishop Wallquist in Växjö stated that in the parish of Älghult it had been only eight years since Julotta had been changed from midnight to 4:00 in the morning. The majority of the parishes in Småland seemed to have preferred the earlier Julotta and it was not easy to get them to change. The most dramatic reaction was in Angelstad where the parishioners threatened to take back the candlesticks and chandeliers they had given the church if the time for the Julotta was changed. The situation was different in the old Danish provinces. In Lund in 1555 at the meeting of priests, Julotta was in principle forbidden. Perhaps it was because in early days Julotta
had communion associated with it and this was supposed to be preceded by fasting. The celebration of Christmas Eve with much food and drink did not fit well with that concept, either. When these provinces became Swedish in was a long time before Julotta was reintroduced. As late as 1821 there were few parishes in Skåne which had the custom and in some places it was as late as the beginning of the 20th century before it was taken up.
Racing home from Julottan
The race from Julottan seems to have arisen from an old idea that the farmer who came home first from the service would get his harvest in first in the fall. Therefore it was an all-out race, with many stories told about how various farmers tried to be first. One, it was said, waited until everyone else was in the church and then mixed up the shafts of the other sleds. It took the others some time to get their gear sorted out and the perpetrator got home first. Another humorous story was that of the farmer who without any tricks was in the lead on the trip home with his wife by his side in the sleigh. The sleigh turned over in a snowdrift and the farmer left both the sleigh and his wife in the snowdrift while he rode back to the village. When he got home, he turned around and went back to pick up the sleigh and set his wife back on the seat — and drove home again. He did not even get scolded by his wife, who praised him for having arrived home before the others in the village.
Not without danger
Hurrying back from Julotta didn’t always end well, as is recorded on a commemorative plaque at a grave in the Grangärde cemetery in Dalarna. The plaque reads: “Here rest 10 of the 11 passengers from the Finnmark area, aged 4 to 71, who along with two horses, drowned in lower Noren Lake on the sleigh ride home from Julotta in 1865.” This type of accident was of course exceptional. However, popular legends often told of the risks of arriving to church too early for julotta. One legend tells of the young girl who came very early to secure a seat. Much to her surprise she found the church full of people. She found a spot in a row where a very old woman sat. Looking around she realized she knew everyone but they were all among the
dead and buried in the nearby cemetery. The priest who climbed up into the pulpit had also been dead for many years. The old woman next to her bent over and whispered, “Drape the shawl loosely over your shoulders.” The girl looked up to recognize her grandmother, also long dead. As she cautiously got up to leave, the dead tried to capture her but the shawl became their only catch. When the regular church visitors arrived, the torn shawl was found all over the graves. The legend, called the “Julotta of the Dead,” was widespread in Sweden and has its origin in a tale from the Middle Ages, albeit not about Julotta but about a Saints sermon of a more devout character. There are such tales from the early years but the general picture of Julotta is the happy one with the families riding in the sleighs in the early morning to attend a church service. After the long Christmas Eve celebration, some may have needed the crisp, cold air to consider and enjoy a more sober Christmas celebration.
Kersti’s Sleigh Ride by Carl Larsson.
LINGONBERRIES • Fresh Frozen • Dried • Preserves www.sturdiwheat.com December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
feature. page 14 perspectives.
Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
Motvals vinner
A ‘must’ on the Swedish Christmas table
Om Donald Trump bodde i Sverige och ställde upp i valet att bli statsminister i Sverige är jag övertygad om att han inte ens skulle ha skuggan av en chans att vinna. Tanken, att han skulle ställa upp, är givetvis orimlig. Framför allt på grund av det faktum, att Donald inte bor i Sverige. Jag är övertygad om, att även om han vore, skulle han säkert inte ha en tanke på politisk karriär här. I Sverige följer vi dock med viss spänning, att Donald ligger väl framme bland de republikanska kandidaterna, som siktar på att bli presidenter i Amerika. Donald skjuter från höften. Han säger de mest häpnadsväckande saker. Muslimer bör ej tolereras. Män från Mexico är potentiella våldtäktsmän. Moskéer bör brännas. Uttalanden av det slaget skulle definitivt inte gå hem bland godhjärtade svenskar. Därför undrar många i detta land, hur det kan komma sig, att Donald i Amerika nått sådan popularitet, att han leder bland de republikanska kandidaterna. Donald Trump tycks uppskattas på andra sidan Atlanten, även om han framför de mest befängda åsikter. Det tycks inte spela någon roll om påståendena är både tarvliga och osanna. I politiska sammanhang är det inte ovanligt, att personer, som framför djärva och halvt om halvt omoraliska åsikter vunnit stor popularitet. Donald Trump är i gott sällskap. Många i samma gäng betraktas ofta som djärva sanningssägare. Orädda sanningssägare ger stämning. Trötta gamla politiker tuggar ofta om saker och ting. Det blir inga flammande eldar i vad de pratar om. Det kan därför kännas befriande, när typer som Donald dyker upp och säger oförskämda saker, som får många att släppa motståndet mot dem. Även om det mesta de påstår är förkastligt så finns i budskapen små roande korn av sanning i budskapen. Som många minns var Ross Perot en kvickögd talare. När han ställde upp i presidentvalet i Amerika, vann han framgångar. Ross kom från Texas och blev ordentligt förmögen på att sälja kyckling. Egendomligt nog lyckades han till och med likna en kyckling, när han talade och blev i gasen. Även Ross Perot älskade, att säga drastiska och förödande sanningar. Han gav sig dock aldrig på religions- eller hudfärgsfrågor. Förmodligen var det honom främmande
Donald Trump speaking at CPAC in Washington D.C. in February, 2011.
att framföra den typen av argument som Trump ägnar sig åt. Vad han framför allt ogillade var slöseri. Hans återkommande fras löd. ”Om ni vill ha en resultatintresserad person bör ni rösta på mig. Men om ni vill har en långsam dansare är jag inte er man”. Sverige drabbades för något decennium sedan av två andra personer, som snabbt blev så populära politiker, att det parti de bildat, Ny Demokrati, kom in i riksdagen. En stor del av deras framgångar byggde på deras personligheter. Ian Wachtmeister var förnämlig greve och högadlig. Bert Karlsson var frilansare och kom från Skara. Just kombinationen av dessa två personligheter väckte intresse. De turnerade runt landet. De underhöll människor på gator och torg och illustrerade sina påståenden med ölbackar. Partiet, Ny Demokrati, existerar ej längre. Bert Karlsson är numera ledare av Jokaro, landets största företag vad gäller omhändertagandet av asylflyktingar. Ian skriver böcker och lever vidare i fina salonger I Frankrike seglar en dam vid namn Marine Le Pen i god politisk medvind. Hon håller på att vinna det ena regionala valet efter det andra. Partiet har slutat på första plats i sex av Frankrikes 14 regioner. Hennes parti National Front, NF, är såväl nationalistiskt som främlingsfientligt. På flera punkter ligger hon inte långt från Trump. Dock tror jag ej, tt hon vill bränna moskéer.
Your newspaper. Your stories.
Submit to editor@nordstjernan.com Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
Photo: Gage Skidmore
... ibland.
The First Temptation of the Swedes and a staple for the Swedish smorgasbord: Jansson’s Temptation. One of the traditional Scandinavian dishes we receive the most questions about is Janssons frestelse, or Jansson’s Temptation, which is a staple of nearly every Swedish smörgåsbord, and a popular late-night nosh, or <i>vickning</i>, as the Swedes would refer to it.
Janssons frestelse (Jansson’s temptation) Serves 4-6
1 kg (2 1/4 lb.) potatoes (Do not use new potatoes) 2 onions Butter 100 g (3 1/2 oz.) Swedish-style anchovy fillets and brine 4 dl (1 2/3 cups) heavy cream 2 tbsp. breadcrumbs The Scandinavian style anchovy fillets
- can in the East be bought at Sweden’s Best, www.swedensbest.com, Scandinavian Butik, www. scandinavianbutik.com, in the west at Scandinavian Specialties, www.scanspecialties.com among others - they all do mail order. Instruction: Preheat oven to 250ºC (425ºF). Peel and cut potatoes into strips. Peel onions and cut into thin slices. Sauté the onions in 1 tbsp. butter until soft. Generously grease a deep, straight-sided ovenproof dish with butter. Layer potatoes, onion and anchovies, ending with potatoes. Press down lightly to even out surface. Pour cream over the casserole, almost to top of potatoes. Sprinkle with anchovy brine. Finally, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and dot with butter. Bake about 45 minutes. This recipe comes from Served from the Swedish Kitchen, published by ICAFörlaget Sweden.
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local events. page 15
A mind of his own
BHHA members posing with the award, held by the association’s administrator Mr. Todd DeDecker
Bishop Hill preservation rewarded
The Bishop Hill Heritage Association received the 2015 Richard H. Driehuas Foundation Preservation Award for Stewardship from Landmarks Illinois, a non-profit organization that recognizes excellence in historic preservation. The BHHA is a non-profit group dedicated to preserving the history of the Bishop Hill Colony. The Colony was started in 1846 by Swedish emigrants led by Erik Jansson. The Bishop Hill Heritage Association was recognized for its restoration work on the 1854 Steeple Building, the 1853 Colony Store and the 1855 Dairy Building.
The BHHA was also part of a three-person panel discussion about historic preservation and stewardship, followed by the awards ceremony. The event was well attended, and many compliments were given about the work being done in Bishop Hill, Illinois. For more info, see www.bishophillheritage.org. “Preservation is about protecting the places that enhance our lives on a daily basis. Our architecture defines who we are and keeping that legacy is a gift to future generations.” Landmarks Illinois is the state’s leading voice for historic preservation: www.landmarks.org
Sankta Lucia in Rush City, Minn. A roomful of guests learned about Sankta Lucia through experiential learning on Luciadagen, December 13. The evening in Rush City, Minnesota began with a viewing of the video from the early morning Lucia program at Kungsholmen in Stockholm. A live soundtrack for the acrossthe-ocean-video was provided by Tre Vänner of the Twin Cities, a trio of fiddles, citar and bass. After a light supper, we had our own Lucia program. Lucia led the women in a procession and served pepparkakor to the men, and then the men picked up star wands and made a procession and served the women. Tre Vänner invited the group to join them around the julgran, where everyone
Tre Vänner performed on fiddle, bass, and citrar and played a variety of holiday tunes from Sweden at the Santa Lucia Celebration in Rush City in December. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith.
danced to the music of “Nu är det jul Eigen,” and a few other favorites. Guests learned how to make julgranskaramel, a traditional Christmas tree ornament filled with candy, and then they enjoyed some closing music for the evening. The event was sponsored by We R Able, a program that provides accessible community education classes and events for adults with disabilities and the general public in east central Minnesota. This particular evening also honored volunteers, teachers, presenters and performers who have worked with We R Able during the past year. Valorie Arrowsmith
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015—Lucia Fest at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND. One of the youngest members of Three Crowns Swedish-American Association had a mind of his own. After all, he is a tomte!
Elsa Rix Lucia, New York Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1, the oldest den. Today, Swedish traditions are still children’s group in the Vasa Order of followed in the Peterson-Zabe home. America, held their 95th annual Lucia The Zabe family wishes to thank Festival at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Elizabeth Dahlstrom-Schumacher for in West Hempstead, NY on December 6, her leadership and dedication to teach 2015 and at Our Savior Lutheran Church, the many folk dances to the children and Manhasset, NY on December 12, 2015. working with the club members each year For the first time in the 95 year history to present a beautiful Lucia Pagaent . We of Elsa Rix, the Club had twin Lucia’s. also thank Nina Prasso, the club’s vocal Trina & Bryanna Zabe performed in dual director, for teaching the children to sing roles and each did beautifully during their the Lucia songs in perfect Swedish. respective performances. Trina & Bryanna’s younger sister Hannah served as God Jul och Gott Nytt År. candle girl. Following each performance, refreshments were served and guests also watched Barnklubben members perform Swedish folk dances to the accompaniment of Smorgasbandet’s Jeanne Ericsson Andersson and Wayne Soderlund. Trina and Bryanna are the daughters of Ricky and Donna Zabe of Monmouth Beach, NJ who faithfully travelled to Hempstead, Long Island with the girls for folk dance practice since they were age 3. Their grandparents, Ed and Cherstin (Landergren) Peterson, are members of the VASA Order of America for more than 25 years, belonging to Lodge Dalahast 742, Tinton Falls, NJ. They are also members of the Suncoast Scandinavian Club in Clearwater, FL. Trina & Bryanna’s families came to America from Inlangan and Trina and Bryanna Zabe, Elsa Rix Lucias 2015 Karlshamn in Blekinge, SweDecember 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
The Pacific states. page 16
SWEA SF Christmas SWEA-San Francisco held its 32nd annual Christmas Fair on December 5. Close to 3,000 visitors got to enjoy a smörgåsbord of Swedish traditions, including our beautiful Lucia pageant that included 73 children, handmade crafts and open-faced Christmas ham sandwiches. Our visitors could also get their Christmas shopping started, purchase Scandinavian products and baked goods, and find gently-used Scandinavian treasures at the very popular White Reindeer booth. Children could meet Santa, cast a line in the “fish pond” and decorate gingerbread cookies. We already look forward to next year: Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 3, 2016 — doors open at 9 a.m. By Camilla Podowski Dress rehearsal, SWEA San Francisco Lucia 2015
A popular station, selling glögg: Ursula Hultqvist, Anna Björnsson and Malin Wiklund
“We make it happen” The 2015 Christmas Fair Committe. Photo: Thomas Johannesson Lucia 2015. Photo: Jessica Armstrong
Above left: Maude Iggström and Gun Johnson. Above: Marita Leth, Elisabeth Fredricsson and Ulla Monica DaSilva. Photos: Jessica Armstrong
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Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
Left: Kerstin Ortega of NorrDesign. Photo: Jessica Armstrong
The Pacific states. page 17
[... under Kaliforniens sol]
Julotta ... under the California sun Is there any difference between celebrating early Christmas morning in California and celebrating back home in Sweden? Of course there are some differences, primarily the light and warm weather. I particularly remember my family’s first Christmas here in 2013, when it was so hot we could barely light candles on the Christmas table, let alone light an open fire. When we took a break between plates of Christmas food and opening gifts in the afternoon, we walked along the beach and it felt almost surreal. Difficult to grasp that it really was Christmas Eve, December 24. Another obvious difference for me as a priest is that the work is not as tough as at home in Sweden. There are a lot of Christmas sermons in every church: a sermon by the manger, Christmas prayer, midnight mass and Julotta (early Christmas morning service). All to meet the huge amount of people of all ages who want to go to church at Christmas. Here in Los Angeles, San Pedro, we have of course also been “busy” before Christmas: We have two large bazaars, celebrate Lucia with Lusse buns and gingersnaps and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner. However, the Christmas days bring “just” a Julotta service on Christmas morning, followed by coffee and ham sandwich. This makes me feel that the holiday season is a little quieter here in the U.S. than in Sweden, where there are so many expectations for Christmas that actually cause stress in many people. A large number of Swedes are fleeing all the Christmas “musts” and go away to Mallorca, the Canary Islands or to Thailand
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lugnare här i USA än i Sverige, där det också finns så många förväntningar på julen, vilket faktiskt skapar stress hos många. Ett stort antal svenskar ”flyr” julens alla ”måsten” och åker iväg till Mallorca, Kanarieöarna eller till Thailand i stället. Här i USA påverkas förstås också jul- och nyårsfirandet av den största helgen av alla: Thanksgiving, när alla familjer och vänner samlas oberoende av bakgrund och religion och reser kors och tvärs över denna väldiga kontinent.
instead. But in the U.S., the Christmas and New Year celebrations are also affected by the biggest weekend of all: Thanksgiving — when, independent of background and religion, families and friends travel the length and breadth of this vast continent to gather. Moreover, it is pretty cool that one can drive from Palm Desert (2.5 hours each way) or San Diego to participate in Julotta — who does that in Sweden? Maybe you do this to be part of what unites Julotta in the California sun with Julotta at home in Sweden. For certain there is, after all, something special to experience the Christmas spirit in the church, with all the candles lit, to sing “Hail blessed morn,” or “When Christmas morning glitters,” to listen to the Christmas story and “O Holy Night.” Above all, the common denominator is certainly that we will once again celebrate the baby, born to the earth, the baby with the many names: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. The government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 Without Jesus’ birth, no Christmas — or as some say here: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” I want to wish you a truly Merry Christmas! Staffan Eklund is the pastor at the Church of Sweden/Svenska Kyrkan in California www. svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles.
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Web Site: www.nordichouse.com Email: pia@nordichouse.com
Staffan Eklund.
Är det någon skillnad att fira Julotta här i Kalifornien mot hemma i Sverige? Så klart att det finns vissa skillnader. Först och främst ljuset och värmen. Jag minns särskilt familjens första jul här 2013, när det var så varmt att vi knappt kunde tända levande ljus på julbordet, än mindre tända en brasa i kaminen. När vi tog en promenad mellan jultallrik och presentutdelning på eftermiddagen efter stranden, kändes det nästan surrealistiskt. Svårt att ta in att det verkligen var Julafton den 24 december. En annan tydlig skillnad för mig som präst är att det inte är lika tufft med jobb som hemma i Sverige. Där är det en massa julgudstjänster i varje församling och varje kyrka: Krubbgudstjänster, Julböner, Midnattsmässor och Julottor. Allt för att möta den stora anstormingen av människor i alla åldrar som vill vara i kyrkan till jul. Här i Los Angeles/San Pedro har vi förstås också varit ”busy” innan jul: vi har haft två stora basarer, firat Lucia med lussekatter och pepparkakor och avnjutit ett klassiskt Julbord. Men själva julhelgen innebär ”bara” en Julotta på juldagsmorgonen, med efterföljande kaffe och skinksmörgås. Detta gör att jag upplever julhelgen lite
Dessutom är det rätt häftigt att man åker från Palm Desert (2,5 timmar enkel väg) eller San Diego för att delta i Julottan – vilka gör det i Sverige? Kanske gör man detta för att få vara med om det som förenar Julottan under Kaliforniens sol med Julottan hemma i Sverige. För visst är det något speciellt ändå att få känna julstämningen i kyrkan, med alla tända ljus, få sjunga ”Var hälsad sköna morgonstund” eller ”När juldagsmorgon glimmar”, att få lyssna till Julevangeliet och till ”O, helga natt”? Det gemensamma är ju framför allt att vi på nytt får fira barnet, som föds till vår jord, barnet med de många namnen: Ty ett barn har fötts, en son är oss given. Väldet är lagt på hans axlar, och detta är hans namn: Allvis härskare, Gudomlig hjälte, evig Fader, Fredsfurste Jesaja 9:6 Utan Jesu födelse, ingen jul - eller som en del säger här: ”Jesus is the reason for the season”. Jag vill önska dig en riktigt God Jul! Staffan Eklund Kyrkoherde Svenska kyrkan i Los Angeles och San Francisco www.svenskkyrkan.se/losangeles
SCANDINAVIAN CRIME NOVELS TODAY Dr. Jim Kaplan. Kaplan, professor emeritus at Minnesota State University Moorhead, will present three programs on Scandinavian crime novels in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 2016 Dr. Kaplan is well-known to the Swedish Community in the Bay Area and has spoken at the Fylgia Swedish VASA Lodge, SWEA San Francisco, the Swedish Club and the Scandinavian Cultural Center of Santa Cruz. His first program will be at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Rd. on Monday, Jan 25 at 7:00 PM. The contact person is Brenda Buckley-Chavez, 650-558-7448, Chavez@plsinfo.org. The second program will be at the Milbrae Public Library 1 Library Ave. on Wednesday Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM. The contact person is Ram Kajah, 650 697-7607 ext 236, ram@smcl.org. , The third program will be on Wednesday Feb. 3, 7:00PM at
the Parkside Branch of the San Francisco Public Library, 1200 Taraval. The contact person is Geraldine Dorman, 415-355-5770, gdorman@sfpl.org. These Scandinavian crime novels are enjoying a world-wide vogue right now and have had huge successes as books, on TV and in films. Their main characters like Lisbeth Salander, Kurt Wallander and Harry Hole have gained international attention. Featured in this program will be “The Draining Lake” by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, “Redbreast “ by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Detective novels are a fine opportunity to learn about the real lives of Scandinavian people today. They are fun and exciting and introduce the reader to literature and the humanities. The programs are free and open to the public.
December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
local events. page 18
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
l California l Florida
Continuously The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach promotes trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Sweden, Fort Lauderdale - Palm Beach and members. See www.sacc-sfl.org
l Illinois
12.25.2015 06:00 AM - 09:00 AM Julotta Julotta - candlelight, nondenominational church service in Swedish and English. Bishop Hill. 309-927-3345. www.bishophill. com
01.15.2016 06:00 PM - 03.26.2016 04:00 PM MIgrating Visions: The Art of Indira and Karl
Johnson. Living and creating together in India, Sweden and the United States for over 40 years has had a profound influence on the work of wife and husband artists Indira and Karl Johnson. They met at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the late sixties and as their work evolved over the next four decades, their individual thoughts and ideas have migrated back and forth appearing in different forms in each other’s art. 773-728-8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 01.06.2016 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM Swedish Language Classes Beginners 1 and 2 starting up at the museum. Intermediate, for students who have working knowledge of Swedish, including elementary conversation and Conversation/Advanced, for students who have the skills in Intermediate mastered and want to practice the Swedish language starts on 01.07.2016. Swedish American Museum. 773.728.8111 | www. swedishamericanmuseum.org 01.10.2016 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Concert: Saft Stockholm with Lena BjärskogSwedish American Museum. ... music inspired by the deep forest of the Swedish province of Dalarna, as well as small town ghost stories, modern life in Stockholm, bright summer nights and love. Folk melodies are mixed with pop and jazz, and vocals in English and Swedish are performed by music artist and producer, Lena Bjärskog. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 01.11.2016 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bullerbyn Swedish Language Playgroup Taking place roughly every other Sunday in tandem with Svenska Skolan, Bullerbyn is a time for singing cherished children’s songs, reading fun tales, and having lots of fun in Swedish. Children ages 6 months to 5 years are welcome to attend with a parent. This class will be conducted only in Swedish! All children participating should have Swedish spoken regularly at home in order to get the most out of Bullerbyn. We meet in the gallery space or the Children’s Museum. Kids are welcome to stay and play in the Brunk Children’s Museum after the program. The classes are free for members. Non-members pay $5 per child/class; payment can be made on-site at the Museum.. Swedish American Museum. 773-728-8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org
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
l Iowa
12.25.2015 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM Julotta Julotta service with readings and singing in both Swedish and English with fellowship and coffee, Swedish tea ring and other traditional Swedish goodies. The church has a facebook page where this will also be posted.. Evangelical Covenant Church. 712621-9885. austinpquist@outlook.com. https:// www.facebook.com/Evangelical-CovenantChurch-117527964933687/
l Minnesota
11.14.2015 02:00 PM - 01.10.2016 04:30 PM A Nordic Christmas: Myths, legends and fairytales. American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Avenue Minneapolis MN 55407. 612-871-4907 | www.asimn.org 01.23.2016 PM - 05.22.2016 04:30 PM The Watercolor Worlds of Lars Lerin. Solo exhibition of contemporary Swedish watercolor master Lars Lerin (b. 1954). American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Avenue Minneapolis MN 55407. 612-871-4907 | www.asimn.org 01.09.2016 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Julgransplundring plus a Swedish Lesson Julgransplundring begins at 3:30 p.m. And if you come early, you can take a Swedish lesson at 2 p.m. You’ll get a chance to learn some of the words used in the traditional song games around the Christmas tree. The lesson costs $10. The celebration costs $7.50. Choose both parts for $15. The location is the St. Croix River Education District building at 425 S. Dana Ave., Rush City, MN. . We R Able. 320-358-1210. varrowsmith@scred.k12.mn.us. www.scred.k12. mn.us
l New York
09.17.2015 11:00 AM - 01.17.2016 05:00 PM Swedish Wooden Toys—an exhibition at Bard Graduate Center Gallery. 212-501-3074 | www. bgc.bard.edu/gallery 12.29.2015 11:00 AM - 01.14.2016 06:00 PM Seen and Unseen: The Paintings of Lars Korse at
Välkommen till
Familjegudstjänst
VÄLKOMMEN!
Church of Sweden at Norwegian Seamen’s Church 2454 Hyde Street, San Francisco • Tel: 415-632-8504 Mer information: www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco
Öppettider 27 dec - 9 jan
www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork
09.12.2015 04:30 PM - 02.28.2016 04:00 PM United Stockholms of America See Stockholm like you’ve never seen the city before! Did you know there are at least eight towns in the Unites States named Stockholm? Most of the towns are now sparsely populated, often desolate but beautiful resorts that do not have much in common with Stockholm in Sweden. Yet, they all pay homage to the great capital city in Sweden. Come to ASHM this fall and discover the landscapes and people of each town when you visit our upcoming exhibition, “United Stockholms of America,” a large-format photography exhibition by Swedish photographer, Charlie Bennet, who beautifully documented the wildly varying degrees of Swedishness of the different Stockholms. Join us for the opening of “United Stockholms of America” on September 13 at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments served. The exhibition will be on view through February 28, 2016. Don’t miss this extraordinary photo documentary series about the Swedes who stayed!. American Swedish Historical Museum. 215.389.1776. www.americanswedish.org 01.30.2016 06:00 PM Pea Soup and Punch Supper: Ärtsoppa och Punsch at the museum. Warm up on a chilly winter’s night with a bowl of Swedish yellow pea soup and a cup of punsch. Dinner is served with sharp cheese, bread, and dessert. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Register by phone or online by January 25th. American Swedish Historical Museum. 215.389.1776. www.americanswedish.org 12.25.2015 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM Julotta Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin welcomes you to celebrate Christmas at our traditional Julotta with hymns and liturgy cherished in Sweden and treasured by Swedish immigrants and descendants from the 1800s to the present. Join us Christmas morning for the service at 7 a.m. - Whitnall Park Lutheran Church, 5847 Lilac Lane, 105th and Forest Home Avenue (just east of Hwy. 100) in Hales Corners, WI Worshippers are invited to enjoy coffee and treats following the service. Visit us at www.sahswi.org or call 414-352-7890 for further information. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc.. 262-781-6113. swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com. www.sahswi.org
Kyrkoherde Staffan Eklund, Diakon Åsa Sjöberg, Organist Ragnar Bohlin Kyrkkaffe med julgransplundring. Inbjudare: Familjerna Assarsson, Houghton, Leh och Regstad.
5 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 Tel: +1 (212) 832-8443
l Pennsylvania
l Wisconsin
Söndag 10 januari kl 11.00
mdv xnqj
Chelsea’s Agora Gallery. The exhibition will feature the original work of Åkersberga artist Lars Korse in Emerging Visions. The opening reception will take place Thursday, January 7 from 6-8 p.m. Any art lover who enjoys thought-provoking artworks and meeting talented and interesting artists is encouraged to attend. Swedish artist Lars Korse refers to his style of art as Teorealism, or “God Reality,” because he strives to show “both the visible and the invisible, thus the whole reality.” Inspired by a diverse range of sources from wildlife to biblical prophets, Korse alternates between abstraction and figurative work, much as he transitions between gouache and oil paint. Ultimately, Korse’s ambition for his paintings can be distilled to a single wish: “My hope is that my paintings have a great pervasive force,” he says. “I want my pictures to fill a person with joy.” Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-6 Agora Gallery. 212.226.4151 | www.agora-gallery.com
@sk.ny Svenska kyrkan i New York
SÖNDAG
MÅNDAG
TISDAG
ONSDAG
TORSDAG
FREDAG
LÖRDAG
27/12 Högmässa 11.00
STÄNGT
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NYÅRSAFTON STÄNGT
NYÅRSDAGEN STÄNGT
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Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Mässa
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
Caféet öppet 12-16
Caféet öppet 12-14
3/1 Högmässa 11.00 Caféet öppet 12-16
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
local events. page 19
Yuletide opens the Boston ‘Jultid’ The signal for the opening of Christmas in New England is the annual SWEA Yuletide in Boston, for many years held at Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. Early in December — this year on December 5 — it sets the tone for many holiday events to come. Yuletide has the Swedish wooden tomtar and trolls, the linens made in Sweden, Sami jewelry, the almost-homemade bread, lussekatter and vörtlimpa to take home (if they last that long). There is glögg, waffles with whipped cream, princesstårta and a filling lunch with Swedish meatballs, lingonberries and plenty of Swedish coffee. It is Swedes and Swedish Americans along with curious others who gather each year, this being the seventh, to buy Christmas gifts and sample the glögg. Nordstjernan films at the Boston Yuletide.
Boston SWEA Yuletide 2015
Boston yuletide on youtube
Cookies by Dagny Dagny Eriksson came from Sweden’s far north to the United States where she settled in New York City. In the late 1980s she shared a couple of recipes from her childhood in northern Sweden with us. They are quick and makes for a special treat for the holidays.
The Yuletide celebration includes two immensely popular Lucia processions with up to 80 participants that include a playgroup from the local Swedish school, pupils from the Swedish school, students from Berklee College of Music and visiting au pairs.
Grandmother’s orange rings 1/2 lb flour 1/2 lb butter Grated skin of one large orange 2 tbsp fresh orange juice 1 tblsp heavy crean Mix the ingredients into a dough and cool in the refrigerator for two hours. Take out and roll out not too thin. Cut with a round cookie cutter and then again with a smaller size cutterto make them in the shape of rings. Pick up each one carefully, brush with beaten egg white and dip into a dish of pearl sugar. Lay them on a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: Pearl sugar can be bought at IKEA or any of the stores, which sell Swedish or Scandinavian products. These cookies are not for anyone watching their diets, Dagny always used real butter.
Göran Rygert’s collection of Swedish traditional schnapps songs, in English and Swedish $8.95 + S&H.
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Specializing in Scandinavian Pastries 133 Gold Star Blvd.
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Open Daily 6-6. Fri till 7. Closed Sunday
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Try our outdoor café and new sandwich lunches <www.thecrownbakery.com> We ship UPS anywhere
A quarterly journal devoted to Swedish American biography, genealogy, and personal history. Founded in 1981.
Subscription Subscription $28 per$30 calendar year. per year Subscribers Subscribers are areinvited invited to to aa genealogical genealogical Workshop Salt Lake Lake workshop in in Salt City City each each autumn. October.
Swedish American Genealogist Swenson Center Augustana College Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 Phone 309 794-7204 www.augustana.edu/sag
December 30, 2015 Nordstjernan
sports. page 20
North Americans propel Swedish Juniors
Alexander Nylander skates past Russian defenseman Alexander Bryntsev during the 2014 World Junior Championship in Toronto. Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
A pair of brothers who are at home both in Canada and Sweden could be the key to a gold medal for Sweden when the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships open on December 26 in Helsinki, Finland. William and Alexander Nylander were born in Calgary, Alberta when their father, Michael, was playing for the Calgary Flames of the NHL. They moved around Canada and the United States as Michael played for six more teams before retiring and returning to Sweden in 2009. William, 19, and Alexander, 18, as well as their father, are all back in Canada as the two brothers are among the top prospects in North American hockey. William currently plays for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League, which he leads in scoring. Alex plays for the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League. His dad is one of his coaches. “It’s a goal for the brothers to play together,” said Michael. “I have a brother who I had a chance to play with. It’s great if it happens. But to play in the world juniors, Alex has to be a really good player here, because they have lots of good players in Sweden.” “He’s really good,” NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said of Alex Nylander, who is a potential top-10 pick in next year’s NHL Entry Draft. “I see similar mannerisms (between Alex and William). He’s an NHL skater already right now and he can make decisions and make plays at top-end speed.” So who would get the puck if the brothers were playing on the same line together? “I would say he would pass to me,” said Alex, who jokes that he’s a centimeter taller and a lot stronger than his older brother. “But it’s difficult, because we both like to pass and
Nordstjernan, December 30, 2015
we both like to shoot. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. Just playing on a line with him would be a dream for me.” Alex got his wish December 15 when Sweden head coach Rokard Gronborg selected the brothers for his 26-player roster at the WJC. The Nylanders were among seven North America-based players Gronborg picked to go along with 19 players from the Swedish Hockey League and the Hockey Allsvenskan. For William Nylander, making Sweden’s junior national team is simply the latest success in a string that has seen him rise to become the top prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He currently leads the AHL with 33 points from 14 goals and 19 assists. It is enough to have critics and pundits alike saying “wow.” Talk of Nylander ranges from agreeing with the Leafs’ stated plan of not rushing the 19-year-old to the NHL, to those who favor bringing Nylander up at any moment, since he is arguably the most talented player in the organization. Nylander, though, has a chance to do something that has never been done before in the American Hockey League — register a 100-point season as a teenager. Nylander’s 100-point chase is coming during a dead era in pro hockey, which has seen offence trending downward. Now in its 80th season, the AHL has seen 98 players record 100 points or more in its history, but like the NHL, the century mark is becoming something of a ghost. No one in the league has managed 100 points since Keith Aucoin and Alex Giroux reached the mark in 2010. “I’m playing with so many great players, (the scoring lead is) a token of their hard work,” Nylander said. “But the points, they are not as important as long as this team wins games.” Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe stresses defense when assessing Nylander’s development
so far in the teenager’s first full season in the AHL. “When you look at Willy, its terrific to see him leading the league, and his ability to produce offense was never in question,” said Keefe. “That said, we’ll continue to work with him at both ends of the ice. And the challenge is to keep his feet moving, put the opposition defense under even more pressure ... where his game needs to grow is focusing on being involved, not checking in and out of the game. Our power play has not been as good as we would like, and we feel Willy can help there too.” The Nylanders are not the only top prospects on Gronborg’s roster. Los Angeles Kings prospect Adrian Kempe, who plays for the Ontario (Calif.) Reign in the AHL is on the team. Kempe, 19, is in first full season in the American Hockey League and said he is looking forward to seeing just what he can do. The Kings organization already has a pretty good idea as Kempe came to North America last year after playing for the MoDo in the SHL and jumped right into the action with the Manchester Monarchs of the East Coast Hockey League. Kempe scored eight playoff goals as he helped lead the Monarchs to the ECHL title and now, he said, he thinks he is ready to accomplish even more. “I was lucky to be on the team at the end of last season and win a championship,” Kempe said. “I’m working on my whole game, but I want to get better in the defensive zone. I’ve taken steps already so I just have to keep working.” Gronborg also named Dmitro Timoshov to his roster. Timoshov plays for the Quebec Ramparts in the QMJHL. Three U.S. collegebased players are also on the team: William Lagesson, UMass Amherst; Jakob ForsbackaKarlsson, Boston University; and Fredrik Olofsson, University of Nebraska-Omaha.
William Nylander
Photo:Peter Grauvhold/Bildbyran
Photo:Joel Marklund/Bildbyran
Seven North America-based players are on the roster for Sweden as the World Junior Hockey Championship is set to open December 26 in Helsinki. Sweden plays its first game on December 26 against Switzerland at the Helsinki Ice Hall. The Baby Kronor wrap up the preliminaries with a December 31 tilt against Canada in what could be a precursor to the gold medal game.