The Swedish North Star, continuously published since 1872. Volume 146 No. 9, June 01, 2018. Price per copy $3.50.
Long walks, lazy afternoons and the never ending light of Sweden’s early summer—Sweden and Swedish America prepare for Midsummer. / p6-13
Discovering West Sweden ‘We are what we eat’
Discover the striking contrast between the cutting edge 21st century stylishness and natural places that time hasn’t touched on Sweden’s west coast. Starting in Göteborg, Sweden’s gateway to the west and its second largest city, the photojournalist Bo Zaunders takes us along on a three-day trip in the distinct western province, punctuated with a rocky archipelago, quaint fishing villages, and all the fresh, mouth-watering seafood you’d expect. After all, this is also the herring capital of Sweden. / p16 Don’t bother to bring cash to Sweden / p5 The new Scandinavian Heritage Park / p12 The CEO of the Swedish Film Institute is making way for “50/50 by 2020” / p24
Page 16
Where to celebrate blue and yellow on June 6, Sweden’s National Day / p28
Traveling chef and sometime food judge Gunilla Blixt shares a unique experience among students in a class examining how food in Sweden reflects the larger culture. The end of the semester included a competition in Swedish home cooking, whose results showed the students’ practical understanding of classic Swedish dishes and their history - with unique categories and winners of some recipes everyone agreed are typically Swedish. / p19
dashboard | june 01, 2018 SCANDINAVIAN QUIZ
60th parallel north intersects each 1 The of the Scandinavian countries where the sun is visible for how long during
6 Which region is NOT a former Swedish colony? A) New Sweden B) Guadeloupe C) Ghana D) Finland
the summer solstice? A) 15.5 hours B) 7 What Swedish landskap’s name refers to the deep mouth of its main river but has nothing to do with almost 19 hours C) not long enough D) remorse? A) Blekinge B) Medelpad C) Ånger5 hours manland D) Närke
2 What name was Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind 8 What northern island contains 100 of the world’s
Many people ask about the weather in Sweden, conjuring images of sunny Midsummer parties and winters piled with snow. Much of the long Nordic country lies around 60° north latitude, which can be compared to the state of Alaska, but Sweden has a milder climate than most other northern countries due to the influence of the Gulf Stream that flows off Norway’s west coast. This year seems to be redefining “mild,” with very summery weather expected to continue throughout Sweden. Göteborg saw over 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) on May 14, and even high up north in the Norrland province, temperatures reached summer levels of over 26 degrees C. After a long and cold winter, Sweden passed quickly through an unusually short spring and landed in summer already in May. And the extreme weather may be here to stay. “Unfortunately, what we are looking at now fits into the overall trends,” says environmental and climate researcher Johanna Alkan Olsson at the Centre for Environmental and Climate Research at Lund University, warning that “the much enjoyed heat can lead to water shortages.”
Name’s Days of the Swedish Calendar Namnsdagar i april
June 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 1
Gun/Gunnel Rutger/Roger Ingemar/Gudmar Solbritt/Solveig Bo Gustav/Gösta Robert/Robin Eivor/Majvor Börje/Birger Svante/Boris Bertil/Berthold Eskil Aina/Aino Håkan/Hakon |
New York Chicago Stockholm Kiruna Lund Los Angeles 2 NORDSTJERNAN
Sunrise & Sunset
5.27 am 8.21 pm 5.17 am 8.20 pm 3.43 am 9.48 pm above horizon 4.31 am 9.39 pm 5.42 am 7.59 pm
3 What is the largest city in Scandinavia? A) Copenhagen B) Helsinki C) Stockholm D) Oslo
approximately 600 active volcanoes? A) Iceland B) Greenland C) Faroe D) Åland
9 Who was the last king of the House of Vasa?
A) Johan II Casimir B) Sigismund C) Erik XIV D) Karl IX
4 What area of Denmark is attached to the rest of Eu- 10 What country was Børge Rosenbaum, who was rope? A) Langeland B) Jutland C) Fyn D) Sealand
5 What does the new word ‘äger’ mean in Swedish? A) good B) bad C) to own D) to control
CULTURE
Namnsdagar
Gun - June 1 Gun or Gunn is an old name formed by the word “gunnr” (battle) and is cognate with the Old English word “gud.” Gunns is one of the valkyries, and the male equivalent of the name is Gunnar. The earliest attestation of the name is as part of a kenning on the Rök Stone: “I say this the twelfth, where the horse of Gunnr sees fodder on the battlefield, where twenty kings lie....” In 2017 there were 31,064 women and 2 men with the name in Sweden.
known in the U.S. as Victor Borge, born in? A) Denmark B) Norway C) Iceland D) Germany
Answers: 1:B, 2:C, 3:C, 4:B, 5:A, 6:D, 7:C, 8:A, 9:A, 10:A
Early summer in Sweden
(1820-1887) given at birth? A) Johanna Nightingale Lind B) Jenny Maria Lindgren C) Johanna Maria Lind D) Johanna Maria Barnum
Juni
Ingemar – June 3 Ingemar or Ingmar is an Old Norse male name made up by the two words Ing and a word that means “famous.” Ing might be the name of an old Norse god. The oldest place the name Ingmar can be found is on a rune stone in Uppland from the 11th century. Ingemar was a very common name for boys during the 1940s and 1950s. In 2017 there were 56,938 people in Sweden with the name.
founded in new york city in september 1872 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…
June TO DO 6.1 DRINK MILK (or not. It’s a mixed bag these days but if you’re not lactose sensitive some say few things beat milk when it comes to the necessary intake of calcium): It’s World Milk Day, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. Not to be confused with our National Milk Day, which on January 11 commemorates the day that many think the first milk deliveries in glass bottles began in the U.S. (allegedy in 1878, six years after Nordstjernan was founded). 6.5 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: United Nation’s principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Theme of 2018: “If you can’t reuse it, refuse it” - Beat plastic pollution. www.worldenvironmentday.com 6.6 WEAR YOUR NATIONAL COSTUME AND CELEBRATE*: Sveriges Nationaldag / Sweden’s National Day. 6.9 ENJOY COPIOUS SWEATING: Nationella Bastudagen / National Sauna Day / Celebrated every year on the second Saturday in June, this day was established by the Swedish Sauna Academy under the motto In Sauna Veritas (In the sauna there’s truth). We adhere to that! www.bastuakademien.se It’s also time so make sure you are stocked up with herring, chives, sourcream and small potatoes to boil for Midsummer. Look around (if you’re an unmarried girl) for seven kinds of flowers to pick and put under your pillow - surely you know you’ll then dream of your future prince - and others for decoration, and if herring is too much for you, consider our recipe on p 17.
Local Swedish Americans proudly welcome Ikea to Wisconsin / p5
Dashboard, p4-5
Sales of E-bikes surge in Sweden / Celebrating the new Nordic Museum in Seattle / Volunteers, performers, vendors needed / Strong health tech growth / Sweden’s Defense Minister visited Washington, DC / The cashless society / IKEA U.S. opens in Wisconsin
Events calendar, p6-11
All the Midsummer festivities and other events going on in Swedish America.
Readers Forum, p14
From hardtack vs knäckebröd to comments on politics and a few nice things in between Page 16
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Bergman100 movie screenings www.ingmarbergman.se, p 25
Swedish News, p29
More of Facebook in Sweden / Swedes keep Facebook cool / Spotify’s new content policy / No Nobel Prize in Literature / Regional airline grounded Page 23
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Beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder. / p21-23 The Exchange Rate:
$1.00 = SEK 8.74 (05.17.2018)
JUNE 01, 2018 3
dashboard | june 01, 2018
Sales of E-bikes surge
Sweden has been offering a 25 percent subsidy for the purchase of electric bicycles and motorbikes since February, and it’s so popular that more than 40 percent of the annual budget has already been allotted. The measure includes electric bikes and motorbikes bought since September last year and plans to run until 2020, though its continuation is dependent on the outcome of the 2018 election this fall.
The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news. 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 - Ted Olsson - Leif Rosqvist - Kitty Hughes 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
In line with the museum itself, cutting the ribbon became a Nordic/Seattle joint venture. Visiting Nordics and local VIPs are cutting the ribbon on May 5. HRH Crown Princess Mary, third from right, next to museum CEO Eric Nelson, Swedish ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, second from left.
Scandinavians across the Pacific Northwest and the nation celebrated as the new Nordic Museum officially opened its doors over the weekend of May 4-6. Right: 10-year-old Ailsa Nash offers flowers for HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The dynamic new building in the heart of Ballard in Seattle offers 57,000 square feet of exhibitions, Nordic resources, a café and meeting halls, and offers an experience out of the ordinary. www.nordicmuseum.org
Volunteers, performers, vendors …
If you’re looking for a reason to become involved with other Scandinavians in the TriState area, ScanFest, which no doubt “takes a village” to create is looking for new friends. Thousands of visitors come to ScanFest every year to enjoy a smörgåsbord of fun and a long list of entertainers. There’s food for every taste, several bands and soloists, traditional dances and a variety of arts and crafts vendors. You may be able to watch Viking reenactments, lace making, weaving or the making of wooden toys and, who knows, you could carry your wife to the finishing line and carry home her weight in beer. The festival is on the last Sunday before Labor Day every year, this year on Sept. 2 and is held at Vasa Park, Budd lake, NJ. If you have an act, items for sale or are open to finding new friends while having fun and working to organize or populate this, the largest Scandinavian festival in the Northeast, see www.scanfest.org
Photos: Nordic Museum
Celebrating the new Nordic Museum in Seattle
dashboard | june 01, 2018
Strong health tech growth
Private alternatives in healthcare have long had a favorable situation in Sweden and digital healthcare centers attract most of the venture capital going to the sector. Instead of offering physical medical visits, contact with doctors happens via telephone, chat and video link. In total, the two largest digital care centers, Min Doktor (www.mindoktor.se) and Kry (www.kry.se), have received close to $60 million from venture capital companies.
The cashless society
Swish, money transfers in real time. Paypal’s Venmo now does it here in the U.S. Swish was launched in Sweden in 2012 and was an instant success.
Sweden is often referred to as a cashless society, and an earlier report from Visa Europe confirms this. Swedes use cards as payment nearly four times more often than the average European, and for lower sums of money, according to this report. Practically all adult Swedes have a debit card, according to the report and these days many simply use app-based services on their phones. Most popular for money transfers is Swish, which works for every bank and is immediate from your phone to another phone number also hooked up to the system through the Bankgiro system owned by the banks. The system was down for less than two hours in the morning of May 15 this year—over 6.3 million users were reportedly affected! The ongoing digitization has made most banks reduce the number of offices considerably. And only some bank branches will accept cash. We recently picked up a comment in one of Sweden’s business magazines: “Sweden’s bank branches are increasingly looking like hospital waiting rooms. The average age is very high. Many of the customers are confused. And it’s hard to find the right specialist to talk to.” The reason is, of course, that tech-savvy customers handle their banking online. Another is the whole flora of digital services out there. Do you want to trade stocks and funds online? Avanza and Nordnet are there for you. Interested in high interest rate savings? Lendify, Tessin and Toborrow are in an app near you. How about a fast loan? Or maybe you want to save money directly on your mobile phone? Are you an entrepreneur who wants to book receipts digitally? Today there is a fintech company for everything.
Sweden’s Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist visited Washington, DC in the second week of May on the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Secretary Mattis welcomed Hultqvist along with his Finnish colleague Jussi Niinistö to the Pentagon with an honor cordon on May 8. After discussing military cooperation between the three countries, and overall security policy, the three defense officials signed a trilateral statement of intent. While non-binding both visiting ministers emphasized to Defense News after the meeting that “this is a starting point for future strengthened relations, and there will be a particular emphasis on increasing and planning joint exercises.”
IKEA U.S. opens in Wisconsin
The 48th Ikea in the U.S. opened in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on May 16. The Milwaukee area pulled out all the stops to welcome the Sweden-based store, which opened with an Ikea fanfare that included visits from national VIPs, the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, local Swedish Americans, a very enthusiastic new staff, many opening day raffles, giveaways and the premier of its latest perk In lieu of cutting a ribbon with a giant scissors, Swedish Embassy Head of for U.S. shoppers: the Ikea Public Diplomacy Monica Enquist (left) and IKEA U.S. Sr. Vice President Anton van Dongen bring good luck the Swedish way: by sawing a log. credit card.
Local coworkers preparing for the opening.
A whole new meaning of “cheese heads.” JUNE 01, 2018 5
local events
Midsummer Events 2018 California Agoura - Vasa Park 06.24, 8:30 AM –6 PM T h e S w e d i s h A m e r i c a n C e n t ra l Association Annual Midsummer Festival. Maypole, dancing, singing, youth activities, Spelmanslag and Folk Dancing. 562.923.5828 or 213.364.4425 Lafayette 06.23, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM Midsummer Celebration. Maypole, wreaths and dancing. More info SWEASan Francisco, www.sanfrancisco.swea. org / program@sweasanfrancisco.org Los Angeles - Rolling Hills Estates 6.23, 5 - 10 PM Annual Midsummer Shrimp Feast at Nansen Field. All you can eat you-peel shrimp. Dancing around the maypole. Reserv & info southbaybookkeeping@ roadrunner.com / 310.869.4337 Morgan Hill - Sveadal 06.23, 10 AM–6 PM Swedish American Patriotic League 124th Midsummer Celebration. Maypole, dancing & music. www.sveadal.org / 408.779.2854 Petaluma 06.23, 11 AM - 3 PM Linnea Lodge #504’s Annual Midsommar Celebration. Dancing around the Maypole and potluck. RSVP and more info linnealodge@gmail.com San Diego - House of Sweden 06.24 12 – 5 PM Midsummer celebration. Swedish food, folk dancing, singing, family fun and dance around the Maypole. www.houseofsweden.us / Houseofswedensandiego@gmail.com
Midsummer celebration in “Little Sweden USA,” Lindsborg, Kansas. Photo: Jim Richardson Colorado Estes Park 06.22 - 06.24 Scandinavian Midsummer celebration with Scandinavian music, folk dancers, Maypole, crafts, Scandinavian market and Viking village. www.estesmidsummer. com Connecticut Fairfield 06.23, 12-3 PM A n n u a l M i d s u m m e r Fe s t a t T h e Scandinavian Club. Maypole, music and dance. www.thescandinavianclub.com / scanclubnews@hotmail.com South Meriden, Vasa Park 06.24 11:30 AM
SAN FRANCISCO Söndag 3 juni kl 16.00
NATIONALDAGSFIRANDE Nationaldagsfirande och sommarandakt i Norska sjömanskyrkan på Hyde St. Musikaliskt framträdande med Ragnar Bohlin och mezzosopran Kindra Scharich. Nationaldagstal av Swedish Consul General Barbro Osher. Präst Louise Linder. Efteråt serveras tårta och kaffe. Biljettpris $20. Anmälan via konsulatet. I samarbete med svenska generalkonsulatet i San Francisco. Svenska kyrkan i San Francisco vill önska en glad sommar! Nu tar vi sommaruppehåll och återkommer i september med gudstjänster och andra evenemang. 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 6 NORDSTJERNAN
Traditional Swedish Midsommarfest. Maypole, music, dance, entertainment, games and food. Reservations and more info 203.281.1261 / ppsfualum@ gmail.com Washington, DC Carderock Park, MD 06.24, 2:30 PM Midsummer Celebration hosted by Drott Lodge, ASA and SWEA DC. Maypole, dancing, activities and potluck dinner. www.scandinavian-dc.org Florida Davie 06.02, 2 - 7 PM Sommarfest. Celebration of Sweden’s National Day, Midsummer and skolavslutning with a big festival! www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@ svenskakyrkan.se Illinois Bishop Hill 06.23, 11 AM – 9 PM Midsommar Music Festival. Music for the whole family. Procession to the Colony School. Decoration and dancing around the Maypole, Barn Dance. www. bishophill.com / bhha@mymctc.net Chicago 06.03, 4-6 PM Merula Concert: Hear the Merula choir singing jazz, pop, folk and blues from Swedish composers and singers to kick off summertime. $10/adults (online and at
Do you know about an upcoming event in Swedish America? Submit it any time to our online calendar at www.nordstjernan.com/ calendar
the museum), free/age 10 and under with a paying guest. Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / merulachoir@gmail.com / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 06.08, 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM SACC-Chicago Golf Outing: Join the Annual Scandinavian Les Nelson Foursome Scramble and Barbeque at the Arboretum Club. Individuals and companies get an exceptional opportunity to network with colleagues, clients and friends. SACC Chicago, 312.257.3002 / sacc@saccchicago.org Chicago - Andersonville 06.08 – 06.10 Andersonville’s annual summer street festival; dancing, kids’ entertainment and delicious food. Swedish American M u s e u m , 7 7 3 . 7 2 8 . 8 1 1 1 / w w w. swedishamericanmuseum.org 06.09, 11 AM Celebrate Midsommar with the The Swedish American Museum. Tra d i t i o n a l S w e d i s h m u s i c a n d dancing around the Maypole! www. swedishamericanmuseum.org or museum@samac.org 06.21, 11 AM – 12 PM The Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers and musicians, shares their Swedish heritage through folk music and dance. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / museum@samac.org Geneva - Good Templar Park 06.17, 9 AM – 5 PM Swedish Days, Geneva’s 108th Midsommar Festival. Maypole celebration, Swedish crafts, traditional Swedish food and the natural beauty of Good Templar Park. www.swedishday.net
local events Geneva 06.19 – 06.24 Annual Midsummer Festival - Swedish Days. Parade, great food, carnival rides, music, enter tainment and children’s games. 630.232.6060 / www. genevachamber.com Rockford - Erlander Museum 06.16, 10 AM – 8 PM Swedish Historical Society’s Midsommar Fest. Maypole, Folk Dancers, Swedish food, kid’s activities and ABBA Tribute Band. www.swedishhistorical.org / museum@swedishhistorical.org South Elgin - Vasa Park 06.23 – 06.24, 3:30 – 10:30 PM 12th Annual Scandinavian Midsummer Celebration. Maypole, dancing, kid’s activities, picnic - bring dish, bonfire and music. 847.695.6720 / w w w. vasaparkil.com Iowa Iowa City - Willow Creek Park 06.16, 4 -7 PM Iowa City Swedish Club Midsommar Fest with Majstång, games and a potluck dinner. www.iowacityswedishclub.com / jsmadsen@mchsi.com Sioux City 06.16, 11 AM – 1 PM Celebrate an early Midsummer with the Vasa Lodge in Sioux City. 605.253.2575 / ron@dalesburg.org Swedesburg 06.24, 6 -8:30 PM Swedish Heritage Society Midsummer Fest. Maypole, Lindsborg Folk Dancers, Ice cream and strawberries. 319.254.2317 / swedish@iowatelecom.net Kansas Lindsborg 06.16, 10 AM - 11:30 PM M i d s u m m e r ’ s Fe s t i v a l : S w e d i s h food, music, dancing, art, games, Midsommarstång, entertainment, b l o m k ra n s , Fo l k D a n c e r s , k u b b tournament and Midsummer’s 5K/2 Mile Walk. 785.227.8687 / www.visitlindsborg. com Maine New Sweden 06.22 – 06.24 New Sweden Historical Society Midsommar Celebration. Maypole,
Dancing, Fun and Food. More info Fa c e b o o k : w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / NewSwedenHistoricalSociety Maryland Carderock Park 06.24, 2:30 PM Midsummer Celebration hosted by Drott Lodge, ASA and SWEA DC. Maypole, dancing, activities and potluck dinner. www.scandinavian-dc.org Massachusetts Shrewsbury 06.24, 11 AM - 4:30 PM Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. Swedish Meatball Dinner, Vikings, shopping, raffles, games, kids crafts a n d m o r e ! w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / SwedishNationalfederationOfWorcester Michigan Farmington Hills 06.16, 9:30 AM – 2:15 PM The Swedish Club’s Midsummer Celebration. Swedish Breakfast, decorate and dance around the maypole, music, Lunch Buffet. www.swedishclub.net / bcapote@ameritech.net Grand Rapids - Alaska 06.23, 11 AM – 4 PM SAHS/WM Swedish Midsummer
MIDSOMMAR IN CONNECTICUT SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 VASA PARK
358 Main St. Meriden, CT Park Opens 11:30 a.m. Traditional Swedish Meatball Dinner with dessert and beverages $ 15 per person (Hot Dogs) Children under 5 no charge.
Music, Dancing around the Maypole and Games for children of all ages. Scholarship Presentation 3:30 Reservations or information: 203.281.1261 or ppsfualum@gmail.com
Summer songs in Philadelphia, PA on June 8
Enjoy a program of Nordic folk music and opera arias in the near-perfect acoustics of Pennsylvania’s oldest church, Old Swedes’ Church. On June 8, 7:30-9 p.m. the 2018 Jenny Lind scholar, soprano Kine Sandtrø, will perform a summer evening of song from 1850, the year Jenny Lind herself sang at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church in Philadelphia. Sandtrø will be accompanied by Julia Sjöstedt, who is studying piano at the Academy of Music in Stockholm. Suggested donation: $20/adult, $10/student (proceeds benefit preservation work at Gloria Dei Church and the mission of the Augustana Institute. Gloria Dei Old Swedes’ Church916 Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.preserveoldswedes.org Celebration. Dancing around the maypole, music, lunch, games and more. www. sahswm.org / info@sahswm.org Minnesota Duluth 06.28, 12:30 – 3PM Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth’s Midsommar Fest! www.facebook.com/ Swedishculturalsociety Minneapolis - American Swedish Institute 06.01, 6-11 PM Cocktails at the Castle: ASI’s famous museum party is back with an enchanted night full of quirky surprises. Enjoy live music, make your own unique art with
Northern Clay Center and indulge in one of FIKA’s famous cocktails or grab a local brew from the Indeed Tap Truck. This is a 21+ event. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 /www.asimn.org 06.06, 6:30-8:30 PM Nordic Table Workshop: Karelian Pastries Hands-on class explores the classic Finnish pastry, karjalanpiirakka. Lots of opportunities to practice shaping techniques; you’re sure to pick up tricks that will make these sometimes tricky pastries an easy and inviting project! At the Lake Calhoun Whole Foods Market Teaching Kitchen, 612.871.4907 / emilyk@ asimn.org /www.asimn.org
Glad Midsommar med Matjes, Kaviar, Knäcke och Ost. www.scandinavianbutik.com Phone: 203-529-3244
JUNE 01, 2018 7
local events
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.).
06.16, 10 AM – 5 PM ASI Midsommar Celebration; dance around the midsommarstång, Scandinavian folk music, make a midsommarkrans, story time and more. 612.871.4907 / www. asimn.org Minneapolis - Minnehaha Falls Park 06.24 Svenskarnas Dag and Norway Day. Dancing around the Midsummer Pole, Scandinavian foods and handicrafts, music and dance groups. www.facebook. com/SvenskarnasDag Moorhead - Hjemkomst Center 06.22 - 06.23, 10 AM – 5 PM The 41st Annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst & Midwest Viking Festivals. Swedish music, food and art. Scandinavian entertainment, Viking Village, children’s activities. www.NordicCultureClubs.org Nisswa 06.08 – 06.09 19th Annual Nisswa-stämman Scandinavian Folk Music Festival. A c e l e b ra t i o n o f S c a n d i n av i a n a n d Scandinavian/American folk music i n n o r t h e r n M i n n e s o t a . w w w. nisswastamman.org
Through
NORDSTJERNAN 1.800.827.9333 Ext 10
Scandia 06.23, 10 AM – 6 PM Gammelgården Museum Midsommar Dag Celebration. Majstång, Swedish music, dances, flower crowns & smörgåsbord. 651.433.5053 / www. gammelgardenmuseum.org Nebraska Omaha - Elmwood Park Pavilion and Grounds 06.24, 12:30 – 4:30 PM Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, 402.830.6679 / www.omahamidsummer. wordpress.com Stromsburg 06.15 – 06.17 Swedish Midsummer Festival: Maypole, dancing, Swedish foods, crafts, games, Vikings and entertainment. 402.764.5265 / www.theswedishfestival.com
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 8 NORDSTJERNAN
Get your Viking on during Chicago’s annual Midsummer street festival, June 8-10, right outside the Swedish American Museum on North Clark St. New Jersey Hackettstown Vasa Park, Budd Lake 06.23, 10 AM – 6 PM Midsummer Celebration. Maypole, folkdancing, musical entertainment, Scandinavian food and children’s activities. 973.985.8190 / korywarner@ gmail.com
New York - Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, Battery Park City 06.22, 5-8 PM Swedish Midsummer Festival. Swedish delicacies, traditional music, folk dancing, decorating of Maypole and wreath making. www.bpcparks.org / www.swedenabroad.com
New York Jamestown - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 06.23 Am er ica n Sc an din av ia n Her ita ge Foundation Celebration: Maypole with folk dancing, live music and a light lunch. 716.665.5046 / www. scandinavianjamestown.org
North Dakota Buckstop Junction, Bismarck 06.21, 6-8 PM Three Crowns Swedish-American Association’s Midsummer Celebration. Smorgasbord, folk dancing and fun and games for kids. 701.516.2979 / 3crownsswedish@gmail.com
Jamestown 07.21 Scandinavian Folk Festival – Folk dancers and musicians process and erect the midsummer pole, ring d a n c i n g . 7 1 6 . 6 6 5 . 0 8 8 3 / w w w. scandinavianjamestown.org Melville - King of Kings Lutheran Church 06.02, 1 PM Swedish Midsummer by Vasa Lodge Lindbergh of Long Island. Dancing around the “Majstång,” live music, food, kids games. 718.415.0602 / dragspel@aol.com New York – Bronx - Throgs Neck 06.16, 11 AM 78th Annual Sweden Day – Midsommar celebration at Manhem Club. Majstång, Smörgåsbandet, Elsa Rix and more. www. swedendayny.com / SwedenDayNina@ outlook.com
Ohio Alum Creek, Lewis Center 06.23 Scandinavian Club of Columbus, Ohio Nordic Midsummer fest. www.scandiclub. com / ScandiClubInfo@gmail.com Oregon Astoria 06.15 – 06.17 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival: Scandinavian musical, dance and theater groups, handcrafts, Scandinavian import items and food. ABBA tribute band ARRIVAL. www.astoriascanfest.org Portland - Oaks Park 06.09, 11 AM – 6 PM Portland Midsummer Festival. Maypole, Flower wreath making, food, crafts, music, dancing and children’s activities. 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org
local events
Dreams of a Swedish summer
LaManda Joy is an award-winning Illinois Extension Master Gardener, author, speaker and founder of Chicago’s Peterson Garden Project. Her life’s mission is to inspire everyone she meets to grow their own food. A lover of garden culture in all forms, she’s often found “plant snooping” around the U.S. and Europe, and is particularly enamored with the gardens of her husband Peter Wigren’s native Sweden. In this exhibit “Dreams of a Swedish Summer,” LaManda shares some of her favorite garden memories from visits over the years to Stockholm and Gotland. From “kolonilott” (community gardens) to 300-year-old urban farms and charming garden centers to renegade hollyhocks growing through sidewalk cracks in Stockholm, LaManda’s love for the plant world and the garden community shines through in this exhibition on display at the Swedish American Museum through July 29, 773.728.8111 / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org
Pennsylvania Philadelphia 06.19, 10:30-11:30 AM Toddler Time: Midsommar fun - learn about Swedish Midsommar and dance around the Maypole! American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www. americanswedish.org 06.23, 4-7 PM Annual Midsommarfest: Maypole dancing, food, drinks, music and, crafts and games for kids. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www. americanswedish.org
JUNE 01, 2018 9
local events
Baking with summer strawberries
Swedish American Central Association of Southern California
98th Midsummer Festival
Sunday June 24, 2018 Park opens at 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast available 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Raising of the Maypole, ring dancing at 12:00 noon. Food, games, swimming, stage program, folk dancing, Scandinavian vendors. Dance to the music of Västkustens Spelmanslag. $5.00 per person includes parking $2.00 Children 5 – 12 years Vasa Park 2854 Triunfo Canyon Road Exit 101 freeway at Kanan Road turn west Agoura Hills, CA No animals and No Barbecues www.vasapark.org 10 NORDSTJERNAN
Get ready for summer with this Nordic Table lesson on June 9 at 2-4 p.m. at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis: making strawberry cake or jordgubbstårta, a multi-layered sponge cake filled with whipped cream and strawberries. A traditional centerpiece of the Midsommar table, this class will share the tips and tricks
of pulling off a beautiful cake worthy of any summertime occasion. And of course there will be tasting, too: We’ll whip up full-sized and mini strawberry cakes. This is a family friendly course; kids 10 and up are welcome to register alongside an adult for an additional fee. 612.871.4907 / emilyk@asimn.org / www.asimn.org
South Carolina Columbia 06.02, 4-8 PM The Nordic Club Midsommar celebration. A traditional midsummer celebration. www.facebook.com/nordicclubsc / nordicclubsc@gmail.com
06.07, 10-11 AM Nordic Storytelling: Hedgie’s Surprise by Jan Brett. Our storytelling and crafts program for preschool-aged children and their grown-ups, returns to 10 a.m. at the new museum. No reservations required. Nordic Museum. 206.789.5707 / www.nordicmuseum.org
South Dakota Dalesburg 06.22, 1-8 PM D a l e s b u r g M i d s u m m e r Fe s t i v a l : Välkommen! Midsummer pole, musical guests from Sweden, dancing, smorgasbord and games. ron@ dalesburg.org / www.dalesburg.org Washington Bellevue - Vasa Park Resort 06.10, 9 AM– 8 PM 92nd Midsummer Festival with Swedish music, dancing and old fashioned recreation, Swedish food. Free admission. 425.746.3260 / www.vasaparkresort.com Kenmore - Saint Edward State Park 06.24, 11 AM– 6 PM Skandia Midsommarfest: Majstång dancing, music, food, crafts and kids activities.Skandia Folkdance Society , www.skandia-folkdance.org / publicity@ skandia-folkdance.org Seattle 06.02, 12-2 PM Classic Swedish and American Car Show: The bar’s open and we have classic Swedish and American cars on display. Awards for Best, Volvo, Saab, Foreign and People’s Choice. Swedish Club, 206.283.1090 / www. swedishclubnw.org
06.07, 5:30-8 PM Annual Raoul Wallenberg Dinner: The 23rd annual dinner honors the memory of the Swedish diplomat who intervened to save thousands of Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. He was detained by the Soviet Army in 1944, and reportedly died in a communist prison in 1947. Today he is celebrated around the world for his courageous humanitarian efforts. Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / www. nordicmuseum.org/wallenberg 06.22 Midsommar Celebration at the Swedish Club with dancing around the Midsommar pole and smörgåsbord. Swedish Club Seattle 206.283.1090 / www.swedishclubnw.org Vermont Landgrove Inn, Landgrove 06.21, 3 PM Nordic Harmoni’s annual Midsummer Festival. Wreath making, decorating of Maypole, songs by the chorus. 802.824.6578 / vartland@comcast.net Wisconsin Milwaukee - Glendale (New Location) 06.24, 1 - 4:30 PM Midsummer celebration: Dancing around the
local events Maypole, wreath making, dancers, games and music. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, www.sahswi. org /swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@ gmail.com Sister Bay 06.06, 10 AM Roofing of the Goats Parade & Fest: Kick off the Door County tourism season as the goats walk through the streets and are led to the grass roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. It is immediately followed by Goat Fest which includes live music, fun kids’ games, beverages, special foods and a Swedish Pancake-Eating Contest. Other downtown businesses also have festivities and specials. 920.421.1589 / www.aljohnsons.com
IKEA USA 06.15 A Swedish Traditional Midsummer Smörgåsbord, U.S.-wide with all-youcan-eat buffet. Each store has different seating times. Call your local store for details. Some locations have live Swedish entertainment. www.ikea.com. No celebration listed close to you? For continuous info all over the U.S., see events at www.nordstjernan.com. Also, find your local SWEA chapter by going to www.swea.org - almost every SWEA organization will celebrate Midsummer.
78h Annual SWEDEN DAY A NEW YORK “MIDSOMMAR” TRADITION
Saturday, June 16, 2018 Manhem Club
658 Clarence Avenue, Throgs Neck, Bronx, New York 10465 www.swedendayny.com • 516.565.2091 • 718.822.8965 Park Opens 11 AM • Main Program 2 PM
2018 Couple of the Year: Beatrice & Bob Rasmussen
LOS ANGELES Söndag 3 juni kl 11.00
GUDSTJÄNST OCH NATIONALDAGSFIRANDE
Kyrkoherde Hans Bratt Hernberg predikar, kören medverkar och lunch serveras i trädgården. Vi hissar svenska flaggan och skådespelare Bo Svensson håller tal. Pysselhörna för barnen.
Söndag 17 juni kl 12.00
GUDSTJÄNST
Kyrkoherde Hans Bratt Hernberg predikar i Angelica Lutheran Church, downtown Los Angeles, 1345 S Burlington Ave. Efteråt serveras fika. Söndagsskola för barnen.
Söndag 1 juli kl 11.00
LEKMANNALEDD GUDSTJÄNST i San Pedro.
Söndag 15 juli kl 11.00
LEKMANNALEDD GUDSTJÄNST i Angelica Lutheran Church, downtown Los Angeles, 1345 S Burlington Ave.
Onsdag 29 september kl 19.00 (Köp biljetter redan nu!) LA Galaxy möter Vancouver Vi välkomnar Zlatan Ibrahimovic till LA med Swedish Heritage Night, fyller läktarna med blågult och hejar fram vår svenske superspelare. Biljetter: www. lagalaxy.com/sweden. Välj läktare 139 och 140 i första hand, därefter intilliggande. Följ oss gärna på facebook och instagram: @svenskakyrkanlosangeles. Där hittar ni alla våra evenemang och information om vad vi har på gång för stora och små!
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 JUNE 01, 2018 11
local events
Oregon Scandinavians build Heritage Park
Top: Artist rendition of Scandinavian Heritage Park. // Bottom: Last year’s Astoria Scan Fest torchlight parade
A monument will honor the immigrant traditions brought by thousands of Scandinavians to Oregon’s North Coast in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Astorians of Scandinavian descent are celebrating the approval of an agreement with the City of Astoria that will allow them to build Scandinavian Heritage Park. The park, and a new monument, will make locals and visitors alike aware of the ethnic heritage that contributed immensely to the fabric of the community on the north coast of Oregon. The monument will honor families that said their last good-byes in Scandinavia and moved to Astoria to become Americans. It aims also to contribute to increased awareness of all cultures in the community. The State of Oregon was home to fewer than 50 Scandinavians in 1870, but by the turn of the century they were coming to the Pacific Northwest in droves. Many came to the area after 1870 when the railroad from San Francisco to Astoria was completed. Most who settled in Astoria were loggers, fishermen, farmers and small business owners. In 1900, the largest number of foreign born Astorians were from Finland, then Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Denmark. By the 1910 census there were 9600 inhabitants in Astoria; 35 percent of the population identified as Scandinavian. By 1910 the Norwegians had surpassed the Swedes as the second largest Scandinavian immigrant group in Astoria.
Most of the early Finnish immigrants lived in a neighborhood called Uniontown. They began a Finnish-language socialist newspaper called Toveri in 1907. Circulation peaked at 4,000 in 1916. The Norwegians settled in a neighborhood called Uppertown. Many locals credit John Warren, the coach of the Astoria High School basketball team that won the state basketball title in 1928, as the unifying force that brought the diverse Scandinavian ethnicities and neighborhoods in the community together. Astoria has gone through several transformations since its founding in 1811. The Oregon north coast continues to be a rich and culturally diverse area that attracts many new residents and thousands of visitors each year. From its start as a trading outpost to a booming fishing and logging industrial area to its present day tourist industry, the region has ridden the waves of history. Modern Astoria is still home to many descendants of early Scandinavian immigrants and several organizations still exist that evolved from the early Scandinavian societies, including: United Finnish Kaleva Brothers & Sisters, Astoria Lodge #2 (began 1886), Scandinavian Benevolent Society (1887), Daughters of Norway Stjernen Lodge (1910), Sons
Geneva’s Swedish Days Festival A must for a summer fun destination is Geneva’s 69th Annual Swedish Days Festival. More than 200,000 visitors and residents stop by for a variety of activities – combining traditional events and exciting new attractions. Here’s a sneak peek: Every year shoppers look forward to sidewalk sales offering “must have” bargains at Geneva’s 100+ specialty shops. Free nightly musical entertainment on Central Stage kicks off Tuesday, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. featured artists play on the courthouse lawn. Festival goers can feast on tradi12 NORDSTJERNAN
tional Swedish and favorite American and ethnic foods including, brats, ribs, turkey legs, veggie burgers, wood smoked pork sandwiches, meatballs, pizza, garlic crab pasta and burritos, to name a few at the many non-profit food booths. Sinfully good desserts will also be available. Don’t forget all the fine restaurants in Geneva. From casual bistros to 5-star formal dining, a day in Geneva isn’t complete without sampling one
or more of the fine restaurants and eateries. Or stop by one of the beer gardens that offers good food, drink and entertainment during the festival. Visit www.genevachamber.com for a listing of our 40+ restaurants, pizzerias and pubs. Kids will want to be at Swedish Days 2018 every day, but Tuesday’s kick-off explodes with activity for young visitors. • Creation Station opens at 10 a.m.
local events of Norway Nidaros Lodge No. 16 (1910), Astor Lodge 215 Vasa Order of America (1912) and Lower Columbia Danish Society (1975). The non-profit Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association formed in 2011 with a mission to preserve traditional Scandinavian culture and heritage through educational opportunities in areas of customs, language, food and the arts and to educate the citizens of Clatsop County and surrounding areas about the culture and heritage of the Scandinavian countries. ASHA’s primary activity has been to support the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival but it is now also the leading group to build Scandinavian Heritage Park.
A new park
As preparations for the 50th anniversary Midsummer Festival were discussed in 2015, several members of the leadership committee decided it was time to move forward with the Scandinavian Heritage Park idea. A grant from the Oregon Community Foundation supported Phase One of the project to secure a site for the park and explore design options for the monument. A big concern for the City of Astoria Parks and Rec Department was maintenance of the park and the problem was solved when the local Rotary Club voted to assist the Scandinavian community in caring for the park. Scandinavian Heritage Park will be located at the entrance to downtown Astoria near the Astoria Riverwalk, on Tuesday and continues all week with projects. • Swedish Days 2018 is packed with favorites: the Carnival, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Quad Power Jump, Fun at the Library Tent and mini golf. • June 22 is “Kids’ Day” where from early in the morn to late into the night, kids can stay busy. All-Star Sports coaches will try to dodge getting dunked. The Geneva Park District coordinates games and activities on the courthouse lawn including performances by Sunset Dancers and Angels Cheer & Poms Team. • The Kids’ Day Parade invites children through age 10 to enter in one of our parade categories.
the Astoria Trolley tracks and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The main feature visible from the street will be a Welcome Arch that will fly flags of the Scandinavian countries on special days. There will be two round plazas connected with a wide path. The first plaza is themed “We said our last goodbyes” and will have a Midsummer pole in the center and granite panels with colored representations of the flags from the Scandinavian countries. Interpretive panels will explain the Future home of the Scandinavian Heritage Park significance of Scandinavian immigrants to the region. Scandinavian The second circular plaza is Midsummer Festival themed “We came to work” and Astoria Scandinavians remain comwill have granite panels with bas- mitted to celebrating their heritage relief sculpture depicting typical each year at the annual Scandinaimmigrant professions. Interpretive vian Midsummer Festival held the panels will explain the Scandinavian third weekend of June at the Clatsop neighborhoods in early Astoria and County Fairgrounds. The present day the professions of early immigrants. Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Fundraising for the park has begun was held for the first time in 1968. In and ASHA can currently receive 2017 at the 50th annual Midsummer check donations. Festival, the event was recognized Information on contributions, as an Oregon Heritage Tradition by progress, drawings and details of the the Oregon Historical Commission. design proposals are online at: www. Today the Midsummer Festival astoriascanpark.org. remains a major activity for local
Scandinavian lodges and descendants and attracts visitors from near and far who are interested in exploring ethnic cultures through festival activities centered on heritage, tradition, family, food and fun. Featured entertainers from Scandinavia in 2018 include the Kleiveland Toppe Duo from Norway. The special entertainers on Saturday, June 16 will be Arrival and Dreams, Canada’s tribute to ABBA and Fleetwood Mac. In 2019 the multiple award-winning Harald Haugaard / Helene Blum Band from Denmark will make a return visit. www.astoriascanfest.com.
Come for the Run, Stay for the Fun
Located along the scenic Fox River in Geneva, the Swedish Days 5K Lopp promises an unbelievable race experience. Runners are encouraged to tie-in the Scandinavian theme with their attire. More info at www. genevachamber.com If you plan to visit on Sunday, bring some chairs and blankets so the entire family can enjoy the Grand Parade – a community parade with over 45,000 viewers. Enjoy free admission with easy access via the Metra. Events, hours and schedule available at www.genevachamber.com or the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630.232.6060.
‘The Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals’ will run Tuesday through Sunday, June 19-24.
JUNE 01, 2018 13
readers forum
BOOK REVIEW: How Sweden Became Multicultural: The Hidden Agenda, the Process, the Lobbyists Dear Editors, Perhaps 10 years ago for $.25 I got at a garage sale the April 1963 edition of National Geographic Magazine. It contained a meticulously researched 40-page article by Andrew H. Brown about Sweden, detailing the scintillating success of all aspects of life in that – at the time – idyllic Nordic nation. Brown’s article, titled “Sweden, Quiet Workshop for the World,” states that the nation of then only 7.5 million “shares with Switzerland the highest standard of living in Europe,” and that “racially, Swedes are remarkably homogeneous; there has been little infusion of outside blood.” He added, “In my 5,000-mile journey through Sweden, I found its people striving always for refinement, for excellence, and everywhere I saw the results of this determination: an air of confident prosperity. Sweden has no slums.”
Times have changed
In 1900, foreign-born citizens accounted for less than one percent of Sweden’s population. By 2016 foreign-born citizens had exploded to 17.9 percent – with no end in sight. Since deciding to become “multicultural” during the 1960s and ’70s, the Swedish government elected to take in at taxpayer expense more than one million unskilled immigrants, largely from non-western Islamic countries. How did this happen? It was not some nebulous, fatalistic inevitability of the modern world, but rather a calculated decision by a few. In a new book, How Sweden Became Multicultural: The Hidden Agenda, the Process, the Lobbyists, M. Eckehart provides a window into radical policy changes that were implemented without consent from the Swedish people. “The fact that Sweden is a multicultural country is today repeated ad nauseum by the media, and the Dear Editor, I also read Anders Andersson’s letter about hardtack. My mother was of first generation Swedish descent, my father a first generation Norwegian. I grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. And I knew my grandparents on both sides. We always called it hardtack! I didn’t know it was called crisp bread until I was over 40 and living in Arizona, where I found and bought Wasa knäckebröd. One day I saw on the label “crisp bread.” That was strange to me as I had never heard it called that, so I thought maybe the rounds with a hole in the middle were called hardtack because that was what I remember eating at home. Thinking more about it, I remembered that my Norwegian grandfather had served in the Royal Norwegian Navy for about 10 years before he emigrated. Maybe that is why we called it hardtack. I spoke with my cousin who grew up in Berkley, CA. She says her father called it hardtack and she still thinks of it in those 14 NORDSTJERNAN
diversity is no longer exclusively found in urban areas but has begun to spread to smaller communities,” Eckehart writes in the preface. “Remarkably little is said, however, about how and why Sweden came to identify as a multicultural country.” Originally published in Swedish in 2007, How Sweden Became Multicultural was updated by the author with new data, seamlessly translated into English by William Johansson, and republished in 2017. It is available online for $12.50 through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Eckehart recounts how a catalyst for change was a series of newspaper debates that began in 1964 when Polish-born David Schwarz, who in 1954 came to live in Sweden, wrote an extensive article from the immigrant perspective for Dagens Nyheter newspaper. “Schwarz was the first person that seriously lobbied for Sweden to change its policy from one of cultural homogeneity to cultural pluralism,” Eckehart explains. Schwarz had subjectively asserted that immigrants should be “unconditionally” permitted to retain their culture, and that Sweden “needed” to become a “nation with many cultures.” In the months and years that followed, additional agitators – also, Eckehart notes, with foreign-born backgrounds – joined Schwarz to amplify the drumbeat. This came to dominate the faction of the newspaper debates that demanded the implementation of cultural pluralism during the critical period 1964-68. Initiating for no substantive reason and fanning the flames of public discord was not the extent of the work of these activists. During the same time period, Schwarz and others were close with and doggedly lobbied powerful officials such as Prime Minister Erlander, and Minister of Education Olof Palme. Palme himself became prime minister in 1969, and it was under his rule that the bill formally declaring
Sweden was to become multicultural – the “Government’s proposal for guidelines for immigrant and minority policy” – passed on February 27, 1975. “A few decades ago,” according to Eckehart, “the stated goal of public policy was to retain a homogeneous Swedish culture. Foreign ethnic groups were almost exclusively Europeans from neighboring countries and they were all expected to assimilate with the native Swedish population … the implementation of multiculturalism in 1975 … was foremost a victory for minorities and a loss for Swedes … thus the native Swedish population ceded sovereignty over the only geographic area in the world solely dedicated to the Swedish people and their culture.” How Sweden Became Multicultural is brief but enlightening, the length of a well-documented master’s thesis. It does not address some current issues, such as the overwhelming masses of “refugees” Sweden has accepted since 2015, the appalling epidemic of rape and sexual assault against native ethnic Swedish women and young girls ... or other sundry late tragic developments. But for a glimpse into the beginnings of the rapid, intentional deconstruction of traditional Sweden as we have always known it, this book contributes a key piece of the puzzle to informing one’s understanding. Newkirk L. Johnson, PA Nordstjernan subscriber and concerned Swedish-American. How Sweden Became Multicultural: The Hidden Agenda, the Process, the Lobbyists M. Eckehart; William Johansson, translator Logik Forlag Books, Helsingborg, Sweden 104 pages, paperback, 2017 Cover illustration by Andreas Nilsson [ISBN 978-91-88667-14-4]
terms. Crisp bread was not a term that was used in her family either. In my mind the original hardtack is always rye flour, water and salt. When I was in Sweden in 1978 the only ads on the kiosks were for Wasa with those three ingredients. I don’t remember if it was called crisp bread. And to add another wrinkle to the controversy: My long time friend of English heritage disparagingly calls it cardboard! Whatever one calls it, I love it and eat it almost every day. Soul food is how I think of it! Lois Colbiornsen Ripley, AZ Dear Lois, Repeating Martha Johnson Hurtig’s comments from a previous issue—who would think there’s so much to say about knäckebröd? Anders Andersson’s letter about using the term hardtack at a Scandinavian event out west stirred up quite a few feelings. The conclusion? We’re inclined to say it’s safe to use the term hardtack ... while also remembering that knäckebröd is best, and crisp bread more politically correct perhaps while considering the baker’s feelings! /Ed.
readers forum
Is Sweden going to hell? Dear Newkirk, We have shortened and edited your letter, which was necessary for a couple of different reasons, and chose to publish because the book does address concerns that are not only prevalent among our readers, but are also at the top of the political discussion in Sweden this election year. Our editorial policy allows a variety of voices to appear on our pages. Only by introducing a variety of angles can we live up to our goal of presenting a complete picture of Sweden in the 21st century. That said, however, the book you introduce seems borderline offensive. It appears to condemn all immigration as bad. It isn’t. We are ourselves, descendants of and immigrant families living in the United States, living proof of this. Dear Readers, First off, yes, things have changed drastically in Sweden over the last 25 to 30 years. But, is Sweden going to hell? Many of us don’t think so. We’re not happy about some of the changes, far from it, and do feel some politicians and “those that decide” have been naive at best, if not simply shortsighted and sometimes just plain ignorant. Without having read the book, a few things need to be noted here. First off, the book reviewed by Newkirk is written by an unknown under a pseudonym, which should always make one cautious about facts and conclusions. Though based on facts, the book is pushing opinions. It also deserves to be mentioned that the publisher, Logik Förlag,
publishes books that have a clear far right even extremist leaning, for instance by the former KKK leader David Duke or William Pierce, founder of the American white supremacist organization The National Alliance. The unanimous vote in parliament in 1975 that paved the way for a changing face of Sweden did take place. All parties participated and supported the decision. Some lawmakers and politicians in Sweden have historically looked down on traditional Swedish culture we often hold high in the diaspora, while opening their arms to foreign influences, which, whether Latin American or Middle Eastern, are considered colorful and exotic. That is no way to treat your national heritage for sure. Those who have defended the multicultural society strongest so far in Sweden are usually the economically safe, and culturally homogenous, upper middle class. People who live in non-cultural areas, but still have an idealistic perception of multiculturalism as something unequivocally rewarding and exotic.
Things have changed, yes
Today the Swedish government and almost all parties agree Sweden has received too many refugees in recent years. In the future, Sweden will not accept a larger proportion of asylum seekers than is reasonable in relation to the population, according to the government. By 2017, Sweden received about 27,000 asylum seekers. “This is too many in relation to Sweden’s population,” migration minister Heléne Fritzon (s) recently said at a press conference.” About 14,000 people would have been a more reasonable
Nordstjernan - always a delightful surprise. Just thrilled to get the newspaper. Dolores Lee Emrey, CA Nordstjernan is by far the best link between Sweden and America. Vi ser fram emot att läsa varje utgåva av Nordstjernan. Eva & Staffan Lundberg, FL Very good newspaper!
Don Sundvik, WA
Wivan Sundman, CT
Också vi ser fram emot varje utgåva med förväntan, lite spänning och en god portion nyfikenhet! As for including these, a few of our favorite readers’ comments, well ... with so much serious talk in media in general and on these pages this time, it felt right. Thank you all! /Ed. As a subscriber living in the state with the largest Swedish population in the US, I think you should be aware that we also have a large IKEA here and it is not a pop-up store. Sherrill Oman, MN Dear Sherrill, We are aware of the Bloomington IKEA, which we covered at its opening in 2004 (read about the latest store, in Wisconsin, on page 5). With close to 600,000 Swedish Americans living in your state, Minnesota is indeed at the top with California following with just under 560,000. Then again, the Minnesota Swedes represent close to 10% of the state’s population— keep it up Minnesota Swedes! /Ed.
share, according to her. “Sweden will work for the internal border controls to remain after November 2018, which is the time limit EU approved, temporary residence permits will continue as a rule and there will be more requirements of sufficient support for additional family members to arrive,” according to Fritzon. There are over 65 million people on the run in the world today, according to the UN. Sweden has welcomed more than its share of the refugees and this has changed the country in a rather short time, similar to how the immigration waves of the late 19th century changed the United States. While this is true, the reception of migrants today is needless to say very different from the conditions that met the Scandinavian immigrants to the U.S. 100 years ago. Looking at Sweden from abroad it seems clear that for different reasons some among the newcomers do not share the basic values of society and even actively strive to counteract integration or assimilation - while still wanting to benefit from tax-funded activities and support from the society they don’t necessarily participate in. This is for sure a problem that still needs to be addressed in Sweden. Recent immigrants to Sweden have been asylum seekers and people escaping from war-torn regions, the majority of which are people trying to find a better life for their family’s future, much like the migration to the U.S. a century ago. Let’s be clear about not being happy about all of the changes we’ve seen in Sweden lately but equally clear that things will normalize. The majority of the newcomers are looking for a more peaceful life for their families and a better future, but Sweden’s homogenous, quiet and orderly past creates hurdles in dealing with the minority that is abusing the system. But, as we said already in early 2016 after a staggering 180,000 refugees had arrived during the previous year, Sweden, the country, the lifestyle and the values we love, will prevail. Ulf Barslund Martensson
mer Sum tice Sols ring! e Ord
In Stoc k!
body. mind. sole.
www.capeclogs.com 1.800.380.5977 JUNE 01, 2018 15
feature
16 NORDSTJERNAN
west coast discoveries Three days exploring the west coast of Sweden, beginning in Gothenburg and going north.
The contrast was striking. Yesterday, crossing an elevated walkway to reach our room at Salt & Sill, Sweden’s first floating hotel, we found ourselves in the midst of cutting edge 21st century stylishness. This evening, as we linger on the veranda of Villa Sjötorp, nothing appears to have changed since the place was built in the opulent era of the early 1900s. What an experience this has turned out to be: three days exploring the west coast of Sweden. Gazing across the lake, as the sun is about to set, I begin putting the pieces together.
gothenburg
Sweden’s gateway to the west and second largest city. Like all visitors not familiar with the city and eager to get a waterside perspective, we—Roxie and I—started with a guided tour in one of the Paddan boats. In operation since the early 40s, the Paddan sightseeing tours are quite a Gothenburg institution. On 17th century canals, you glide beneath 20 bridges, one lower than the other. As you approach the lowest of the low, the “cheese-slicer” bridge, you must leave your seat and lie down on the floor so as not get your head chopped off. A moment of suspense, and then in front of you spreads the harbor. Here is a tall ship named Viking, now turned into a hotel, a skyscraper in dazzling white and red nicknamed the Lipstick building, and Götheborg,
the reconstruction of a full-rigged wooden sailing ship from the mid-18th century. In the afternoon I met with restaurateur Björn Persson at Familjen (The Family), a neighborhood hangout, where we were scheduled to have dinner that evening. Björn, who also runs Koka and Björns Bar in Göteborg, described it as a French-style brasserie in modern Swedish form, which is pretty much what it turned out to be. I recall a particularly impressive wine cellar. As for dinner, we ate a most satisfying veal entrecote that came with baked tomatoes, goat cheese, roasted potatoes, fried bone marrow and a red wine sauce. Our dessert: strawberry cake, served quaintly and unexpectedly in an old-fashioned glass jar.
tjörn
We were in a rental car, zigzagging our way up the archipelago. In Tjörn, one of the larger islands about an hour’s drive from Gothenburg, we visited Pilane Sculpture Park, a rugged stretch of land on the site of an ancient graveyard, now dotted with the works of leading contemporary artists. The international flavor of the exhibit was unmistakable—countries such as Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain and the United States were also represented. And so was China: a 400-year old temple installation of Zhang Huan had just
been shipped from Shanghai in one thousand parts and was still in the process of being reassembled. We kept walking, finding a couple tree huggers by Jaume Plensa, then “Point of View,” a swirling black bronze sculpture by Tony Cragg. The setting was perfect; from the top of a hill, we had a beautiful view of the sea and the archipelago. The soul and driving force behind the park is Peter Lennby, a former city-dweller and television journalist turned sheepherder and nature protector. I met him and was struck by his dedication and passion. What an accomplishment, bringing all these artists together. Mid-day we stopped at Sundsby Säteri, a graceful old manor nestled in the forests of eastern Tjörn with more than 600 years of history. Its so-called farm café, with plenty of outdoor seating, offered the perfect spot for a coffee break, or what in Sweden is that sacred daily ritual known as “fika.” So there we sat, amidst a plentitude of green trees, munching fresh pastries and sipping coffee.
salt & sill
The name of our room at Salt & Sill was Gräslök (chives). It was written in large letters next to the door. As we walked past other rooms, I noticed names such as Bay Leaf, Currant, Mustard, Cumin and Wormwood. As Salt & Sill had been JUNE 01, 2018 17
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The Lipstick building, Göteborg.
a celebrated restaurant years before it turned into Sweden’s first floating hotel, this seemed appropriate and, generally, in keeping with the chic minimalism of the place. Salt & Sill is located on Klädesholmen, a small island and fishing community just west of Tjörn. Klädesholmen has long been famous for its seafood factory, and is often referred to as the herring capital of Sweden. Befittingly, Salt & Sill is a haven for serious herring lovers. Before digging into Salt & Sill delicacies, I roamed about a little. The hotel consists of six two-story buildings built on floating pontoons. Our room was light and airy, and decorated in the stylish, functional fashion you have come to expect in Scandinavia. The roof had a large sun deck, and every room had a view of the archipelago. Docked nearby was a floating sauna—a small grey structure made of lightweight fiberglass on a catamaran platform—which sometimes also serves as a conference room or wedding suite. Things were now beginning to stir in the restaurant, which stands on solid land next to the hotel. As expected, the herring came in a wide variety of marinades: black currant, mustard, red onion, dill, cranberry, you name it. Also offered was a cold buffet, consisting of smoked salmon, quiche, mussels and other tidbits. And on the pier 18 NORDSTJERNAN
outside stood chef Tomas Andersson, grilling meat, sausages and bell peppers. A perfect dinner, then a stroll around the picturesque old village as the sun was about to set and the light was at its most magical.
mollösund and marstrand
Yesterday we made a quick visit to Mollösund, said to be the oldest fishing village in the entire province of Bohuslän. One could not help but be impressed by how wonderfully preserved it looked: a 16th century harbor, fish and boathouses, and clusters of wellkept, white-painted wooden houses with tile roofs. It also featured one of the most photogenic little lighthouses I have ever seen. Lunch next to the harbor, at Café Emma, consisted of smoked salmon and new potatoes. It was simple, unpretentious and totally satisfying. Today, as we wind our way to Villa Sjötorp, our next home away from home, we make a stop in Marstrand, another beautiful west coast town. Here the Swedish expression “kärt barn har många namn” (a dear child has many names) certainly seems to apply. Through its long history, beginning in the 12th century, Marstrand has been called variously Malstran, Måsestrandir, Måsestran, Mastrand, Masterland and Mariestrand.
The narrow streets of Marstrand.
The reconstructed fullrigger, Götheborg / Below: Mollösund lighthouse.
JUNE 01, 2018 19
local events
Villa Sjötorp terrace.
Some of these were politically motivated changes. Originally, Marstrand belonged to Norway, then for a while it was a Danish possession. Finally in 1658, after the peace treaty in Roskilde between Denmark and Sweden, it became part of Sweden. Marstrand is a sailing mecca, packed with sloops, schooners and yawls. One other thing you’re bound to notice is Carlstens fästning, a fortress built at the time the Swedes took over and still a dominant feature of the town. It sits on top of Marstrand Island, which is car-free, and to which there’s a continuous ferry service. For nearly 200 years, Marstrand has also been a tourist mecca. I learn that back in the 19th century when bathing facilities and spas were all the rage with the aristocracy, King Oscar II of Sweden came here every summer for a month’s vacation. This went on for decades.
villa sjötorp
We are now in the bygone era of gingerbread houses and national romanticism. Villa Sjötorp, which was built in 1901, even boasts a dragonhead atop one of its many gables, all of which have elaborate woodcarvings. In our room, the wallpaper is an orgy of pretty red and yellow flowers, and the curtains and bedspread have delicate, old-fashioned patterns. 20 NORDSTJERNAN
The view from the veranda is gorgeous: a grassy hill with a giant beech tree, and behind it, Havstensfjord, with a scattering of islands. It’s dinnertime and we have just finished the opener— carpaccio with baby watercress and lingonberries. In a nearby room, a multigenerational private party is underway, with everyone waiting for the host to rise from the table and make a formal toast. Our shrimp cassoulet has arrived. The host has risen, and the schnapps ceremony has begun. The soft evening light is getting more golden by the minute. A small boy is on a swing, pushed higher and higher by his obliging father. This is our last night on the west coast. Here on the veranda, we experience a sense of timelessness. Not much seems to have changed in the past hundred years. Text & Photography: Bo Zaunders For more info, see: www.restaurangfamiljen.se/engelska/ www.pilane.org www.sundsbygardscafe.se www.saltosill.se www.cafeemma.se www.villasjotorp.se/en/
The sociology of food
WE ARE WHAT WE EAT
What people eat, when they eat, and how they eat are reflections of a specific history and culture. Sweden is no exception, and a course is offered for Swedes and international students alike at a program affiliated with the Stockholm School of Economics to examine changes in Swedish food culture - and learn how to cook classic Swedish dishes as well. THE class “Sociology of food in Sweden” is offered as part of The Swedish Program, housed on the same premises as the Stockholm School of Economics. The class was concluded with a cooking competition in Swedish home cooking. The purpose of the competition was partly for the students to show their practical understanding of classic Swedish cooking and partly to combine the dishes with the historical background of each food. Of course it’s also always good for them to have a nice time at the stoves. The 18 students who took the course during the spring term of 2018 were appropriately gathered in the kitchen at NOGA Food Studio. NOGA, short for NOrdic GAstronomy, is exactly what the two-people teams were expected to show off in the competition. “We wanted the students to take the task of the competition seriously but have fun at the same time,” said Ken Wagner, executive director of the program. As a visiting judge, I was invited because I have many years of experience in writing recipes and
recipe reviews, and I also specialize in Swedish home cooking. In addition, I had met all the students in the course while being their food guide at food tours in Stockholm. Many had not cooked food at all, while others were more experienced and had previously tested their kitchen skills. Ken, Caitlin Hawly, Erik Voice from The Swedish Program and I were available to give students a hand in the cooking. The food was assessed in three categories: 1. Most authentic dish 2. Best history behind the dish 3. Not so beautiful but good (‘Looks Ugly but Tastes Good’) The dishes were: - Wallenbergare with mashed potatoes - Jansson’s temptation (Janssons Frestelse) - Västerbottenspaj, pie with Västerbotten cheese - Meatballs with mashed potatoes (köttbullar med potatismos) - Pea soup and pancakes (Ärtsoppa och pannkakor)
- Salmon Pudding (laxpudding) - Biff a la Lindström with fried potatoes (Biff a la Lindström med stekt potatis) - Fried Baltic herring filets with mashed potatoes (strömmingsflundra med potatismos) - Souvas (North Sami for “smoked” - a meat dish with dry salted and smoked meat that can be served in a “renklämma” made with “tunnbröd” or other thin bread, with pita bread and salad or with mashed potatoes, lingonberries and sometimes a sauce.)
Creative solutions
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is avoiding reading the entire recipe. It is important to be able to plan the different moments of cooking, so it was really exciting to see how the students solved the various problems that turned up along the way. The team that made pea soup, for example, quickly realized they would not have time to soak the peas properly. But they cooked the peas as long as the time allowed and then ran the pea soup in a blender! JUNE 01, 2018 21
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New thinking in everyday food
Some teams were trying to make their dishes more modern and add new aspects. The team that made Swedish meatballs used a recipe from New York-based Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson. It consisted of meatballs based on three kinds of minced meat, spiced with honey, a cream sauce and lingonberries. The team that made the Sami souvas served the meat in a wrap of Lebanese thin bread. The team that prepared Biff a la Lindström topped the meat with a pat of parsley butter and a fried egg, and also served a freshly prepared sauce consisting of mixed beets spiced with cinnamon.
Winners
In essence, everyone was a winner since it is very brave to be in a kitchen you’ve never cooked in before – especially if you’ve never cooked in any kitchen -- and prepare a recipe you’ve never tried before. Winner of Category 1, the most authentic dish, were Sisan and Megan. They managed to get strömmingsflundra, fried Baltic herring filets, perfectly cooked with parsley filling between the two facing filets. Their potato puree was a smooth and creamy dream, and they even served lingonberries with the dish.
Sisan and Megan working on their winning “most authentic” dish, fried Baltic herring filets.
Winner of Category 2, the best history behind the dish, became Tyler and Alden. They talked splendidly and humorously about the various stories one can associate with Biff a la Lindström, and had also found out that the dish is served at hotel Witt in Kalmar. Winner of Category 3, not so beautiful but good, was Alexis and Clarity. It was not really the team’s fault that the dish is not beautiful -- for natural reasons, Jansson’s temptation simply looks the way it does. On the other hand, they captured the flavor perfectly: creamy and good, with the adequate saltiness and beautifully browned top surface.
Best smörgåsbord in Sweden
Fried Baltic herring filets with mashed potatoes.
Gunilla, Shelby and Daria making laxpudding.
Alexis and Clarity workin on the Janssons (next page)
“So ... how much of the cream do I use ...?”
The students thought the food they cooked tasted and felt typically Swedish. “All this food feels Swedish but also old-fashioned. A lot of meat and fish, a lot of root vegetables and dairy products, and almost no fresh vegetables,” said Sisan, our Category 1 winner. That was a short and on point description of classic Swedish everyday home cooking. Today’s everyday food looks a bit different in Sweden, although we base much of our cooking on traditional dishes. The contest ended with all food being served at a buffet for the participants. “Enjoy now,” said Ken Wagner, “You will never see a nicer smörgåsbord!” Text & photos by Gunilla Blixt 22 NORDSTJERNAN
art and culture
The first temptation of the Swedes Long time subscribers will know that we’ve run recipes for all of the food choices made by these sociology students over the last two or three years. Here’s one dish we’ll never tire of and also one of the traditional dishes we receive the most questions about: Janssons frestelse, or Jansson’s Temptation, a staple of nearly every Swedish smörgåsbord, and a popular late-night nosh, or vickning, as the Swedes would refer to it. The creamy potato and onion casserole spiced with Swedish anchovies and fresh black pepper is a delicacy not to be missed. But who was Jansson? Was there an occasion for the very first temptation? Food writers argued for years over the origins of the name. Then in 1989, writer Gunnar Stigmark revealed what might be the final answer to the enigma. The casserole had been a popular dish with the rich ladies of Östermalm in central Stockholm for quite some time, when, for a New Year’s party in 1929, Stigmark’s mother came up with the idea of making the dish somehow sound a bit more compelling. One of the blockbuster movies at the time was a film with the actor Edvin Adolphsson called “Janssons Frestelse.” Thus, Jansson’s was born.
Whether or not the story is true, which one sounds more tempting to you: anchovy-potato casserole or Jansson’s Temptation? You’ll find Jansson’s on the menu of most Nordic or Swedish restaurants in America near any of the traditional holidays. And it’s easy to make at home. Most recipes differ little — how thinly you slice the potato strips, how much cream you use or whether you add anchovy brine is mostly a matter of taste. Similarly, the more you rinse the potatoes and let them rest in water to remove some of the starch, the thicker the sauce will be. Here opinions part on whether Alexis and Clarity’s Janssons looks (and probably tastes) perfect. one way is better than another, so holidays throughout the year). Note: The much don’t be afraid to experiment on your own. That absolute musts are the salty, Swedish-style sweeter American or Italian anchovies just aren’t the anchovy fillets you can get only through a special- same. But New York-based chef Ulrika Bengtsson ized Scandinavian store or an Ikea stores throughout sometimes combines 50 percent Italian anchovies America (Ikea even serves Janssons frestelse at the with an equal amount of the Swedish matjes spiced smörgåsbords they open to the public at various herring, reportedly with good results.
Janssons frestelse (Jansson’s temptation) Serves 4-6
1 kg (2-1/4 lb) potatoes (do not use new potatoes) 2 onions butter 100 g (3-1/2 oz) Swedish-style anchovy fillets and brine 4 dl (1-2/3 cups) heavy cream 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
These are the anchovy filets you want to look for at your local Scandianvian store.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 250˚C (425˚F). Peel and cut potatoes into strips. Peel onions and cut into thin slices. Sauté the onions in 1 tbsp butter until soft. Generously grease a deep, straight-sided ovenproof dish with butter. Layer potatoes topped with a generous amount of black pepper, onion and anchovies, ending with potatoes. Press down lightly to even out surface. Pour cream over the casserole, almost to top of potatoes. Sprinkle with anchovy brine. Finally, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and dot the top with butter. Bake about 45 minutes.
This recipe comes from Served from the Swedish Kitchen, published by ICA-Förlaget Sweden. Remember to not be afraid of experimenting - it’s hard not to be successful with this dish from the point of view of taste. And as for its looks, well, we disagree with participants at the Swedish Program: Janssons frestelse tastes and looks fantastic! Enjoy.
The Swedish Program
L-R: Caitlin Hawly, Ken Wagner, CEO and founder and Erik Röst, coordinator of The Swedish Program.
The Swedish Program is a 30-year-old study abroad program, affiliated with the Stockholm School of Economics and sponsored by a consortium of American colleges and universities. Most students come from the sponsoring consortium schools, but students can apply from any school in the U.S. Around 50 students are enrolled each semester and most stay for one semester. They live either with host families or in private apartment with 2-3 other students. One of the courses is called Sociology of Food in Sweden, i.e. food sociology. It is a supplementary course for students who previously studied sociology or anthropology. The focus of the curriculum is on how food affects a country’s development and how a country’s development affects the eating habits of the population. Part of the course is devoted to studying the new Nordic manifesto and its influence on the restaurant culture. A stroll among restaurants and shops in Stockholm with a focus on Nordic food is an additional feature of the program. For more info, see www.swedishprogram.org JUNE 01, 2018 23
art and culture
Anna Serner on modern cinema at PFA
Making way for “50/50 by 2020” Earlier this year, distinguished CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, Anna Serner, led the celebrations for the Bergman100 centennial in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Institute is the funding arm of the nation’s film studio; Swedish Film Industry, the logo on most Bergman films, is the production house of the nation’s studio. It funds about 50 films per year. Anna Serner has been CEO for a dozen years and initiated the famous 50/50 Project to assure gender equity, creativity and funding for the best Swedish filmmakers. Rather than guaranteeing absolute equality of funding to both men and women, this guarantees that women get an equal chance with men to be heard and assessed for funding. She requires top management in the industry to be enactors in this change management. Serner is proud of the program, for within three years Sweden achieved its goal, now producing more creative films and winning twice as many awards in international cinema competitions. The program has already proven itself and Serner is in great demand to teach other nations around the world to similarly assure equity for both
sexes, proving creativity knows no bounds nor is limited by gender. Serner is consequently now heading the “50/50 by 2020” project to achieve equity within two more years. The program has been adopted by Canada, Ireland, Africa and Eurimage (the European Union). The project gained momentum in the U.S. when she was here at the same time as the breaking off the Weinstein affair and the Anna Serner talked with UC faculty & students about gender equity in cinema at PFA. Photo: PFA (Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley Art Museum) #MeToo movement. By maintaining records nationally and interna- what quality cinema is — it may be relevance tionally, reviewing them monthly, taking correc- and urgency of the story for today’s audience. Or tive actions and constantly generating awareness, perhaps it’s originality of a project. Do the producSerner helps each participating nation achieve tion values of the craft show on the screen? So, these goal: challenging everyone to reconsider in addition to 1) gender equality, she also looks
The Year of Bergman 2018 celebrates the rich legacy of Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on July 14, 2018. www.ingmarbergman.se
Ingmar Bergman 100 movie screenings California BAMPFA, 2155 Center St., Berkeley / www.bampfa.org 06.01, 7 PM: Wild Strawberries 06.06, 7 PM: Ingmar Bergman at Work 06.09, 6 PM: Summer Interlude 06.14, 7 PM: Summer with Monika Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles / www.cinema. ucla.edu/events 06.09, 3 PM: Scenes from a Marriage Minnesota St. Anthony Main Theatre, Minneapolis / www.mspfilm.org/the-bergman-century 06.01, 4 PM: Smiles of a Summer Night (Sommarnattens Leende) 06.01, 7 PM: Through a Glass Darkly (Såsom I en Spegel) 06.01, 9:30 PM: Cries and Whispers (Viskningar Och Rop) 06.02, 1 PM: The Magic Flute (Trollflöjten) 06.02, 4 PM: Port of Call (Hamnstad) 06.02, 7 PM: Hour of the Wolf (Vargtimmen) 24 NORDSTJERNAN
06.02, 9:30 PM: Sawdust and Tinsel (Gycklarnas Afton) 06.03, 1 PM: Wild Strawberries (Smultronstället) 06.03, 4 PM: The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde Inseglet) 06.03, 7 PM: Shame (Skammen) 06.04, 4 PM: The Magician (Ansiktet) 06.04, 7 PM: The Touch (Beröringen) 06.05, 4 PM: Through a Glass Darkly (Såsom I en Spegel) 06.05, 7 PM: Cries and Whispers (Viskningar Och Rop) 06.05, 9:30 PM: The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde Inseglet) 06.06, 4 PM: Wild Strawberries (Smultronstället) 06.06, 7 PM: The Magic Flute (Trollflöjten) 06.06, 9:45 PM: Smiles of a Summer Night (Sommarnattens Leende) 06.07, 4 PM: Hour of the Wolf (Vargtimmen) 06.07, 7 PM: Autumn Sonata (Höstsonaten) 06.07, 9:30 PM: The Magician (Ansiktet) Texas AFS Cinema, 6406 N I-35, Austin / www.austinfilm.org/?s=Bergman 06.09, 1:45 PM: The Virgin Spring 06.10, 1 PM: Hour of the Wolf
art and culture to fund movies that are 2) of the highest quality, 3) original, 4) relevant, and 5) display the height of the craft of film.
Bergman100
Anna Serner’s other big task this year is leading the Bergman100 world retrospective. At the institute in Sweden they are showing all 41 of his feature films, all now renewed in 35mm format. Elsewhere, attendance at screenings around the world are breaking records: more than 6,000 viewers in Rome and Vienna alone have attended showings so far this year. All the European countries are showing the retrospective as are Asia, South America, Canada and the U.S. www.ingmarbergman.se The script and costume exhibit of “Fanny and Alexander” are currently featured at the Swedish Embassy’s Sweden House, in Washington, DC. Premiers and retrospectives are still being planned for theaters. Now we are seeing Bergman completely, whether chronologically, thematically, or stylistically. So, we can judge him not only by his peers but against contemporary film makers for his singular accomplishments as well as for his whole work. In discussing “Fanny and Alexander” at the Pacific Film Archive, Serner mentioned that so many of Bergman’s films contain autobiographical elements and themes. In the case of this film, she
acknowledged that Bergman was not merely the director but the film also captures his humor and delight in life, two qualities greatly admired by his troupe of actors and cast. She noted that in this film, the role of Alexander was representative of his own elder brother, Dag. She also related how Bergman’s older sister, Lena, now 73, had shown her and her daughter Ingmar’s home on Fårö. With them during that visit was a very well-known Swedish author and psychologist who is an expert on the distinctions between creativity and insanity. While viewing Ingmar’s personal library, the author found one of his own books, which was heavily marked, and in which Bergman had proudly proclaimed, “I’m not insane! I’m CREATIVE!” Ted Olsson
Cannes, France—L-R: French Culture Minister Françoise Nyssen, Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy Alice Bah Kuhnke and Anna Serner after a joint program addressing work against sexual harassment, abuse and abuse of power against women. The Cannes Film Festival, where the allegedly abusive Harvey Weinstein once reigned, has this year reckoned with #MeToo fallout. 2018 marks the first festival since allegations of sexual harassment were made against several movie industry moguls. Photo: Erik Dalström/Svenska Filminstitutet
JUNE 01, 2018 25
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Movie review:
“Amateurs” Six years after her award winning debut success “Eat, Sleep, Die” (Äta, sova dö, 2012) Swedish director Gabriela Pichler continues to portray a modern Sweden with nuances and intelligence in “Amateurs” (Amatörer) — not a dreamland but a truthful reality through an invented but typical Swedish town in Skåne, in which teenagers Aida and Dana go on a filmmaking journey with iPhones to make a promotional video showing the best their town has to offer. Winning the prestigious and lucrative prize for best Nordic film at Göteborg Film Festival earlier this year, and earning rave reviews after the theatrical release in Sweden, this compelling story should resonate far from Scandinavia, both in small towns and in melting pot metropolises. Based on a script by Pichler and the acclaimed Swedish novelist Jonas Hassen Khemiri, “Amateurs” becomes a film inside a film, asking questions of representations and what the sense of community in a multicultural society actually means. The small town of Lafors in southern Sweden is depicted in many layers and triggers numerous laughs. The German supermarket chain Superbilly is searching for a location to build in the area and the community board of Lafors devises a scheme to convince the business to choose their town. The board gives the responsibilities to a few local high school students and Aida and Dana are putting all their passion into it. When the student films are entertainingly amateurish the board brings in a conventional professional to finish the job. But
the young girls just won’t stop filming. The extraordinary first time actors Zahraa Aldoujaili, Yara Aliadotter and Fredrik Dahl create depth and humor out of small gestures and intense presence. Together with astonishing editing and naturalistic visuals by cinematographer and coeditor Johan Lundborg, the film widens cinematic storytelling and becomes both emphatic and honest yet beautifully touching, in particular Fredrik Dahl’s character and his relation to his mother. Just one late scene up the stairs packed with people, shot with an iPhone on a selfie stick, will blow your mind. Gabriela Pichler and her team know how to create cinema at its best, with smart tools and many faces. Niclas Goldberg
Gabriella Pichler’s “Amateurs” takes place in the fictional West Sweden municipality of Lafors, where the teenage girls Aida and Dana (Zahraa Aldoujaili and Yara Aliadotter) are commissioned to make a commercial about their hometown.
Making its North American premiere as the only Swedish feature at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, this excellent film shows wit and cleverness, a fresh new side of the countryside and a modern Sweden.
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Photo: Triart Film
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Sweden’s National Day Swedes are celebrating the nation’s National Day on June 6, the date Gustav Vasa was elected king (in 1523) which laid the foundation of Sweden as an independent state. The day was not made a public holiday until 2005. Join any of our organizers below and check our online listing, www.nordstjernan.com/calendar or the nordicinamerica.com app if you’re looking for a celebration closer to you. California San Pedro 3 Jun 2018 The Swedish Church & SWEA LA & OC Swedish National day celebration. Church service & food. 310.292.7079 / www.orangecounty.swea.org / www.svenskakyrkan. se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se / losangeles@swea.org / Sveadal, San Jose 2,3 June 2018 Golden Gate Vasa Lodge celebrates Sweden Day all weekend, including the 3rd annual Akvavit Kryddat Brannvin World Championship. 408.272.1700 / www. vasagoldengate.com / www.sveadal.org House of Sweden, San Diego 6 Jun 2018 House of Sweden’s Swedish National Day Celebration. 619.300.1738 / www.houseofsweden.us
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Florida Davie 2 Juni 2018 The Swedish Church’s National Day Celebration. Church service, Majstång, children’s games, Sommar buffet och tårta. 954.604.0605 / www.svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se Georgia Magnolia Hall, Piedmont Park, Atlanta 6 Jun 2018 Celebration of Sweden’s National Day. Swedish food, and drinks with SACC-Georgia, the Consulate of Sweden in Atlanta and SWEA. RSVP 770.670.2480 / www.saccgeorgia.org / atlanta@consulateofsweden.org / info@ sacc-georgia.org / atlanta@swea.org
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WARNING: Smokeless tobacco is addictive. 28 NORDSTJERNAN
New York New York - Svenska Kyrkan 6 Jun 2018 National Day Celebration. Summer concert, sill & potatoes, strawberry cake and coffee. The Swedish Church, 212.832.8443 / www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@svenskakyrkan.se Pennsylvania Philadelphia 6 Jun 2018 Sweden’s National Day at ASHM! Free museum admission, Swedish dessert, guided tours, all complimentary. 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org / info@ americanswedish.org Texas Houston 3 Jun 2018 Swedish National Day celebration. The Swedish Consulate, SWEA Houston, SACC-Houston & Svenska Clubben. 713.953.1417 / www.houston.swea.org / www.sacctx.com / houston@consulateofsweden.org
news in brief
Swedish News More of Facebook in Sweden
Facebook has extended its data center in Luleå in northern Sweden, almost doubling its original size, which will make the facility one of the world’s largest. “We welcome Facebook’s heavy investment here in Luleå. The fact that close to a thousand people will work with the building is a welcome injection, as (are) the longer-term effects that fortify Luleå as the number one location for data centers,” Niklas Nordström, municipal council in Luleå, said in a comment. Since Facebook established its first data center in Luleå in 2011, the data center industry in Norrbotten province and Sweden has been growing. The region has developed into Europe’s leading cluster with 18 different data centers.
Swedes keep Facebook cool
The Swedish air treatment and climate control company Munters keeps Facebook’s data center at a cool temperature. In 2017 the company received two orders for refrigeration units for Facebook’s data centers in Europe with an order value of approximately SEK 450 million ($53 million). Munters previously delivered the first two phases of Facebook’s projects in Clonee, Ireland and the first phase of its establishment in Odense, Denmark. Both Facebook’s plants are powered by 100 percent renewable energy, and the Danish site will also be equipped with the infrastructure required to recover the surplus heat from the servers to the local district heating system. Once the data center is ready, the heat recovery infrastructure is expected to save up to 100,000 MWh of energy annually, which corresponds to the warming of up to 6,900 homes, according to Munters.
Spotify’s new content policy
Following the accusation by a series of women for sexual violence, the artist R. Kelly will no longer be part of Spotify’s playlists, and the controversial rapper XXXTentacion who’s facing charges for aggravated battery was also removed. The decision came after the Swedish music streaming service updated its rules in early May. Spotify introduced a new internal rule to no longer promote artists it finds to be out of line with its values, with hateful content in songs, and artists with offensive behavior outside their music. According to the music service, they do not censor the artist — their music will still be available for streaming by choice — but the new rule gives the company the right to remove the music from its recommendations and official play lists.
sexual abuse scandal and financial impropriety that engulfed the group in recent weeks, a situation “that is so serious that a prize decision will not be perceived as credible,” said Carl-Henrik Heldin, chairman of the Nobel Foundation, citing official reasons an award can be skipped or postponed. The academy will focus on rebuilding its 18-member jury and recovering public confidence but will name two winners in 2019. This is the first year since World War II the Swedish Academy has decided not to bestow one of the world’s most revered cultural honors, awarded since its creation in 1901. It is the only Nobel Prize affected by this decision.
Regional airline grounded
Sweden’s largest regional airline filed for bankruptcy and on the same day cancelled all its flights scheduled from 1 p.m. onward. Nextjet CEO Magnus Ivarsson said the decision was “deeply regrettable” but added that Nextjet’s board was forced to take the decision. “We have done everything in our power to find a solution,” Ivarsson said, “but have unfortunately not succeeded.” The company is based at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and services 17 different destinations though most of those are in northern Sweden or neighboring Finland.
No Nobel Prize in Literature
The Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Prize in Literature, is not naming a laureate this year. This announcement comes as a result of the JUNE 01, 2018 29
sports
A unified World Cup team
If the World Cup isn’t a World Cup without Zlatan, then Sweden doesn’t have a World Cup team. That’s because when head coach Janne Andersson announced his 23-man roster May 14, the Zlatan was noticeably absent, especially after he announced on U.S. television that he would in fact go the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Andersson, leading his first campaign in the world’s most prestigious sporting event, selected a team once more that has few stars but that is, in fact, a better team without Zlatan than with him. Andersson made it clear at the end of April that Zlatan would have to reach out to the Swedish Football Association if he wanted to play for Sweden in Russia. Zlatan, in a nationally televised interview on
the Jimmy Kimmel Show, however, made it clear he expected Andersson to come to him. In the end, Sweden has a team that surprised the football world by reaching the finals through the playoffs, where it beat Italy to make it to Russia. Zlatan, who now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in U.S.-based Major League Soccer, Andersson and FA boss Lars Richt did in fact speak at the end of April, saying Zlatan himself ruled out a return to the national team fold. “I talked to Zlatan,” Richt said at a press conference. “He announced he did not change his mind about the national team – it is no.” The Swedish side is notably lacking any major star, which has made the locker room a much
more unified place. Team spirit is one of the main strength of Andersson’s squad. Its biggest drawback is a reliance on many players that do not feature in the starting XI of their club teams. Of the five players making their living in Serie A in Italy, none is a starter. The lack of a star, however, did not faze Andersson. “The basic idea is to not worry about that,” Andersson said. “When it comes to playing, preparing and selecting a squad, we want the players who will make an impact and be together.” Andersson picked six British-based players, including Manchester United center-back Victor Lindelof, who experienced substantial growing pains after moving to the Premier League. A pair of Swansea players, center-back Martin Olsson and goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt are in the team along with Hull midfielder Sebastian Larsson and Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson. One notable absence is Jakob Johansson, who scored the goal against Italy that sent Sweden to the World Cup. Johansson, a midfielder with AEK Athens, has yet to recover from a serious knee injury he sustained in November. Andersson tabbed Gustav Svensson of the Seattle Sounders in MLS to replace him. Emil Forsberg is the team’s primary playmaking engine and is one of eight midfielders Andersson selected. Forsberg currently plays for Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, where his form has slipped considerably. Sweden opens its campaign in Russia on June 18 against South Korea, a game it must win to have any chances of advancing. The Blagult also face defending World Champions Germany and Mexico, which has never failed to advance out of the group stage. Chipp Reid
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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