Published by Swedish News. Volume 145 No. 10, July 15, 2017. Price per copy $3.50.
Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden.se
No matter the temperature, Swedes always welcome the chance to eat outside in the summer, especially with family and friends. It needn’t be fancy (though sometimes it is), and we do our best to help replicate the tradition with a few recipes. / Page 16
Swedish machismo?
American Midsummer
Weather played a big part in this year’s Midsummer celebrations, no matter where or when they were held. If it wasn’t chilly and rainy, storms threatened -- and one historic festival even had to find a new venue this year. But the weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits or prevent a lot of Swedes in America from celebrating one of their favorite holidays of the year. For more of the activities that our hardy fellows in the Swedish American community enjoy at Midsummer, see pages 18-21
A contribution from a reader in Minnesota makes an interesting point, claiming the recent modest vogue for American football in Sweden can be seen as the latest importation of macho American activities and attitudes to Sweden. Stating how, since the 1800s Sweden’s heroes have been businessmen, inventors and diplomats – fair and even-keeled Swedes who know peace and neutrality in politics and daily life. Macho posing is frowned upon and macho attitudes are repressed in professional settings. Yet there seems to be a residual affection and need for such activities, at least in certain segments of Swedish society. It follows, as the night follows the day, that these activities and attitudes come from their cultural home, the United States. / Pages 9 & 26
Right man, right time
A remarkable Swede has been making his mark in Silicon Valley. As one of Elon Musk’s most important officers as Tesla’s vice president and chief production officer, Peter Carlsson, 46, is kicking off a dream project called Northvolt, a “gigafactory” that provides affordable, high quality batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage around the world. Energy storage is considered the missing link in the transition to a zero-carbon economy, which is one of the Nordic country’s goals to reach by 2045. Lithium-ion packs are also key for automakers banking on a new generation of plug-in vehicles. Carlsson is returning to Sweden as CEO of Northvolt, and expects to make Sweden the most significant supplier of batteries in Europe after it starts production in 2018. / Story on page 10
Study in Sweden? Swedish universities are visiting the U.S. to offer more information on master studies in Sweden. / p13 It’s summer! Sit back, relax and practice your Swedish / p3 Crayfish season is such a big deal that it gets its own “opening day” / p7 Swede of the World 2017 / p5
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