Published by Swedish News. Volume 145 No. 14, November 1, 2017. Price per copy $3.50.
Real? What is
A Swedish classic—dark rye Coming to your living room bread “kavring” ideal for fall soon: A heightened reality
A Swede’s memories of America of the 1950s
Short pants and big steaks, clean shirts, nice smells and bigger cars ... “I grew up in Sweden when it was still a duck pond. The continent was a day by train and a ferry ride from Stockholm. Just visiting Copenhagen was an invigorating international experience to most. It was a country where men went to work in the same suit for years and changed their shirt, at the best, once a week ...” Did things change a tiny bit? Story /P15
Bread, in all its forms, is the most widely consumed food in the world. Maybe this is a good time to be reminded of a Swedish way to allow ourselves panem et circenses, bread and circuses. While the political circus offers more (questionable) entertainment than most of us would like, this issue brings you a classic Swedish bread with a similarly classic spread you won’t find in your next door deli but can easily make yourself. / P12 Page 4
Though many people may not think of it this way, we are all in some ways accustomed to alternate realities, if not through fiction, drama or movies, then through digital data output, via our smartphones. Alternate realities are related to direct or indirect views of an environment or sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or data. And they’re not just for video games, but so much more, and they’re catching on at warp speed in every industry. / P20 Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Sweden, planted some pine trees and finally revealed a great secret/ p5 We have a Swede - a female - to thank for the invention of vodka/ p5 Swedish America knows it’s not too early to kick off the holiday season /p6
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
Swedes know a good thing ... / p4
dashboard | november 1, 2017 SCANDINAVIAN QUIZ
2 Which landskap (province) isn’t a landskap in Sweden but lies in Norway? a) Nordland b) Dalsland c) Medelpad d) Västmanland 3 What northern city is nicknamed The City of Birches? a) Tampere, Finland b) Trondheim, Norway c) Umeå, Sweden
Ales Stenar (“Ale’s stones”) is a megalithic monument in Skåne, probably from the end of the Nordic Iron Age. It is thought the stones, each weighing nearly 2 tons, were placed around 900 AD on an existing burial ground that’s likely 5500 years old. Skånsk folklore ascribes the stones to the grave of King Ale the Strong, a figure from Swedish legends. Ales Stenar consists of 59 large standing stones erected in the shape of a boat 67 meters long, perhaps symbolic of a craft that would ferry the dead to their eternal fate. Others speculate the structure had an astronomical or astrological purpose, based on the interpretation that the stones have been positioned according to the days of the year and hours of the day. Scholarly astronomers and archaeologists believe Ales Stenar is a cremation grave, likely where a lesser-known viking chieftain was buried, or meant to be buried and the stones were erected to honor his eternal memory. Name’s Days of the Swedish Calendar Namnsdagar i november
November 1 November 2 November 3 November 4 November 5 November 6 November 7 November 8 November 9 November 10 November 11 November 12 November 13 November 14
Allhelgonadagen Tobias Hubert/Hugo Sverker Eugen/Eugenia Gustav Adolf Ingegerd/Ingela Vendela Teodor/Teodora Martin/Martina Mårten Konrad/Kurt Kristian/Krister Emil/Emilia
November 1
|
New York Chicago Stockholm Kiruna Lund Los Angeles 2 NORDSTJERNAN
5 When was the first ring wall around Visby put up? a)1200 b) 1400 c)1555 d) 1776
CULTURE
Namnsdagar
Sverker — November 4 Sverker is a man’s name with Old Norse origins. Perhaps it had its origin in the name Svartgeir, which is combined by “svartr” (an old word for svart or black) and “geirr” (spear). The oldest mention of the name in Sweden is from a rune stone from the 11th century in Fröberga. It reads: Vighjälm och Ödmund de läto resa stenen efter Sverker, sin gode broder (“Vighjälm and Ödmund they let raise this stone after Sverker, their good brother”).
7 How many mines are in production in Sweden today? a) 3 b) 28 c)17 d) 22
8 What is Skåne’s province flower? a) Buttercup b)Marguerite c)Linnea d) Daffodil
9 Which landskap in southern Sweden is known as the birthplace of Carl von Linné and a place of endless forests? a) Jämtland b) Hälsingland c)Småland d) Dalsland 10 When did Sweden’s blue and yellow national costume get established? a) with King Gustav III in 1771 b) with King Carl XIV Johan in 1818 c)with Queen Silvia in 1983
November
Emil — November 14 The male name Emil probably has its roots in the Roman family name Aemilius, brought to Sweden through the French version Émile. Emil became a very popular name during the 1970’s when Astrid Lindgren’s books about Emil were filmed; the name has remained on the top lists. In 2016 there were 30,649 Emils in Sweden. Is your father in Sweden? “Fars dag” (Father’s Day) is celebrated on the second Sunday, Nov. 12.
founded in new york city in september 1872
Sunrise & Sunset
7.26 am 7.23 am 7.07 am 7.49 am 7.13 am 7.12 am
4 What city is sometimes called “Little London” because of intensive trade with England during the 18th century? a) Göteborg, Sweden b) Stavanger, Norway c)Aarhus, Denmark
6 Henning Mankell’s books about Wallander take place in what Swedish small town? a) Sigtuna b)Ystad c) Gränna d) Simrishamn
Answers: 1:B, 2:A, 3:C, 4:A, 5:A, 6:B, 7:C, 8:B, 9:C, 10:C
1
Where is Sweden’s “Stonehenge,” Ales Stenar, located? a) Österlen b) Löderup c) Hammenhög d) Visby
5.52 pm 5.44 pm 3.54 pm 2.55 pm 4.27 pm 5.59 pm
Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670), founded in New York City in September 1872, is published by Swedish News, Inc., 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 • Readers services and editorial submissions: P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Periodicals Postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. www.nordstjernan.com, Nordstjernan is published semimonthly, except for the months of January, February, July when it is monthly and Augustwith no issue. 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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this week…
It’s all about the people
I spend time every so often going through our historic pages, and, while looking for a feature from the 1990s I came across a temporary editor’s name—legendary newspaper man Lars Henrik Ottoson, a dear friend and colleague who died in 2010. He came to New York City to edit the paper for close to a year in 1995 and starting contributing regularly after that until he passed away. His column in Swedish, which ran for over 10 years, always reminded me of some of the writings from another day and age, by Ernst Skarstedt, who was acting editor of Nordstjernan and also of Vestkusten, and chronicled much of Swedish Americana in the early 20th century. Skarstedt, like Lars, also traveled the country, the world, and every so often returned to Sweden for a longer or shorter period. In this issue we’re running Lars’s memories from his first trip to the U.S. in the 1950s (p15). They say the history of Sweden is the history of its kings. In some ways it may be equally true to state that the history of the Swedish press in the United States is the history of its publishers and editors. We turned 145 years old on September 21, 2017 and one thing becomes clear when you go
Published by
Swedish News.
Volume 145 No.
8, June 1, 2017.
Price per copy
through the many changes through the years of this, your newspaper: As fascinating as many of the writers, editors and contributors are, the newspaper itself is larger than any individual, and those of us working on it are really no more than caretakers while you, the readers, are the real “boss.” Your continuous comments and contributions (p10) illustrate why we have been able to increase readership while most general newspapers have been going down in circulation in recent years—allow me to stress that the more you interact with us, and the more you keep sending us comments, tidbits, photos from events or special people in your area, organization or circle of friends, the better we can—and will—serve you as YOUR paper. I may be signing this column but it is you, the reader, who “runs” it. Anna (p12), other than an amazing baker and cook, is a reader. It is really and in every way all about the people. Ulf Barslund Mårtensson Editor & Publisher
Page 5
Princess Sofia visits her hometown of Älvdalen, Sweden, though she doesn’t speak its native tongue of Älvdalska, now known to the Minecraft world as Elfdalian.
Dashboard, p4-5
Honoring Leif Erikson in Cleveland / Did you know who invented vodka? / Swedes know a good thing / Minecraft saves the day / Apple’s favorite cardboard / Swedish sock monkeys / A Swedish bride and Wisconsin goats
Events calendar, p6-9
What’s going on around Swedish America – including many holiday events.
$3.50.
Secrets of the Swedish Smö rgåsbord Travelers visiting the north of ago, particula rly foreigners Sweden 200 years with sensitive spoke from time noses, stink that blanketeto time of the extraord inary One 18th-cen d the countryside. tury merchan plaining that t on these journeys wrote home comto abstain from , it was necessar kissing the otherwis y local women e attractive on account of the smell of that envelop sour fish ed them. He did not realize was simply the odor a by-product of one oldest culinary traditions: fermenteof Sweden’s Once homely d fish. served fish dishes survival food, pungent preming have evolvedsuch as gravlax and surström into present— for Swedes, anyway, if not day delicacies Continued on foreign guests. / page 14
Swedish Ingen
uity It seems as if every week we vancements in technology, learn about new adscience and in Sweden. ingenuity And this week is no exceptio examples of an innovative n with wrinkle clothing, Volvo’s plan for producin in a new kind of a supportive g electric vehicles, resource for helping people unique ideas, promote and got elite athletes a powerful new sports drink that’s hopping. / Pages 20-21
Midsumme
Photo: Niklas
Page 11
r, Midso
No matter how mmar … we spell it we weekend
love this special Swedes take celebrate their days off seriously special word weekend) closest d in Sweden on the Friday and for the one (and that’s “pinched even have a We spend weeks to June 21, the summer in between” two holidays. solstice. preparing for / p4 it -- is there anything it and More than prettier or more anticipating the Midsomm 150 years later Swedish Academy of ar celebration Music is making the Royal Swedish with all the flowers,than maypole, food sure a househol and music? In the d name, even Jenny LInd remains the U.S. we try the festivities in the U.S. to mimic as much as possible / p9 An athlete reports of some (and we’ve heard from Maryland American celebratio American football is helping Sweden more Swedish ns being even build an league worth than some in its Sweden) all here in our salt in herring. /p22 , and they compreh Larsson/Bild
byrån
Stay informed in a Swede way. Nordstjernan is published every other week with the exceptions of Jan.-Feb. and July-Aug.
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A selection of recent reader comments.
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are ensive listing celebrations throughout Swedish of Midsommar America / Page 6
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m was built on 14 islands east coast where on Sweden’s Sea. More than Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic 50 bridges connect islands and the various city the archipela go, feats of where in some engineer cases locks passage possible. were built to ing make up in Stockhol Contributor Leif Rosqvist m grew he walks about and often takes us with him as the city, this that follows the water’s edge time along a route (sluss) system. of the historic /Page 14 lock
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“Lumpen” is back—a, so far, limited consciption mandatory returns in Sweden / p3 recipes for the spring table include salmon and cod / p13 Footprints: Andrew Alfred AnderssoAnderson, born Anders n/ p22 Tough start of the season for the Swedish goalie of Minnesota soccer United / p26 Classic Easter
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Former Nordstjernan editor Lars H. Ottoson with Reagan in the White House.
Our Swedish Honorary Consuls, who are they really? We decided to find out. /p18
easter in swe den
By 1200 AD, our Christian practicesNordic ancestors were blending that were slowly in Scandina being accepted via with their ancient pagan thus beginnin rituals, g the evolution enjoyed today, of celebrations most notably still more than any at other tradition Easter. Perhaps still blends the in religious meaning Sweden, Easter and rebirth with the more secular of resurrection the new life that celebrations of all comes with spring. Story, page 12
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NOVEMBER 1, 2017 3
dashboard | november 1, 2017
2017 Graphic Industry Award
A friend and Nordstjernan benefactor was awarded the graphic industry’s highest award at this year’s Göteborg Book Fair earlier this fall. The jury’s motivation: “A visionary missionary, who from the first digitization of the graphic industry in the ‘80s, untiringly spread the latest news but also what to expect in technology development and business logic for an industry that previously used to be content with paper and typefaces. His latest creation is Malmö Professional College of Higher Education, which takes graphic education into the future — Claes Magnusson is the industry prize winner 2017. The foundation for the promotion of the graphic professions hereby assigns Claes Magnusson the 2017 industry award.” Claes with the prestigious award
The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news.
Honoring Leif Erickson in Cleveland
An abundance of Vikings seem to live in Cleveland.
What a day of celebration on October 9, 2017 ... Society, opened the proceedings by introducing the Columbus Day. Leif Erikson Day. And, oh yes, Swedish Honorary Consul Malou Monogo, who read although it may be anathema to the majority, Indig- a Declaration of Leif Erikson Day from President enous Peoples Day. Trump. (More on the consuls in Cleveland, page 18.) The annual Scandinavian celebration in honor of Finally, with aid and assistance from O.P. AnLeif, led this year by the Swedish Cultural Society of derson, a toast or two was quite happily given and Cleveland, took place before his statue in the down- received in memory of the intrepid Viking, who, at town area close to the west bank of our somewhat least according to some Viking descendants, was infamous Cuyahoga River (it caught fire many years neither, Norwegian, Dane nor Swede, having been ago). In attendance were over 100 participants from born in Iceland. Yes, Iceland. Danish, Norwegian and Swedish organizations, each The luncheon which followed afforded the opporof which assume responsibility every third year. tunity of seeing old friends, as well as getting to meet Representing the Danes was Mina Mortenson, the new ones, discussing current situations in Danmark, Norwegians Catherine McCutcheon and the Swedes Norge and Sverige and, perhaps, raising voices once Ingemar Svala. Grouped before Leif’s statue, Bengt again ... “Helan Går!” Gerborg, past president of the Swedish Cultural Art Lustig
Swedes know a good thing when they have it
founded in new york city in september 1872 executive editor & publisher:
Ulf Barslund Mårtensson (editor@nordstjernan.com) editor:
Amanda Olson Robison (editor@nordstjernan.com) managing editor & production: Everett Martin graphic design: Nadia Wojcik (design@nordstjernan.com) contributors:
Chipp Reid - Lisa Mikulski - Ted Olsson - Leif Rosqvist Ulf Kirchdorfer - Valorie Arrowsmith - Olle Wijkström Bo Zaunders - Göran Rygert - James Kaplan - Gunilla Blixt publications director:
Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333, ext 12)
nordstjernan p.o. box 1710 new canaan ct 06840 contact us at 1.800.827.9333 ext 10 for reader services, email: subs@nordstjernan.com; ext 12 for advertising, email: ads@nordstjernan.com www.nordstjernan.com Covering three worlds: Sweden, America and Swedish America. Order your own copy, $55.00 for a year (18 issues) Choose ‘subscribe’ at www.nordstjernan.com or call 1.800.827.9333, ext 10 4 NORDSTJERNAN
Consuls introduced by Viking Gerborg
Swedes get an early start in making a habit of getting out into nature everyday, made even simpler by Sweden’s “allemansrätten” – the right of public access to go wherever one wishes.
In early September, a case study was imposed upon five highly stressed people from different parts of the world. They were sent to a 72-hour off-the-grid experience on Henriksholm Island in western Sweden, where they lived in glass cabins and participated in outdoor activities common in Sweden, such as fishing, swimming and cooking of the grid. Project collaborators, leading stress researchers Walter Osika and Cecilia Stenfors of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, aimed to study the health effects of life in Sweden’s nature.
After three days, the previously stressed-out volunteers all showed significant improvements in their overall well-being. Osika said, “I am positively surprised by the results and it shows that a Swedish ‘close to nature’ lifestyle can improve people’s well-being, at least in a short run." This was not a scientific study and no control group was studied, but the results serve as a good example of the positive effects that time in nature gives people, a lifestyle that is so prevalent in Sweden. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to get a comprehensive picture of each participant’s well-being. Values were measured when the volunteers arrived for the case study and followed up after 72 hours. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured regularly and participants also did various self-assessments, all giving an overview of the effects of 72 hours in Swedish nature. The results underpin a human’s basic need to relax and de-stress: • stress levels dropped as much as 70 percent • blood pressure and heart rate decreased • anxiety decreased significantly, a sense of wellbeing increased significantly • participants also displayed a sizable increase in creativity Bonus info: It doesn’t have to be difficult to get outdoors and reep the benefits nature provides in everyday life.
dashboard | november 1, 2017
Apple’s favorite cardboard
Photo by Chris Miller
If you’re an Apple fan, you know that opening an Apple product is nearly as fun as using your new Apple product – because their packaging is just that good. And after more than 10 years, it’s finally been revealed that those boxes come from Sweden. Apple founder Steve Jobs was famous for his attention to detail, personally selecting the sustainable cardboard made at Iggesund Paperboard in Iggesund, near Hudiksvall, Sweden. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently visited northern Sweden’s forests with Iggesund’s CEO Henrik Sjölundour, who described how smaller trees are felled to be turned into cardboard; this allows space for the larger trees to grow for use as wood products. The chips from the sawmill are also used in cardboard production, so nothing is wasted.
Rockford, Illinois is home to a
very important part of Swedish immigrant history and Americana in general: sock monkeys. The now universal icon got its start with inventor and entrepreneur John Nelson, one of Rockford’s first Swedish immigrants in 1852. In the 1870s, Nelson patented the sock-knitting machine in Rockford, and the Nelson Knitting Company also eventually produced a machine that knitted a sock without seams in the heel; and their red heel was trademarked, today known as Rockford Red Heel. The iconic sock monkeys were made from those red-heeled socks, starting around 1932 during the Great Depression, as American crafters found uses for them when they were worn out. Today, the instructions for making the dolls are still included in each package of authentic Red Heel socks.
A Swedish bride’s dream come true in Wisconsin A Milwaukee area bride grew up going to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restuarant & Butik with her Swedish immigrant parents, in Wisconsin’s Door County. When it came time to plan her wedding, she knew exactly where she wanted her reception, and with whom she wanted wedding pictures taken (aside from the groom, of course). The goats aren’t the only novelty about his photo: They are all standing on Al Johnson’s grass roof, one of the (many) things that makes this establishment so beloved ... in addition to the Swedish meatballs and pancakes with ultra-authentic lingonberry sauce, which, of course, they provided for the bridal party’s wedding brunch the following day. We’re assuming they also enjoyed some nuptial akavit at Al’s new Stabbur Beer Garden, as well. Skål! LANGUAGE
Once on the brink of dying out and being lost forever, the ancient Viking language of Elfdalian ("Älvdalska"), still spoken in Älvdalen in central Sweden, is seeing a surge of support for its resurrection by Minecraft enthusiasts. Minecraft, the video building game created by Swedish programmer Markus Persson, has become hugely popular with players of all ages. Using Minecraft with the Elfdalian language is an attempt to get more users interested in preserving and learning this ancient Swedish language. HISTORY
One roof, two generations More than 40 percent of all Swedish households contain only one individual. Statistics Sweden has said Sweden has the loneliest population in the world so when coupled with the lack of affordable housing, especially for students, Ett tak, två generationer (“One roof, two generations”) has an idea for people to pay a fee and a percentage of rent in exchange for being matched with people who want to live together. So far, six matches have been made and six more are on a waiting list. More info: www.etttaktvågenerationer.se
Älvdalen thanks you for playing Minecraft
Did you know? If you’re a fan of vodka, you have Swedish noble woman Eva Ekeblad to thank. This Swedish scientist is often overlooked for her contribution to the creation of the nation’s signature reason for saying “skål!” Born in 1724, Ekeblad was a Swedish countess who discovered how to use potatoes to create vodka. She discovered how to create starch flour from potatoes that could then be used to distill the potent drink which Swedes have been enjoying ever since. NOVEMBER 1, 2017 5
local events
Local Events Arizona
Phoenix Scandinavian Jul Bazaar: Nordic antiques and vintage treasures, collectibles, rosemaling, handcrafted arts, books, music, Scandinavian food booths with yellow pea soup and rye bread, homemade frikadeller, lapskaus, lefse, waffles, cookies, pastries and more. Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1500 West Maryland Ave., 602.942.5180 / ahouser2@msn.com.
California
San Diego 11.16, 7 AM-5 PM Green Connections: The annual clean tech conference invites leaders from the Nordic countries and California to share and exchange ideas, this year under the theme “Renewable Energy & Smart Water.” SACC-San Diego, 858.262.1986 / www.sacc-sandiego. org/green-connections.html
Delaware
Wilmington 11.11, 2-3 PM Who Wore What When: The New Sweden Centre celebrates its 30th anniversary with this special historical fashion show, which illustrates pre-colonial, colonial, and military and civilian garb up through World War I. Portrayal of the clothing of our forebears through the ages with live models and an historical narrative show how our ancestors protected themselves from the vagaries of climate and identified themselves, and how they worked and survived. Free, with a pre-event VIP reception. Hagley Soda House, 610.363.6871 / www. colonialnewsweden.org
Florida
Clearwater 11.03, 12-3 PM Suncoast Scandinavian Club: Chef Michael Ostrander of St. Petersburg Bakery will present at this monthly meeting, where a little bit of Scandinavian heritage is found – welcome! Our monthly meeting schedule of November to April is perfect for all snowbird visitors and year ‘round residents. RSVP
Kicking off the Christmas bazaars Linné Lodge’s 39th annual Scandinavian Import & Gift Sale on Nov. 18 starts the Christmas season in the Northeast with ample opportunities
to fill up on holiday needs. There are about 1,100 Vasa members in New Jersey alone, but Linné Lodge’s annual Scandinavian Import and
for dinner ($17) to 732.546.7756 / blekinge93usa@gmail.com. Banquet Masters, 13355 49th St N.
Chicago 11.12, 1-1:45 PM Scandinavian Jam: Enjoy an afternoon of traditional roots music starting with instruction at 1 -1:45 p.m. New tunes are taught in the call and response “aural” tradition. The afternoon continues with a brief snack, and the jam session kicks off at 2 p.m. Bring your instruments, request your favorites, share a tune and play along, or sit back and listen. Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / Scandi.Fiddler@yahoo. com or PTyler@ameritech.net
Georgia
Suwanee 11.09, 4-6 PM Fika/company visit at Bufab: Have a cup of coffee, baked goods and sandwiches while you network with new connections and SACC-Georgia members at Bufab, 2600 Northlake Dr. Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Georgia, 231.633.0776 / www.sacc-georgia.org
Illinois
Northfield 11.04, 6-10:30 PM Aspire! Annual Benefit: Enjoy a night of fun and celebration of Swedish and Swedish-American heritage and culture, benefiting the Swedish American Museum in Chicago. Cocktails and silent auction begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, the program, and dancing at the Sunset Ridge Country Club, 773.728.8111 / www. swedishamericanmuseum.org
Scandinavian Traditions
Gifts, crafts & more! 800-779-3344 | www.hemslojd.com Call for free catalog! Downtown Lindsborg, KS 6 NORDSTJERNAN
Massachusetts
West Newton 11.04, 6:30 - 9:30 PM Harvard and Uppsala University Chamber Music Exchange: A chamber concert by students from Harvard and members from the Royal Academic Orchestra. $10; free for SCC members and Uppsala Alumni. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / www. scandicenter.org
Gift Sale also attracts hundreds of people who have absolutely no Scandinavian ancestry and visitors from all of New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The doors open to the public at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (admission free). A light lunch is served at 11 a.m. (cash and checks accepted) on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Salt Brook School, 40 Maple St., New Providence, NJ, which is due west of and 45 minutes by car from NYC. Call 908.665.1292 or 973.539.4066 The sale is sponsored by Lodge Linne No. 429, Vasa Order of America; members meet the third Friday of every month at the DeCorso Community Center in New Providence. VOA is a non-profit SwedishAmerican organization. www.vasaorder.com. Korv Making: Learn to make Swedish sausage (korv) — bring a cooler to take it home. Cost includes a soup lunch and ingredients to make two different 1-pound batches of sausage. Nov. 4 @ 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. or Nov. 5 @ 1-3 p.m. in the kitchen of Elim Lutheran Church, Scandia. RSVP to Gammelgården Museum, 651.433.5053 / www. gammelgardenmuseum.org 11.16, 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM Lutfisk & Swedish Meatball Dinner: Traditional holiday smörgåsbord starring the famous Swedish lutfisk served with cream sauce and melted butter and accompanied by meatballs, red potatoes, pickled beets, herring, fruit soup, rice pudding and more. After dinner, head to Gammelgården’s Butik gift shop for the annual sale. $20/seating at 11:30, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. or 5:30 at Elim Lutheran Church, Scandia. RSVP to Gammelgården Museum, 651.433.5053 / www. gammelgardenmuseum.org
11.11, 1-2:30 PM Fika Sound Series: Pajunen/Brynnel Duo has deep roots in the Swedish and Finnish folk music traditions, performing traditional music from the two countries as well as their original music on violin and accordion with singing in Finnish, Swedish and English. $15; free for SCC members. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / www.scandicenter.org
New York
11.18, 1 PM Screening of The New Land (Nybyggarna, 1972). Light refreshments will be provided with lunch for purchase from our Kaffestugan. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / www. scandicenter.org
11.07, 7:30 AM -5 PM Sustainology Summit 2017 - Mad About Food: A day about innovation, technology, regeneration and action showcasing the exciting field of tech and innovation within the food industry. Speakers and participants representing the perspectives of Swedish and American academics, politicians, entrepreneurs, chefs, sustainability experts and executives share insights
Minnesota
Scandia 11.04-05, 10 AM- 3 PM
New York 11.07, 7-9:30 PM Uppsala University Chamber Orchestra: U.S. premieres of the Piano Quartet by romantic Norwegian composer Catharinus Elling, as well as works by Swedish composers Viking Dahl and Arne Mellnäs. Scandinavia House, 212.779.3587 / jennifer@amscan.org / www.scandinaviahouse.org
local events
Munch, Modernism and Modernity in NY
Marketing the North conference on Nov. 17 and 18: The late 19th century was known as the “Modern Breakthrough,” bringing great interest in Nordic art during the Scandinavian Exhibition in the U.S. in 1913; a second spike in interest in the Nordic art market came in the 1980s. As the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York opens the exhibition Edvard Munch: Between the Clock and the Bed on Nov. 15 (through Feb. 4), the conference — organized by the “Munch, Modernism, and Modernity” research network — examines the paths, strategies, critical relationships, gallery alliances, curatorial efforts, artist-driven organizations, cult of celebrity, national identity initiatives, and other pathways through which Edvard Munch and his contemporaries entered the international art market and critical discourse. During the conference, consider individual artists, debates around national identity, collecting patterns, ethnic mythologies, individual exhibitions, universal expositions, critical writing, gallerists, collectors, technoscapes and other pathways and mechanisms by which Nordic artists, and Munch in particular, became and continue to become part of international networks and markets. See conference details and register ($20/non-member, $10/ASF member or students) at Scandinavia House: 212.779.3587 / www. scandinaviahouse.org
For more information on the exhibit at the Met, visit www.metmuseum.org
Who makes the best glögg in Chicago?
What's in your favorite glögg? Do you like to include red wine or vodka, cloves or cinnamon, almonds or raisins? There are as many kinds of glögg — with alcohol and without — as there are people making it. This special mulled wine is a vital part of the Christmas season for Swedes. Join in the fun competition to see who really has the best glögg in Chicago! Anyone wishing to attend as a taste taster, judge or competitor should reserve a space and get contest rules for the Got Glögg competition at the Swedish American Museum on Nov. 17, 6-9 p.m. Ten glögg entries are accepted based on date of entry, completed information and past participation, if applicable. There is no admission fee for approved applicants. Competitors should bring a minimum of 4 liters (one gallon) of pre-made homemade glögg in a thermos or crockpot; there will be limited stove availability to rewarm the glögg entries so judges and tasters can enjoy it to its fullest potential. During the taste contest, glögg will be scored based on taste, color, aroma and overall quality. Participants and judges will go around with a card to rank each glögg on these four areas. The cards will be collected and non-partial judges will tally the results to determine the winner. $20/includes sandwiches and samples from all our competing glögg masters. To sign up to judge the mulled wine as a taster, purchase taster tickets online or at the museum. Make your reservations now! 773.728.8111 / museum@samac.org / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org about the trends and driving forces behind the development of new, disruptive methods and products. SACC-New York, 212.838.5530 / www. sustainologysummit.com 11.09, 7-9:30 PM Connections: Finland Ensemble mise-en will perform the work of three living Finnish composers—Kaija Saariaho, Sami Klemola,and Sebastian Hill—each representing a generation of new musical artists working today. Scandinavia House, 212.779.3587 / jennifer@amscan.org / www. scandinaviahouse.org
Oregon
Portland Now through Dec. 29 Winter Comes: Oregon’s Nordic Ski History: Learn about the history of Nordic skiing, from its roots in Scandinavia to its prominence in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest! Includes reproductions of both historical and contemporary ski equipment. Free. Nordia House Gallery, 503.977.0275 / www.scanheritage.org
Pennsylvania
Essington 11.04, 8:30 AM-3 PM New Sweden Beyond the Delaware, 16381776: This conference at the Lazaretto
Ballroom explores the migration of Swedish colonists from the original landing point of Wilmington, Delaware to the greater Delaware Valley and east coast region. Includes breakfast and lunch. Register by Oct. 30 to American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org
Rhode Island
Cranston 11.05, 10 AM - 1 PM Swedish Holiday Brunch: Enjoy the atmosphere of our Swedish Kaffestuga with Swedish meatballs, lingonberry sauce, smoked ham, Swedish pancakes, rice pudding and more. Lingonberry spritzer and other
Zacharius Topelius’s “Läsning för barn” in English: “Reading for children” This book is a treasure trove of historical significance with emphasis on nature, the simplicity of daily life, spirituality and morality. Brilliantly translated by Judith Gustafson to English, the book is the perfect gift for every child. Available at Amazon.com
brunch beverages available, baked goods and other items for sale. RSVP to Vasa Star Lodge #56 401.739.3530 / marlenehaglundhatch@gmail.com
Texas
Houston 11.03, 7:45 PM Smörgåsbord: Several tables of traditional Swedish appetizers, main dishes, desserts and drinks (cash bar opens 6:45 PM). Brae-Burn Country Club, 8101 Bissonnet St. Seating is limited, RSVP by Oct. 31 at www. swedishclub.org.
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local events Washington
Seattle 11.02, 6:30-9 PM Wiinblad & Wine: Unleash your inner artist with The Whimsical World of Bjørn Wiinblad at an evening painting party before the Wiinblad exhibit closes. Enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers while painting your very own Wiinbladinspired masterpiece. $30/members; $35/non-members (includes a glass of wine, appetizers, and all paint supplies). Nordic Heritage Museum, 206.789.5707 /www.nordicmuseum.org Saturdays through Nov. 17 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Nordic Woodcarving: Learn Baroque Acanthus, Rococo and Viking/Dragon woodcarving styles! All levels are welcome, no tools or experience necessary. Tool sharpening and basic carving techniques will be covered for
beginners; continuing students will develop their own projects. $45/class. Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, 206.789.5707 / www.nordicmuseum. org 11.14, 12-2 PM Soup & Cinema: The Grump (Mielensäpahoittaja) Movie: After a bad fall, an old, curmudgeonly farmer moves into the home of his son and daughterin-law, where he’s confronted with the modern age and has to leave his ideas about “the good old days” behind. $10/ members, $15/general includes movie, hot soup, bread, coffee and cookies. Nordic Heritage Museum, 206.789.5707 / www.nordicmuseum.org
We would like you to join in the fun among old friends & listen to Scandinavian Christmas carols while we serve you great food, coffee & æbleskiver.
2017 OPEN HOUSE
Friday, November 24 • Saturday, November 25 • Sunday, November 26 Holiday hours Mon - Sat 9 to 5, Sun from 10 to 3.
Remember to order our Christmas specialties such as Flæskesteg, Juleskinka, Hamburryk, Fenalaar, Pinnekjøtt, Spekeskinke and Ribbe in plenty of time!
2709 SAN PABLO AVENUE BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94702 800.854.6435 • 510.705.1932 • fax 510.898.1753 web www.nordichouse.com email orders@nordichouse.com
Do you know about an upcoming event in Swedish America? Submit it any time to our online calendar at www.nordstjernan. com/calendar
Through
NORDSTJERNAN 1.800.827.9333 Ext 10
Augusta’s Daughter Ever wonder what made so many emigrate from Sweden in the nineteenth century? Judit Martin’s novel, “Augusta’s Daughter,” about 19th century Swedish peasant life made such an impression on us, we decided to offer it to the Nordstjernan readership. call 1.800.827.9333 for your own copy ($24.90 incl. S&H to continental U.S.).
❄WELCOME TO SWEA SAN FRANCISCO'S
❄ Christmas Fair ❄
❄
❄ ❄
❄ ❄
2, 2017 ❄DECEMBER 9AM - 4PM
St. Mary’s Cathedral 1111 Gough St. San Francisco
God Jul Merry Christmas
Your one-stop shop for all things Jul
SAN FRANCISCO Torsdag 2 november: Student/au-pair-träff. Hemlagad middag och gemenskap med unga vuxna i San Francisco-området. Plats, Norska sjömanskyrkan. Föranmälan krävs, se vår hemsida för mer information. Söndag 12 november kl 14.00:
MINNESGUDSTJÄNST
i allhelgonatid i Swedenborgian Church, 2107 Lyon St, San Francisco. Ljuständning för avlidna. Präst Louise Linder, Ragnar Bohlin är organist och SWEA San Francisco bjuder på kyrkkaffe.
Lördag 18 november kl 15.00 (barnsamling kl14):
FAMILJEGUDSTJÄNST
i Los Altos. Präst Louise Linder predikar. Kyrkkaffe och saft. Alla barn är välkomna redan kl. 14 för sång och pyssel.
Fredagar kl 10.30: Barngruppen träffas på fredagar i Norska sjömanskyrkan för sång, lek och gemenskap. Kaffe och saft serveras. Se Facebook för mer info!
SVENSKA KYRKAN SAN FRANCISCO Norska Sjömanskyrkan, 2454 Hyde Street, San Francisco Tel: 415-632-8504 Epost: sanfrancisco@svenskakyrkan.se Hemsida: www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco
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Advent Candles, Tomten, Linens. Christmas Cards, Carl Larsson Swedish ham, Kalles, Herring, Glögg, Lingonberries, Caviar, Bulk candy, Chocolate bars, Licorices Stop in, call in, or order on-line www.woodenspoon.ws gwen@woodenspoon.ws
WOODEN SPOON, 1617 K Avenue, PLANO, TX 75074 972-424-6867
National archives and library for Swedish-American historical research Publishers of Swedish American Genealogist 639 38th Street Rock Island, IL | 61201-2296 309-794-7204
www.augustana.edu/ swenson
local events
Christmas in Swedish America NOVEMBER 2017 EVENTS Maryland Potomac California Huntington Beach 19 Nov: Swedish Christmas Fair. Swedish handicrafts, Lucia pageant, jultomte, Swedish food, traditional music and dancing. SWEA-OC / www.orangecounty.swea.org Los Angeles - San Pedro 17 Nov - 19 Nov: Scandinavian Christmas Fair. Christmas decorations, handmade goods and fresh homemade food and a café. More info at Norwegian & Swedish Church, www.sjomannskirken.no/los-angeles-sanpedro or 310.832.6800 San Francisco - Norwegian Seamen’s church 17 Nov - 18 Nov: Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar. Christmas decorations, Norwegian food, gifts and crafts. Norwegian Seaman Church, www.sjomannskirken.no/ san-francisco / 415.775.6566
Illinois Bishop Hill 24 Nov - 26 Nov / 2 Dec - 3 Dec: Julmarknad , Swedish Christmas Market: Music, handmade items, antiques, folk art and other gift items. www.bishophill.com / 309.927.3899 Chicago 17 Nov: Got Glögg? Who really has the best glögg in Chicago? Tasting and competition. Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / museum@samac.org Chicago 19 Nov: Candle making and Christmas crafts. Make handdipped candles, heart baskets, Christmas ornaments and a traditional Swedish Christmas treat. Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum. org / 773.728.8111
Iowa Elk Horn 24 Nov - 26 Nov: Julefest. Danish food, glögg and tasty treats. Gift shops, specialty stores and craft fairs. Christmas concert and Father Christmas. Danish Villages, www.danishvillages.com / 800.451.7960
4 Nov: Swedish Bazaar. Swedish gifts and foods, homemade Swedish baked goods, smorgasbord lunch and live music. Drott Lodge #168, www.drott-lodge.org / info@drott-lodge.org Rockville - Saint Elizabeth’s Church 11 Nov: Danish Bazaar. Crafts, Danish baked goods, decorations, candles, jewelry. Danish Club of Washington DC , www.danishclubdc.org / danishclubdc@yahoo.com
Michigan Farmington Hills 18 Nov: Christmas Fair. Lucia pageant, craft and goods from Sweden, Swedish food, children’s activities, entertainment. SWEA-Michigan, www.sweamichigan.org / president@sweamichigan.org
New York - Svenska Kyrkan 17 Nov - 19 Nov: The Swedish Church Julbasar. Swedish crafts, Christmas music, Swedish food, glögg etc. www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@swedishchurch.net
Washington Seattle 18 Nov - 19 Nov: Yulefest. Scandinavian Christmas food and drinks, handicrafts, music, dancing, Santa. Nordic Heritage Museum, www.nordicmuseum.org / nordic@ nordicmuseum.org No Celebration listed close to you? For continuous info from all over the U.S., see events at www.nordstjernan.com.
Minnesota Minneapolis 25 Nov - 26 Nov: Julglädje. A kickoff to Making Traditions at American Swedish Institute - songs, stories and smiles are the hallmarks. www.asimn.org / 612.871.4907 Minneapolis 25 Nov: Gingerbread House Workshop at American Swedish Institute. Decorate a pre-built gingerbread house. www.asimn.org / 612.871.4907 Scandia 18 Nov - 19 Nov / 16 Dec - 17 Dec: Gammelgården Museum’s Girls and Dolls Tea Party with Lucia. Bring your dolls and girls and enjoy lunch, stories and crafts. RSVP www.gammelgardenmuseum.org
New Jersey Budd Lake - Vasa Park 25 Nov: Juldans. Dancing around the Christmas tree with traditional music. Scandinavian specialties, glögg, Sankta Lucia pageant and Santa. www.Juldans.org / 973.691.8637 New Providence 18 Nov: Scandinavian Import & Gift Sale. Scandinavian Christmas holiday products and food for sale. Lodge Linne#429 VOA, jenshoejfam@msn.com / 908.665.1292
Kansas Lindsborg 11 Nov: Välkommen to Christmas in Lindsborg! Scavenger hunt and more. mdauer@amfam.com / 785.227.8687
New York
Upper Montclair 19 Nov: Swedish Christmas Fair – Swedish handicrafts, food, glögg, café and Lucia pageant. SWEA-New Jersey, newjersey@swea.org / www.swea.org/newjersey
Please place your Christmas Order early. 349 Main Ave. | Norwalk, CT 06851 | Phone: 203-529-3244 Email: info@scandinavianbutik.com | www.scandinavianbutik.com
NOVEMBER 1, 2017 9
readers forum
InBox Dear Editor, I enjoy the newspaper! All four of my grandparents emigrated from Sweden – my parents met at a Swedish church in Philadelphia so I can proudly say I’m 100% Swedish. My maiden name was Andersson. Almost all my aunts, uncles and cousins are Swedish also. I sent a subscription to my uncle, Carl Lind, last year. He said, “My father always read this when I was a boy growing up in Philadelphia.” My uncle lives in a retirement home outside Chicago and he loves getting the paper. My husband is from Texas – our boys are in their 20s, look very Swedish – and have been raised with many Swedish traditions. They are proud to be 50% Swedish. We went to Sweden three years ago and met relatives in Kalmar, Öland and Göteborg. Nordstjernan is a great paper, I’m sure my grandparents read it as well, when they came to the U.S. from Sweden. I hope you will be around for many years to come. Thank you! Carol Anderson Duncan, PA Dear Editor, It is the highlight of my day when I receive your paper. I especially enjoy the food, cultural and royalty stories. Merlene Mayette, RI Dear Editors, I love Nordstjernan, läser varje ord!
Barbro Greene, CA
All of these, needless to say, are our favorite kind of feedback. /Ed. Dear Editor, Var snäll, ge oss mer svenska! Dear Editor, Please translate all Swedish articles into English.
Eric Dahlberg, MI
Velda Roffi, MI
Jag inser när jag skriver de här raderna att det var länge sedan jag skrev på svenska. Det blir lätt så men är något jag ska försöka ändra framöver. Språket i tidningen har för övrigt varit uppe till diskussion sedan slutet på 1800-talet men visst vill vi upprätthålla svenskan - ärans och hjältarnas språk är en viktig del av vårt arv. Samtidigt delar vi alla engelskan. Inte alla delar svenskan. Vi ska göra vad vi kan och förmår. I realize as I’m writing this that it’s been a long time since I wrote in Swedish – something I’ll try to change in the future. The language of the paper has incidentally been discussed since the late 19th century but we absolutely want to keep up the Swedish – the language of honor and the heroes is an important part of our heritage. At the same time, we all share English. Not everyone shares Swedish. We’ll do what we can. /Ed. Dear Editor, I am a third generation Swedish American seeking to improve my Swedish, having grown up in “the enclave” near Jamestown, NY. I realize that I am a rare minority in that I’m trying to revive Swedish in America and doing so without the use of a computer. I have a handful of “language buddies” to practice with and watch Swedish movies over and over again. Is there any way to buy subtitled movies without a computer? I have found a half dozen at reasonable prices by scanning the shelves at video stores for DVDs with FOR(eign) stickers on the spine. Is there any other way to order them? Jay Stratton, NY We offer some subtitled movies, as I am sure you have seen, including such blockbusters as “A Man called Ove” and “The 100-year-old Man” and others. If the titles are not listed in this issue, call 1.800.827.9333 ext 10 to find out more (or, with a computer, check www.nordicsampler.com - DVDs). /Ed. 10 NORDSTJERNAN
language
w/ord encounters Tax — the kind with a wagging tail, if you are lucky. Ever since I was a child growing up next to potato fields in Sweden, I have been fascinated by the word “tax.” I knew the Swedish word long before that ugly English word “tax,” which sadly is the first thing that comes to mind these days when I see “tax” in print. Our tax would be “skatt” in Swedish, which can just as well mean a treasure as in a pirate’s buried booty as a tax on income or goods and services. By the way, the good kind of tax is pronounced as if you were opening your mouth at the doctor’s office while the tongue depressor is inserted and you say, “aaah.” Except it’s a shorter “a” like ABBA. I turned to that international tool Google wanting to find out more about the Swedish name for Dachshund, which is “tax.” I came upon a lovely site that offers useful information for aficionados of this iconic, bold dog, that of Svenska Taxklubben: I immediately learned the Swedish Dachshund Club was founded in 1901 and is Sweden’s first specialty club for dogs. The club is now Sweden’s fifth largest among recognized breeds, with about 5000 members (who, I presume, are the homo sapiens that walk on two legs most of the time, except for maybe weekends after stocking up at Systembolaget). A sidebar, one you cannot straddle up to, features an irresistible, however corny, play on words: “Tax ska du ha.” This is the Swedish phrase for thanking someone, and to spell it right you only need to substitute “tack” for “tax.” But we are here to learn more about the origin of the word “tax,” seemingly so different from “Dachshund.” Onward then, as if we were tennisball-chasing Dachshunds. By the way, as you may already know, Dachshunds are notorious for their wonderful stubbornness, and you will find that many a Dachshund is unwilling to chase a ball just because you throw it and think it would be cute to have the dog bring the ball back. Sure enough, when I clicked on the history link of the Swedish Dachshund Club site, I learned of the Dachshund’s independence. Friherre (that’s another word to explain at another time) Axel Klinckowström (great name for a language column) coined the well-known saying, “Kommer kallad men ej strax, ty född till slav är ingen tax.” I have to confess I had never heard this Swedish
saying, nor did I know it was common, but it is a fun rhyme (at least in Swedish) with a more prosaic translation into English that says no dachshund comes quickly when called because no dachshund is born to be a slave. But just how did the word “tax” come about, so wonderful and short and such a polar opposite to the English word “tax,” and definitely not the German word “Dachshund,” which we use in English for the breed. I found out by typing into the Google bar “varfor kallas hund tax,” which means “why is the dog called ‘tax.’” I had to be careful when searching, because I wanted to avoid entries related to taxation, and even some of those appeared in Swedish entries, the English word having conquered also Sweden. If the Swedish Wikipedia is to be trusted, and Wikipedia is remarkably reliable in providing information and sources despite being much misaligned by teachers and some intellectuals (the very same ones who secretly make use of Wikipedia), “tax” comes from German, in this case the first part of “Dachshund,” “Dachs.” Though the Swedish Wikipedia does not mention it, I can see how the word “Dachs” could have been pronounced “Tax” by Swedes fascinated by the German dog whose name in German means badger dog, an indication of the breed’s use to hunt badgers. Can you imagine the courage, determination and ferocity required of a tax to go into the den of a badger, engaging in full-frontal combat? Amazing, especially considering the peace-loving Swedes.
But the courage of the “tax” does not stop there. I came across in my research a headline from the popular Swedish newspaper Expressen. It read: “Hunter chased by moose – saved by Dachshund.” Turns out a hunter was kicked in the thigh by a moose and his trusty tax-friend barked and chased off the moose. Talk about “Tax ska du ha!” Until next time, I wish you happy w/ord encounters. Ulf Kirchdorfer
Born in Sweden and raised in Europe and the U.S., Ulf Kirchdorfer is as Swedish American as we come. As a contributing writer for Nordstjernan he has shared eloquent and witty essays on how his Swedishness has influenced his life, reflecting on his childhood with his Swedish grandmother and experiences as an adult in America. You might just see a little of yourself in what he writes, in a collection of essays Kirchdorfer calls Swede Among the Rednecks: The Language That Just Won’t Stay Buried, available from Nordstjernan and through amazon.com.
Saturday November 18, 2017 Lodge Linné #429, VOA
Scandinavian Import & Gift Sale 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Admission Free Salt Brook School, 40 Maple Street, New Providence, NJ 07974
Linens • Crystal • Pewter • Tomtar • Sweaters • Wooden, Paper & Straw Decorations • Kitchen & Housewares Cash and Checks only Lunch 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM Info: Karen (908) 665-1292 or Sandy (973) 479-7873
NOVEMBER 1, 2017 11
feature
Getting ready for the holidays with Anna: Kavring There are many delicious Swedish baked goods that are appreciated around the holidays (and of course all year ’round), but a very special one baker Anna Bringle likes is the Swedish (Scandinavian) classic bread "kavring.” Bringle came to the U.S. from Ulricehamn, Sweden about 10 years ago, and established Swedishdreamish, baking Swedish foods and American favorites with a Swedish flair. Every year local Scandinavian groups buy her loaves of kavring for their Christmas bazaars. It makes good sandwiches with just about any topping. A favorite in many a Swedish household? Anna’s homemade red beet salad and sliced Swedish meatballs — another classic, a Swedish ”köttbullsmacka” meatball sandwich. Swedes know kavring makes great appetizers as well — with pate (chicken liver/ground beef/ground pork/ spices oven baked) decorated with pickled mini cucumber. Here are her favorite recipes:
Chef Anna Bringle with a beautiful platter of her köttbullsmackor.
Kavring 1 loaf
Ingredients 350 grams (2.5 cups) bread flour 100 grams (1/2 cup) dark rye flour 1-1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1.25 dl (1/2 cup) Swedish dark syrup (American light molasses can use as a substitute — not exactly the same but good) 375 ml milk (1-1/2 cups + 1 tbsp) Directions -Preheat oven to 100°C (212 ° F). -Grease one 8” loaf pan with butter. -Mix the dry ingredients together and add the milk and the syrup. -Stir well for 5-7 minutes or until batter is smooth. -Pour the dough into the loaf pan. -Bake for 60 minutes then raise the temperature to 150°C (300°F) while the bread is in the oven and continue baking for 60 minutes. -Remove bread from oven and let stand for 60 more minutes. 12 NORDSTJERNAN
The red beet made its entry into Swedish kitchens in the 17th century and at the time only as a delicacy in the palaces. Originally only served pickled, often spiced with horseradish, later becoming more of an allround complement to other dishes. (You may remember another classic we ran in the spring, Biff a la Lindström with redbeet and other spices mixed into minced beef.) Red beet salad (rödbetsallad) is a MUST for the traditional julbord (Christmas table), near and dear to Swedes’ hearts with classic dishes such as pickled herring, lutfisk, smoked salmon, mustard-dill sauce, Swedish meatballs, sausages, Christmas ham, crispbread, cheese, cooked red cabbage, red beet salad, and, of course, snaps. Other times red beet salad is served with the classic Swedish meatball sandwich (“köttbullsmacka”), and kavring is the perfect base for it. Everyone has their own favorite meatball recipe, and here’s my recipe for red beet salad:
Red beet salad
6-8 open-faced sandwiches Ingredients 1 jar pickled beets (about 600 grams) 300 grams red apples (about 2 apples) 1 small red onion .8 dl mayonnaise (1/3 cup) .6 dl sour creme (1/4 cup) .6 dl greek yogurt (1/4 cup) 1/2-1 tbsp dijon mustard salt and pepper to taste black pepper Directions - Pour off the beet juice. - In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. - Dice beets, apples and onion. - Mix everything together. - Cover and chill to allow flavors to blend. Serve Place a couple leafy greens on your bread, then spoon a generous dollop of red beet salad on top. Arrange a sliced meatball or two with a cornichon and top it with a sprig of parsley or lemon slice. Follow Swedish Dreamish at www.facebook.com/swedishdreamish, www.instagram.com/swedishdreamish, Pinterest and Tumblr. NOVEMBER 1, 2017 13
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A Swede’s memories of 1950s America Where the pants were short and the steaks were big.
The only thing cheaper today than 40 or 50 years ago is a transatlantic airline ticket. My employer at the time, Ford of Sweden, paid about $2,000 in 1950 to send me to New York to learn about this new innovation called “public relations.” It took the DC-4 out of Stockholm’s Bromma Airport 22 hours to get to New York, hopping via Copenhagen, Shannon in Ireland and Gander in Newfoundland. Plus a couple of bonus hours (indeed) to listen to co-passenger Jussi Björling exercising his vocal cords at Gander during a de-icing delay. I sure had many things to learn in America. The first was to hitch up my pants an inch or two, because any American executive of status wore pants at “half mast.” I dumped my slim Italian shoes and bought a pair of those heavy clunkers that suddenly, for reasons only the fashion industry can explain, are in vogue again. Then I had to buy short-sleeved white shirts and a couple of loud ties so as not to break the
mold of the office landscape, with its French-cuffed, light pastel-colored shirts and British-type school ties. Once I felt part of the landscape, I started to look for gold. But that must have been a specialty of Swedish immigrants returning to visit relatives in Småland or I grew up in Sweden when it was still a duck pond. The continent was a day by train and a ferry ride from Stockholm. Just visiting Copenhagen was an invigorating international experience to most. Värmland. Flashing grinning mouths full of gold, they visually evidenced their newfound prosperity. That’s how the abundantly chrome grilled American cars came to be called “dollar grins” in Sweden in the ’50s. I didn’t meet many Swedes, so I didn’t see much
By Lars H. Ottoson
gold in that location. But coming from a rather austere country with a labor philosophy of equal pay for unequal work and where any gold-inset stone above one carat was regarded as an obscene exposure, the adorned hands and necks of mink-clad ladies at the Plaza in New York and at Miami Beach’s plush resort hotels took my breath away. Of course, I could only afford to stroll through the lobbies and take in the sights, because who in the world, besides rich Americans, could stay at places with room rates of $15 to $20 a night? I got around quite a bit on my first trip to America on a daily allowance of $25, which, I was jokingly told, was generous enough to allow me to take a lady out for dinner, if I happened to meet one. However, I asked if they wouldn’t mind my swapping a potential lady for some vacation after the Ford assignment instead. That’s how I came to see America in its postWWII infancy. NOVEMBER 1, 2017 15
feature I grew up in Sweden when it was still a duck pond. The continent was a day by train and a ferry ride from Stockholm. Just visiting Copenhagen was an invigorating international experience to most. It was a country where men went to work in the same suit for years and changed their shirt, at the best, once a week. Things like dry cleaning, deodorants and daily showers didn’t enter the picture, and then only gradually, until after the war. An early well-known radio voice, journalist and author, Ludvig “Lubbe” Nordström, even documented the Swedes’ lack of hygiene in his 1938 book “Lort-Sverige” (Dirt-Sweden). So what has that got to do with my trip to the U.S.? I walk into this big office in New York. Everywhere there are guys in immaculately clean white shirts, fresh air in a secretary pool filled by ladies fresh as daisies. Anyone who ever went to a big Swedish office in the ’40s on a cold day with closed windows and only the front door for circulation will know what I mean. I said: “My God, Lubbe, you should see this!” Then there were the steaks! My mother could have fed six people with one of them. Memory often tends to make things bigger than they were, but I tell you now after twenty years in the U.S., I’ve still never seen bigger steaks than those in New York in the ’50s. The restaurants lured patrons not by the price of their steaks, but by their size. (I know, some of you guys will say I’d never had a steak in Texas. That’s right. I never had a steak in Texas). I had my first fill at Jack Dempsey’s place on Broadway. Give or take a hundred feet or so, I think there is a Howard Johnson’s there now. I’m sure that Harald Jönson from Dalecarlia never imagined one of his restaurants one day showing up on Broadway. You will better understand my excitement over American steaks knowing that I marched in the Swedish army during the war to a song that contained more fact than fiction: “Och en gång uti veckan får vi äta kött, vi får det från en kossa som av bekymmer dött.” (“And once a week we get to eat meat. We get it from a cow that got by trouble beat.”) Henry Ford II had just been to Sweden. (Yes, his pants were too short too.) Having played a part, albeit a small one, in his visit to the new assembly plant for “dollargrin” at the Värtan Freeport in Stockholm, I was extended some special courtesies at River Rouge in Detroit, like touring the inner sanctuary and watching executives who had an uncanny universal look. The Ford executive look. Must have been the same at General Motors.
Greyhound to the south
One beautiful spring morning, I shed my business image and boarded a Greyhound (another company founded by another Dalarna Swede, this one from the village of Våmhus) with Miami on my mind. Up north, I had never paid much attention to the racial issue, but it hit me like a sledgehammer when crossing the Mason-Dixon Line. What struck me most was the total indifference of everyone on the bus when black passengers were moved to the back. I tried to raise the subject with the driver. He asked where I came from. When I said Sweden, he said: “I guess you haven’t got 16 NORDSTJERNAN
many of them over there.” To this day I hate that word “them.” Miami and Miami Beach were in my mind places of fun, sun and sin. You had the best jazz in the States on Second Avenue. All the big names. Uptowners and hobos moved in on it later. Frank Sinatra sang at the Everglades Hotel on Biscayne Boulevard, still elegant today. There were fresh orange squeezers on every corner. You don’t find any of them there today. I’m not kidding you when I say that it’s hard to find freshly squeezed orange juice anywhere in Florida. Freshly prepared, yes, out of big glass containers. There weren’t yet any rocking chairs on Miami Beach. The latest hotels were up around 40th Street. Many of them are dumps today, but will probably be renovated and added to the art deco boom sweeping the Collins Avenue retirement strip, once the glamour avenue of the then-rich and famous and, yes, plenty of the infamous. I mean, Miami Beach was, after all, declared open territory for the Mafia families. Later they moved way up the island, a hundred blocks or so, building motels called the Desert Inn, the Sands, the Dunes, etc. Does that sound familiar to you? They have now been off the motel strip for many years, preferring a less obvious presence in cities like Hollywood and Hallandale. An occasional drive-by shooting, however, reminds you of their existence. Halland has Swedish connections, too. When Bengt Magnus Johansson from Drängsered in Halland emigrated to the U.S. and started preaching, he changed his last name and became the Reverend Bengt Magnus Halland. The town of Hallandale started from the church he built and community he founded there, north of Miami Beach. Speaking of sin, I learned early on about the American male’s dedication to pin-ups, but I never guessed that they would move from GI lockers to radiator grills. There was a Pennzoil Vargas girl on practically every long haul truck. It’s one thing to have them on the wall or on a radiator, another thing to watch them gyrate at a strip joint for a house full of married guys on lunch breaks. Some things are better left to after dark and to singles. Four letters I’ll never forget from Miami are WQRP. A reporter from the radio station on the Beach promised to show me the town. For that purpose he borrowed $50 from me. “Banks are closed, you know, you’ll get it back tomorrow.” We ended up at a dance bar on Lincoln Road, where there were lots of beautiful, seductive girls. I mean, I was in my 20s and I liked girls. And these girls looked so special. They were. They were transvestites. It had to be explained to me by the bartender because I had never heard of the kind before. Just as I was to tell my reporter friend to let us get the heck out of the place, I saw
him disappear with one of the “girls” and my $50, never to be seen again.
Westbound
The mighty Wallenberg family had an offspring name Gustav who took the stage name Wally and set out for Hollywood to become a new Fred Astaire, even if he had to finance the movies himself. But he didn’t fit on the screen. He was at least 6’7” and not much of a dancer anyway. So he returned home to become Sweden’s greatest producer of musicals. In Hollywood he had made friends with a lady called the Queen of Oranges. I’ve forgotten her real name, but I met her when she came over to see Gustav. Once in the States, I suddenly remembered her and decided to give her a call. She said, “Oh my God, you have to fly out here right away. I’m having a party showing my new Swedish-style home and I’ll tell everyone I have this friend flying over from Sweden just to be here.” I couldn’t afford any regular airline fare, but the invitation intrigued me. After a day canvassing companies flying out of Miami, I managed to find a small carrier with a pilot who would stow me away for $100 on a DC-3 freight hopper to Los Angeles. I spent four days in a non-pressurized cabin on a stack of furs, landing and taking off at more backwoods airports than I care to remember. All I could think was: this country is sure real big and beautiful. I was making it just in time for the party. She picked me up and told me to put on my tuxedo. “What do you mean, you don’t have a tuxedo?” In her circles, men didn’t go anywhere without a tux. It was one of the fundamental accessories in those days. We stopped and rented one and set out for her party. It was already under way at what was then called Malibu Movie Colony. She had built a real Dalecarlia place around a cobbled stoned yard. A big Swedish milk can was hanging over the entrance. They were all there, from Gary Cooper to Claudette Colbert and more than 50 stars in between, because the Queen of Oranges had too much money in their movies for anyone invited not to show up.
She pushed me onto the stage, where Xavier Cugat was playing, and called out, “This is my friend Lars, who has just flown in from Sweden to be here today.” “Yes, sitting on a pile of furs in a freight-hopping DC-3,” I felt like adding. I tell you, it can be quite a strain getting up at noon, trying to revive yourself in the pool from the previous night, putting on that damn tuxedo again, going to another party and having dinner at midnight. I felt as if my legs were getting shorter, or perhaps it was just my breath. For me to see a private swimming pool was just about as sensational as it must have been for people some hundred years ago to be invited to see the first outhouse moved indoors. The only pools we had in Sweden were in public bathhouses, and they were all for men, with two afternoons a week for ladies. By the way, in case you didn’t know, the attendants were all (sturdy) women who massaged you and scrubbed you. One winter day I took an American Ford guy to Sturebadet bathhouse in Stockholm. When he saw the female staff, it took some effort to convince him that this was not a house of ill repute but a perfectly legal and respectable way to get clean in Sweden. “I guess,” he said, “that you then also have male scrubbers for the ladies, huh?” Anyway, he was a sport, but he kept his long johns on, even on the scrubbing slab. As we didn’t have any female millionaires in Sweden, at least none that I knew of, I hadn’t had a chance until now to experience the kind of flick-of-the-wrist way they can afford to handle things. “You like that machine, don’t you?” said the Queen of Oranges as I ogled her 12-cylinder Lincoln Continental convertible, only a few of which were built before the U.S. entered the war. A collector paid $125,000 for the very same model almost 40 years later. “I got it from Judy Garland, but I don’t need it, so you can have it for what I paid for it, a thousand dollars.” “Can I pay for it from Sweden when I get back?” I had no idea how I would get that much money together. A thousand dollars was over 5,000 kronor but could just as well have been five hundred thousand. I was making two thousand a month, which wasn’t too bad in those days.
Cross-country on wheels
“Come on,” I said, “let’s take it across to New York!” I figured that by getting seven or eight miles to the gallon at around 25 cents a gallon, eating for a couple of bucks a day at diners and staying in $3 a night motel rooms, I had just about enough cash to get us to New York. And there was always that reserve in a new commodity called travelers’ checks that the bank in Stockholm had told me could come in handy. But what I hadn’t figured, as we roared across the Mojave Desert and the Petrified Forest, was that a millionaire doesn’t like eating at diners and staying in motel rooms. No spirit of adventure whatsoever. As tumbleweeds rolled across the main street in some godforsaken desert outpost called Albuquerque—never heard of the place—the lady looked
“Right on target” Yankee Stadium, New York. The new heavyweight champion of the world acknowledges the cheers from the crowd, estimated to have been around 30,000, on June 26, 1959. Managers “Whitey” Blumstein (second from left) and Edwin Ahlquist (second from right) are interviewed by radio commentators, Harold Kosell, left, and Lars H. Ottoson (far right), who,reporting to Sweden via Radio Luxemburg, allegedly gained access by claiming to be the boxer’s brother from Sweden.
definitely distraught where she sat outside the repair shop. Certainly not her usual place in society. “You know, these plugs should have been changed a long time ago,” I said. “What do you mean, plugs?” she responded. By the time we reached St. Louis, my cash was gone. But I had those travelers’ checks, didn’t I? The hotel cashier turned them over a couple of times, held them up against the light and said: “What’s this?” The manager said the same thing. I went across the street to a bank. The teller said: “What’s this?” I decided I to have a serious talk with Enskilda Banken on my return to Sweden. I asked the Queen if she had any money, but she said that ladies didn’t carry money when they are with a man. Not in those days, anyhow. Please, will the person who bought a fine Swiss l8carat gold wristwatch, inscribed LHO, at a pawnshop in St. Louis 45 years ago return it for a finder’s fee to me (The Ottosson Estate, c/o Nordstjernan).
Lessons learned
I learned two life lessons on my first visit to America: Don’t lend money to guys who say they’ll show you the town, and don’t drive cross-country with ladies who don’t like to eat at diners. I also learned that eventually I would want to live here. It would take 30 years, but I made it! So what happened to the Lincoln? I paid for it and owed the bank for three years. There was only one other car in Sweden like it. It was owned by a patron of the arts named Max Gumpel who drove his friend Greta Garbo in it. The day I took mine to work was also the last day I took it there. It’s not a very clever thing, I found out right away, for a mid-level executive to show up in a car that upstages the president of the company, especially an automobile company. I sold it when I got married. My wife found it too ostentatious.
It turned up on my street 10 years later as a “raggarbil,” Sweden’s version of a main drag hot rod. It had no hood. A souped-up V-8 sat where the 12-cylinder powerhouse used to be. I patted the trunk and said, “Old buddy, we all do go through some changes in life, don’t we?” And it was as if I heard it answer, “Yes, like you and tuxedos.” In loving memory of Nordstjernan friend and colleague, Lars Henrik Ottoson, a former resident of Florida, who died in 2010. Newspaperman, media man, TV-man, anchorman on the Swedish Headline News TV Aktuellt, filmmaker, producer and world traveler, “Been there, done that, seen that” was always an appropriate epithet when introducing Lars Henrik Ottoson. In spite of the brutal cold in New York, he came from Florida to edit Nordstjernan for close to a year in 1995. Lars grew up with the likes of Ingmar Bergman, filmed and worked with long-time friend Sven Nykvist. He headed for southern Florida to continue to the Bahamas in 1966, where on Exuma Island he was to work with a land development for the families of Bonnier and Maersk, from Sweden and Denmark respectively. He made the long commute for 10 years. Key Biscayne, Miami became his second home in 1972, and then the expatriate Swede par excellence lived on Hutchinson Island and nearby Vero Beach until his death in April 2010. He later spent years working as a consultant for international corporations all over Europe and the United States and was a cofounder of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, Florida. In his heart, however, Lars remained a newspaperman all his life, often listing his profession as merely “typewriter.” Nordstjernan published his memoirs in 2009, “A Heck of a Life,” also available in Swedish, “Ett Liv utan Like.” NOVEMBER 1, 2017 17
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Sweden’s Honorary Consuls in the U.S. Who are they? In an effort to find out more about the Swedish consuls in America, the work they do and the people they represent, contributor Helen Teike interviewed each of them, published here throughout the year.
OHIO
Designated Consul: Malou Monago, Cleveland How long have you been the Swedish consul? I’ve been the designated consul in Cleveland since the spring of this year.
ish Embassy is a wonderful partner and a great resource. I try to coordinate as much as possible through the embassy.
What is your full-time occupation? I am the vice president for Institutional Advancement for Cleveland Institute of Art.
What made you choose to accept this position? It is a wonderful honor to be the representative in Ohio, but more importantly I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people, both Swedes and non-Swedes.
How much time do you spend on consular matters? Do you have help? I spend 5-10 hours each week; I work by myself. How many Swedes visit the consulate? For what purpose? There are one or two visits each week, usually for passport pick-up or coordination numbers for children born in the U.S. with a Swedish parent. About Swedish food: Come December, I start my mornings with a cup of glögg on the 13th and 24th. I absolutely don’t eat lutfisk, but it is a tradition in our family to have aquavit and sill of different kinds, and the gravlax, etc. Explaining Sweden to others: I start by saying our nature makes Sweden the most beautiful country in Europe. Sweden is very orderly, we are very good at following directions; and we are very friendly, everyone speaks English. Sweden’s biggest achievement in history: The Nobel Prize Sweden’s exposure in the general population: President Trump’s “what happened in Sweden last night” increased the awareness of Sweden. Most admired Swede: Astrid Lindgren A misconception about Sweden: There are polar bears on the street. 18 NORDSTJERNAN
Are there other local Swedish institutions or organizations you cooperate with? Yes, 1) Swedish American Chamber of Commerce – Ohio: enhancing relationships between the U.S. and Swedish businesses; 2) Swedish Cultural Society: for friendship and keeping Swedish traditions alive; and 3) Vasa Nobel lodge: I’m not an active participant but appreciate its programs. How much are you guided by directions from the embassy in Washington, DC? The Swed-
What is your most important task? If you had more funds what would you do in your region to spread the word about Sweden? Represent Sweden the best way possible to the U.S. and vice versa. More promotion of Sweden, Swedish history and connections to the U.S. What is your personal connection with Sweden? I was born and raised in Sweden as a Swedish citizen but am now a naturalized U.S. citizen. I still have family in Sweden. Swedish Honorary Consulate General in Cleveland Cleveland Institute of Art 11610 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106 216.621.4995 cleveland@consulateofsweden.org
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Ohio Honorary Consul, retired: Mike Miller, Cleveland Not long before Michael Miller retired in March, Nordstjernan interviewed him as part of our series on honorary consuls. Now, as the Swedish American community is honoring him to celebrate his many years of service as a Swedish consul, we publish his interview and reminscences. How long have you been the Swedish consul? I was appointed October 1, 1976, so I have been a consul for over 40 years. My original territory was Ohio—except for three counties in the southwest that were then handled by a vice consul in Cincinnati. After a few years, that consulate closed and my territory was expanded to include those counties. What is your full-time occupation? I am a lawyer and was a partner in Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP in Cleveland. I joined that firm in 1966 and retired in 2003. Since then I continued serving on several boards of directors for businesses I had represented and some non-profit organizations. Following my retirement from CHG, I was able to spend more time on matters important to the Swedish Consulate. How much time do you spend on consular matters? Do you have help? In recent times, I spend about 4-6 hours per week attending to consular matters. This time does not include the time of my terrific assistant, Joanne Damian, who works five days a week. How many Swedes are in your region and visit the consulate each year? We have no way of knowing how many Swedes are in Ohio since Sweden does not require any type of registration with us locally. Our estimates are very rough and come from contacts
Sweden recognized the United States on April 3, 1783, when the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Sweden was signed in Paris. The Swedish minister in Paris approached Benjamin Franklin in 1782 with the suggestion of concluding a treaty between the two entities, remarking that he hoped it would be remembered that “Sweden was the first power in Europe which had voluntarily and without solicitation offered its friendship to the United States.” Franklin informed Congress of this initiative and was then empowered to negotiate with Sweden. Diplomatic relations were established in 1818 when the United States named David Erskine as the first Consul to Stockholm on May 22. On September 20, 1947, H. Freeman Matthews was appointed to be the first U.S. Ambassador to Sweden.
we have for official matters such a driver’s licenses, passport deliveries, etc. My guess is we have more than a couple thousand overall. About 50-100 Swedes visit the Consulate during any one year for various official purposes. Visits from non-Swedes would bring total visitors to about 150 or more. Official visits are for passport or driver’s license deliveries, new Swedish citizen registration (coordination number applications), general information, interviews for non-Swedes applying for extended visas or residence permits. Are there other local Swedish institutions or organizations you cooperate with? In Cleveland we are fortunate to have three excellent Swedish/American organizations: VASA Nobel-Monitor Lodge, the Swedish Cultural Society of Cleveland and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce-Ohio. Columbus has a Scandinavian Club and Cincinnati has an organization called Swedes in Cincinnati. All these organizations are crucial to the effectiveness of our mission to promote Sweden within the U.S. and to be a focal point of Swedish culture or business in our area. In addition, the Cleveland area has organizations supporting Danes and Norwegians, and we see some events where the several Nordic groups combine to enjoy common cultural events. What is the Swedish Consulate’s most important job for the Swedish American community in your area? As I see it, our most important job is to provide a government resource for Swedes in the event they need the service of the Swedish government. For the American community, we should provide information about Sweden, promote Swedish business and culture in the consular district and assist with access to Sweden, its people and institutions. Of all the tasks assigned to a consul, I believe the one most important to this district is to promote business between Ohio and Sweden. That becomes beneficial for each location, its people and economies. If funds were available, a full-time dedicated staff member could focus on establishing new business relationships between Swedish companies and those in this area. What is your personal connection with Sweden? My personal connection with Sweden was the various Swedish clients to whom I provided legal advice and assistance both before and after my appointment as consul in 1976. I am a U.S. citizen, but my paternal grandparents were both Danish immigrants to the U.S. in the early 1900s before WWI started in Europe and my connection with Scandinavia has been strong. I have relatives in Denmark and Norway.
Mike Miller, who has been associated with the Calfee law firm, was honored in Cleveland Ohio on October 21, 2017 at the Cleveland Yachting Club. Not only is the Swedish Cultural Society presenting him with speeches and gifts, but SACC-Ohio, Nobel-Monitor Lodge No.130, Vasa Order of America, the Norwegian and Danish Clubs and other Consular Corps also celebrated this most popular Consul.
Mike Miller and his wife of 54 years, Lynn. Photo: Ingemar Svala
Some good memories of unusual consular duties and events: - The New Sweden 1988 celebration - A 3-day visit of Smålandkarolinerna: a 17th century replica army unit for Swedish old military formation and marching. - Arranged visits to Sweden biotec incubator, toured Karolinska Salgrenska, trip to hospital accreditation organization in Chicago - Frequent contact with ICE if people overstayed; if they were incarcerated, we helped get them out and back home again. - Raised Swedish flag over a new IKEA. - Lost or stolen passports, sicknesses and any unusual occurrences that can happen due to unforeseen circumstances - Being a consul who is a lawyer is beneficial as people feel safer. - Helped get SACC-Ohio started and organized - in Sweden, Swedish government meetings were fantastic, great meals, scenery, cruise in Stockholm archipelago to Sandhamn – fantastic on a summerday. Julbord in Helsingborg, dinner at Castle Sofia in Helsingborg, Kalmar castle wedding anniversary dinner. Gathering at Stockhom City Hall, fishing and playing golf ... So many interesting times! NOVEMBER 1, 2017 19
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experiencing a heightened reality
Though many people may not think of it this way, we are all accustomed to alternate realities. They go by the names: fiction, drama, movies. Spielberg has created an empire from it. Early readers of space odysseys were groomed for careers in NASA. Today technology has made “reality” a generational differentiator. Young “digerati” are familiar with alternate versions of reality — which are often experienced as equally “real” — such as in computer gaming. Here the user is so immersed in the experience of pursuing the game’s objectives, that he appears to be totally consumed by this alternate or Virtual Reality (VR). Another version is where actual reality is compounded simultaneously by additional information. Cameras and cell phones are already able to scan and translate signs from a foreign language into one’s own, or to translate dictation or listening from one language into another. This Augmented Reality (AR) was best represented by the concept of Google glasses, where one could see the world as it is, but projected privately onto the lenses of the glasses, receiving additional information visually or audibly (privately) about the current environment: about the person in front of you, foreign language translations of conversations, GPS or digital feedback from one’s surroundings, or geological, historical and other information about one’s surroundings. 20 NORDSTJERNAN
A third form of this digital reality is provided by haptic technologies. This digital technology simulates the aspects of reality for other senses, particularly touch. This means from now on, the answer to the simple question “What is real?” will be much more complex. Yesterday’s future is today experienced through technology, and it is that which informed Silicon Vikings’ excellent program on September 7 titled “Revisiting Immersive Environments: Perspectives on the Past and Future of VR/AR.”
Continued interest
This was actually the third annual program on this topic in the Vikings’ Special Interest Program (SIG) on Entrepreneurship and Learning led by Eilif Trondsen, formerly of SRI and currently a futurist consultant. This year two veterans of the previous programs returned with one new panelist. Damon Hernandez, Samsung’s product manager for Web Platform and Virtual Reality, is an entrepreneur and advocate for immersive technologies; he leads hackathons worldwide. The second veteran panelist was Dr. Christopher Peri, Samsung’s director of Business Development in the Mobile field. At Samsung’s Research Lab, he works on mobile strategy, tech resourcing and supporting the GearVR project. The new panelist, Linda Jackson, was the world’s first professional VR evangelist (for Silicon Graphics) and co-founded VR meetups for five years at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Now at Treasure8 she specializes in VR for food and restaurant companies, as well as bringing mobile VR experiences to residents of assisted living communities. As moderator, Eilif Trondsen asked the panelists to mention what they like about VR and AR. They raised interesting subjects such as how VR acts with Big Data and the connectivity and enhanced
capabilities concerning ethics, equity and privacy, especially for people with cognitive and physical impairments; these technologies could also be used more effectively in daily business and education, architecture and engineering. Then the conversation moved to whether middle managers were blocking adoption of these technologies, but Damon said hackathons were very convincing and quickly dropped the costs of competitive products. Chris, who is proud to be at Samsung in the forefront of VR, said it is catching on. The question is whether the future has everyone wearing glasses. These can show everything more immersively than the cell phones in our hands. Like the ubiquitous dual camera dots on our cell phones, new glasses will contain these powerful binocular cameras on both sides of the frames, not merely scanning what we see, but monitoring where we are looking and magnify anything at our will. Of course, the wizardry packed into our cell phones, more powerful than the mainframes of recent decades, may yet again be reduced further by greater magnitudes into ever-smaller microprocessors, perhaps the size of a credit card, business card, dogtag, necklace or religious charm. And future VR/AR glasses may be complemented with sensors monitoring one’s actions.
Augmenting reality
At the moment AR is trailing VR, though construction companies are already using these technologies — not merely to “walk through” designed buildings and experiencing the place before it is built but also onsite during construction to build and inspect the site for safety and standards. Similarly, financial agents will be able to walk into their graphs to appreciate and actually experience hidden implications and consequences, particularly if artificial intelligence (AI) prompts one to inspect relationships. Imagine what AR and AI can do for weather forecasting. Consider what more inventive PowerPoint decks might become in the hands of a dramatic narrator. And when examining a patient, augmented genomic information from a patient’s appearance will aid physicians in greatly enhanced diagnoses of disease and afflictions; forensic scien-
Caption: Silicon Vikings: VR/AR moderator & panelists; (L-R) Eilif Trondsen, Linda Jacobson, Christopher Peri, and Damon Hernandez. Photo: Ted Olsson
tists will complement forensic artists in more accurate facial recognition gained from genomic information in a drop of blood. Of course the real advantage - and danger - to all of this is artificial intelligence. For VR and AR to work across populations requires the collection, storage and search resources that only the world’s largest digital companies can apply to Big Data. This presents significant privacy concerns for western democracies in particular.
Humanizing alternate realities
Linda now focuses on “collaborative visualization.” She believes VR is more interesting to high-volume, low-cost businesses seeking cost-cutting ways to remain competitive. For example, how does a manufacturer find the quantitative proposition for a tortilla machine or a lab tool, before investing a lot of money to build and test the physical device? Some hospitals are using VR to treat PTSD and prepping for surgery, it’s also being used to teach students math and even chemistry at the molecular level. Both Apple (with its ARKit) and Google (ARCore plus Google VPS, Virtual Positioning System) are experimenting with AR and its educational advantages. The Maker Movement is another fertile complementary field, as are various medical fields, astronomy, and cinematic rendering (CT/MRI data can produce photorealistic 3D images) is beneficial in paleontology.
What else is new?
All the panelists believe that greater adoption of this technology will lower the threshold prices and further acceptance and distribution. This industry
will create new, simpler artificial reality devices and toolkits, which will in turn generate jobs and wealth. Chris is most interested in VR/AR content created for the web, and Damon is more intrigued with these reality tools helping one daily, just as we adapted to cell phones. Like multi-user gaming, as the web incorporates VR, this will allow multiple users and devices to be simultaneously connected, so that many can study, analyze, and confer on the simulation. Some felt that new reality glasses would quickly come to market, supporting maps, voice recognition, and audio. Chris of Samsung speculated that Apple would be late to market. One week later Apple introduced its new products. Using greatly improved cameras, Apple demonstrated that it would be a very active player in immersive reality. Sometimes Apple waits for others to prototype a technology only to come out with superior or more esthetic tools. Now the race is on for who can best enhance a user’s experience. Linda mentioned her best example of haptic technology was watching a miniature pony while feeling it pawing in the palm of her hand.
Questions answered
In answering questions, Linda thought that the best business apps would be those simulating dangerous or hazardous conditions. Simulation training is an important capability for all of humanity. For humanitarian purposes, she hopes that VR/AR might be used by foundations and philanthropies. The Virtual Worlds Society (VWS, under Tom Furness) is funding projects for the public good. One of the most important humanitarian uses of VR/AR
is bringing therapeutic experiences to impaired or incapacitated persons. Chris felt that the best VR business applications will emphasize simple visualization, while AR would enhance our working with data and with people. Both VR&AR have a good future in mental health services and exercises. With our opioid epidemic, he noted that drug addicts’ protocols are similar to those for PTSD. For humanitarian purposes, he believed that the reality technologies will become most important in teaching and training us for empathy in famine, floods, and war. Damon thought that one of the biggest uses, both for businesses and government might be in planning smart cities, such as has been done in Continues on next page
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Vancouver at the University of British Columbia; so that one could “live in them” before building or modifying them. However, some European cities are far advanced in this beyond those in the US. After allowing for obvious security considerations to prevent terrorists from using it, some European municipalities already have mapped their city with 3D data and that from Google Earth. They offer this to developers who can then integrate their developments into the present and planned fabric of the city. Another enhancement might be to use VR/AR to attract young people into trades, especially those students more inclined to pick up a game
controller than a book. He too felt that empathic experience gained from reality apps, allowing one “to walk in another’s shoes,” without being preached at, are likely to be more convincing and enduring experiences. An educator entrepreneur reminded all that the equipment and software must be inexpensive enough for all schools (primary, secondary, and collegiate) so that students can use them to create new realities. Both the upside and downside of such learning environments is the massive amounts of data needed to create such simulations. Reality tutors with infinite patience may mentor students with appropriate immersive and individualized lessons. Damon foresaw that the same technology used to train troops will also be used to train activists. What is reality? More than we anticipated. Imagine the demands that this will place on users and how these tools will enhance their knowledge, imagination, and creativity. By Ted Olsson
Life made Sweder with NORDSTJERNAN
Swedish American Heritage Society of West SAHS of West Michigan celebrates 20 years The Michigan celebrated its 20th anniversary on
(Above) Michigan State Representative Winnie Brinks presented a proclamation from Gov. Rick Snyder declaring September 15 Swedish Heritage Day. (Left) Cakes by Arnie’s Bakery.
22 NORDSTJERNAN
September 15, at the University Club in Grand Rapids. More than 100 attendees arrived, greeted by nyckelharpa (key fiddle) music and treated to a Swedish folk dance performance. A delicious meal of beef tenderloin and salmon was served. The tasty dessert was a special birthday cake decorated with the SAHS/WM logo. A highlight of the evening was receiving a proclamation from Governor Rick Snyder, declaring September 15 Swedish Heritage Day in Michigan. It was presented by State Representative Winnie Brinks. The keynote speaker was Gordon Olson, Grand Rapids City Historian Emeritus. His topic was Finding A New Home, Swedish Immigration to West Michigan. Also attending the dinner were board members from Swedish Council of America, representing Swedish American organizations and individuals throughout the U.S., Canada and Sweden. One of its roles is to give awards to deserving members of local organizations, and four Awards of Merit were presented by Executive Director Gregg White and SCA Chair John Hasselberg. Swedish American Heritage Societies have many programs throughout the year, with members getting together for holiday celebrations and programs of different kinds. To learn more about SAHS/WM, visit www.sahswm.org Cakes by Arnie’s Bakery
viewpoints
Leve Skillnaderna Enligt mitt fladdrande minne (för övrigt konstigt att även minnet kan fladdra) sjöng en gång min vän, Hybbinette, en glad sång, när han upptäckte att folk från olika härkomst beter sig och uttrycker sig olika. Han sjöng ”De’ ä’ det, som gör skillnan så rasande stor, på en falsk och en äkta spanjor” Hans påstående gäller självklart även portugiser och värmlänningar. De flesta människor skrattar ibland av glädje. Eller gråter däremellan när sorgen kommer. De flesta kräver mat på bestämda tider och kryper till kojs, när mörkret faller på. Även om mörkret råkar infalla på varierande tider för folk som bor i Buenos Aires, Kolkata eller Abisko. Vi har åtskilliga gemensamma drag och är på många plan olika varandra. Men stora skillnader finns lyckligtvis också. De’ ä’ det, som gör skillnan så rasande stor, på en falsk och en äkta spanjor” sjöng alltså min vän Hybbinette i upprymda stunder. Så enkelt är det ofta. Smålänningar, turkar och greker beter sig ofta på olika sätt. Givetvis beroende på mängder av faktorer. Vad för slags humör vi är på. Vilka föräldrar vi begåvades med! Vilken miljö vi växte upp i! Vad för slags skolundervisning vi erhöll. Om vi överhuvud taget erhöll någon. Etc. etc. En eldig spanjor som kraftfullt vill framföra sin åsikt liknar sällan i sitt tillvägagångssätt en mätt och belåten skåning från exempelvis
Skurup, när denne makligt stiger upp från ett av kroppkakor dignande middagsbord för att säga några väl avvägda ord. En senig norrlänning från Lappriket uppträder annorlunda än en vältränad tenor från Milano. En kines upplever givetvis inte uppbyggandet av det kinesiska språket med tecken istället för siffror lika svårförståelígt som de flesta boende i Snavlunda. Tusentals förhållanden kan säkerlígen ytterligare belysa varför det är på det viset. På flera sätt är det förtjusande och tillfredsställande att det förhåller sig på det här sättet. Var och en lever och trivs i sin miljö. Å andra sidan är det härligt med skillnader. Tack vare skillnadema blir tillvaron mer intressant än det skulle vara om alla uppträdde och pratade som folk gör i Snavlunda, Närke (pop. 74). Därmed har jag naturligtvis inte uttalat något nedsättande om språket från mina egna födelsetrakter. Det är bara glädjen över de blomstrande variationerna jag är ute efter. Det är en ren njutning att lyssna till hur ljuden kan låta. Personligen fascineras jag av att lyssna på Ella Fitzgerald, när hon på sin breda sydstatsdialekt sjunger om Miss Otis som ”was unable to come for lunch today.” Jussi Björling när han frambringade ”Sverige” i höga toner och med oemotståndligt välljud. Edward Person när han sjöng om sitt bördiga Skåne eller Karl Gerhard, när han gisslade överheten eller politiken i ”Den ökända hästen från Troja”. Sverige har blivit ett hemland för många fly-
ktingar. De flesta har anlänt utan att kunna ett ord av svenska. De hade ingen aning om hur surströmming kunde lukta eller att jultomten egentligen kom från Dalarna. Eller att det skulle resas lövade stänger midsommarafton att dansas omkring. Om vi ska finna oss till rätta på skilda latituder måste vi lära om och vänja oss vid att det finns stora skillnader. Det är en av grundreglerna om vi skall kunna leva någorlunda harmoniskt sida vid sida. Jag är övertygad om att jag och många andra nordbor skulle ha svårt att anpassa oss till och tycka om en hel del seder som praktiseras i för oss främmande länder. Självklart är det svårare ju längre man befinner sig från sina ursprungliga värderingar. En tidigare viltjägare från det inre av Tanzania har förmodligen svårt att fångas av de stämningar som Dan Andersson upplevde när han satt vid sin mila och skrev dikter om skogen. Men även mindre drastiska skillnader kan ge problem. Det är beundransvärt att så många flyktingar som kommit från sargade miljöer kunnat finna sig tillrätta i ett land där millimeter rättvisa anses råda. I min bekantskapskrets finns afrikaner som pratar lika genuin daladialekt som alla övriga invånare i Orsa. Leve skillnaderna.
not my time to die Titanic and the Swedes on Board by Lilly Setterdahl 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... Perfect bound, large size paperback, 296 pages. Richly illustrated.
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news in brief
Swedish News
is rolling out a tax break that will take effect in 2018. This move is seen as a positive step, since companies like Swedish startup sensation Spotify, which employs over 3,000 people, have threatened to take their companies overseas where there are more business-friendly tax laws.
Scientist make spinach safer
Saab shows its strength
A long-time partner with the Australian navy, Saab was highlighting its latest technology at the Pacific 2017 International Maritime Exhibition in October. As a military defense and civil security provider, Saab is looking toward the Asia Pacific market by highlighting its naval showcase with the Saab 9LV combat management system, the foundational system used by the Australian navy. Other key products featured are the Swordfish maritime patrol aircraft, TactiCall integrated communications and Mixed Reality holographic visualization.
Office of the future
Epicenter in Stockholm uses RFID chips (radiofrequency identification). The chip typically is capable of carrying 2,000 bytes of data or less and is implanted in volunteers to track everything its workers do — from using the copy machine to drinking smoothies produced by robotics — in an attempt to transform the way workspaces are used.
Commuters get microchip, too
More than 3,000 of those microchipped Swedes have said goodbye to the hassle of carrying a wallet and paying for their daily train tickets, too; they are getting a microchip implanted in their hand. Riders on the SJ railway no longer need to worry about proof of fare—all they have to do is have a train conductor scan their hands with a smartphone to prove they’ve paid.
Big Macs and beats
McDonald’s is using a music app to encourage customers in Sweden to stay longer and spend more money. Called BeatQuiz, the app hopes to connect customers who are waiting in line with other McDonald’s fans. More than just trivia, the app also includes challenges and games for its users in an effort to create engagement and loyalty for customers.
Small businesses get a tax break
In an effort to encourage more small businesses to start and remain in Sweden, the government 24 NORDSTJERNAN
Dr. Noor Liyana Yusof from Lund University has found a way to help the youngest Swedes make sure they eat their spinach — safely. Spinach, one of the most popular greens for healthy diets, isn’t so safe for infants and small children because the levels of nitrates found in the leafy greens are too high for small bodies to process. Dr. Yusof’s simple method of “placing the leaves in a sugar solution and then vacuum-treating them forces the sugar molecules to get into the leaves, stimulating their metabolism, so that nitrates are reduced” up to 70 percent, so it remains safe for all to enjoy.
contamination. Out of 30 pigs tested, 24 contained high levels of radiation, suspected to be caused by rooting for wild mushrooms and berries in the soil, where iodine and cesium-137 traces remain long after they’re gone above ground. While hunting for wild boar is legal in Sweden, public fears about radiation poisoning may deter many, causing the numbers of nuclear pigs to continue to increase.
More skilled workers needed
While Sweden’s economy is one of the strongest in the world, concern is rising about whether there are enough skilled workers to supply the demand. Currently, 12 of the 15 sectors in Sweden are seeing shortages and unfilled job vacancies have increased 41 percent in the last two years.
Saving on smart grids
A consortium of Swedish companies have created a smart grid for 155 families in an effort to test if behavior about in-the-moment electricity use can alter people’s energy consumption. Part of the Stockholm Royal Seaport Smart Energy City project, the consortium hopes to gain a better understanding of how people interact with technology and how that can inform businesses to create better products and solutions for environmental sustainability. More info.
Not as bad as it sounds
Leave it to the practical Swedes to come up with a logical and tidy way to deal with death. Known as “dödstadning” (death cleaning), the practice involves taking a realistic look at personal inventory and possessions accumulated over the years and instead of waiting until you die to have your loved ones deal with it, the goal is to start giving away things you no longer love — now. Swedish author Margareta Magnusson even wrote a book about it to help you get started (in English): www.amazon. com/Gentle-ArtSwedish-DeathCleaning
Nuclear pigs on the rise
When the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine exploded in 1986, northern and central Sweden received fallout that blew in and settled into the soil. Thirty years after the disaster, wild boars are being tested and identified for nuclear
Tech shortage grows
By 2040, every fourth person in Sweden will be 65 or older. That means the growing shortage of IT and tech talent isn’t decreasing any time soon. While an aging population can be cited as one reason for the decline of skilled tech workers, another reason many are finally facing is the challenge in attracting foreign-born talent to Sweden. As fewer Swedes study IT, the need to look outside the country for talent is clear, yet the process of hiring and employing foreign-born workers is complex.
Brexit brings Brits to Sweden
With the looming uncertainty of life post-Brexit, many Britons are applying for passports outside the UK. Since they can no longer count on the right to travel freely between European countries, the power of having a Swedish passport is appealing. Sweden, one of the most sought-after passports to have, has seen the applications more than double in number, from 969 to 2,002 in the last year.
Massive order for Volvo
Trondheim, Norway, a leader in alternative sources of sustainable transportation, has placed an order for 25 electric buses from Volvo. Already on the roads in Luxemburg and areas of the UK, 3,600 electric buses have been rolled out by Volvo, with every expectation that demand for electric buses and public transportation will continue to grow.
news in brief
Vending machine smoothies
A vending machine for fresh fruit smoothie? If you live in Sweden, yes, that’s what you can get - the first in the world. Fruit, berries and yogurt, no additives and inspired by “Skogen” (the forest), “Havet” (the sea) and “Trädgården” (the garden) - flavors of the three first smoothies. Called Berries by Astrid, this latest health craze is part of a growing focus on healthy eating. Lund University graduate Astrid Friborg, who has a PhD in colon cancer, wanted to find a way to help people attain better health, and she worked with a team to develop a prototype for a vending machine that offers fruit smoothies to office workers, airport travelers, and anyone else interested in convenient, fresh, healthy food. No, we haven’t tasted the smoothie yet but pricing is definitely competitive: A “Smoothie card,” which is easily replenished online will give you ten smoothies at public vending machines for around $3 each (so far only in Stockholm and Lund, Sweden). Just in case you would like your own vending machine at your Stockholm or Lund office, this will run you SEK 35,000 (approximately $4,400) For more info, see www.berriesbyastrid.com/en
Similar, not the same Kenneth Konet, who worked with Swedish tool and tooling systems company Sandvik for 33 years says even though Swedes speak English very well, they use terminology differently from Americans. Konet now works with the Swedish American Development Company, LLC. During his tenure at Sandvik, Konet made several trips to Sweden, and his impression was that Swedish companies are very good at innovation, but bad at sales and marketing. He says, ”We speak the same language and we think we understand each other, but we don’t!“ Kenneth Konet Also, Konet adds, success in Sweden or Europe does not guarantee success in the U.S. Raising capital, legislation, the network and infrastructure, and even the manner in which business is done is different in the U.S. ”The Swedes close a deal after all the potential issues are solved. The Americans close the deal and then worry about how to solve the potential issues,” he says.
LOS ANGELES Lördag 4 november kl 12.00
ALLHELGONAGUDSTJÄNST med förbön i House of Sweden, San Diego. Kyrkoherde Louise Linder leder gudstjänsten. För sång och musik står Mikael och Lola Gayle, samt Ylva Elias svenska kör. Kyrkkaffe serveras, medtag gärna något gott att äta till kaffet.
Söndag 5 november kl 10.00 (OBS tiden)
ALLHELGONAGUDSTJÄNST
med förbön i Norska sjömanskyrkan, San Pedro. Präst Louise Linder. Kyrkokören medverkar och lunch serveras.
17-19 november: Norska och svenska kyrkans julbasar på Norska sjömanskyrkan i San Pedro. Norsk/svensk basargudstjänst på söndag kl. 11. Tisdagar kl 18.30: Svenskafton med kaffe och gemenskap. Senaste nytt om alla våra aktiviteter hittar du på vår Facebook- och hemsida!
SVENSKA KYRKAN LOS ANGELES 1035 South Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 Tel. (310) 292-7080 • Epost: losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se Hemsida: www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles
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Keep your heritage “afloat”
Nestled in the heart of the Swedish Village of Kingsburg...
1204 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Phone: 415-454-4932 Fax: 415-454-5783
Give us a call! Vi tål att jämföras. 415.552.5300 Proudly serving our community since 1988. Till vardag och fest
Crown Bakery
Scandinavian Pastries 133 Gold Star Blvd. (1 block after Super Shaws)
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
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sports
Swede finds home in New Jersey After a disappointing 2016-2017 that ended with the team missing the playoffs, the New Jersey Devils changed the complexion of their team in the off-season. The Devils had selected 19-year-old Swedish rookie Jesper Bratt in the sixth round of the draft in 2016, and it first appeared to be a wasted pick as Bratt failed to make a team in the Swedish Hockey League or grab a spot on the World Junior team last year. It was particularly perplexing since he had come off a season in which he was named Sweden’s top forward at the World Under-18 Championship, where Sweden finished with the silver medal. Bratt scored just six goals last season playing for AIK in the second-tier Allsvenskan. After his first three games in the NHL, however, Bratt already has three netters to go along with three assists, good for second on team in scoring and tops among and all NHL rookies. Nothing indicated Bratt would be a rookie sensation. He had signed with the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League with the expectation that his first taste of North American hockey would be in the major junior ranks. His pre-season training camp, however, opened the eyes of the Devils’ coaching staff and Bratt broke camp with the A-team. “It’s come fast,” Bratt acknowledged. “But I had a great summer. It’s a pretty big step, but I had a pretty bad year last year. I knew I had a lot of skill but I found it really hard to recover after games last year and play at my 100 percent level. It was something I worked on to play my best hockey every night.” And that’s where Andy Sward comes in. Sward
is a renowned mental coach in Sweden who works with a number of goalies and professional golfers. The one thing Sward managed to get Bratt to do was calm his mind. Bratt speaks to Sward before every game and Sward makes a point of saying things to Bratt that make him feel comfortable, which results in better preparation for games and fewer surprises on the ice. It’s certainly showing. Bratt has displayed a remarkable amount of poise early in his first season and has shown an ability to do things at a high pace, something that’s important to the Devils, who recognized the pace of their game had to increase. “When you look at today’s game, there’s almost no time and space out on the ice,” said Devils coach John Hynes. “And he’s one of those guys who is able to find space or make plays when it looks like there’s no play to be made.” Hynes is just as impressed as everyone else. He says Bratt never looks like a young player who is in awe of his surroundings. He has a focus level and maturity level you don’t often see in 19-year-old players. And in many ways, he typifies what the Devils are trying to accomplish with their new look. “One of the things you do when you take over a team is try to get an identity of how you want to play and be able to get players who can play that way,” Hynes said. “And Jesper is an example of that, Nico (Hischier) is an example of that and some of the guys we brought in free agency bring that. It’s nice to see we’ve been able to make some changes, but it just looks like this year the pieces of the puzzle fit well together.” Chipp Reid
What’s in a name? A few million kronor, for starters. That’s what Malmö FF is seeking as its stadium contract with Swedbank runs out at the end of the season. The defending and likely repeat champions of Swedish soccer have called the Swedbank their home for 10 years. However, the Swedish financial giant announced October 10 that it would renew its naming rights agreement with the club at the end of the 2017 season. “This has been a 10-year commitment that is nearing its end,” Swedbank’s press contact Anette Ringius wrote in an email to Kvällsposten. However, Swedbank will remain as a sponsor of MFF. The new name of the venue — where MFF won four SM golds since it opened in 2009 and is heading for a fifth — should be hot topic but instead remains unclear. The club said negotiations with a sponsor, whose name isn’t yet revealed, are ongoing. It is clear that Malmö is heading for a secondstraight Swedish title. Malmö went into its October 16 match against IFK Norrköping with a seven-point lead over second-place AIK. A win would secure MFF its second-consecutive Lennart Johansson trophy, marking the first time since Djurgården in 2002 and 2003 that a team has repeated as champion. Malmo received a huge boost October 15 when Sirius IK beat Djurgården 2-0. The loss kept DIF at 48 points. If Malmö defeats Norrköping, it would have 60 points with three matches left to play. Even if MFF lost its final matches, AIK could not catch the front-runners. AIK has a hold on one of the two automatic spots Sweden has in the UEFA Europa League next season. NOVEMBER 1, 2017 27