nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 144 No. 08, April 30, 2016. Price per copy $2.50
This Week, Page 10
Roxette’s touring days are over but they’re continuing to record.
Sweden, Page 2, 3
Today’s May First demonstrations still engage thousands of people in many cities in Sweden although the messages on the placards aren’t always related to working conditions. Above activists are sitting by a placard saying, “Everyone has the right to a second chance in school.” / Page 9
Photo: Lennart Månsson/Bildbyrån
Denmark and Sweden join forces to merge border control / Support grows for a Swexit from the EU / Housing minister quits after controversy / A baby boy is born to the Prince couple / The King’s sister writes a book about Drottningholm Castle.
Feature, Page 4
An update on a controversial import Sweden shares with the U.S.
Feature, Page 5
Interview with a Swedish soccer player-turnedarchitect in New York City.
Fashion with a soul
Page 11
Gudrun Sjödén, designer, entrepreneur and “kulturtant” at the Greene Street store.
Happy Birthday Your Majesty!
A sensational celebration is planned for HM King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 70th birthday. It may be the biggest royal party in modern history – rumored to be bigger than the Crown Princess’s wedding in 2010. His actual birthday is April 30, when Swedes are otherwise celebrating Walpurgis Night, and the last night in a week-long celebration during which royals, politicians and personal friends from all over Europe will be in Stockholm. The week of special events in honor of the King starts on April 25 and goes full force through April 30, with events of various kinds throughout the city. The King and his Chief of Staff Major General Håkan Pettersson have organized the festivities, one of which /Continued on page 11
Photo: Kristofer Dan-Bergman
Dashboard, Page 10, 11
The Royal Court, Sweden. Photo: Bruno Ehrs
New York’s downtown artsy, hip SoHo area got a little bit greener and a little more Nordic with the opening of Swedish designer Gudrun Sjödén’s first concept store in the U.S. When I walk in I feel just the same as I did when the store opened in 2013: The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the loud speakers release soothing jazz tunes, everyone’s relaxed and I have a hard time telling who’s a shopper and who’s working — the only give-away being the bling of the cash register. My natural spot is on the couch next to the bread basket, where I start browsing a guestbook. A previous visitor sums up my own feelings: “This is my absolute favorite spot to wait for my wife.” New Yorkers and Americans have embraced Sjödén’s col- Continued on page 6
Photo: Marie Andersson
by Ulf Barslund Martensson editor@nordstjernan.com
Four bear cubs make their debut as Skansen celebrates its 125th anniversary year / Swedish mobil giant Telia has an offer for friendly customers / You may have seen this restored Swedish Bulldog at an airshow / Have you called a random Swede yet?
Feature, Page 16
It was a long trip, but a few Easter witches made it to Atlanta in time for an after-Easter feast.
Perspectives, Page 11
Living between Russia and the USA...
Page 8 Swedish Michigan based Autoliv goes the extra mile in testing for passenger safety.
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News Medicinska åldersbedömningar behövs. Gästledare
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 20 april, 2016
Denmark and Sweden may merge border controls.
Denmark + Sweden - One border
In a bid to drastically reduce travel time between the neighboring countries, Danish Minister of Justice Søren Pind and Swedish Minister of Justice Anders Ygeman are discussing the option of having just one border control. January’s enhanced border controls, established because of the refugee crisis, have increased travel time between Denmark and Sweden by up to an hour with multiple stops and ID checks—sometimes twice within each country. According to a new report from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden, it’s also costing both countries, and especially the Oresund region, a great deal. “It is difficult for employees to travel back and forth,” said Per Tryding, the deputy head of CCISS. “Some visitors experience being profiled at the border control because they are not blonde, and many people worry about longterm investment in the region.” The ministers of justice are considering options that would merge an ID and border control at Copenhagen Airport. They hope to have a plan in place within the next few months.
Euroskepticism builds for Swexit
A recent poll shows the number of Swedes who think Sweden should leave the EU is growing fast. Sifo asked 1142 Swedes ages 18 to 79 what they think about Sweden being a member of the EU, and the results were very similar to those in the UK, where an upcoming referendum on EU membership will be a close race — a trending concern referred to as “Brexit” (British exit). The results are similar in Sweden — which begs the parallel trend of “Swexit” (there are rumblings of a Czech “Czexit” and a French “Frexit,” too) — where only 39 percent is saying it’s a good idea for Sweden to stay in the European Union, compared to 59 percent just six months ago. The huge fall in support is likely linked with concerns around the refugee crisis, which the EU isn’t uniting in policy over fast enough, despite Sweden’s repeated requests.
Housing minister quits after controversy
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said in a press conference on April 18 that he accepted the job resignation request from his minister for housing, urban development and information technology, Mehmet Kaplan. “I’ve come to know Mehmet Kaplan as a man of humanistic and democratic values, but a minister should be able to represent Sweden in an unquestionable way,” Löfven said. The announcement came after a week during which Kaplan, 44, was accused of being too closely affiliated with members of radical organizations, which he strongly rejected. But, after a somewhat spotted history of similar accusations, he chose to resign because his position as minister had become “untenable” following the recent media storm that criticized his comments on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and his presence at a dinner with a far-right Turkish organization. Kaplan’s fellow Green Party member Per Bolund, who is currently financial markets minister, will step in as interim housing minister.
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
andra, bättre sätt att avgöra ålder, “till exempel bedömningar av psykosocial mognad av personer som känner ungdomen väl och har stor erfarenhet av arbete med ungdomar, som lärare, idrottsledare eller behandlingspersonal inom barnoch ungdomspsykiatrin.” Men Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering har gått igenom de metoder som inte bygger på bilddiagnostik utan just på bedömningar av den utvecklingsmässiga, fysiska och psykosociala mognaden. Slutsatsen är att dessa helt saknar vetenskapligt stöd.
antalet ensamkommande som söker asyl här framstår som långsökt.
I Finland registrerades förra året 3 024 minderåriga asylsökande. I 149 tveksamma fall gjordes medicinska åldersbedömningar. I 72 procent av dessa blev slutsatsen att de sökande angett för låg ålder. Men att drygt 100 av totalt över 3 000 ensamkommande uppgett för låg ålder tyder knappast på ett utbrett fusk. “Från regeringens sida är vi angelägna att komma igång i stor skala så snart som möjligt”, säger migrationsminister Morgan Johansson (S). Han har rätt. Det är viktigt att ett fungerande system för medicinska åldersbedömningar av asylsökande barn och ungdomar kommer på plats.
För de ensamkommandes skull. Med hjälp av magnetkamera går det att med god träffsäkerhet ringa in ensamkommande, asylsökande ungdomars ålder, anser Socialstyrelsen. På så sätt minskas risken att barn bedöms som vuxna och vice versa. Efter att ha granskat 1 400 vetenskapliga artiklar om medicinsk åldersbedömning har Socialstyrelsen kommit fram till att en undersökning med magnetkamera Antalet ensamkommande asylsökande av knäleden – kompletterad med avbildunder 18 år har ökat kraftigt i EU, från ningar av andra tillväxtzoner i kroppen 11 695 år 2008 till 88 695 förra året. I – bör vara en tillförlitlig metod. Sverige ökade antalet ensamkommande “Om vi lägger ihop dessa bedömningar under samma period från 1 510 till 35 hamnar vi ganska rätt. Felmarginalen 250. Det innebär att Sverige, med i runda Anekdotiska bevis, enskilda fall, anblir 3 procent för pojkar och 7 procent tal 2 procent av EU:s totala befolkning, vänds idag för att misstänkliggöra ensför flickor, vilket är betydligt bättre än 2015 tog emot 40 procent av alla ensamkommande ungdomar generellt, med dagens metoder”, säger Socialstyrelsens amkommande asylsökande barn och argument om att det inte finns någon projektledare Carl-Erik Flodmark. ungdomar. “riktig” kontroll. Socialstyrelsen vill nu se en pilotstudie Att Sverige lockar så många enssom omfattar ett par tusen individer där amkommande beror rimligen på en Det handlar om tilltron till asylsysteknä- och fotleder kontrolleras. kombination av olika faktorer, som att met. Det handlar också om rättssäkerhet. Medicinska åldersbedömningar har Sverige erbjuder ensamkommande ett länge varit omstridda. Frågan är infekFramför allt handlar det om att barn ska terad, i likhet med så mycket annat som betydligt bättre mottagande än de flesta andra EU-länder behandlas som barn och inte riskera att rör asylmottagningen. Sveriges barnI Sverige är medicinska åldersbedömnfå dela boende med vuxna män. läkareförening har tillhört de hårdaste ingar frivilliga och görs enbart på den Att inte ha den kontrollen är ett svek kritikerna och har uppmanat sina medasylsökandes begäran. Men att detta mot barnen. lemmar att inte göra åldersbedömningar. Föreningen har hävdat att det finns skulle ha någon avgörande betydelse för
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News in brief. page 3
Drive-thru observations
Swedish News
Life made Sweder through NORDSTJERNAN: Call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10, to order.
The Prince family leaves the hospital and heads home to Djurgården. Right: Prince Carl Philip announces he has a son during a press conference at Danderyd hospital.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery
way, from a franchise that annoyingly which here in the South means that is not open on Sundays when I seem someone feels sorry for another person to crave chicken most (I am sure that or hates that person’s guts, or as we is the Viking in me, and Vikings were say here in our more candid moments, manly enough to eat chicken). Southerners will say “bless you” to My pharmacy drive-thru study your face and stab you in the back. By has convinced me that berserkers contrast, Yankees thankfully take care have indeed travof business immediately. eled across the Having escaped the bless you My study has wide waters, moments of impatience at though I do convinced me that ber- the buffet under the church not wish to spire, my other “social exserkers indeed traveled periment” blame Leif of crowd behavior the Atlantic... Ericsson and has involved the liquor store. his longship for We do have a few to choose from, the behavior I am witnessing once a and some even have a drive-thru — the month: Several huge pickup trucks and kind where you have to pay for your SUVs are lining up so most drivers, if purchases. I have not tried the liquor they are not on their smartphones, can store drive-thru experience, perhaps only see NRA stickers or Jesus-fish or because I don’t want to turn a visit to “my church is the best” kind of sheep the liquor store into a kind of Swedplacards on bumpers and windows of ish Systembolaget experience, which the gas guzzler ahead. means you really don’t get the full Inevitably, someone manages to sud- Disney World treatment of walking denly maneuver his way out of line, among different-shaped bottles with having had to wait five, maybe 10 enticing cardboard mockups and all minutes, and an angry revving roar and sorts of incentives making you feel that screeching tires are heard as a truck not only is drinking acceptable but it is accelerates out of the parking lot, dis- a wonderful thing and everyone should regarding traffic that could come from wear a T-shirt advertising one’s favorthe left, before the angry customer ite hard liquor brand just like wearing disappears without his medication. some Mickey Mouse-land gear. Do I like to wait in line? Not particuThe liquor store experience has larly (after all, I was not conditioned been awkward for me. The mob and long enough by the habits put upon stampede mentality of America is Swedes by the Swedish government). totally absent here. Perhaps the “here” But would I engage in such rude and is particular to the Bible Belt, where dangerous behavior? I think not. many people really don’t want to be Would Swedes? I think not (unless I seen in liquor stores. I have run into have missed headlines about Swedes people who have been embarrassed as going berserk having to wait for I loudly and cheerfully greeted them. months for their “free” medical care The liquor store has a strange air of heart- or cancer surgery). tip-toeing about and getting out. I cannot say that I have much expeIf the behavior of most Southerners rience waiting in line and observing in the liquor store could be replicated behavior in churches, though when I in most areas of life across America, first moved to Albany, the race was on the nation might be a kinder, but also to recruit my wife and me to join God’s strangely shy United States. It just team among the plentiful churches might be like Sweden, or the Sweden worshipping one God, I think. The few as I remember it, but that Sweden times I went to break bread — actu- existed a long time ago, for drinkers ally one occasion was at a church well and non-drinkers alike. known for its excellent chicken dinner, others were the usual buffets, with the Ulf Kirchdorfer occasional cake that was very good ulf.kirchdorfer@nordstjernan.com and not too sweet — the persons in line were more orderly, and a number of “bless you” comments were made,
Photo: Kungahuset.se
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 shares 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 writes in a collection of essays Kirchdorfer calls Swede Among the Rednecks: The Language That Just Won’t Stay Buried, available through Nordstjernan and on amazon.com.
Another prince in the Swedish royal family!
A baby boy was born to Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip on April 19. A fifth grandson for the reigning King of Sweden. “For my wife and me, this is a great day full of emotion,” Carl Philip said following the birth of the baby, their first, who is fifth in line to the Swedish throne. The palace announced that both Princess Sofia, 31, and her new son were in good health. A name is expected to be announced at the Te Deum thanksgiving service at the Royal Chapel on Friday, April 21. King Carl XVI Gustaf had to cancel plans to speak at a school in Halmstad — for the unprecedented second time due to the birth of a grandchild. Queen Silvia was in New York delivering a speech to the United Nations when their grandchild, the fifth, was born. “I’m so happy, really. All is well, and both Princess Sofia and the baby are doing well. I’m walking on clouds!” The new prince is very close in age to his cousins — Prince Oscar was born to Crown Princess Victoria on March 2, and Prince Nicolas, son of Princess Madeleine, is still a couple months away from his first birthday; Estelle is 4 and Leonore is 2.
Days at Drottningholm
In time for the celebration of King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 70th birthday, his sister, Princess Christina, has written a book (with journalist Carl Otto Werkelid and photographer Ralf Turander) of historical events and personal memories in their beloved castle. Dagar på Drottningholm (Days at Drottningholm) is available in Swedish and with English subtitles at castle shops and online starting April 20. Princess Christina includes personal moments, unique royal stories that include time with grandfather Gustaf V, and clear references to all the strong women who put their mark on Drottningholm Palace. It is richly illustrated with new and historical photos, some never before published. King Carl XVI Gustaf’s sister, Princess Christina Fru Magnuson. Inset: Princess Christina’s book, Days at Drottningholm.
The Exchange Rate: $1.00 = SEK 8.13 04.20.2016
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
Portrait: Anna-Lena Ahlström/kungahuset.se
Walmart remains an easy target — in America and in Sweden. Consumers of media relish the condemnation of the company’s practices of squeezing suppliers and exploiting workers. Even more so, spotting customers and commenting on their uncouth appearance is a hobby among elite southern shoppers, for example featuring extreme stereotypes of rednecks and blacks who do not appear to abide by even the most basic hygiene-, exercise- or nutrition practices. But “polite” society is even more ready to condemn violent behavior among shoppers during the holidays, where fist fights, trampling and stampeding by “human beings” make for headline material that trumps the tamer ones by Swedish daily Expressen, such as “Walmarts åsnekött innehöll räv i stället” (“Walmart’s donkey meat contained fox instead”). I am not a fan of Walmart and enter the store very few times a year. While traveling I recently visited Walmarts in more affluent areas, hoping to spot some of the Whole Foods Market crowd buying batteries because they couldn’t find organic ones among the products that are not exploiting farmers and workers in faraway nations. But there is something to be said for “crowd behavior,” and until recently, I would have assigned Sweden an orderly and peaceful three and a half gold stars and America one and a half gold stars. As much as I hate to say it, many Americans are not very good at standing in line, and their behavior is much like the obligatory fight scene in the saloon in a western movie, when you know fists will fly, men will land in all sorts of places, fall off the railing upstairs and through the glass window, and the bar will be smashed, the legs of the furniture disassembled, a guy or two will have his head pushed through the seat of a chair. Whereas we know everything is make believe and will turn out fine in the westerns, behavior in American consumers is a different story altogether. Our small southern city, like most American cities now, has about one church per person and one national pharmacy per person, and very few liquor stores to be shared by all, this being the Bible Belt where anyone knows good Baptists don’t drink or dance or watch PG-rated movies. For a year or so I have studied crowd behavior using the drive-thru of a pharmacy. I am not going to say I have been using the drive-thru simply as part of an experiment. The American part of me loves a drive-thru; I even get, as I call it, my “Christian chicken” that
A not-so-scientific study of the inexplicable crowd behavior in the American south (and how it compares to Swedish habits).
feature. page 4
Recent FDA Application Re-Opens Replacement Therapy Debate
A way to quit? Is it or isn’t it – that is the question many experts in and about the tobacco industry and many smokers are asking when it comes to Swedish snus. Is it or isn’t it a safe alternative to cigarettes and a way for smokers to quit. Swedish Match recently reignited this debate when it applied for a modification of the labels on its smokeless tobacco products. The Stockholm-based company wants the Federal Drug Administration to approve a warning label on snus products that tells potential and current users, “No tobacco product is safe but this product presents substantially lower risks to health than cigarettes.”
‘Don’t bother to switch?’
Dr. Brad Rodu, of the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville, is a long-time advocate of using Swedish moist snus in the portion packets as a smoking cessation aid. Rodu maintains a Web site and blogs that discusses how smokers can use snus to stop smoking, rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com. “I have been involved in this field for 20 years, and one of the biggest challenges for smokers with respect to smoke-free alternatives is warning labels on smokeless products that tell smokers, “Don’t come here,” or “Don’t bother to think about switching.” Three out of the four warning labels on smokeless tobacco are grossly misinforming. I believe it is fundamental to public health to get these labels changed to allow smokers to make an educated choice about switching to a smokefree alternative.”
Tobacco harm reduction
The use of smokeless tobacco to help smokers quit, while not widespread, is a form treatment known as Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). The goal of THR is to use a less harmful tobacco product to help smokers quit. For many smokers, switching to snus was a life-saving choice. “I started smoking when I was 13 years old. Throughout my smoking life, I consumed 1.5 to 2 packs of cigarettes a day,” said Larry Waters, a self-proclaimed “nicotine addict.” Waters said his “health was suffering because of the 6-10,000 toxic substances in a lit cigarette … it got worse the older I became and as an added concern, heart disease runs in my family. I wanted to quit smoking cigarettes. I quit smoking many times but always returned to smoking for the nicotine. Nicotine is as addictive as heroin and I was hooked.” Waters said he wanted to find an alternative and in 2007, “I accidentally discovered Swedish Snus. Ironically, it was General Original Portion Snus, one of the 10 products submitted for MRTP status in this application. Within a week, I was able to transition completely from a 35 per day cigarette habit to Swedish snus. That was over 7 years ago and I haven’t smoked a cigarette since. More importantly, I never craved a cigarette again. Swedish snus satisfied my addiction and tasted great. My nicotine addiction no longer impacted the
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
health of others. Snus is an oral tobacco; there is no second hand snus to affect my family or others around me.”
Replacement remedy
Nathan Grieg, another smoker who quit smoking by using snus, said he believes the evidence of the efficacy of replacement therapy are readily apparent. “Snus products manufactured by Swedish Match effectively stopped me from continuing smoking from a young age (16, started smoking at 15),” he said. If they hadn’t been available I would still be smoking today and the implications for my health would be dire. Swedish snus causes no health problems other than addiction, which if substituted for cigarettes equals an immense benefit to health and the prevention of an early death associated with cigarette smoking related disease mortality.” While science and epidemiology show there are some health-related effects of snus, the overwhelming bulk of research indicates that snus is far less harmful to human health than smoking. It is this substantially reduced risk that prompted Rodu and others to begin using snus as a smoking cessation. As such, snus is akin to methadone, which is a legal replacement drug therapy for opiate addicts primarily those addicted to heroin.
A means to quit?
The major government health organizations – the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and the Office of the Surgeon General – however, refuse to recognize tobacco harm reduction as a means of smoking cessation. “It’s something I can’t explain,” Rodu said. “The government has needle exchanges, provides methadone, and is all for harm reduction with respect to heroin abuse yet those same organizations have a disconnect with respect to smokers. There are products on the market today that are legal and I have to ask why these same organizations have different policies for these two groups.” One argument against tobacco harm reduction is the lack of studies conducted in the United States. Swedish Match, as part of its application, conducted several studies in Sweden showing the greatly reduced cancer rates among snus users as opposed to smokers. Those studies, detractors say, fail to take into account several factors. “Although snus presents lower health risks to individual users than cigarettes, the benefit of snus as a reduced harm product is only realized if smokers switch to snus completely rather than become dual users,” Stanton A. Glantz, Lucy Popova, and Lauren K. Lempert, researchers at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California San Francisco, said in a paper they presented to the FDA on the Swedish Match application “Currently, we have little data on the trajec-
tories of use of combustible and smokeless tobacco products in the U.S. We do know that in … a high quality longitudinal study of the relationship between snus use and cigarette smoking done in the United States found that smokeless tobacco users were more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-users after a period of tobacco abstinence.” The researchers said the only way tobacco harm reduction would work is for smokers to “completely switch from cigarettes to snus, something that is rare in actual practice in the U.S.”
Anti-smoking - Anti-tobacco?
Rodu and other THR advocates counter that if the FDA had warning labels that reflected the actual risk associated with smoke-free products, smokers would be more inclined to switch to a less harmful product. Because the FDA does not differentiate between tobacco products, smokers believe their only alternative is complete abstinence. “Somewhere along the way, the process got hijacked,” Rodu said. “We went from antismoking to anti-tobacco.” The advent of new smoking cessation aids, such as electronic cigarettes and prescription drugs, further clouds the THR landscape as government regulators seem unsure of just how to deal with new products that contain nicotine but are also smoke free. “Electronic cigarettes have grabbed a lot of the attention and for good reason,” Rodu said. “They have pointed out the deficiencies in the tobacco-free society approach the health community has taken … that abstinence and prohibition are the only ultimate goals. E-cigarettes may prove that nicotine can be consumed over terms without any adverse health effects and we already know from the epidemiology that snus can be consumed with very few health effects. In both cases, we have alternatives to smoking that present far less risk.” The prescription smoking cessation drug Chantix, health professional Jeff Andreoli pointed out, carries warnings that “if agitation, hostility, depressed mood, or changes in behavior or thinking that are not typical for the patient are observed, or if the patient develops suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior…” the patient should immediately stop using the drug. Andreoli also said while the FDA admits “CHANTIX has been demonstrated to increase the likelihood of abstinence from smoking for as long as one year compared to treatment with placebo,” getting smokers to quit using snus has health benefits that are “immediate and substantial.” “That’s what makes this MRTP application so important,” Rodu said. “The goal here from a THR perspective is to have as many products available across a diverse portfolio to attract smokers and with proper warning labels that really indicate the risk someone faces from using a product. Without this we’re going to continue to dissuade smokers from switching to much safer alternatives.”
A word from the publisher:
Is it or isn’t it? One of the features in our latest issue may have been slightly controversial. It centered on Swedish snus (moist smokeless tobacco), and whether it represents a remedy for many of the evils of smoking tobacco. Swedish company Swedish Match is convinced it is and has applied to the U.S Food and Drug Administration to change the warning labels on 10 of its products. As we pointed out in a separate story, only two countries in the world have a high volume of users of moist snuff — the United States and Sweden. Although far apart geographically, the use of snus in the two nations is far from coincidental. The Swedish immigrants from the 19th century and onward simply brought the custom with them to the U.S. One snus manufacturer’s spokesperson we talked to a few years ago said: “Like it or not, more and more people consider our product the right source for harm reduction. We’re not asking everyone to love it; we want nothing more than for all available information to be made available to people. Then let them form their own opinions.” That sums up our intentions for the articles we ran in issue 7 and again here today. In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I was a long-time snus user myself. And I am impressed by the body of evidence suggesting not only that snus is much safer than other forms of tobacco, but that it may in fact be fairly harmless. In the opinion of many people these days, any tobacco is bad for you. Many groups, from lawmakers to health organizations to anti-tobacco activists, lump smokeless tobacco into the same category as smoking, saying it is just as dangerous as cigarettes. But is it the nicotine in tobacco that is harmful, or the smoke from burning cigarettes, pipes and cigars? Is all tobacco really bad, or are there low-risk alternatives to cigarettes? Are there really two sides to the tobacco argument and, if so, why does it seem like there is only one? These are just some of the questions swirling through the debate over the use of tobacco products, which includes smokeless tobacco. Snus is now at the center of this debate. Much more so than ever before, since Swedish Match applied for the change of labels at the FDA. Over 40 million people smoke in America, and statistically half of all long-term smokers will die from the habit. However, if you believe all tobacco is bad or shun all potentially addictive substances (which include coffee and tea among others), you may feel better off skipping this article. In my view, it would be wonderful if the long-term effects of snus turned out to be benign, and snus became popular in this country too as a way to enjoy tobacco while avoiding the dangers of smoking. But while this is still being debated, we wanted to bring you most of the available facts. And, as is our custom, leave it to you to decide for yourself. Ulf Barslund Martensson
You deserve a Sweder Life: Call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10 for your own subscription. NORDSTJERNAN
feature. page 5
Swede in America History is deep with Swedish architects in the United States, and the legacy continues with Dario Brito. The award-winning Swedish architectural designer is the latest young Swede in the field in America. Dario Brito’s contributions in healthcare design are helping enrich and support people at the most vulnerable times in their lives. We spoke to Brito about his work, his former life as a footballer and his Swedish roots. Q: Where in Sweden are you from? DB: I was born in Malmö to a Swedish mother and a Portuguese father. I spent my early years in Sweden before moving to America to attend college and play football (soccer). My family is still in my native Malmö. Q: How did you become a Swedish architect working in the U.S.? DB: I always loved to draw and build models as a child, but football took precedence in my life from the age of 8 after my skills led to me being offered a place at a prestigious football academy for boys. I was essentially groomed for a career in football. At 18, I was scouted by American coaches to play football at college and moved here to the East Coast. I played football in every free moment while I studied architecture at the New Jersey School of Architecture (and eventually pursued a Master’s in Infrastructure Planning). My hopes of a football career came to a crushing end when I was injured on the field. Luckily for me I had architecture, which had always been a big interest. Q: What work do you do in New York? DB: I work as an architectural designer within healthcare and education. In recent years there’s been a greater understanding of the benefits of good design within hospital and hospice environments, etc., and how it can promote healing in patients, reduce stress, pains and falls, and influence wellbeing and limit medical errors. Great strides have been made and studies have shown how good healthcare design can positively
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Swedish Architect Dario Brito, in the U.S. for 10 years, takes a break in his New York office.
affect patient outcomes. It’s primarily about designing environments that are conducive to increasing the capacity for learning. Q: Are there many challenges or noted differences in working in the U.S. vs Sweden? DB: The speed of construction in the U.S. is very much driven by the market, clients and the cost of construction. Projects need to be built as quickly as possible and often with a strict budget. The challenges we face as designers are in satisfying our clients with creative ideas and great designs, attention to details and materiality while almost always staying within a strict budget. Q: Architecture is a very demanding field, but surely you take time to return to Sweden once in a while? DB: When I was a student I went back one or two times a year, but as a professional I can get away much less, maybe once every two or three years. I am way overdue for a trip back. Q. What Swedish traditions do you miss — or make sure to keep in the U.S.? DB: Food. I miss all the amazing seafood and the Swedish cuisine in general. I miss all the smoked fish, rökt ål, rökt lax, etc. I
am able to buy Kalles Kaviar here in NYC so I make sure I have that stocked in my fridge. Sweden has some amazing spices for cooking that I ask friends and family to bring when they visit ... as well as Swedish chocolate (it’s the best) and lösgodis (surt, lakrits, vingummi)! I also cook Swedish specialties during Christmas — I cure my own salmon and make Janssons Temptation. I miss the beautiful west coast in the summer — I used to spend my summers in Båstad. I miss taking a fika and the outdoor culture during the summer months, spending hours sitting outside having coffee, lunch or dinner and enjoying the outdoor seating at all the restaurants.
that I always take off my shoes when I am at home. I also make sure all visitors in my apartment take off their shoes when they come to visit. That’s not very typical here in the U.S. Amanda Olson Robison and Susie Brit contributed to this story.
Q: What makes you stand out as a Swede in America? DB: A habit of mine, that I think New nursing and science building at Rutgers University in Camden, is very Swedish, is NJ, above, is one of Dario Brito’s more recent designs. April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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The summer collection 2016 was just released, above. Inspired by the craftsmanship and folklore of Myanmar (Burma), the new collection emits the warm shades of South Asia. To make all waiting men happy this collection also includes a men’s T.
Fashion with a soul Continued from page 1
orful world with gusto. Over half of this year’s expected 9 percent growth will come from the U.S. market, the flagship store on Greene Street has never looked better, and a new country manager has been hired, Naheima Sears, who most recently headed Liebeskind, New York as CEO. The summer collection has just been released but yet another release is planned for early May when a book on Gudrun’s life as entrepreneur, designer and human being will be released. The store in SoHo has quickly become a meeting spot for Sjödén customers from all over the U.S., and Gudrun herself will be there for a book signing event on May 6. A day later she will be recognized and guest of honor at the annual Spring Ting Dinner at the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia.
Building business with care
A store opening is the sort of event that normally wouldn’t get much attention in this part of town, but this happens to be the most irresistible Swedish brand to turn up in the
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
old mercantile district in years. An eclectic tions about collections to the designer’s own crowd of more than 400 curious design en- paintings in watercolor. Sjödén is among the most successful thusiasts, fashion bloggers, photographers, artists and media, gathered to celebrate the Swedish fashion designers to make it under event at the time. Now, after close to three their own name. Many fashion aficionados, especially in Sweden, talk about the years things are looking up for the brand country’s burgeoning fashion in the U.S. industry, referring to the For good reason, of course. successful export in reGudrun Sjödén designs for Sjödén designs cent years of Swedish women who care — about for women brands such as Acne, the environment, about Filippa K or Tiger of Swethe finer things in life and who care. den. about who they are, how they But if you Google “Swedish fashlook and the values they project to ion,” Sjödén’s name rarely appears; search the world. “Our clients are often intellectual, indi- for it on Visit Stockholm and she doesn’t vidualistic women,” she says. “They work come up either. The fact is that her brand in the humanities and have an interest in has grown under the radar for many years. culture. It really has very little to do with It could be that the brand’s back story just age, but yes, my designs seem to appeal to isn’t hip enough to be trendy in the eyes of women who like to come across as mature the Swedish fashion know-it-alls. A child of the progressive 60s but never and self-reliant.” On her personal Facebook page (aptly political, Sjödén graduated from Sweden’s called “Kulturtanten” — the old cultural “Konstfack” — University of Arts, Crafts lady), Sjödén’s more than 22,000 friends and Design — in 1963. With an exam in are treated to updates on everything from textile and fashion, her first job was actually the aforementioned store opening, personal as a columnist for women’s magazines. She thoughts on weather and what to wear, ques- started designing clothes for other brands
in the early ’70s but tired after a few years of not being allowed to present her entire collections to the end consumer. So, she and her husband Björn, a photographer, opened their first store in Stockholm in 1976. Around the same time, they started creating their own mail order catalogues, more or less around the kitchen table. Björn photographed Gudrun’s collections, while she wrote the descriptions for every item. Sjödén now has 17 stores, and only six of them are in Sweden; the rest are scattered around Europe, in locales such as Copenhagen and London. With the U.S. under her belt, her next store could be down under in Australia, where online sales have recently taken off. (In fact, mail order and e-commerce remain the company’s largest sources of revenue.)
Recognizable style
Being green is certainly nothing new and was never a marketing ploy for Sjödén. The philosophy of sustainable design via nature’s own materials was always part and parcel of her conviction, though. It could just be part of her roots, the results of growContinues on next page
ing up on a farm southwest of Stockholm or the realization early on that what women really want is to both look good and feel good about what they’re wearing. Sjödén’s pieces are pretty, colorful and comfortable, made from organic natural materials whenever possible, and genuinely well made. There’s always been something recognizable about her basic wardrobes. Among her core audience in northern Europe, the Sjödén groupies are easily identified — her items are personal, unique, often artsy and worn by women with their own careers and in search for their own personal style. It’s not middle of the road, in either style or in quality. New Yorkers spend a lot of money in chain stores, but it’s the small independent storefronts that make the downtown shopping experience unique. As fashion labels come, it doesn’t get much more unique than this new addition to the posh district of SoHo. “SoHo was a natural choice for us, with its many personal stores and overall inspiring feel,” Sjödén says. Sjödén is sharp, yet laid back and casual, but her comments, like her designs, are straightforward, thoroughly worked and prepared. The designer lives her own brand; she enjoys going to the opera, browsing the indie stores of the West Side, walking the newly renovated high line or sitting down at the corner café and bookstore on SoHo’s Crosby Street. Sjödén has turned 70 and is proud of the fact that the business is still family owned. “I’ve never been interested in bringing in other owners or going public,” she says. “I want to have full power to do my own thing.
Spring Ting Spring Ting, the annual fundraiser dinner and silent auction at the American Swedish Historical Museum, with Gudrun Sjödén as a special guest, will take place on May 7 at 6 p.m. The event in Philadelphia, PA includes a silent auction, hors d’oeuvre reception and a delicious threecourse dinner. This year the museum also celebrates its 90th anniversary. Tickets are available at various levels of support: www.americanswedish.org
Gudrun Sjödén makes final adjustments to a decorative information plaque in the Greene Street store.
One of the reasons I wanted my own brand was to give my customers a full collection. I don’t want to have to answer to someone, I want to be able to pursue my own vision.” The designer has no plans to retire. In fact, she plans to run the company for another 20 years. “I’m an artist and convinced I can offer humanity something of my own, something of value that will remain,” she says. “This is also my vision for the company and the
brand — I’d like us to make it long term. I’d like our full line to remain available and accessible for all of the women that have found what they’ve been looking for.” “We are not a chain: You need a structure to grow as we do but we stay true to our vision: We’re a company with a soul.” Ulf Barslund Martensson For more info, see www.americanswedish. org, www.gudrunsjoden.com
15th Executive Women’s Conference
1.800.827.9333 ext 10 or www.nordicsampler.com
The Swedish-American Executive Women’s Conference was launched in 2003 with the purpose of creating a network for executive women in Sweden and in America, harnessing the collective power of these women’s talent, energy and vision. The annual conference, held alternately in Stockholm and New York City, has ever since its foundation SACC NY is once again organizing and hosting grown in importance and significance. EWC for executive women in Sweden and in This year’s conference will be held the U.S. in New York City on May 5, at the Pricewaterhouse Coopers headquarters on 300 Madison Avenue, with the theme: Is there a future for the future? Forty-Six years ago, American writer Alvin Toffler coined the expression “Future Shock” in a book with just that title. He defined it as people perceiving “too much change in too short a period of time.” So, how shocked are we? And, more important, how much shock are we in for going forward? Can a business be future-proofed? And if so, how? For more info, see www.saccny.org
SACC New York 110
To celebrate its 110th anniversary, SACC New York is hosting a celebratory gala dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on May 12. Musical guests and prominent speakers include Consul General of Sweden Leif Pagrotsky, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson, Chairman, Investor Jacob Wallenberg, and former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Lyndon L. Olson, Jr. Back on September 26, 1906, 11 prominent businessmen gathered in New York to explore the possibility of establishing a Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in America. The trade and economic relationship between the United States and Sweden made an organization such as the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce not only important but essential when it was first created. Considering the fact that Sweden is the country with the world’s oldest trade agreement with the United States — the “Treaty of Amity and Commerce” was signed and sealed in 1783 in Paris by Benjamin Franklin and Count Philip Creutz (who was later the first Swedish Ambassador to the United States) — this only seems natural. The Chamber remains true to its mission “... to promote, advance and protect direct commercial relations between the United States and Sweden ...” and it is a fundamental part of the Swedish-American business community, just as it was 110 years ago. For more info, see www.saccny.org April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
Photo: Kristofer Dan-Bergman
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SACC-Detroit members visited Autoliv, the Swedish manufacturer of automotive safety systems in Auburn Hills, MI:
Swedish in America’s automotive capital
WEAR OUR HERITAGE
T-Shirts by NORDSTJERNAN
Rapid 3D-printer. L-R: Tom Mark, Frank Wennberg, Lennart Johansson, Richard Lindgren, Pontus Söderström
SACC Detroit Executive Director Malin Verga, Andreas Waller, President
Pontus Söderström welcomed Swedish American Chamber of Commerce-Detroit members to Autoliv, gathering everyone for a tour of the plant. He asked Lennart Johansson, chairman to SACC-Detroit to introduce some new board members: Malin Verga was elected as executive director and Andreas Waller as president to serve together with Johansson. He also introduced Tom Mark, director. Söderström presented information about Autoliv’s mission and vision, which included everything from the launch of the first seat belt in 1956 to their thoughts about the future with autonomous cars. He explained how the air bags are engineered, how seat belts were developed over time and how Autoliv strives to make their processes as lean as possible. It was clear to the guests how proud and passionate Söderström is about Autoliv and their goal to save more lives.
FYI: I am Swedish!
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Patrick Patercsak explaining how Autoliv, the Swedish manufacturer of automotive safety systems does their different testing to further car driver and passenger safety.
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
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World’s largest
Autoliv is now the biggest manufacturer in the world — of safety belts, airbags and other safety equipment — and manufacturing continues to grow. Autoliv stated that they need to hire an additional 200 engineers for their Michigan operation. Johansson confirmed that most member companies of SACC-Detroit are also in need of more engineers, adding that during recent years about 52 percent of all engineers come from China and India, 43 percent graduate from schools in Europe and only about 5 percent from the U.S. Consequently, America is running out of engineers and either need to outsource more engineering jobs or graduate more engineers. Traditionally, Michigan has had the largest number of engineers in the U.S. Therefore, the partnership between Detroit Swedish Foundation (DSF, where Johansson is also the Chair) and SACC-Detroit would allow the members of SACC-Detroit to increase their contribution to allow DSF to give more grants to any student in Michigan who would like to study engineering in Michigan or Sweden. Also, DSF would
“Grandma’s Darling” (For Your daughter’s child) / $16.95
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give one scholarship per year to study art at Cranbrook Academy of Art, near Detroit. Another representative from Autoliv, Patrick Patercsak, guided the SACC-Detroit members through the labyrinth facilities with a lot of passion and pride for Autoliv and their accomplishments. Patercsak showed how seat belts are tested again and again to ensure quality and how the rapid 3D-printer has sped up and simplified the process to meet the needs of their custom-
ers. Guests saw many test dummies and saw the large building where the crash tests take place. The tests at Autoliv are done in heat, cold, salt and other conditions to make the test results as authentic as possible. It was an interesting and well-organized event. Malin Verga, SACC Detroit For more info, see www.saccdetroit.org, www.autoliv.com
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Första Maj-May First VOLVO - Made by people
Traditionally a worker’s day, May First in Sweden has become a day to make voices heard for a variety of causes - school, the housing situation, even fishing in a lake ...
April 30, Valborgsmässoafton. As mentioned in issue 7, bonfires are lit, and when the crackling of the fire is at its height, a number of gentlemen (and nowadays women, too) step forward, many wearing peaked caps with a white top. They proceed to sing a number of songs, which are the same everywhere in the country and maintain that this evening marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. The singing becomes more organized on May First, “Första Maj,” when student and men’s choirs gather on university steps and in parks all over the country. May First, other than Sweden’s National Day on June 6, is the only non-religious holiday in Sweden. It was no coincidence when, during the 1880s, the Labor movement chose May Day for its annual manifestation. In many parts of Europe the day had been a secular festival, a kind of administrative New Year’s Day in bygone society. This was the day when accounts for the year were presented and new officers were elected for the year to come. Work would be at a standstill, giving journeymen and apprentices a day off without any need for churchgoing. In Stockholm from the early 19th century onward, May Day developed into a popular festival in Djurgården Park, complete with procession and royal visit.
It all started in the U.S.
Although America’s Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September, the international celebration of labor, known as May Day on May 1, has more to do with events in the U.S. than most people know. The Chicago Haymarket affair is generally considered significant as the origin of international Labor Day, the May Day observance for workers. Following the Civil War and the 1873-79 depression, America had seen a rapid expansion of industrial production. The waves of immigrants at the time allowed for a
Photos: Bildbyrån
BEAUTY FOR A NEW WORLD
steadily growing workforce. But conditions were often horrendous, Americans worked an average of slightly more than 60 hours during a six-day workweek and child labor was common. In October 1884, a convention held by the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions unanimously set May 1, 1886, as the date by which the eight-hour workday would become standard. As the chosen date approached, U.S. labor unions prepared for a general strike in support of the eight-hour day, and on Saturday, May 1, 1886 hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike and rallies were held throughout the United States, with the cry, “Eight-hour day with no cut in pay.” The Haymarket affair (a.k.a. Haymarket massacre or Haymarket riot) was the aftermath of a bombing that took place at a labor demonstration a few days later on May 4 at Haymarket Square in Chicago. It began as a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight-hour day and in reaction to the killing of several workers by police the previous day. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the public meeting. The bomb blast and ensuing gunfire resulted in the deaths of seven police officers and at least four civilians; scores of others were wounded. International Workers’ Day, a celebration of laborers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labor movement and socialists, is celebrated on that day to commemorate the Haymarket affair. Sweden held its first May 1 Workers’ Day in 1890, organized by the social democrats. Today’s May 1 demonstrations still engage thousands of people in many cities in Sweden although the messages you find on the placards aren’t always related to working conditions. Labor Day in the U.S., this year on September 5, became an annual federal holiday in 1894.
The Volvo S90 Sedan is a blend of luxury, design and performance. With a combined population of less than 25 million, the Scandinavian countries have had a remarkable influence on the rest of the world. Products which have their origins at the top of Europe appeal to people who seek not only Scandinavian form but a new way of life; comfortable living, functionality and relative safety without compromising upon beauty and style. The new Volvo S90, “designed for a new world,” epitomizes everything that is Scandinavia: Form and function, style and substance, design and utility, performance and safety; NOT just one or the other. The base setup is a turbo four with front-wheel drive. Optional powertrains include a turbo- and supercharged four and a plug-in hybrid; both feature all-wheel drive. Every car includes Pilot Assist, which steers the car at speeds up to 80 mph and City Safety, which detects and reacts to animals, pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars. The new luxury sedan is a twin to the earlier released XC90 and the next step in the lineup paid for by the $11-billion transformation plan Volvo is going through. Based on the all-Volvo-designed platform called the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) the sedan is the continuation of a new era for Volvo. A stylish wagon, the V90, will follow in 2017. The new platform is the most versatile solution on the market, and will accommodate every model, including the XC90, the S90, the future V90 and new generations of the 60-models. For the S90 no matter which of the three engines is fitted—the 240hp 4-cylinder turbo, the supercharged four good for 316 hp or the hybrid version whose electric motor boosts output to 400 hp—the S90 provides confidence-inspiring performance. The extremely flexible platform affords levels of steering precision and suspension nimbleness always associated with European sedans. Advanced braking and chassis systems enable the S90 to feel secure in its capabilities across a broad spectrum of driving conditions and situations. It is the only car in the US to feature semi-autonomous technology as standard. Maybe the most compelling part of the S90 is its clean and elegant design. The interior is packed with the latest technology; a center-mounted, tablet-like touchscreen infotainment and control center flanked by vertical vents and a sleek, minimalist dashboard. Everything has a means and an end and is just as intuitive and functional as your latest handheld. Visually, the interior of the S90 is a model of modern design. Like the exterior, the ethic demands that nothing is there simply for the sake of fashion. S90’s interior is fashionable precisely because it is not “trendy.” Its beauty lies in a blend of functionality, simplicity, and quiet elegance. This is luxury that is designed in, not added on. In the words of S90 Designer Thomas Ingenlath: “To me, Scandinavian design according to Volvo is firmly rooted in the values of the Swedish society and the way of life enabled by this unique environment,” says Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president of design at Volvo Car Group. “Our approach goes beyond just bringing Scandinavian design items and signatures into our cars. Our job is to understand the spirit and the confidence that make Scandinavian design so special. Then we must translate it into car design.” Learn more at www.volvocars.com/us.
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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No more tours for Roxette
After 30 years, Swedish pop band Roxette has announced its touring days are over. Their 30th Anniversary Tour was supposed to go on the road June 3, but the famous duo is canceling after advice from Marie Fredriksson’s doctor. “It’s been 30 great years! I feel only happiness and joy when I look back at all the gigs around the world during this long period of time,” said the singer in a press release. Fredriksson has been battling cancer and its complications since 2002, but she and Per Gessle plan to continue their long career together as Roxette without tours — their most recent release of the single “It just happens” on April 8; on June 3, their 10th album “Good Karma” will be available. Roxette’s hits include Listen to Your Heart, Sleeping In My Car and It Must Have Been Love; they leave behind 557 live shows, 75 million albums sold, 51 singles released and four U.S. Billboard number ones, making them one of the world’s most successful bands. More information about Fredriksson’s state of health isn’t available, but it appears Roxette will continue to sing together and there could be more albums in the future.
San Francisco, CA
Congratulations Nils! Serial entrepreneur and friend of Nordstjernan, San Francisco-based Nils Welin, turned 50 with a birthday bash at Local Kitchen on 1st Street. Welin, of EON Venture, was appointed CEO of Proguard Security Services in January 2015, a company the seasoned executive considers to be on a path toward becoming a large regional security company for the western U.S. He has a long track record in the industry; he built Cypress Security from a small customer base and a handful of employees to a major player in security services with 1,000 employees and nine offices. No special security measures were in place for the birthday celebration, which drew close to 100 friends from near and far. Above with partner in business and life, Eva Alexandersson, and son Oskar. www.proguardsecurityservices.com
Swedish Meatball Sandwiches
Photography: Ingemar Svala
Served at the bakery Saturdays on our
Polar Circle White
Bomber Buns
Colonel Hamerstadt has restored his classic Swedish SK-61 “Bulldog” to perfection.
Hello Sweden! every third Saturday we serve our meatballs on homemade lefse
located at 512 56th Street Kenosha, WI 53140 call us at 262-484-4203 facebook.com/linneabakery
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
The Swedish Tourism Association is encouraging the world to dial +46-771-793-336 (+46-771-SWEDEN) and talk to a complete stranger in Sweden. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Sweden’s 1766 Freedom of the Press Act, believed to be the world’s first law supporting the freedom of expression, the hotline was set up to invite callers from around the world to “get connected to a random Swede.” Not unlike the 2011 initiative on Twitter to let a different Swedish citizen manage its official @Sweden account every week (still running), this is about sparking people’s curiosity about Sweden ( ... and, yes, to recruit Swedes to the associa-
tion). International phone rates apply, but nearly 3,000 people had dialed the number within 24 hours of its launch on April 6, asking about all the usual Swedish things: meatballs, moose, the Nobel Prize, the Ice Hotel, fika, politics, whether they like surströmming, etc…. The Swedes who take the calls have volunteered by downloading an app, and though they are not vetted or given any instructions about what to say, they are of course, friendly and eager to answer questions. The calls are recorded and reviewed if there is a complaint. So far there haven’t been any, although a small number of callers were just trying to connect with Swedish women.
On Swedish wings in Indianapolis, IN and Vero Beach, FL Colonel William “Bill” Hamerstadt, who lives near Indianapolis, flew to Vero Beach, FL in his Swedish propeller plane, an SK-61 “Bulldog.” Hamerstadt flew circa 1100 miles in one day, requiring two stops for gas, in Tennessee and South Carolina. The Bulldog is one of about 130 such aircraft the Swedish Royal Air Force delivered to the Scottish Royal Navy in the 1970s,
used as entry-level trainers in the Cold War. Several personal accounts from Swedish pilots say they initially trained in these planes, too. The retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel bought his plane in the U.S. six years ago, restored it to perfection and now flies it to air shows –- and to meet up with other Swedes and Swedish Americans for coffee and good stories.
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Photo: Pernille Tofte/skansen.se
Happy Birthday Your Majesty!
Stockholm, Sweden
Telecom
The Royal Court, Sweden. Photo: Bruno Ehrs
It’s been 125 years since Skansen opened on Djurgården island in Stockholm. The year was 1891, and Arthur Hazelius and his colleagues wanted to show how Swedes and Nordic wildlife lived in different parts of the country. Now the open air museum and zoo is one of Sweden’s biggest tourist attractions, and it’s celebrating its 125th anniversary throughout 2016. The excitement has begun with the births of new spring babies — visitors can now see owlets, wild boar piglets, an African pygmy goat kid, and for the first time in 23 years, a litter of four bear cubs, born in January. Just this week mamma bear Lill-babs brought out her four cubs from their winter hibernation — making their debut with a few tentative first steps outside the den. At birth they each weighed just half a kilo (1 pound). They now weigh approximately 5 kilos (11 pounds) and are out exploring together. For more information about how Skansen is celebrating while you’re there, see http://125.skansen.se
Telia makes offer to friendly users
Swedish mobile giant Telia announced April 18 that it will allow customers to chat on social media without affecting data fees. The catch: Users must promise not to abuse the privilege by posting hateful comments. Various studies show that social networks account for 15 to 30 percent of mobile data traffic. In addition to being “the glue of the family life puzzle and one of the most important things we deliver to our customers,” according to head of Telia’s Consumer Business unit Jonas Hasselberg,
mobile devices are also vehicles for bullying and hate posts, which Telia has been actively campaigning against for some time. The company already works with Friends, a Swedish anti-bullying organization, and is part of a campaign called #hatahat (hate hate) designed to promote “a more loving internet.” So, while Telia hopes to win new customers with this freebie, and has a plan to make money on data packages, they still expect users won’t take advantage of the free platform to spread hate.
Herr & Fru | Mr. & Mrs.
Ring, ring. Him: “6 rings ... she’ll soon answer.”
Mom: Hello, hallou.” Him: “Hello mother! How are you?”
Mom: “Madrid ... artexpo ... you want?” Him: “It’s Mother’s Day today.
‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar
In New York In Stockholm In Kiruna Lund In Los Angeles
April 30: Sunrise 5.55 a.m. 4.49 a.m. 3.38 a.m. 6.41 a.m. 5.24 a.m.
Sunset 7.51 p.m. 8.40 p.m. 9.34 p.m. 7.41 p.m. 8.43 p.m.
Click. Him: “Some things she has a hard time accepting.”
May 01 Valborg May 02 Filip/Filippa May 03 John/Jane May 04 Monika/Mona May 05 Gotthard/Erhard May 06 Marit/Rita May 07 Carina/Carita May 08 Åke May 09 Reidar/Reidun May 10 Esbjörn/Styrbjörn May 11 Märta/Märit May 12 Charlotta/Lotta May 13 Linnea/Linn May 14 Halvard/Halvar May 15 Sofia/Sonja May 16 Ronald/Ronny
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includes renting the entire Nordic Museum – the King’s favored location – for one of the gala parties. On his 70th birthday itself, a public party in the castle garden will last all day with music, a Changing of the Guard ceremony, choral singing and salutes, only interrupted at 1 p.m. for a parade to City Hall in which scouts and armed forces march the route following the King’s cortege. There is a formal private party back at the Royal Palace in the evening. All week it is possible to offer written congratulations to the King at the Royal Palace or online at www.kungahuset.se/specialwebbsidor/temasidor/hmkonungen70ar/ gavorhalsningarochgratulationslistor. Those who wish to send a gift are encouraged to consider donations to the Foundation’s Young Leadership or the Royal Academy College of Music. Other gifts can be brought to the Royal Palace, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, Duke of Jämtland, was born Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus on April 30,
1946. His father, Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf, died in a plane crash in 1947, and his mother Princess Sibylla died in 1972. Carl Gustaf became Sweden’s Head of State on September 15, 1973 at the age of 27, succeeding his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf. Carl Gustaf met Silvia Renate Sommerlath of Heidelberg, Germany at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, and on June 19, 1976 they married in Stockholm Cathedral. They live at Drottningholm Palace, where they raised three children: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. His personal interests include vintage cars, sports, hunting and the outdoors, art, music, food and his five grandchildren.
A young Swedish King reading Nordstjernan during a visit to the Swedish church, NY in the early 1980s. Photographed by Alvalene P Karlsson
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
The Pacific states. page 12
Vad rör sig i skallemejan? Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
Vad tänker du på? Den frågan ställer vi ibland till våra vänner när de sitter allvarliga och tycks tänka på någonting. Ofta svarar de: ”Inget särskilt. Jag bara funderar.” Säkert har dom rätt. Det finns stunder då vi bara sitter utan djupsinniga tankar. Mediterar kanske är uttrycket. Tankarna flyger åt olika håll utan vidare analys. Ändock är man nyfiken att ta reda på vad folk i gemen går omkring och tänker på. Vad är det som rör sig i skallemejan hos olika individer? Ibland vill vi tro att det är högst angelägna frågor de funderar på. Ta till exempel Ban ki Moon, F.Ns generalsekreterare. Förmodligen går Ban ki och tänker på hur han genom Förenta Nationerna skall förhindra människor att slå i hjäl varandra? Hur skall det bli så trevligt att bo i Rumänien att alla tiggande romer i vill flytta hem? Vad bör man göra för att hindra
Explore the largest display of Viking treasures ever to visit North America!
unga friska personer att ta värvning i I.S. som terrorister? Vem vet. Kanske han går omkring och försöker lista ut hur han bäst borde agera. Om han istället går omkring och funderar på vad han får till middag blir vi besvikna. Vår svenske kung har förmodligen trångt i skallemejan. Han har mycket att tänka på utöver att vara statschef över ett relativt vänligt folk. Han har också en stor familj. En familj som blir större och större. Alla farföräldrar vet att det efter ett tag blir krångligt att komma ihåg vad alla heter. När familjemedlemmarna har födelsedagar och namnsdagar? Sofia, Estelle, Olof? Givetvis torde även kungen brottas med sådana frågor i sin skallemeja. Stackars Stefan Löfvén, vår statsminister, har en hel del i sin skallemeja. Det är ingalunda lätt att leda ett land som är så populärt att det hemsökes av mängder av människor på flykt från sina egentliga hemländer. Det gäller inte bara att skapa resurser att på ett humant sätt ta emot alla flyktingar. Samtidigt måste han ägna sig åt att alla hemmavarande medborgare får tillgång till den skolgång och vård de behöver. Staffan lär inte få mycken tid över att uppvakta fru Löfvén på mamnsdagar Vad som rör sig i skallemejan hos Vladimir Putin vågar jag knappast tänka på. Gör han rätt i att hjälpa president Assad med att sända stridsvagnar till Syrien? Vore det bättre att inte hjälpa. Låta den totala förstörelsen av Damaskus fortsätta? På liknande sätt kan man förnöja sig med att försöka lista ut vad som rör sig i skallemejan på olika kända personer. Om Hillary Clinton vinner presidentvalet i Amerika måste Bill sätta sig in att det inte blir han utan Hillary som har kontorsutrymme i Washingtons ovala rum. Han får nöja sig med att vara med på diverse banketter och högtidsdagar. En fråga om omställning av mycket i skallemejan. n
Sweden Day at Sveadal
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Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
Vasa Order District 12 invites you to celebrate Sweden Day with us at Sveadal in Morgan Hill, CA. on Saturday, June 4, 2016 starting at 11 am. The day will include a Kubb tournament, hiking, walking tours, swimming, introduction to Swedish genealogy, lunch, the Second Annual Akvavit Kryddat Brännvin World Championship and a delicious dinner. Fee: $15 for the Day (includes lunch), $15 for dinner. Camping is available and encouraged! For more info or to RSVP email FylgiaLodge@gmail.com or call 415-577-4075
The Pacific states. page 13
Finally, spring has arrived! [Äntligen, nu är våren här] [..is now here!]
Many of us up there in the northern states were probably about to despair not long ago. When will the cold leave? Sure, the winter has its advantages, with snow that lights up the darkness, but some moderation in the winter and cold may well still be needed, I think even as a northerner. Now it’s here, spring. It raises our hopes — even here in California. El Nino swept over these latitudes with cold and storms, the first real winter I experienced since I arrived in autumn 2013. We have heard the arrival of spring with our ears: I am thinking in particular of a spring bird — the mockingbird, masterful singer, who starts and plays at night, much like the nightingale does back home in Sweden. We have seen the arrival of spring with our eyes: All the flowers blooming, the trees budding, especially the jacaranda trees with their beautiful, violet colors in bloom. The days have become longer and brighter and warmer, we start dreaming of summer and time for recreation and travel. We tend and prune things in our gardens that are not yet bearing life to allow new life to arrive. Many plants go dormant during the fierce cold frost, and so also do our lives. Winter has kept nature in a strong, hard grip. In a similar way, our prejudices and our own limitations
can hinder and bind us. Spring is a time of transition and therefore also a time for reorientation — and maybe a new direction? At the end of April on Walpurgis Night, Swedes seek out a bonfire. Fire has probably always fascinated humans. It rallies. It thaws the frozen and symbolizes how life returns to what has been sleeping during the winter. The fire devours the dead: twigs, decaying leaves and anything connected with the old. The power of fire in the dying winter can remind us to dare to unleash the spring in our own lives. The fire of spring can challenge us to dare to face the new in all our contexts: in the family, among friends, colleagues, neighbors and in the world. I want to give you, the reader, a blessing, with words from Scotland: God bless us in the spring time, we rejoice over every green bud, every hour of light, each vernal breeze. God bless our rebirth. Staffan Eklund is the pastor at the Church of Sweden/Svenska Kyrkan in California www. svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles.
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Vi ansar och klipper ner i våra trädgårdar det som inte bär liv för att det nya livet ska kunna komma fram. Och på samma sätt som många knoppar legat slumrande under den hårda kalla tjälen, så rymmer också våra liv slumrande möjligheter.
Staffan Eklund.
Men många av oss höll nog på att misströsta för inte så länge sedan uppe i de norra delstaterna i detta väldiga land! När ska kylan ge sig? Visst kan vintern ha sina fördelar, med snö som lyser upp mörkret, men nå´n måtta på vinter och kyla får det väl ändå vara, tycker jag också så norrlänning jag är! Nu är den här i alla fall – våren – som väcker våra förhoppningar – faktiskt också här i Kalifornien! El Nino svepte fram över dessa breddgrader med kyla, stormar och detta är den första riktiga vintern jag upplevt här sedan jag kom hit hösten 2013. Vi har hört om vårens ankomst med våra öron: jag tänker särskilt på en av vårfåglarna; Härmfågeln – mästersångaren - som sätter igång och spelar på nätterna, ungefär som näktergalen gör där hemma i Sverige. Vi har sett vårens ankomst med våra ögon: alla blommor som blommar, träden som slår ut, först alla fruktträd och just nu blommar Jakarandaträden med sin vackra, violetta färg. Dagarna har blivit längre och ljusare och varmare och vi börjar drömma om sommar och ledighet och tid för rekreation och resor.
Våren är en brytningstid och därför också en tid för omorientering – kanske nyorientering? Vintern har hållit naturen i ett starkt, hårt grepp. På samma sätt kan våra fördomar och våra egna begränsningar hindra och binda oss. På Valborgsmässoafton söker vi svenskar oss gärna till en majbrasa. Elden har nog alltid fascinerat oss människor. Elden samlar. Elden tinar upp det frusna och symboliserar hur livet återvänder till det som varit sovande under vintern. Elden förtär det döda: kvistar, multnande löv och allt som hörde ihop med det gamla. Eldens kraft i den döende vintern kan påminna oss om att våga släppa fram våren också i våra egna liv. Vårelden kan utmana oss att våga möta det nya i alla våra sammanhang; i familjen, bland vänner, arbetskamrater, grannar och i världen. Till sist vill jag ge dig som läsare denna välsignelse, med ord från Skottland: Gud, välsigna oss i vårens tid, att vi gläds över varje grönskande knopp, varje timme av ljus, varje vårlig bris. Gud välsigna vår pånyttfödelse.
Staffan Eklund Kyrkoherde Svenska kyrkan i Los Angeles och San Francisco www.svenskkyrkan.se/losangeles
American wins Stockholm Water Prize Professor Joan Rose of Michigan State University was named the 2016 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate for her pioneering contributions to water quality as it relates to global public health. Rose is a leading world authority on water microbiology and is widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on the microorganism Cryptosporidium. She and her team, whom she calls “water detectives” investigate waterborne disease outbreaks around the globe to determine how they can be stopped and prevented. In its citation, The Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee said, “The world is blessed with few individuals who can tackle the increasing and changing challenges to clean water and health, starting from state-ofthe-art science through dedicated and original
research, then moving to professional dissemination, effective lobbying of the legislative arena, influencing practitioners, and raising the general Professor Joan Rose. awareness. Joan Rose is the leading example of this extremely rare blend of talents.” Rose will be presented the prize by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Patron of Stockholm Water Prize, at a royal award ceremony in Stockholm in August, during the 2016 World Water Week. For more info, see Stockholm International Water Institute: www.siwi.org April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
feature. page 14
Brunch at Batello.
All of the participants and presenters gathered.
Gunhild Ljung and Per-Olov Ottosson, Skolverket
tion for every tri right solu p! e h T 415.552.5300
SUF member Jan Dackenberg and SUF chairman Rolf Ornbrant
Tone@ScandiaTravelSFO.com
Saturday’s seminar with PEO Ottosson, Skolverket lecturing.
www.ScandiaTravelSFO.com
‘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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The 123 Swedes on board made up the third largest ethnic group on the Titanic after the American and the British. The book profiles each of the Swedish passengers; including the 34 survivors... Mail order form to: NORDSTJERNAN P.O. Box 1710 New Canaan CT 06840 Or call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10
feature. page 15
Meeting in NJ of the Association for Swedish Schools Abroad
Swedish Networking Conference Jersey City, New Jersey, located on the Hudson River opposite the lower part of Manhattan in New York, offers fabulous views of, among other things, One World Trade Center. This is where the Swedish School in New Jersey organized the networking conference for 48 teachers and board members of 13 school associations in supplementary Swedish in North America. In spite of talk of Tropical Storm Joaquin, participants traveled from far and wide, and the weather gods looked favorably at us as the storm went out to sea. The conference started in pouring rain with a reception on Friday evening in a classic brownstone house a few blocks from the Westin Hotel where everyone stayed. We had the privilege of renting premises at MORA, Museum of Russian Art, and thanks to that we had beautiful art to look at while we familiarized ourselves with each other. During the evening we enjoyed a short presentation of SMUL (“Svenska som modersmål utomlands” or Swedish as mother tongue abroad) and BUS (“Barn Utomlands och Svenska språket” or Children Abroad and the Swedish language, a SWEA initiative) as well as background information about the requirements for certification of the supplementary Swedish education . Before everyone left for the evening, - all received a bag filled with information about the weekend’s conference as well as a few extra goodies: a reflector from Firefly, a small bag of Swedish candy from Sockerbit and a homemade cinnamon bun to celebrate Cinnamon Bun Day later that weekend.
Diverse resources
Saturday was spent in presentations, lectures by invited speakers and discussions. It was interesting to listen to Per-Olof Ottosson of the Swedish National School Agency (Skolverket), who also briefed us on – certifications of supplementary Swedish. Equally interesting were the delegates from SUF, Rolf Ornbrant and Jan Dackenberg, and Eva Hedencrona from the National
Society Sverigekontakt (Sweden Contact). The speakers explained how the organizations work and the relationship with and assistance to the Swedish schools abroad that are involved in suppplementary Swedish education. The dense program continued after a buffet lunch at nearby Fire and Oak restaurant. Sophia Ting Sell, PhD of Gothenburg University, spoke about today’s Swedish language and offered insight into how it has changed and continues to evolve. It was particularly interesting for those of us who left Sweden many years ago and who may feel that our Swedish has become outdated, especially in terms of modern expressions and slang. Anna-Eva Hallin, a licensed speech pathologist and teacher at New York University, spoke about linguistic learning difficulties in school aged children. We learned that students with language disorders, reading and writing or multilingual students often have particular difficulty with the language’s form, but rarely difficulties with language use. She spoke of the importance of storytelling as a central part of communication and how it is made up of content, form and use. Hallin understands the dilemma for our school associations with teaching children of different ages with different levels of knowledge of the language. The afternoon was devoted to workshops and group discussions that focused on topics the teachers and administrators are working on; so they worked in separate groups. Sverigekontakt concluded the day with a book lottery, and everyone won a Swedish book! It was followed by dinner at Tilde, that evolved into a choral singing tribute to SUF which turns 40 this year, and a precursor to the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Swedish School in NJ. New Jersey Headmistress Gunhild Ljung was honored
Planning committee of the Swedish School in New Jersey, L-R: Karin Lindgren, Camilla Sivertsson, Sussie DeAngelis, Emma Sleightholme, Gunhild Ljung.
with a special version of “Här kommer Pippi Långstrump,” called “Här kommer Gunhilds Tjejer.” The evening also included a surprise lottery with Swedish DVDs, children’s books and decorative tiles. A group of happy revelers spent a few sweaty hours after dinner with much needed exercise on the dance floor. The next day, our last, murals were the first topic and almost all participants signed up early for a refreshing art walk. Jersey City has in recent years become known as a mecca for murals and artists have the support of local politicians. We saw three paintings by the Swedish artist Rubin 415, originally from Gothenburg, who now lives in Brooklyn. The goal of the Art Walk was to arouse interest in bringing arts into the school program and therefore everyone played adjectives bingo during the walk. An art book by Swedish artist Mathias van
Arkel who temporarily works in Manhattan was the first prize. After our walk we gathered at Battello restaurant for brunch. Sunday’s theme was “a picture says more than a thousand words” and during brunch we listened to children’s author and illustrator Lena Shiffman talk about how words and pictures work together. We also listened to Art Director Jesper Göransson who showed advertising images he had been engaged in developing. The Swedish School in NJ would like to express its gratitude to all the participants, speakers and donors, and especially to the Skolverket, SUF, Sverigekontakt and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation for making the weekend program possible! Gunhild Ljung
Supplementary Swedish abroad SUF (Svensk Utlandsundervisnings Förening), the Association for Swedish Schools Abroad is an interest organization that offers advice and economic support in competence development for teachers and board members that pursue supplemental Swedish education for children: Each child who has at least one Swedish parent and lives in a home where the Swedish language is kept alive and is a student at a Swedish supplementary school abroad, can receive a subsidy from the Swedish government. For children of families who are in the U.S. only temporarily, this is of course vital, since that child will later continue his or her education in Sweden. But even for children
who will never live in Sweden, having a second language and meeting other children with the same language background is important. In the U.S. and Canada there are no full day Swedish schools (like there are German and French schools, for instance), which makes supplemental Swedish even more important. Since children vary in age and competence, the teacher of supplemental Swedish has to be creative and very flexible. There is a special curriculum by the National School Agency to follow as well as a local working plan by the local school association No material made exclusively for these types of classes exist, so the teacher has to make her
own lesson plans. The teachers teach not only the Swedish language, but about the Swedish society as well in order to help children find their Swedish identity Teachers and administrators from these schools, with the support of the Skolverket, SUF and Riksföreningen Sverigekontakt now meet yearly to exchange thoughts and ideas. www.utlandsundervisning.se www.sverigekontakt.se www.skolverket.se
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
feature. page 16
Easter Witches (Do they exist?) Göran Rygert goran.rygert@nordstjernan.com
Yes, absolutely! I have proof. At an Easter dinner on April 3, hosted by Nordic Lodge No. 708, some Easter witches showed up and got caught in a photo. They came flying on their brooms all the way from Blåkulla in Sweden. Normally they appear on Maundy Thursday or Easter Eve, but it is understandable that they arrived late to Atlanta considering it can take a while to cross the Atlantic Ocean, especially on older model brooms. The witches brought a lot of delicious Swedish food — salmon, herring, meatballs, sausage, saltgurka! We can’t understand how they were able to bring all of it on a small broom craft ... that’s witchcraft! The Easter Witch, known as “påskkärring,” comes from a tradition that may have started in western Sweden in the early 19th century. Originally it was adults and youth that dressed up in gowns, aprons and shawls. Sometimes even Easter old men (“påskgubbar”) showed up in old clothes, hat and moustache. In time the tradition became more of a children’s event. They knocked on doors in the neighborhood and handed out small gifts that were often handmade Easter cards. In return, they usually got candy as a thank-you.
The visiting “påskkärringar” bears a strong resemblance to some of the ladies in the Nordic Lodge, such as (L-R): Monica Eklund, Anita Menegay, Kerstin Gasko, Lilian Nordin, Jane Arvberger and Ingegerd Stroud.
Strong tradition in Sweden
This unique Swedish tradition (also to be found in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland) is still very strong. For instance, during an annual public celebration last year on Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, more than 4,000 people took part in the tradition, in which it’s the adult Easter witches who hand out Easter eggs to children. The background to the popular belief in Easter witches involves the witch trials of the 17th century when 300 people were accused of witchcraft and executed. However, our “påskkärringar” are different from the women who at that time were considered witches. For instance, one of påskkärringar’s accessories is a coffee kettle. But coffee did not exist in Sweden in the 17th century. Blåkulla is the name of the place where the witches flew on their brooms on Maundy Thursday to have dinner with the devil, an orgiastic party with food, drinking and dancing. There are many theories on where Blåkulla was located. However, we who lived on Öland, Sweden’s second largest island, know for sure. To us there’s no doubt
And this is where they all go to meet with the devil - Blå Jungfrun or Blåkulla, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. It is located in the Kalmar Strait, between the mainland province of Småland and the island Öland.
that Blåkulla is the island of Blå Jungfrun, in Kalmarsund between Öland and the mainland. There seafarers performed sacrificial deeds in prehistoric times. And the island is very thrilling and mystic. It was a great surprise to the 51 Nordic Lodge members at our Easter dinner to see the “påskkärringar.” And the food they brought was excellent. We wish them all welcome back next year — if they can get away from Blåkulla!
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local events. page 17
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
lCalifornia 04.30.2016 08:00 AM - 11:00 AM Swedish-English Church Service A service on the patio with a Swedish and English sermon by Staffan Eklund / Seaman’s Church in San Pedro. All members are most welcome! Followed by church coffee. Please bring cookies! Ylva Elias & Silja Björklund “Trallande Jäntor” choir will entertain. House of Sweden. 619.889.4742|www.houseofsweden.us
05.01.2016 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM Scandinavian Spring Picnic Spring Picnic, entertainment, food booths, swimming, Alpine Tube Slide, others. Celebrating our heritage and culture. Parking $5/car, Free/Vasa Members with event tickets - parking, lunch, beverage. Join Vasa and receive your FREE tickets next year. . Vasa Lodge Pacific SW No. 15. 951-6548396. Lkosvic@gmail
05.19.2016 01:00 PM - 05.22.2016 04:00 PM The 50th Annual Kingsburg Swedish Festival! The ultimate Scandinavian vacation on the third weekend in May invites everyone to experience and taste the rich culture of Sweden in Kingsburg. This event is filled with entertainment, food and fun. It all begins on Friday night with a Swedish smörgåsbord. Start your Saturday morning with a traditional Svenska Pancake Breakfast, a parade and Viking Battle Reenactment @ Memorial Park. See more of the Swedish culture in the Swedish Cultural Village on Draper Street and discover many food, craft booths and entertainment. . Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce. (559) 897-1111. www.kingsburgswedishfestival.com
l Connecticut
04.30.2016 08:00 PM - 12:00 AM Valborg at Vasa Park District CT # 1 Vasa Order of America celebrates a Valborg/Walpurgis Pork Roast Dinner will be held on Saturday April 30, 2016 at Vasa Park 358 Main Street South Meriden CT Norden Lodge # 1 will host. $15.00 per person. Please contact Linda Steinmiller 860-563-0040 or steinmillerl@ gmail.com District CT # 1 Vasa Order of America. 860.563.0040
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
lGeorgia 05.22.2016 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM Vasa Drängar 20th Anniversary Concert Atlanta’s Vasa Drängar will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a concert at Winters Chapel United
Methodist Church. They will perform à cappella as well as with an ensemble from Atlanta Balalaika Society and pianist Gabe Granitz. A special guest is coming from the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden - tenor Niklas Björling Rygert, who since 1999 sings with the permanent soloist’s ensemble at this opera house. Vasa Drängar, Swedish Men’s Choir. www.vasadrangar.org
l Illinois
04.29.2016 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM Start your morning off with a little culture to go with your coffee at Start with Art. Join us early on Friday, April 29 and take in our newest exhibit, “Skål! Scandinavian Spirits,” from 9 a.m. to noon. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 04.29.2016 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Family Night. Join us for an evening of crafts and activities for the whole family in celebration of our new exhibit, “Skål! Scandinavian Spirits.” Reservations are recommended for this free event and can be made via email to snyman@samac.org. About the exhibit: Denmark, Norway and Sweden share a “spirited” tradition of enjoying beer and aquavit–sometimes together, sometimes separately. This exhibition explores the cultural history of these beverages, follows those drinking traditions to Scandinavian-American communities, and answers questions like “What is aquavit, anyway?” and “How do you ‘skål’ correctly?” www. swedishamericanmuseum.org |773-728-8111 05.15.2016 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Chicago Swedish Male Chorus Concert presents a concert of songs in English and Swedish. www. swedishamericanmuseum.org |773-728-8111 Continuously Step back in time in historic Bishop Hill. Utopia on the Prairie, then and now. For information call 309-927-3899 or email heritage@bishophill. com. Visit our Website at: www.bishophill.com
Välkommen till
Söndag 1 maj kl 11.00
Mässa och Valborgsfirande
03.17.2016 06:00 PM - 05.08.2016 08:00 PM Exhibition— Magnus Nilsson’s Nordic: A Photographic Essay of Landscapes, Food and People. Nilsson, who was just awarded two Michelin stars for his restaurant in northern Sweden, Fäviken, will have his first museum exhibition in the U.S. www. nordicmuseum.org | 206.789.5707
Svenska kyrkan, Los Angeles 1035 South Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 Tel. 310-832-6800 • Epost: losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se Hemsida: www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles På facebook heter vi “Svenska kyrkan i Los Angeles”
SÖNDAG
14-16 Ung Svensk i NY
8/5 - 11.00 Välkomstgudstjänst
för Pether Ström Broman Biskop Sven-Bernhard Fast
MÅNDAG
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
TISDAG
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
ONSDAG
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 15-17 Träffpunkt 18.00 Mässa
04.26.2016 07:00 AM - 05.17.2016 02:00 PM Nature Photography by Swedish Artist Tony Svensson, the Swedish photographer behind Artura Photo Art. www.agora-gallery.com| 212226-4151
05.01.2016 12:00 PM - 05.01.2016 02:00 PM Fjords of the Norwegian Heart. The Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series and Smörgåsbord with Evan Drachman, cellist & Lisa Bergman, pianist. www. nordicmuseum.org/mostlynordic
Mer information och senaste nytt om alla våra aktiviteter på vår Facebook- och hemsida!
Caféet öppet 12-16 1/5 Högmässa 11.00
Through April – Oil paintings, prints and mixed media by Karin Lithell at the Swedish Church, NYC. The exhibition ‘Home Sweet Home’ will be on display at the Swedish church, New York in April. Swedish Church, New York] 5 East 48th Street. For more info, see www.karinlithell.se
l Washington
i Svenska Kyrkan, San Pedro. Tisdag 3 maj, kl. 18.30: Filmafton Tisdag 24 maj, kl.18.30: Enkel veckomässa i Taizéton Onsdagar kl. 19-21: Kyrkokören övar Fredagar, kl. 11-13: Öppna förskolan
www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork
04.29.2016 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM Valborg Gasque. The Uppsala University U.S. Alumni Chapter is proud to extend an open invitation to celebrate Swedish Valborg (Walpurgis) in good old fashioned Uppsala-style with a Gasque at Scandinavia House. Smörgås Chef will serve a fresh and unique three-course dinner based on the principles of New Nordic Cuisine. Get ready to reminisce about old times, sing traditional snaps songs, and enjoy this unique event the way it was meant to be, with friends, good food, special performances and aquavit. For those of you who have not been to a Gasque before, we promise you a memorable experience! Everyone is welcome to join the celebration this year, so please spread the word and bring a friend. We look forward to celebrating the Uppsala University U.S. Alumni Chapter’s 2nd Annual Valborg Gasque with you! Fee: $60 (three-course meal, aquavit and two drinks) to be paid by check or online. RSVP by April 23: gabriella.andersson@uadm.uu.se | 646.725.7719
Charleston Kubb Club Our Kubb season is starting!! Every Saturday from 11:00am to 12 noon. This is a free, family event. Rain date pending. Our kick off event is May 21, 2016 at 11:00 am. 843.324.8076|Find us on Facebook!
med dop i House of Sweden, Balboa Park, San Diego. Kyrkoherde Staffan Eklund predikar, Maja Eklund spelar och Ylva Elias kör medverkar.
Öppettider 1-14 maj
l New York
l South Carolina
Vårgudstjänst
5 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 Tel: +1 (212) 832-8443
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
05.01.2016 07:30 AM - 05.01.2016 11:00 AM Scandinavian Luncheon Cruise. The American Scandinavian Society invites everyone to “Welcome Spring” at the Annual Scandinavian Luncheon on the Hudson River—cruising onboard The Duchess with traditional Scandinavian food and drink. www.americanscandinavian.org
Söndag 30 april kl 12.00
mdv xnqj
l Minnesota
@sk.ny Svenska kyrkan i New York TORSDAG
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
FREDAG
Caféet öppet 12-18 12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
LÖRDAG
Caféet öppet 12-16 14/5 SOMMARFEST FÖR KYRKANS BARNFAMILJER
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
local events. page 18
Sjömansbiff— Sailor’s Beef Sjömansbiff has become a Swedish classic. This recipe yields 4 portions. Ingredients: 1 pound boneless beef,1/2” thick slices 3 onions 2 Tbsp butter, margarine or oil 12 potatoes 2 teaspoons salt
Nestled in the heart of the Swedish Village of Kingsburg...
Svensk Butik Swedish
Gifts
1465 Draper Street Kingsburg, California 93631 (559) 897-5119
- a Swedish classic. Meat, sauce and potatoes in the same casserole make this an ideal meal for late winter/early spring.
1/4 teaspoon pepper 8 ounces dark beer or bouillon parsley Instructions: Slice the meat into smaller pieces, if necessary. Peel and slice the onion. Sauté in one-third of the margarine over medium heat in a frying pan until it has a good color. Remove and set aside. Brown meat in remaining margarine. Remove from the pan. Pour off the fat and stir a little hot water into the frying pan to loosen the juice from the meat in the pan. Save. Peel and slice potatoes. Place potatoes, onions and meat in a baking dish or casserole in alternating layers. The bottom and top layers should be potatoes. Sjömansbiff - Sailor’s Beef, a traditional Swedish dish, perfect for winter and early spring.
Season each layer with salt and pepper. Pour juice from the meat as well as the beer or bouillon over the layers. Cover and let simmer over low heat for 45 minutes or in 375°F oven. Sprinkle with chopped pars-
www.swedishkurbits
Original Swedish Artwork by BJ Wagner
©
630-443-4086 T-Shirts & Bags • Prints • Gifts • Woodenware • Custom Paintings • Cups & Tiles
ley before serving. Serve together with a green salad and pickled cucumbers or red beets.
©BJWagner 2016
Dala Horses and much more!
Complimentary USPS GROUND SHIPPING
Göran Rygert’s collection of Swedish traditional schnapps songs, in English and Swedish $8.95 + S&H.
A SWEDISH AFFAIR swedensfinest.com Toll Free: (888)867-9567
Keep your heritage “afloat”
with our handpainted buoys. Made to order with the flag of your choice.
Not only food but great design! 349 Main Ave. | Norwalk, CT 06851 | Phone: 203-529-3244 Email: info@scandinavianbutik.com | www.scandinavianbutik.com
A quarterly journal devoted to Swedish American biography, genealogy, and personal history. Founded in 1981.
Till vardag och fest
Crown Bakery
Specializing in Scandinavian Pastries 133 Gold Star Blvd.
(1 block after Super Shaws)
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.
Makes a great gift! 207.504.4518 • www.heritagebuoy.com
Swedish American Genealogist Swenson Center Augustana College Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 Phone 309 794-7204 www.augustana.edu/sag
Nordstjernan, April 30, 2016
Worcester, MA 01606 Tel: 508-852-0746
Open Daily 6-6. Fri till 7. Closed Sunday
EST. 1960
Try our outdoor café and new sandwich lunches <www.crownbakeryandcafe.com> We ship UPS anywhere
A selection of new funny, and old classic Swedish snapsvisor (schnapps songs) One third of 130 songs is in English. Indispensable! Call 1.800.827.9333 x10
sports. page 19
Photo:Joel Marklund/Bildbyran
Photo: Linnea Rheborg/Bildbyrån
Winter sports enter championship seasons
Södertälje forward Skyler Bowlin drives to the basket for two of his game-high 25 points in Game 1 of the Swedish Basketball League finals April 18 in Södertälje.
Anton Axelsson of Frölunda and Sebastian Aho of Skellefteå battle along the boards during the Chiefs 3-1 in Game 3 of the SHL finals. Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
Frölunda and Skellefteå, the top two teams at the end of the 52-game Swedish Hockey League regular season, are now battling for the Le Mat Trophy as they reached the finals of the SHL. The Chiefs used a last-minute surge to vault past SAIK to finish atop the standings. In the finals, Frölunda is again surging as it stole home-ice advantage from Skellefteå with a 3-1 win in Game 3 April 18 at Skellefteå Kraft Arena. The Chiefs used a relentless forecheck to keep SAIK pinned in its own zone throughout the first period while its North American players Ryan Lasch, Joey Crabbe and Spencer Abbott proved difference makers as Frölunda jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Lasch, the league’s leading scorer during the regular season, notched his eighth assist of the playoffs when he set up Crabbe at 10:58 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. Abbott played a role six minutes later when he screened Skellefteå goalie Erik Hansen, allowing Chiefs captain Joel Lundqvist to score shorthanded at 16:22. The Chiefs’ forecheck, however, proved problematic as Frölunda picked up nine penalties in the game. Skellefteå gave as good as it took as it had five penalties. Despite the nearconstant man advantages in the first period, Chiefs goalie Johan Gustafsson, a 2012 draft pick of the Minnesota Wild, stopped all 10 shots he faced. In the second period, SAIK finally got its power play clicking. After going 0-for-5 in the first period, Frölunda handed Skellefteå another four chances with the man advantage, and SAIK captain Janne Pesonen finally made the Chiefs pay. Pesonen slipped in from the right point and snapped a shot past Gustafsson at 16:20 of the second period. It was all Gustafs-
son would allow as he finished with 29 saves. Skellefteå applied its own forecheck in the third, looking to grab an equalizer but despite throwing another 10 shots on goal, could not find the tying goal. Playoff leading scorer Artur Lehtonen beat Hanses at 17:38 of the third on a power play to cap the scoring for Frölunda. The goal was the Finn’s ninth of the playoffs. It was the third straight victory by the road team in the finals. Frölunda opened the series with a 4-3 win April at the Kraft Arena. Skellefteå returned the favor the next night with a 4-1 win at the Scandinavium in Göteborg. The series resumed April 21 in Göteborg. Kings, Dolphins vie for hoops title A pair of old foes battle for the title in the Swedish Basketball League as the Södertälje Kings face the Norrköping Dolphins. Södertälje, the regular season champs, drew first blood with an 85-74 win April 18 in Södertälje. The Kings took control from the opening tip behind Southern Missouri grad Skyler Bowlin. The 6-foot-6 small forward scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the first quarter as Södertälje built a 22-18 lead and held a 5141 lead at the half. Södertälje was especially deadly from behind the 3-point arc, shooting 61.1 percent from downtown. The Dolphins, behind Duke product Josh Hairston, rallied in the third quarter but could only shave six points off the Kings’ lead. Hairston finished with 17 points and five rebounds while Northern Arizona product Joakim Kjellbom led Norrköping with 23 points and 11 boards. Södertälje finished atop the league table, going 27-3 in the regular season and swept through the playoffs, dropping just one game in the semi and quarterfinals combined. The Kings barely broke a sweat in knocking off Mallbas in the quarters in three straight before
topping Borås in five games. Norrköping finished third in the standings and finished off Sundsvall in four games in the quarters before facing second-place finisher LF basket in the semis. The Dol-
phins advanced to the finals after a bruising six-game series. The Kings are the three-time defending champs of the league while the Dolphins held sway in 2012 and 2010.
Explore Europe in your new volvo THE ALL- NEW VOLVO XC90
When you pick up the Volvo of your dreams in Sweden, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. The roads of Europe beckon and you’re free to discover anything from breathtaking natural beauty and historic heritage, to fabulous shopping and vibrant cities. And best of all: the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program takes care of everything. There are savings off your U.S. MSRP, complimentary round trip tickets for two, European car insurance and registration as well as home shipment services, all included. Order your new Volvo from your local dealer and pick it up at the home of Volvo in Sweden – or anywhere else in Europe. Then experience the continent at your own pace, in your own personalized car and on a dream vacation in first class. And back home, you’ll enjoy your Volvo as the ultimate souvenir of Scandinavian luxury.
VISIT WWW.VOLVOCARS.US/MYBAGSAREPACKED OR JOIN US ON FACEBOOK .COM/VOLVOOVERSEASDELIVERY
THE NEW VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY
VOLVO OVERSEAS DELIVERY Visit your Volvo retailer and ask about the Volvo Overseas Delivery program or call (800)631-1667.
April 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
HHH ”Sweden´s best experience” – TR I P Global Award HHH
The Classic Canal Tour Treat yourself to a classic canal cruise in the height of luxurious comfort on one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Göta Canal is wending its way through the heart of the Swedish countryside between the two largest cities in the country. On board the traditional canal boats, authentic Swedish style is combined with an atmosphere that harks
back to the glory days of Continental rail travel. Travelling at a leisurely pace, there’s plenty of time to rest and reflect, and to forge new friendships with fellow travellers from Sweden and the rest of the world.
Welcome on a magical journey that brings lifelong memories!
bookings@gotacanal.se or read more at www.gotacanal.se