nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 144 No. 16, September 30, 2016. Price per copy $2.50
Prince Oscar accompanied his mother on her recent trip to New York to attend UN meetings.
Sweden, Page 2, 3
The Draken Harald Hårfagre sailed into Upper New York Bay on September 17. The ship passed the Statue of Liberty around 11 a.m. and / Page 9 arrived at North Cove Marina, downtown Manhattan for a ceremony of speeches, interviews and Nordic entertainment.
Photo: Bo Zaunders
Autumn budget presented / The cost of drinking water is on the rise / Swedish government wants more quota refugees / More female leadership is required by law / New minister / Poor maintenance requires slower rail speeds / Debates get heated over religious schools.
Feature, Page 6
Celebrating Oct. 4, “Kanelbullens Dag.”
Feature, Page 7
A Man Called Ove is finally opening at theaters in the U.S.
Mister(s) Entertainment
Page 7
Ulf Barslund Martensson editor@nordstjernan.com
Continued on page 5
Dashboard, Page 8, 9
Karl Dyall and Rennie Mirro, two of Sweden’s most established performers in the musical genre are coming to New York for a performance at the Apollo Theater.
Salt lakrits - make your own? Most licorice lovers remember how they acquired a taste for the candy, or they proudly assume their affinity for it lies in their DNA: because many Swedes are born loving licorice. And though learning to love salty licorice (salt lakrits), AKA salmiak, may require a little more work, it is equally memorable and beloved. Licorice is known to have mild laxative effects and raise blood pressure, and when ammonium chloride is added for that startling salty zing, you’ve got a curious combination that has caused a few novice fans some anxiety (literally). But for the Americans who can’t get their next shipment fast enough, the only thing / Page 4 left to do is make some. Like Rachel Redford did.
Photos courtesy of the Apollo production
From Sammy with Love comes to New York for one night only. We’re catching up with Karl Dyall and Rennie Mirro a couple hours before the re-opening of From Sammy with Love at Lorensbergsteatern in Göteborg. They’ve just finished a final rehearsal but seem relaxed and ready, it’s been a year since they last performed the applauded and critically hailed show, which ran for two years straight at the Stockholm City Theatre. The show goes on the road in Sweden after two weeks in Göteborg, and after a short intermission it will show one night at the Apollo Theater in New York. “It still feels unreal,” Dyall and Mirro say in unison, and Mirro adds, “I almost don’t dare think about performing our show at the
The Crown Princess visits New York / A brief history of Stockholm’s subway / A new Swedish author pens a must-read thriller / Draken Harald arrives with fanfare in New York / You, too, can live in a UFO / Saab collaborates with Boeing.
Local, Page 13
SWEA NY Scholarship information.
Food, Page 12
A tried and true cinnamon sockerkaksrecipe that’s both fast and easy.
Page 6
Photo: Kate Gabor, The Royal Court, Sweden
This Week, Page 8
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News Flyktingkris väcker fantasier men kräver realism än för att genomföras; en byråkrati, bra på att producera resolutioner, sämre på Sydsvenska Dagbladet att leverera resultat. 18 september, 2016 Flyktingfrågan står högt upp på dagoPaul Romer, som vid nästa rdningen i New York. Naturligt med månadsskifte tillträder som chefekonom tanke på att omkring 60 miljoner mänvid Världsbanken, har en idé om hur niskor idag befinner sig på flykt, de flesta flyktingkrisen i världen kan lösas. Det inom sitt eget land. Redan under måndagen äger ett FNglesbefolkade Sverige skulle exempelvis kunna hyra ut ett område som blir en fri- organiserat toppmöte om situationen zon för flyktingar. Där skulle miljontals för världens flyktingar och migranter människor kunna tas emot, få försörja rum. Följande dag har USA:s president sig själva och “inte behöva kosta något”. Barack Obama bjudit in till ett särskilt Det Romer ser framför sig är ett nytt möte om enbart flyktingkrisen. Här står Hongkong, en stadsstat som på en yta Sverige som ett av värdländerna. “Ett motsvarande Öland hyser över sju mil- bevis på att vi har gjort mycket som USA uppskattar, både med att ta emot joner människor. “Det viktiga är då att denna frizon ska men också genom att vara en av de räknas som en fristående enhet, med största givarna i FN-systemet”, enligt egna lagar och regler – inte som en statsminister Stefan Löfven (S). Hans Dahlgren, statssekreterare för del av Sverige”, säger Paul Romer i en utrikes- och EU-frågor hos Löfven, intervju med DN. Människor som tänker fritt, utanför hoppas att dessa båda möten ska sluta i den omtalade boxen, är uppfriskande, enighet om att världssamfundet har ett stimulerande. De behövs. Men det finns gemensamt ansvar i flyktingfrågan. “Fler länder måste bidra mer – i EU förmodligen mer än en anledning till att Romers förslag “har väckt debatt, men och globalt. Orsakerna till att människor inte mött gehör hos beslutsfattare” – som tvingas fly ska bekämpas”, det är vad Sverige vill ha ut av mötena i New York, det beskrivs i DN. Mycket litet talar för att det kommer slog Löfven fast när han i tisdags läste att tänkas lika djärvt när världens ledare upp regeringsförklaringen. Målen är med andra ord inte särskilt denna vecka samlas i New York, där FN:s generalförsamling under tisdagen högt ställda. Av förklarliga skäl. Om orsakerna till att människor flyr öppnar för en ny session – den 71:a i ordningen. FN är en organisation dit ska bekämpas gäller det till en början djärva tankar snarare kommer för att dö med att försöka få stopp på konflikterna
Minister of Finance Magdalena Andersson has delivered the autumn budget, Nådiga Luntan [The “gracious pile”].
Photo: Kristian Pohl/Government Offices of Sweden
Gästledare
Autumn budget presented
Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) presented the autumn budget on Sept. 20. Many of the initiatives are already known, the largest of which is SEK 10 billion to local governments and SEK 3.5 billion to refugees and integration. Focus on climate change and development of a strategy to combat violence against women are also emphasized. The total budget proposal is SEK 23.6 billion, while at the same time Sweden is reporting a budget deficit. The government hopes to attract additional money through increased income taxes and higher taxes on alcohol and gasoline. An introduction on taxing banks is also considered.
Higher fees on Swedish drinking water
According to the Swedish Water organization, the Nordic nation could expect to see substantial increases in charges for drinking water in the future. Neglected maintenance and stricter requirements require work to remedy the situation to move at a much quicker pace than it is today. “One problem is that the long term perspective is often missing,” said Anna Linusson, president of Swedish Water. “If we continue at this pace, it will take 250 years to replace all the pipes,” she told Göteborgs Posten. In 20 years, the cost of drinking water will increase between 50 and 100 percent.
Government seeks more quota refugees
(National) Sweden wishes to increase ways for safe and legal entry of refugees seeking asylum in the Nordic nation. The government calls for additional “quota refugees” increasing numbers from the current 1900-3400 in 2017 to 5000 in 2018. The increases will be funded by decreases in international aid — decreasing monetarily — as the number of refugees arriving locally increases.
i Afghanistan, i Irak, i Syrien, i Libyen. Med de låsningar som finns i säkerhetsrådet, FN:s hjärta, där Sverige tar plats som medlem vid årsskiftet, är utsikterna för fredliga lösningar i närtid små. Vapenvilan i Syrien var under söndagen på väg att falla samman efter mindre än en vecka, för att bara ta ett exempel. Att FN, med över 190 medlemmar, skulle kunna enas om effektiva, gemensamma lösningar på migrationsoch flyktingfrågorna känns osannolikt. Flyktingkrisen har fått EU – med endast 28 medlemmar som dessutom har så mycket mer gemensamt – att knaka i fogarna. Som migrationsminister Morgan Johansson (S) påpekade i en intervju med nyhetsbyrån Reuters nyligen ligger lösningen i ett solidariskt mottagande. Då skulle EU kunna ta emot en miljon asylsökande om året, bedömer Johansson. Det återstår att se om enighet om ett sådant system för fördelning av asylsökande går att nå. Ett avgörande närmar sig. För Socialdemokraterna står det fortfarande ett skimmer runt världsorganisationen. Säkerhetsrådsplatsen må vara en gigantisk fjäder i hatten för ett parti som dyrkar FN, att möta världsledare i New York ger glans. Men det är i och genom EU som Sverige kan göra verklig skillnad för människor på flykt. Det är där regeringen borde samla sin kraft.
The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news — NORDSTJERNAN A tradition since 1872, covering three worlds: Sweden, America, and Swedish America order your own copy, $55.00 for a year (22 issues) at www. nordstjernan.com—choose 'subscribe' or call 1.800.827.9333 x10
Opinion poll reveals dissatisfaction
(National) Seven out of 10 men, and half of the women polled believe Sweden is on the wrong track, reports Aftonbladet. That’s 69 percent of all men and women and an increase from when the survey was last taken in June. In terms of environmental issues, most Swedes believe the country is strong, but healthcare initiatives received the highest level of dissatisfaction, with integration a close second. Satisfaction is also low with employment, taxes, assistance, law and order, economy and housing. The survey was conducted Sept. 7-12 as part of Schibsted’s opinion panel and interviewed 1366 Swedes over the age of 18.
Wanted: More female leadership
(National) The government wants to see an increase of the number of women sitting on executive boards, raising female representation to at least 40 percent per board. Companies that have not filled that quota by 2019 could face a fine of SEK 250,000 to SEK 5 million, reports TT. The proposal is pending but could become law in 2017.
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
Founded in New York City in September 1872 Editor In Chief & Publisher: Ulf Barslund Mårtensson – www.nordstjernan.com Editor: Amanda Olson Robison (editor@nordstjernan.com) Managing Editor & Production: Everett Martin Sports Editor: Chipp Reid Art Direction: Petter Ringbom / Daniel Berubé-Arbello Contributors: Valorie Arrowsmith - Terry Lee Blunk - Claes Magnusson - Lisa Mikulski - Ulf Nilson Kristina Hall - Leif Rosqvist - Ulf Kirchdorfer - Ted Olsson - Jeanne Eriksson Widman - Olle Wijkström - Bo Zaunders Publications Director: Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333 x12) Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670) is published by Swedish News, Inc., 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 • Connecticut - P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Periodicals Postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Nordstjernan is published semi-monthly, except for the month of August. Post Master: Please send address changes to Nordstjernan, P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Subscription rates: 1 yr. - $55, - Two yr. - $99 - Outside US 1 yr. $167.
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News in brief. page 3
Swedish News
perspectives.
Gothenburg’s youth crime - up, down or both
Sweden’s parliament in session, opened on September 13. Photo: Ingemar Edfalk.
Photo: Lisa Mikulski
Parliament opens
Reading news reports out of Sweden’s second largest city, one could easily come to the conclusion that youth crime is on the rise and Gothenburg should be avoided for its violence. Over the course of my life in Gothenburg, the last four years have brought more and more worrisome reports of increased gang violence, thousands of unaccompanied minors living on the streets, drug sales, illegal weapons and families fleeing certain areas of the city to escape escalating harassment from youngsters. A recent report from the Police National Operations Department (NOA, polisens nationella operativa avdelning) identified 15 areas in Sweden which are considered the country’s most vulnerable areas due to crime and socioeconomic factors resulting in parallel societies and violent religious extremism. Six of these areas are located in Gothenburg, more than any other city in Sweden. And yet, on August 30, 2016, Swedish Radio reported that youth crime has gone down drastically and that cases involving young people under the age of 18 has seen a drop of 40 percent in the last three or four years. The broadcaster goes on to say that this percentage applies to all types of youth crimes, according to Even Magnusson, who works with crime prevention police in the greater Gothenburg area. However, regarding measurements of juvenile crime, Magnusson says, “It is difficult to say in numbers because you do not know if the offense has been committed by a juvenile until the crime is resolved.” Within the same article, Anette Hillskär Malmfors of the Social Resource
Management service, attributes lower youth crime rates to the schools that she says are becoming more vigilant and alerting authorities to problems. This, in concert with supportive parenting, has been key in lowering crime rates among the city’s youth, said Malmfors. (SR 30/8) On August 20, 2016, the same public service broadcaster reported the following “sharp increase in juvenile crime in Gothenburg.” This report, a mere 10 days earlier than the Swedish Radio article, went on to state that police in Gothenburg face an untenable situation regarding large groups of young people who are committing crimes. Göteborgs Posten and other local news publications also regularly report that youth crime has skyrocketed and that the ongoing police crisis — in terms of manpower — leaves the department struggling to find solutions. So what’s the deal here? The statistics, it seems, reflect two different varieties of crime: everyday crime committed among the general population and crime in which the perpetrators are considered potential career criminals. Geographic location also plays a role — this is where the whole notion of parallel societies and socioeconomic issues come to light. And now, wait for it … a September 9th article, in which Göteborgs Posten attempts to clear up confusion on the topic, asks Even Magnusson if it is possible to get access to the figures referred to in Swedish Radio’s August 30 article. His answer is that there are no exact statistics. It is, reports GP, a question of having “mätt flödet” or measured, “estimated”
the flow of incoming crimes, and no official compilation of “flödet” - the flow - has been made. KIT reporter Thomas Arnroth spoke with Sven Granath, a criminologist at the Council for Crime Prevention, in attempt to get to the bottom of all this. Granath points out that crime among the general public is decreasing (how does he know this?) while crime in other areas are increasing. For instance, crime involving illegal firearms is more serious and gets far more press and social media coverage, but these crimes are generally restricted to Gothenburg’s more vulnerable areas. So while the total number of crimes is falling in areas where the vast majority of Swedes live in Gothenburg, in areas of vulnerability, life becomes more dangerous. And yet, no statistics are offered on the subject one way or the other by Sven Granath. I can’t help but conclude that Sweden’s great PR machine is hard at work because reporting made without facts is not, in fact, accurate reporting. I find it disconcerting that Swedish Radio would report a 40 percent decrease in crime, based on the interview with a police authority and a social service representative, when no actual statistics can be studied to reflect the numbers. This then suggests that in addition to blurry facts on youth crime rate reportage, Sweden or at least Gothenburg, has no system in place in which to even obtain accurate numbers regarding the subject. By Lisa Mikulski lisa@nordstjernan.com
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(National) Every year, Sweden’s parliamentary working year begins with a solemn ceremony on the third Tuesday of September, this year on Sept. 13. According to the constitution, the Swedish King is not allowed to express himself politically and this is the only time he addresses the assembled group of elected officials. This year he stated that support for the European Union should continue and was necessary. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced that his government’s third year in office will focus on jobs, education and climate change.
Anna Ekström new minister (National) Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced on Sept. 13 during the parliament opening statement that Anna Ekström will be the government minister for upper secondary school and adult education and training. Ekström took a 15-year break from party politics and replaces Aida Hadzialic who resigned in August after being caught for drunk driving.
Sweden will not seek NATO membership
(National) At least according to Foreign Minister Margot Wallström and Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist who wrote in Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter on Sept. 9 that “Changing the Swedish security policy doctrine would naturally be perceived as dramatic and revolutionary ... it would have a direct effect on the security situation in our part of Europe.”
Trafikverket reduces rail speeds
(Travel) Years of low maintenance has forced the Swedish Transport Administration to reduce speeds along 69 railway lines across the country. All major rail lines from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö will be affected.
Call to end religious schools
(National) The Liberal Party has called for a ban against the establishment of religious schools for newly arrived immigrant children. Establishment of such schools was thought to provide “a good start in Swedish society” reports Radio Sweden. Jan Björklund (L), former Minister of Education, speaks out against such schooling saying it leads to increased segregation. Björklund’s comments have started a heated debate in his own party and throughout Sweden. News briefs compiled by Lisa Mikulski
The Exchange Rate: $1.00 = SEK 8.59 09.21.2016
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
feature. page 4
InBox Salty Licorice Still a secret in the USA (let’s keep it that way)! About 20 years ago, I was at my Swedish friend’s apartment in The Village. The couple (my friend is from Sweden, his wife from NYC) just got back from Sweden. I went over to see them. They brought back a suitcase full of the token assortment of “Maribou Choklad” as expected (as it’s usually bought at Arlanda using what’s left of one’s kronor before boarding the plane back, disguised as gifts to people at home who do not know its a last minute thing and think the chocolate is “Swiss” from the trip to “Switzerland.”) This trip also brought “Gott och Blandat.” They had a bowl of this multi-colored candy (vegetarian-friendly) assortment in an Iittala glass bowl on the coffee table, next to an Iittala tea light. I was going to help myself and was stopped by my Swedish friend’s wife, an American. She said, “Watch out for the black ones.” I said, “Why?” She said, “Taste it, and find out for yourself.” Ok then. I put a piece in my mouth. They both stood there waiting for my reaction. It barely hit my tongue, but I immediately spit it out. “Blah!” I was literally wiping off my tongue, first with my fingers then with a napkin. Of course, they were laughing hysterically at me. The wife said, “Oh, you get used to it.” My Swedish friend ONLY eats the black ones I found out; he had his own bag with just THOSE in it. I couldn’t believe that anyone ate something that tastes and behaves like a 9-volt battery on the tongue. This candy actually stung like some sort of acid. I don’t get it. It was then and there that I discovered “salted black licorice” and its very high place in Scandinavian society. According to Wikipedia: By the 1930s it was produced in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands as a candy. The 1930s?!? I’m a fan of black licorice, which is unusual for an American, especially one who did not grow up in the “Good & Plenty” era. I had no idea that black licorice was even under the salt. (I didn’t get that far.) I also found out that the wife had pretty much the same reaction when she first tried it. But there she was ... eating it. I was definitely intrigued. After all, I like black licorice; I like salt. I began working my way up to the salted fruity ones in “Salt och Blandat” until I got to like those black ones on their own — a lot. It is the best feeling to go to the Swedish Church on East 48th at Fifth and score a bag of Just. The. Black. Ones. It feels so cool to know I’m on my way to get some of it. Like just knowing about it puts you on a whole other level. It’s pretty much a secret here in the US. Having recently moved back to NJ after living in NYC for over 20 years, I was getting adjusted to life in NJ, which means life with a car. I missed all of my “Swedish stuff in the city” like Midsommar in Battery Park City, Scandinavian House, the church, Fika coffee shop openings, the boat to IKEA in Red Hook, Smörgås Chef, mourning the loss of sCANDYnavian (and somehow I never made
it to Sockerbit). And of course, I missed the schnapps and schnapps songs, the chocolate, the semlor ... and most of all, the Swedish salted black licorice. I found my way to the Jul Bazaar in Montclair. When I couldn’t find a place for semlor, I made it myself. At Vasa Park for Midsommar, I found the Finnish kind, but I didn’t like it. I couldn’t find Swedish salted black licorice anywhere in New Jersey without going to IKEA in Elizabeth. Maybe I’ll make that, too! How hard can it be? I was so excited. I googled a few recipes and made one. No good. I made a second. Nasty. They were NOT Swedish salted black licorice. At. All. I thought perhaps I was ruined by the kind I tried first. I thought maybe it had something to do with the sugar I was using? I tried caster (superfine). Maybe I needed a candy thermometer? Did I put in the wrong amount of molasses? Not enough pure anise extract? The salt I put on them melted into the candy like the witch from The Wizard of Oz melted into the Yellow Brick Road. Why are they calling these recipes “Swedish Salted Black Licorice?” I looked up the ingredients online for the actual Swedish candy and also looked it up on Wikipedia. There they say “salty liquorice is an acquired taste and people not familiar with ammonium chloride might find the taste physically overwhelming and unlikeable.” Intriguing! I had to look up “ammonium chloride.” Where do I get that? I found this reference: Sal ammoniac is a name of the natural, mineralogical form of ammonium chloride. The mineral is commonly formed on burning coal dumps from condensation of coal-derived gases. It is also found around some types of volcanic vents. It is mainly used as fertilizer and a flavouring agent in some types of liquorice. It is the product from the reaction of hydrochloric acid and ammonia. That doesn’t sound like a good idea. But who cares? I need ammonium chloride at all costs! I saw it on ebay. Is it food grade? I’m not sure, so I don’t buy it. It looks like I can only get the food-grade product from Finland. It’s probably not the best idea to have someone send me a bag of white powder via international post with home addresses in both the “to” and “from” spots. Customs would have a field day. Guess it’s IKEA or nothing. I had to go into “the city” the other week. I was there all day and exhausted, but I decided to hit up Fika for Coconut Balls, which was right on the way to the Swedish Church, where I was now aiming to have a fika and kanelbullar, and read Nordstjernan just like all the Swedes do.
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
And to get the licorice, of course. I get there, and yes — they have it! Just. The. Black. Ones. But they’re not the ones I always get, so I have to read the labels for gelatin (I’m a vegetarian). The only two brands there had gelatin in them. Oh no! I ask the Swedish man behind the counter in English (to make sure I understand him 100 percent) if he has any without gelatin. He said, “Sorry,” and just as I was about to walk away, something on a shelf caught my eye. It was licorice covered in white powder, called “Djungelvål.” I never saw THAT before. I grabbed it. Why are these bags so small? There are monkeys on the bag. It must be a kid-sized bag. Ingredients: No gelatin! And there is “ammoniumklorid.” I have the guy read it for me. He says, “No ‘jee-ah-teen.’” I say, “No ‘jel-ah-teen?! I never saw this kind before.” He says, “These are really salty.” I think he thinks I’m a rookie because I’m American. I say, “Oh, ok. Jag tar tre, tack.” (I’ll take three, thanks.) More salt?! So excited! Two of the bags are for me and one for my dear friend from NJ, to hold her over, too. She hated black licorice or anise-anything her entire life until these things. I’m so excited to give her a bag. I tell myself that I’ll wait to have some until I see her. I get home. Of course, it was a dumb idea to think I could wait. I get a pair of scissors to cut open the bag. (It is barbaric and sacrilegious to rip open such a bag.) I gently cut it open, and mmm, they do look more salted than my regular kind. I pop one in my mouth. FLASHBACK. Then, I SPIT IT OUT! I guess there is such a thing as too salty when it comes to salted black licorice. These are vegetarian, but they are not LAGOM! Now I know why the bag is so small. I say to myself, “I can still eat them!” but first I gently wipe one and put the falling ammonium chloride into a Mason jar and seal it up tightly. And that’s how you get food-grade ammo-
nium chloride into the States, folks! Sincerely, Rachel Redford Basking Ridge, NJ Rachel Redford, an American who fell in love with Sweden after falling for a Swedish guy, still embraces the language, the people, the customs, the food, the songs and Stockholm long after the Swede was gone. She enjoys talking about the Swedish stuff that still stumps her and the Swedish stuff that stays with her still. /Ed.
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feature. page 5
Photo: Pontus Höök
Theater and Dance: From Sammy with Love comes to New York
Continued from page 1
Apollo … one of the most renowned venues in the United States, in the world even, and on a stage that meant so much for Sammy Davis, Jr. himself.”
Beating the odds
Dyall and Mirro are among Sweden’s most established performers in the musical genre. Both have won Sweden’s equivalent to the Tony Awards but had very different backgrounds prior to landing in musical theatre — Dyall as a street dancer, Mirro in classical ballet at the Royal Opera. They met during the successful 2 1/2 –year run of Singin’ in the Rain at the legendary Oscars Theatre in Stockholm. The idea for From Sammy with Love was born there and has become as
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much a story about Sammy Davis, Jr. himself as about Karl Dyall and Rennie Mirro, who both grew up in interracial families in the 1960s and ‘70s in Sweden. “Many people think the show is about black and white,” Dyall says. “It isn’t. It’s really about not being an outsider, about fitting in and struggling hard and — in Sammy’s case — to reach the top against all odds.” Through scriptwriter Jonna Nordenskiöld’s creativity, their performance is equal parts song and dance show, and tale of Dyall and Mirro through Sammy’s road to becoming “the greatest living entertainer in the world, Mr. Entertainment.” “We’re often asked how much this is about us and how much about Sammy, and it’s really a mix of us all, including the SwedishAmerican aspects of this story: Sammy’s Swedish wife, May Britt Wilkens.” Sammy Davis, Jr., who was a victim of racism for most of his life, married the Swedish film star May Britt Wilkens in 1960, preCivil Rights Act and a time when interracial marriages were forbidden by law in 31 U.S. states. One of Davis’s signature comments was made on a golf course during a game with comedian Jack Benny who asked him about his handicap. Davis, who lost an eye in a traffic accident and converted to Judaism replied, “Talk about handicap. I’m a one-eyed Negro Jew.”
Finding balance
Both men are parents and talk about the difficulties of being a performing artist and raising children, being present in a family while processing a new act or completely
immersing oneself into an act or going on tour. “We were both going through a difficult time when we were performing Singin’ in the Rain, each in his own way,” Rennie explains. “The musical was an immense success and the contrast with our personal lives at the time became almost absurd. We shared a dressing room and spent our time there complaining a lot, but once the curtain came up, you had to put on the tux, forget everything and it was … show time! I had just read Sammmy Davis, Jr.’s biography and felt it was interesting to follow someone who had experienced the imbalance between stage and life much, much worse than we could ever imagine. I gave the book to Karl after the premiere and we started talking about creating this show.” “We’ve tried not to make it black and white,” adds Dyall. “It’s about affinity and the struggle to belong. I think everyone will be able to recognize a little bit about him or herself in our show. It’s about finding a balance in life and an identity that works for you. That’s a struggle everyone goes through from time to time, overcoming obstacles and finding your own tune in life.” Dyall’s three children are nearly grown while Mirro has a 12-year-old and looks forward to once again becoming a father this fall. Both have relatives in the U.S., spend time in New York every year and expect family and siblings from Sweden and relatives to attend the performance at the Apollo. It was an important venue in Sammy’s life, too. “It’s mere blocks from where Sammy Davis, Jr. grew up with his grandmother,” and his mother was a chorus girl there. He
From Stockholm City Theatre to Apollo Theatre, NY: From Sammy with Love One night only! Thursday, November 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $45-$70: www.ticketmaster.com / 800.745.3000 Cast: Karl Dyall, Rennie Mirro Executive producer: Vicky von der Lancken Musical director, guitar: Joel Sahlin / Piano: Pål Svenre / Drums: Sebastian Ågren / Bass: Svante Söderqvist Script, director: Jonna Nordenskiöld Choreographer: David Dalmo Scenography, Costume designer: Sven Haraldsson
performed there himself, with his father and uncle and the Will Mastin Trio. From Sammy with Love will be performed once and once only in English at the Apollo on November 10. The exclusive guest performance by the two beloved Swedish performers is a work of love for them and was made possible through the work of producer, promoter and theater owner Vicky von der Lancken and her team. Both Swedish performers agree: “It’s the performance of a lifetime and a dream come true but almost impossible to get our thoughts around at this point in time.” It’s a performance you won’t want to miss.
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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October 4: ‘Kanelbullens Dag’ October 4 is “Kanelbullens dag,” the day of the cinnamon bun in Sweden. This means that in stores all over Sweden, you can get your fill of the warm, freshly baked bun that may very well be Swedish in origin (at least several internet sources say it is so). Celebrating this day is really easy, you don’t have to do anything but eat a cinnamon bun (or two). If you feel like it, you can of course also bake them. Kanelbullens dag has been celebrated in Sweden on October 4 since 1999, when it was founded by Hembakningsrådet as a way to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The purpose was to honor the Swedish tradition of baking at home. October 4 was chosen so as not to compete with other days known for food traditions, such as “semlor,” crayfish or “surströmming.” When the Kanelbullens dag was first launched in 1999, October 4 was also the International Children’s Day, and a thought about Kanelbullens dag was that it could also be a day of caring. How can you make it a brighter day? Bake some cinnamon buns and share some with your neighbor. Or bake with your children. Or bake some over the weekend and bring some to work Monday to share with your colleagues. Just remember, Swedes don’t glaze their cinnamon buns! Our proximity to a Swedish church makes us slightly biased, but as contributor Eva Stenskär put it some time ago when she visited for a crash course in the art of baking them: “You haven’t really had a good Swedish kanelbulle in the city of bright lights until you’ve had one at the Swedish Church!” We have to admit there are more ways than one to devour the taste of a freshly baked Swedish kanelbulle, but the one below we can vouch for. (In case you’re out of time, turn to page 12 for a quicker way to the
Kanelbullar
Yield: 40 cinnamon rolls
Ingredients: • 2-1/2 cups milk • 1-1/2 cups melted butter plus 1/3 cup melted butter for filling • 1 cup sugar for dough plus 2/3 cup sugar for filling • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons freshly ground cardamom (from about 25 cardamom pods) • 2 packages dry active yeast (4-1/2 teaspoons) • 8-9 cups all purpose or bread flour • 2 tablespoons cinnamon • 1 egg plus 2 tablespoons water, lightly beaten together into an egg wash • pearl sugar
Instructions:
Heat milk to a light boil, turning off heat when it reaches the scalding point (with small bubbles across the top). Stir in melted butter, sugar, salt and ground cardamom. Let mixture cool until “finger-warm” (quite warm but just cool enough to touch). Stir in yeast and let sit for 10 minutes.
Celebrate Kanelbullens Dag with a cinnamon bun or two.
Add flour into mixture 1/2 cup at a time until dough is firm and pulls away from the side of your mixing bowl (Tip: If using a stand mixer, exchange the mixing paddle for the dough hook after you’ve added the first 5 cups of flour. Use the dough hook to mix and knead the dough as you add the remaining 3-4 cups of flour). Cover the dough in the mixing bowl with a clean towel and let rise until doubled, about an hour. Punch down the dough then remove from bowl. On a floured counter, knead dough lightly until smooth and shiny. Divide dough into two halves. Roll each half of dough into a 12” x 18” rectangle. Brush each rectangle well with melted butter. Combine 2/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over the 2 rectangles. Roll each rectangle crosswise, like a jelly roll, to form an 18”-long cylinder. Using a sharp or serrated knife, cut each cylinder into 20 equal slices. Place each slice into a paper cupcake wrapper and place on baking sheet. Cover with towel and allow to double in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Brush risen cinnamon rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar. Place in the middle of a preheated oven and bake for 7 minutes, or until done. Yield: 40 cinnamon rolls.
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
SWEDE AMONG THE REDNECKS A humorous collection of essays about growing up, reaching adulthood and maturity on two continents and in two separate cultures. Mail order form to: NORDSTJERNAN P.O. Box 1710 New Canaan CT 06840 Or call 1.800.827.9333
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Photos fourtesy of Music Box Films
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Rolf Lassgård, brilliant actor in A MAN CALLED OVE.
A Man Called Ove
So much for storyline. As is often the case, the film is a completely different experience from the book. This time it’s a good thing since the film definitely carries its own weight. Under Hannes Holm’s direction the pace is slower and the film becomes more drama than comedy. Ove, who’s effectively introduced to the viewer as the neighborhood misanthrope, has a presence and a present existence that is relentlessly gray. Who will miss the man who has been hardened by life into something rigid and chipped? Perhaps no one. But in more than one near-death moment we get to see his soft human interior: his childhood and the love of his life. The memories of his past come through with strings and tenderness. In sickness and in health. As a child Ove loses his mother and holds on to his father for as long as he can. The love of his life, Sonja, draws him into a life together that he hardly feels worthy of. She seems almost Rolf Lassgård, Nelly Jamarani, Bahar Pars and Zozan Akgün. too good to be true in If you read Fredrik Backman’s best-selling novel you know the storyline. The 59-yearold Ove is the neighborhood grumpy prefect. He was deposed as president of the condominium association several years earlier but doesn’t give a damn and still looks after the neighborhood with an iron fist. When pregnant Parvaneh’s family moves in and drives into Ove’s mailbox, it’s the prelude to a funny and heartwarming story of a disheveled cat, unexpected friendship and faithful love. Ove, who has only disdain for just about everyone, is a man who knows right from wrong and how you should always help your fellow man with great accuracy and care.
her undemanding devotion to the stuttering young Ove, but that is just as it should be; this is Ove’s recollection of her, and not necessarily reality. The comedy is present but often more as a smile than a laugh. With knowledge of Sweden there are many things to connect with and perhaps laugh over outside the comedic effects — the cap, the worn and outdated yet well cared for clothes and home, the SAAB and the strong sense of duty Ove represents. The film manages a balance between the serious and the comedic, and the circumstances and characters are present everywhere, maybe even in our own lives, in ourselves. Just like the book, the film will leave you feeling good without relying on clichés or crowd pleasers. The new neighboring wife’s happy and excited interest in Ove feels authentic, never overdone or exaggerated, and the scenes where her children affectionately start to connect with him will bring tears to your eyes. Ove’s transformation from grumpy old loner to likable, albeit somewhat unwilling do-gooder rings overall true. Lassgård is brilliant as the main character and it’s to his and director Holm’s credits both, how the film succeeds in transforming dark desperate moments in the character’s life into comedic relief in the same scene. Go see A Man Called Ove where you can. The theatrical release is on September 30. UBM
The movie based on Fredrik Backman’s best-selling novel of the same name, A Man Called Ove is Sweden’s official selection for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It is opening in New York, Los Angeles and other select cities on September 30. A Man Called Ove Written and directed by Hannes Holm Cinematography: Göran Hallberg Editing: Fredrik Morheden Makeup: Eva Von Bahr, Love Larson Starring Rolf Lassgård, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll, Bahar Pars, Tobias Almborg Production: Annica Bellander, Nicklas Wikst Nicastro Executive producers: Fredrik Wikstrom, Michael Hjorth A Music Box Films release Winner - Audience Award, Best Actor (Rolf Lassgård), Best Make-Up (Love Larson & Eva Von Bahr) - Guldbagge Awards 2016 Opening Night Selection - Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival 2016 Closing Night Selection - Stony Brook Film Festival 2016 Official Selection - Seattle International Film Festival 2016 Winner Best Actor in Seattle - Rolf Lassgård For more info, see www.musicboxfilms.com/ a-man-called-ove-movies-139.php
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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Sweden, Global
The year over year 7 percent increase for Swedish clothing giant H&M in the month of August was lower than expected by analysts and mainly due to the hot weather in August. A possible celebrity boost: For the fall season campaign, above, soccer icon David Beckham reunites with Kevin Hart for the new Modern Essentials selected by Beckham campaign for H&M.
Göteborg, Sweden
A next for Tom Hanks? Maybe; Triumph of Death, Mattias Berg’s debut novel, is receiving high marks in the book review community. The novel revolves around Peter Bruegel’s painting of the same name and is described as a nuclear thriller with global rehabilitation. “I do not think I’ve read such a philosophical, knowledge-packed, realistic adventure novel since Umberto Eco’s Name of the Rose,” writes Göteborg Posten’s Sinziana Ravini.
September 30 in Swedish History 1933: The first underground subway tunnel is inaugurated in Stockholm. The decision to build the subway system had been made two years earlier when work also started to build the tunnel under Södermalm, the Stockholm south. The tunnel went from Slussen to Skanstull and was at first run by regular trams.
“Ringvägen” (now Skanstull) station of Stockholms tunnelbana advertised with a big T with Tunnel on one side and Banan (Line) on the other, thus creating the Swedish word for subway; Tunnelbanan.
Signs at the three stations, Slussen, “Södra Bantorget” (now Medborgarplatsen and “Ringvägen” (now Skanstull) advertised with a big T with Tunnel on one side and Banan (Line) on the other, thus creating the Swedish word for subway; Tunnelbanan.
Herr & Fru | Mr. & Mrs.
Her: “What did you buy?”
Her: “Luxury cinnamon buns! What are we celebrating?”
Her: “maybe Him: “Yesterday’s buns. that we’ve been Half off. Pretty good, don’t together for so long you think?” ...”
‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar
In New York In Stockholm In Kiruna Lund In Los Angeles
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
September 30: Sunrise 6.39 a.m. 6.28 a.m. 6.52 a.m. 6.49 a.m. 6.48 a.m.
Sunset 6.52 p.m. 6.54 p.m. 6.05 p.m. 7.12 p.m. 6.38 p.m.
October 01 Ragnar/Ragna October 02 Ludvig/Love October 03 Evald/Osvald October 04 Frans/Frank October 05 Bror October 06 Jenny/Jennifer October 07 Birgitta/Britta October 08 Nils October 09 Ingrid/Inger October 10 Harry/Harriet October 11 Erling/Jarl October 12 Valfrid/Manfred October 13 Berit/Birgit October 14 Stellan October 15 Hedvig/Hillevi October 16 Finn
New York, NY
HRH Crown Princess Victoria far right with Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, UNRWA:s Pierre Krähenbühl during a session of Protracted refugee situations- what more can be done? at the United Nations. The Crown Princess was joined by 6-month old Prince Oscar, during the week of Sept 19-23 while she attended meetings with the UN General Assembly. Her schedule included an appearance at the Capsule Fashion Trade Show where several Swedish brands were represented, and she attended summits on the global refugee situation and the UN’s sustainability goals, meetings with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocacy Group, for which she is an ambassador, and a meeting on urban food systems. The Crown Princess enjoyed a reception hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, who was there to launch Sweden’s Global Deal, which promotes social dialogue and better conditions in the international labor market. He remarked, “No country, no continent, no organization can handle this challenge alone. More countries have to take a greater share.”
Photo: Bo Zaunders
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT/kungahuset.se
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New York, NY
The Draken Harald Hårfagre made history as she sailed into New York on Sept. 17, the crew dancing on board as they were greeted by the Statue of Liberty and thousands of fans throughout the harbor. The Viking ship has been reliving the first transatlantic crossing and Viking discovery of the New World, sailing from Norway to the United States as Leif Ericsson may have done and through the Great Lakes with unexpected popularity and overwhelming support and excitement. The Draken Harald is in New York until September 26, and getting on board for deck tours should be on your itinerary if you’ll be in the vicinity: check www.drakenexpeditionamerica.com for details. The ship and her crew will soon be heading for her winter destination in Mystic Seaport, CT where we hope for more chances to see this piece of living history.
The Bråvalla house differs from its Futuro sibling buildings with reinforced windows and the entrance from below.
The Futuro UFO house can be yours You too can live in the UFO house. The tower which appears on Bråvallas airfield skyline outside Norrköping is now for sale. The old tower, which is one of two UFO-like designs, was created in 1970 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. It boasts 50 square meters (538 square feet) of open plan area and oval windows looking over the horizon. There are more than 60 of these buildings preserved around the world, 20 of which were manufactured in Finland. The auction opens on October 3. It may not be entirely up to your local building code but you’ll definitely be the talk of the town. For more info, see www.fortv. se/till-salu/FASTIGHETER-TILL-SALU2/
The house at Bråvalla now for sale through the Swedish Fortifications Agency offers a living space of about 50 square meters distributed in an open plan area. It is elliptically shaped in glass fiber reinforced polyethylene plastic. Photos: Fortifikationsverket
Saab announces airline venture Saab and Boeing will join together in a proposed new Air Force training jet, according to an announcement in St. Louis, Missouri on Sept. 13. The T-X aircraft proposal is to replace the 55-year-old Northrup Grumman T38, used to train fighter pilots. This would be a multi-billion dollar order of at least 350 aircraft. A number of other interests are also vying for the order. Saab AB in partnership with Boeing will use their two production T-X aircraft, revealed on Sept. 13, to show the U.S. Air Force the performance, affordability and maintenance advantages of their approach.
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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Immigrant Footprints by Lilly Setterdahl guest@nordstjernan.com
Traveling the back roads of southeastern Iowa in 1972, my husband and I came to a gravel road that took us straight up a slowly ascending hill until we saw two small white churches on the crest. One was Lutheran and one Methodist. We knew that a small group of Swedish immigrants from Kisa had arrived at this place in 1845 and staked out their homesteads on virgin land. In Sweden, the group’s leader, Peter Cassel, had been a miller, farmer and building contractor. John Danielsson became a miller when he took over Cassel’s mill. They had heard of the abundance of “free” land in America and decided to emigrate. The group traveled on the Göta Kanal from Östergötland to Göteborg, then on the sailing ship Superb — on top of iron, riding out storms, colliding with another vessel, and losing the ship’s front mast — finally arriving in New York after eight weeks. They had planned to settle in Wisconsin, but when they learned that the best land was already taken in that state, they changed their plans and headed for Iowa Territory. (Iowa became a state a year later, on December 28, 1846.) From New York, they were accompanied by other Swedes. They went by railroad and ship to Philadelphia, where they continued on a primitive rail track that carried four “cars” pulled by horses but also functioned as canal boats. Over the mountains, they were pulled to the top and let down on the other side. In Pittsburgh the travelers took a steamboat down the Ohio River to Cairo, and then another boat up the Mississippi River to Burlington, Iowa. There they met a man, who had
View of New Sweden from Four Corners showing the rolling landscape. Photography: Lennart Setterdahl
the roof of the shanty. Following a thunderacquired land in “New Sweden,” Jefstorm with heavy rains the wet and ferson County, so the little group heavy bricks flattened the shanty. headed in that direction. At the time of the emigraNew Sweden has never We knew that a tion, Peter Cassel was 54, been listed on any maps, small group of Swedish his second wife Ingeborg but when the immigrants immigrants from Kisa Catharina Andersdotter was found a roofless cabhad arrived at this place in 38, and Peter’s son from his in near Brush Creek, they had come to the 1845 and staked out their first marriage, Carl Johan, was 23. The children from right place and humorhomesteads on the second marriage were ously named the place virgin land. Anders Fredrik 11, Maria Stockholm. First, they Mathilda 10, Catharina 8, and cut brush to make a roof Gustaf Albert 7. A brother and for the cabin. Next, they built sister of Cassel’s wife, Erik Peter Ana shanty. When they had made dersson 32, and Sara Lovisa Andersdotter 20, some bricks, they lay them out to dry on
also came along from Bjerkeryd, Kisa parish. The Danielssons were from Kvarnstugan, Fällingsö, Kisa. Johan Danielsson was 46, and his wife Lisa Andersdotter was 53. Their children were Johan August 16, Anders Viktor 15, Maria Albertina 11, Sophia Mathilda 9, and Frans Oscar, 6. From Tidersrum came Johannes Månsson and his wife Ingeborg Catharina Carlsdotter 39, a sister of Peter Cassel, and their three daughters, 11, 7, and 3 years old. As soon as they had built homes for themselves, they founded a Lutheran congregation. Their minister was a shoemaker by trade. Peter Cassel sent for hymnals from Sweden. The “New Sweden Chapel” that we saw
‘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
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was built in 1860 but was seldom used after the services had been moved to Lockridge. The church was on the National Register of Historic Places (it burned down a few years ago, and a replica was built), and the doors were open so we walked in. The first thing we saw was a large potbelly stove along one wall. We recognized the altar painting as a work by the Swedish-American artist Olof Grafstrom. The Methodist Church, in regular use, had been built in 1872, one hundred years before our visit. It was preceded by a log church built in 1856. Many of the settlers had become Methodists, among them Peter Cassel and John Danielson and their families. We walked around the two cemeteries and I recognized the names on the headstones of many of the early settlers. We saw markers for children who had died young. Researching the land records, I found that Mr. Cassel claimed 40 acres of government land to begin with, while Mr. Danielson claimed 80. They had no oxen, horses or plows to work the land, only hoes and spades. Money was scarce on the frontier. The men had to walk to Burlington to find work. When they needed a loan, they had to pay 20 percent interest in advance. If they borrowed 100 dollars, they received 80. The economy was for the most part a barter system. When land became scarce in the area, the Swedes went farther into the wilderness and founded the settlements Swede Bend and Swede Point (now Stratford and Madrid in Boone County). Later, some Swedes began to settle in Swedesburg in Henry County, where the land was flat but swampy. Swedesburg has a Swedish Museum displaying artifacts from pioneer times, among them a cooling basket that was used for the deceased before a casket could be built. The Swedish Heritage Society of Swedesburg operates the museum. On May 21, 1857, Mathilda Cassel, the eldest daughter of Peter Cassel, married a Swedish immigrant from Hycklinge, Östergötland — Carl Johan Peterson, who had arrived in about 1850; they became farmers in New Sweden. Thanks to good contacts with descendants of the Cassel group, I learned more about Mathilda and her husband. When the Civil War had begun and President Lincoln’s call for volunteers came, Peterson along with some 30 other young men from the area volunteered for service. Carl (Charles) Johan Peterson had been 16 years old when he arrived; he presumably did not attend school in Iowa. He served in Company H of the 30th Iowa Volunteer Infantry that enrolled in Jefferson County. His Civil War letters to his wife have been typed and probably translated from Swedish. The three first letters are dated Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Nov. 1, 1862, Helena, Arkansas, Dec. 5, 1862, and Memphis Mar. 24, 1863 (from Gayoso Hospital). Someone else had penned his last letter dated June 5, 1863 because he was still hospitalized and too ill to write. In the letter, he asked Mathilda to come and get him. He had been sick since Dec. 25, 1862, was disabled, and could not travel on his own. His message to Mathilda
Sweden in America
apps for your smartphone that give you instant access to everything Swedish in the U.S. One for events, one for places, stores and to search for the things you long for ... anything! Available on Apple Store or Google Play or download at www.swedeninamerica.com - where Sweden meets America: Places, events and organizations. (Apps by Nordstjernan)
Birgitta Lauger (Smålands Britta), Swedesburg, Iowa, showing a glass jar that she probably used as seeder. She was born in Madesjö, Småland, in 1889 and emigrated in 1911. Married to Emil Lauger, whose grandfather had emigrated in the early 1850s and lived under a tree with his family in Illinois before coming to New Sweden. Both Emil and Birgitta were interviewed by Lennart Setterdahl in 1972.
was, “When you start, all you have to do is get on board a steamboat in Keokuk and go to St. Louis, and you may have to change boats. When you come to Memphis, all you have to do is come right up from the river and ask for Gayoso Hospital.” • The trip would cost $45 and Charles was certain she could borrow the amount. He hoped his military pay would cover the cost. He gave her advice about the farm. “As to having an auction you can do as you wish, if you think you can get 25 cents per shock of corn. When you get some money, buy some lumber and hire someone to make a door and window for the kitchen.” • It was unusual for a woman to travel alone at the time, especially near the banks of the Mississippi River, where bandits prowled. The letter said, “You will be as safe in a steamboat cabin as at home.” Mathilda took a train to Keokuk and walked from the train station to the river, changed boats in St. Louis, and walked from the river in Memphis to the hospital. (The Battle of Stone River on Dec. 31-Jan. 3, 1863 had freed Middle Tennessee from Confederate control.) • Mathilda managed to get her husband released and discharged on June 27, 1863. She cared for him on the way home, but Charles died July 6, 1863, just four days after the homecoming. He was interred in New Sweden’s Methodist Cemetery. Mathilda later married Frank Danielson, who had also served in the war. Frank was the son
of Johan Danielson, and like Mathilda, he had come to America in 1845 as a child and they had grown up together.
Photos by Lennart Setterdahl, 1972 Text by Lilly Setterdahl. See lillysetterdahl. blogspot.com for more titles of published books.
Methodist Church and Cemetery, New Sweden, built in 1872.
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
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The Cinnamon Bun Pound Cake olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
En Skröna
En skröna är oftast en intressant berättelse med roliga men icke alltid helt sanna överdrifter. Däri ligger skillnaden mellan en skröna och en krönika. En krönika skall berätta sanningar och hålla sig till fakta. Man skall kunna lita på vad som står i en krönika. Därför blir krönikor mestadels torra. Inga överdrifter eller lustiga snedsprång och halvsanningar får förekomma i en krönika. I en skröna däremot får fantasin komma till tals. En skröna får dock aldrig tappa förankring i verkligheten. Det måste finnas en möjlighet att vad som sägs i en skröna kan vara sant. Överdrifter får icke vara helt orimliga. Då blir det bara fåniga spekulationer. Det som framförs i en god skröna måste således innehålla ett uns av trovärdighet. Det måste nästan vara troligt att det gått till på det sättet. Livet och tillvaron är som alla vet oförutsägbart. Det mesta kan hända. Det vet vi av erfarenhet. Den som hör någonting uppseende väckande frågar sig därför ibland. Kanske det rentav kan ligga till på det sättet? Just tvivlet skänker färg åt en skröna. Sådan färg får sällan en krönika. Som håller sig till torra fakta.. Nu tänker jag berätta en skröna om Donald Trump. Donald Trump har nämligen hastigt beslutat sig för att avbryta sin kampanj att bli Amerikas president. Många av er kanske tvivlar på mig efter alla bombastiska framträdanden och påståenden Trump gjort. Därför måste jag påminna alla tvivlare om att varenda människa har rätt att ändra sig. Nu vill han helt enkelt dra sig tillbaka därför att han kommit till insikt om att den fortsatta politiska spurten förmodligen kommer att bli smutsig.
I själva verket vill han verkligen inte förnedra eller såra Hillary Clinton eller någon annan i det demokratiska partiet. I grunden vill han i stället precis framstå precis som den präktiga mansperson som hans fru påstod att han är på konventet. Hans strävan är att göra livet behagligt för såväl familjen Trump som för många andra. Han har aldrig tänkt bränna några moskéer eller säga tarvliga saker om brottslighet eller våldtäktsbenägenheten bland alla snälla medborgare från Mexico. Tro mig eller ej. Människor är olika och oberäkneliga. Ibland ångrar varje individ sig över sitt beteende. Eller förstår och finner det nödvändigt att byta spår. Om jag nu i min skröna i Nordstjernan också berättar att judar och araber i Jerusalem plötsligt kommit överens om att gemensam samlevnad i den heliga staden blir den bästa lösningen på allt gammal groll, tror kanske några läsare, att jag blivit komplett galen. Så är inte fallet. Ofta blir allting bättre om man vidgar perspektiven. De flesta vet givetvis att livet blir lättare att leva om man slutar ge varandra på käften och lägga ut snubbeltrådar lite varstans. Visserligen har vi människor olika religioner och varierade tänkesätt. Men alla sluter vi upp för kärleken, omtanken, hederligheten och vänligheten. Därför bör det givetvis vara möjligt för oss att leva tillsammans i den värld vi trots allt älskar. Jag skulle kunna ge mängder av exempel på hur lyckliga vi vore om kunde tro mer övertygande på goda skrönor. Tillvaron blir angenämare om vi försöker göra om en del förhållanden från hur de ser ut till hur de med smärre korrigeringar skulle kunna utvecklas.
Jubilee buns - a cinnamon heart for October 4th. Recipe: www.nordstjernan.com
If you’re out of time but still want the taste of ”kanelbullar,” try Pernilla Wahlgren’s faster version: the Cinnamon Bun Pound Cake: Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1-1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 pinch of salt
one at a time, and thereafter the sour cream. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients, and then add to the butter batter. Mix the filling ingredients separately. Butter a cake pan. Pour in half the batter, then half of the filling mixture, pour in the rest of the batter and top it with the rest of the filling mix. Put 2 tablespoons of butter in small dots on top and bake the cake for 45-60 minutes. Recipe: www.pernillawahlgren.se.
Filling: 1/3 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cinnamon Instruction: Preheat oven to 350°F. In one bowl, stir butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs,
NORDSTJERNAN
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local events. page 13
SWEA NY Mona Johnsson Scholarships 2016 Each year, the Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) in New York awards one or several scholarships, depending on the applicant pool. In return, recipients commit to providing a report to SWEA New York on how the award was used — either in writing or by giving a presentation. Since 2014, SWEA New York’s scholarship has been awarded in fond memory of Mona Johnsson, who was a founder and active member of SWEA New York. SWEA New York Mona Johnsson Scholarship is given to support a person or an organization with ties to New York in their studies or their efforts to advance/share knowledge of Swedish culture, traditions, language, history, or society. To be considered for the scholarship, an applicant must: - Have connections with New York and Sweden - Have concrete plans for how to use the scholarship - Commit to providing a report on how the scholarship was used, for instance by writing an article or giving a presentation to SWEA New York - If applicable, have established contact with the university, institution or organization where s/he will study - Both women and men are encouraged to apply - SWEA members and their families cannot apply In 2015, the SWEA New York Mona Johnson Scholarship was awarded to two organizations: Swedish Jamestown which works to promote Swedish culture and language to children in western New York, and the Nordic International Film Festival. The two scholarship winners each received $1,500.
NIFF Film festival
Nordic International Film Festival held its first festival in 2015 at Scandinavia House in New York City. Over 500 filmmakers attended the event and many flew in from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, from other parts of the U.S. and other countries. NIFF’s goal is to promote Nordic films on the international market and help independent filmmakers filming in the Nordic countries, and vice versa. The grant will be used to give filmmakers more channels to present their work and will increase the exposure of Swedish culture to people in the New York area. This year’s festival will take place over three days on October 28, 29 and 30. For more info, see www.nordicfilmfest.org
Swedish Jamestown
Swedish Jamestown, run by Maria Malmström and Susanna Ecklof, promotes Swedish culture and language to children in western New York. The Scholarship Committee of SWEA New York feels the initiative is a good way to ensure the influence of Swedish culture in an area that was once one of the largest Swedish settlements in North Ameri-
ca. Swedish Jamestown will use the scholarship for programs related to Swedish culture. Participants are children ages 0-18 who have Swedish ancestry or an interested in Swedish culture. The programs focus on language, traditions, history, geography, literature, nature and culinary traditions to preserve Swedish culture to future generations. For more info, search SwedishJamestown on Facebook. The application deadline for 2016 is December 16. The scholarship awardee(s) will be notified in early January and is expected to receive the scholarship Johan Matton och Linnea Larsdotter Mikkelä — happy scholarship recipients from NIFF, New York. at SWEA New York’s Annual Meeting in February 2017. Link for the application: http://newyork. swea.org/swea-newyork-stipendium/ For more information, or to submit your application: sweanyscholarship@gmail.com SWEA, the Swedish Women’s Educational Association, is a global non-profit organization for Swedish and Swedish-speaking women who are living or have lived outside Sweden. SWEA’s mission includes supporting and raising awareness of the Swedish language, culture and traditions. SWEA supports educa- Maria Malmström and Susanna Ecklof with a few of the Swedish Jamestown children. tion through scholarships and other projects. The organization Sweden’s cultural budget increases was founded in 1979 in Los Angeles by Budget proposals were announced on Sept. 20 with several enhancements for SweAgneta Nilsson and has grown to consist den’s cultural venues. The Royal Opera is slated for renovation and Riksutställningar of 7,500 members among over 70 chapters to be closed. Television fees will be increased. In total the expanded cultural arts in 33 countries around the world. The New budget will see SEK 409 million. York chapter of SWEA was established in The government is also investing 1983 and has approximately 200 members. SEK 5 million annually toward Mona Johnsson was one of the founders reading promotion activities durof SWEA New York, and remained a very ing school holidays, and literaactive and involved member until her death ture and culture magazines will in 2014. get 15 million more to encourage reading development in children. Kungliga Operan (the Royal Opera) or the Oscarian Opera house, which was inaugurated in 1898, is slated for renovation.
September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
local events. page 14
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
l California
10.01.2016 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM Sacramento Scandinavian Festival: Scandinavian food, baked goods and merchandise for sale. Viking reenactors, live music and folk dancing. Scandinavian Festival Association of Sacramento. 916.759.6750. www.facebook. com/SacramentoScandinavianFestival
09.30.2016 05:00 PM - 11.11.2016 10:00 PM A Man Called Ove A film written and Directed by Hannes Holm based on the international best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman opens at Laemmle’s Royal (www.laemmle.com/ theaters/1); and in other select places, see listings and a trailer, here: http://www.musicboxfilms.com/a-man-called-ove-movies-139. php
l Connecticut
10.02.2016 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM Swedish Pea Soup and Pancake Dinner including pea soup, pancakes, bread, cheese, soda, coffee and dessert - followed by an auction. $15. CT District #1, VOA, Kronan Lodge #2. 860.563.0040. steinmillerl@gmail.com.
l Florida
10.22.2016 06:00 PM - 11:30 PM Swedish Club of Sarasota Annual Crayfish Party at Holiday Inn by Sarasota Airport, 8009 15th St. East, Sarasota, FL. Cocktail happy hour starts at 6 p.m. in the bar area and then we move to our tables for dinner at 7 p.m. www.swedishclubsarasota.org Holiday Inn SRQ: (941)355-9000
Continuously The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach promotes trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Sweden, Fort Lauderdale - Palm Beach and members. See www.sacc-sfl.org
l Illinois
09.16.2016 11:00 AM - 09.17.2016 12:00 AM Hejsan – Story & Craft Hour at the museum All ages welcome. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 09.17.2016 11:00 AM - 09.17.2016 12:00 AM The Dream of America - Guided Exhibit Tour of the Swedish American Museum’s permanent exhibit. 773-728-8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 09.18.2016 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM Swedish crystal at its best - Final day of “Målerås Glass: Crystal Art from Master Craftsman Mats Jonasson and Ludvig Löfgren” Exhibit Closing. 09.22.2016 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM Movits! at Bottom Lounge; 312.666.6775. info@ bottomlounge.com. http://bottomlounge.com 09.24.2016 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Genealogy Session: A Family Mystery solved Hear about how PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow unraveled the mysteries around author Gail Lukasik’s family history. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 09.29.2016 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM Walking Tour of Andersonville. A guided tour led by the Swedish American Museum. Cost is $5 per person. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 10.02.2016 12 noon Annual Herring Breakfast, catered by Tre Kronor
Välkommen till
Söndag 9 oktober kl 11.00
Tacksägelsedagen - Mässa med dop
Vad är du glad över och vill tacka för i ditt liv? Kyrkkaffe anordnat av Svenska Klubben Save the date! 12 november Church of Sweden San Francisco Fundraising, 15.00-18.30
Church of Sweden at Norwegian Seamen’s Church 2454 Hyde Street, San Francisco • Tel: 415-632-8504 Mer information: www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco
Välkommen till
Söndag 2 oktober kl 10.00 (Observera tiden!)
Gudstjänst med kyrklunch i Svenska Kyrkan, San Pedro.
Lördag 15 oktober, kl.13-15: Spara datumet för Svenska kyrkan stora Fundraiser. Tisdag 4 oktober, kl.18.30: Filmkväll och fika. Tisdag 11 oktober, kl.18.30: Samtal om bilbeln och tron
Lördag 15 oktober, kl.14-18: Svensk kyrkans fundraiser hemma hos Maria Montazami Söndag 16 oktober kl 11.00
Gudstjänst med kyrklunch
i Svenska Kyrkan, San Pedro. Tisdag 18 oktober, kl.18.30: Enkel veckomässa i Taizéton Mer information och senaste nytt om alla våra aktiviteter på vår Facebook- och hemsida!
Svenska kyrkan, Los Angeles 1035 South Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 Tel. 310-292-7079 • Epost: losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se Hemsida: www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles På facebook heter vi “Svenska kyrkan i Los Angeles”
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
Restaurant, includes traditional meatballs, potato sausage and much more. 773-728-8111 | www. swedishamericanmuseum.org 10.06.2016 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM An exhibit of abstract paintings, diptychs and triptychs by the late artist Stuart Allen Carlson of Chicago will open in the first-floor gallery. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 10.09.2016 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM Scandinavian Jam with musicians Mary Allsopp and Paul Tyler begins with instruction and practice on traditional tunes, followed by the jam session with visitors invited to play along on their own instruments. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 10.16.2016 02:00 PM - 07:00 PM Dinner Party to honor Viljan Lodge No. 349, V.O.A. 100th Anniversary at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N Washington Ave, Batavia, IL. Social Hour - 2 PM Dinner - 3 PM. Viljan Lodge #349, V.O.A.. 630-6657866. matthewe0607@comcast.net. Continuously Step back in time in historic Bishop Hill. Utopia on the Prairie, then and now. For information call 309-927-3899 or email heritage@bishophill. com. Visit our Website at: www.bishophill.com
l Massachussetts
09.24.2016 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM Smorgasbord Nordic Food Festival at the Scandinavian Cultural Center: Tasting stations from Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Nordic Vendors, live music, guest speakers, kids’ station, family friendly games, a live Viking encampment, and “foodie” fun. 617.795.1914. www.scandicenter.org
l Minnesota
10.01.2016 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM The Swedish Church Choir of New York in concert with a repertoire that spans from Mozart to gospel music. at the American Swedish Institute. 612.871.4907 | www.asimn.org
10.05.2016 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM Swedish-born singer/songwriter Sofia Talvik on tour and fresh from SxSW 2016 is performing at the American Swedish Institute. 612.871.4907 | www.asimn.org 10.09.2016 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM Högalid’s chamber choir in concert at the American Swedish Institute. 612.871.4907 | www. asimn.org 06.18.2016 07:00 PM - 10.18.2016 06:00 PM Quilting Art Today, exhibition featuring creations by Swedish and other artists from the traditional to the abstract.American Swedish Institute. 612.871.4907 | www.asimn.org
l New Jersey
09.04.2016 06:00 AM - 09.04.2016 02:00 PM 32nd annual Scandinavian Fest ScanFest ‘16
l New York
09.30.2016 05:00 PM - 11.11.2016 10:00 PM A Man Called Ove A film written and Directed by Hannes Holm based on the international bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman opens at the Paris Theatre on 4 W 58th Street (www.theparistheatre. com) and the Angelika Film Center (www.angelikafilmcenter.com). 10.04.2016 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Book Talk with Katja Kettu Finnish author and film director Katja Kettu discusses her English-language debut novel The Midwife (AmazonCrossing, October 2016). Scandinavia House. 212.779.3587 | www.scandinaviahouse.org 10.06.2016 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM Innovate 46 Learn more about the Swedish startup scene, how the nation got there and where things are headed at this day of panel discussions and keynote speakers organized by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, New York. For more info on SACC NY, see www.saccny.org. SACC NY. 212.838.5530. info@saccny.org. www.saccny.org 10.08.2016 11:00 AM -2:00 PM The Hans Christian Andersen Storytellers bring to life exciting fairy and folk tales and fantastic adventures from Scandinavia and the far north. Scandinavia House. 212.779.3587 | www.scandinaviahouse.org 10.10.2016 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM Conversation with Sweden’s Cullberg Ballet. Scandinavia House. 212.779.3587 | www.scandinaviahouse.org
l Pennsylvania
10.01.2016 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morton Monument Restoration Ceremony The John Morton Restoration Ceremony will be held at St. Paul’s burial ground, at Welsh Avenue and East 3rd Street in Chester, where the monument is located. Morton, who was of Swedish/ Finnish ancestry, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Swedish Colonial Society. 301.570.3084 | www.colonialswedes.net 10.09.2016 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM Swedish Cooking Workshop. A hands on cooking workshop at ASHM. Join fellow culinary enthusiasts to make Potatiskorv (sausage) and Limpa from scratch. 215.389.1776. | www.americanswedish.com 10.09.2016 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM Leif Ericson Day Annual Leif Ericson Day celebration on Marsh Creek Lake with the crew of the Viking Ship “Norseman.” At 11 a.m. we launch our ship at the Western Launch. At 12 p.m. a lakeside ceremony honors the life and accomplishments of Leif Ericsson followed by more sailing of the ship until 2:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. enjoy cocktails and celebratory dinner (reservations required) at the Hilton Garden Inn, 720 East Eagleview Blvd., Exton PA. www. vikingship.org 10.18.2016 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Toddler Time at the American Swedish Museum. 215.389.1776. | www.americanswedish.com
l Wisconsin
10.08.2016 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM Scandinavian Festival of Wisconsin: Scandinavian ethnic food and Scandinavian merchandise for sale. Enjoy the Nordic style music and dancing, the Genealogy Room with specialists, children’s activities, and much more. www. facebook.com/NCOWI/ | 262.366.9152
local events. page 15
The Kingdom of the Ice Princess
God Jul – Merry Christmas All the recipes you need for a Swedish traditional Christmas, translated for the American household and modified to fit today’s lifestyle. 72 recipes – the perfect book for Christmas!
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Call 1.800.827.9333 ext 10 or see www.nordicsampler.com for a sample and easy order.
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An exhibition of works by Lilian Togelius is open at the Swedish Church, New York, from Sept. 17 through Oct. 12. Dreams. Nightmares. Daydreams. Worlds that cannot always be seen but affect our lives in countless ways. People are their dreams; dreams are part of everyone. Dreams tell you who you are and what your concerns are. In this exhibition, Lilian Togelius will take you on a tour of her dreams and maybe your own as well. Lilian Togelius was born in 1951 in Kalmar, Sweden. She studied art at the Forum Art Academy in Malmö, Sweden and later at the Accademia Belle Arti in Rome, Italy. A painter and occasional fiction writer and mural artist, her work employs surrealist techniques and motives of childhood, dreams and fears. At the Swedish Church in New York, Lilian will present an exhibition called “The Kingdom of the Ice Princess.” In the eponymous painting, one of the central works of the exhibition, we see a forbidding structure in the distance. This is the palace of an ancient culture ruled by the Ice Princess. The domains surrounding the palace are full of life. In her dreams, Lilian flies over these domains into the palace to meet the Ice Princess. You are hereby invited to the exhibition to explore these worlds for yourself. Bring your own dreams to the exhibition opening at the Swedish Church in Manhattan on Sept. 17. Swedish Church in New York 5 East 48th Street, NYC For more info see www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork/ svenskakyrkanse
The Kingdom of the Ice Princess. Photo: Lilian Togelius
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September 30, 2016 Nordstjernan
sports. page 16
Photo: Andreas L. Eriksson/Bildbyrån
Malmö slips in standings
Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
When Malmö FF sold Iceland striker Vidar Orn Kjartansson to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, team captain Markus Rosenberg blasted his own board, questioning why it would sell the team- and league-leading scorer in the middle of the season and put money over a potential return to the lucrative Champions League. Just a week later, Rosenberg’s warning that Malmö would miss the 14-goal scorer came true as MFF traveled to Stockholm Sept. 18 to face Djurgården and came away with a 3-1 loss. “It is definitely not good, not good at all,” Rosenberg said after the match. “There is no way we can be anything but upset with this result.” Defending champions IFK Norrköping took advantage of the result, beating Helsingborg 2-1 and taking a two-point lead in the standings over Malmö. Peking tops the table with 50 points while Malmö has 48. AIK is a somewhat distant third with 43 points. “It is going to be tight right until the end,” Rosenberg said of the championship race. “We made three mistakes and we lost.” Two of the three goals Malmö goalkeeper Johan Wiland allowed were own goals as
Anton Tinnerholm and Kari Arnasson both deflected shots into their own net. “We were careless,” Rosenberg said. “We had not lost since May. It happens. Now we have to turn around quickly and get ready to play again.” The fallout from the sale of Kjartansson was clear to see against Djurgården as Malmö lacked quality in the final third of the field. Newly acquired Alexander Jeremejeff, the 22-yeard-old striker Malmö bought from BK Häcken in August, again started alongside Rosenberg but the starlet looked lost at times as MFF controlled the flow of play. Rosenberg raised the question of whether Malmö sold Kjartansson to make room from Jeremejeff, whom many football pundits believe will develop into a major star. At the other end of the table, Falkenberg all but booked its passage back to the Superettan following a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Elfsborg. Falkenberg has just 9 points in 22 matches. Gefle is likely to join Falkenberg in the second flight after a 1-0 loss in Solna to AIK. Gefle has 14 points. Helsingborg, following its loss to Norrköping, has 19 points and sits in the relegation playoff spot.
European misadventures
Nordstjernan, September 30, 2016
When Malmö FF announced its record
earnings and claimed the crown as the richest sports club in Sweden, it made its money the old-fashioned, Viking way — raiding Europe. The Sky Blues didn’t need to burn villages or pillage towns. It simply had to reach the Group Stage of the ultra-lucrative UEFA Champions League, which it did two years running. That run ended, however, when Malmö finished in fourth place in 2015, failing to gain a spot in European play. Instead, IFK Norrköping went into the Champions League qualifiers and failed to advance out of the second round. IFK Göteborg, AIK and BK Häcken went into the UEFA Europa League with Häcken lasting one round while Göteborg and AIK managed to get into the third round of qualifiers before crashing out. The lackluster results mean Sweden will not receive an additional berth in qualifiers in either tournament, something which Malmö general manager Niclas Carlnén told Nordstjernan in a January interview he wanted his club to accomplish. “There has been talk but the other Swedish clubs must also do well,” Carlnén said. “I would like Malmö to be the team that helps the other Swedish clubs to get more recognition, more places, in Europe, but to do that, you must have success when you play in the
Photo: Peter Arvidsson/Bildbyrån
Djurgården striker Michael Olunga beats Malmö goalkeeper Johan Wiland for his second goal in DIF’s 3-1 win September 18 in Stockholm.
Malmöclub director Niclas Carlnén.
Champions League or the Europa League.” Swedish clubs were not the only busts in Europe as only one Scandinavian side managed to reach the group stage in either European tournament. Danish side FC Copenhagen reached the group stage in the Champions League and is the only Nordic side left in European competition. Danish clubs Brondby, Midtjylland and SonderjyskE lost in the playoffs of the Europa League. Finnish sides HJK Helsinki, RoPS, Norwegian sides Odd and Stromsgodset and Breidabilik of Iceland all crashed out of the Europa League as well. Norwegian champions Rosenborg failed to advance from the Champions League playoffs while Iceland champions FH Halnarfjordur and Finnish champions Senajoki could not advance from the qualifiers.