The ferry Djurgården 4, an inner city ferry route in Stockholm, Sweden. It runs from Slussen, in the old town of Gamla Stan, to the island of Djurgården. /P4
Stockholm’s Old Town
Swedish comfort foods
Tuesdays with semla, Thursdays with pea soup and Saturdays with candy. These have become familiar pairings in Swedish culture. And during the winter months they are especially comforting, not the least for those who are passing along the traditions to friends and family members. Those “everyday” recipes as well as the special holiday recipes - the beloved recipes are always wanted. In this case, it’s Ann-Mari’s soup, often made with small pancakes (“plättar”) and sweetened blueberries and, of course, in February, it’s time for a semla. / P16, 22
It was the death of a mermaid that first turned Stockholm into the group of attractive islands where everyone wanted to settle. When she was killed accidentally, the surrounding water took on a soft sheen, a beauty never seen before. In the words of the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf, it shimmered like the colorplay on the inside of seashells. As the glittering water lapped the shores, they too were transformed. This story was vividly brought to mind as Bo Zaunders entered the Gamla Stan subway station and confronted a completely nude woman with scales painted on her lower body. It turned out she was a live advertisement for a body painter named Bino, address: Gamla Stan. / P12 The soon expected IPO of Spotify has raised concerns among U.S. banks / p5 Just trying to pronounce “ sjösjuk” can make a person seasick / p11 A Nordic twist on a classic Bloody Mary with dill-infused aquavit /p23 Big wine on a small scale in Oregon, number four producer of wine in the U.S. / p18
Photo: Arild Vågen/Wikimedia Commons
The Swedish North Star, continuously published since 1872. Volume 146 No. 2, February 01, 2018. Price per copy $3.50.