Sweden & Swedish

Swedish Food Holidays

Swedes have several unofficial holidays dedicated to food. Kanelbullens Dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) is celebrated every year on October 4. It was instituted in 1999 by Hembakningsrådet (The Home Baking Council) to celebrate home baking. On March 25, Swedes celebrate Våffeldagen (Waffle Day), which stems from a linguistic misunderstanding. March 25 is the Christian feast day of the Annunciation — called in Vårfrudagen in Swedish. Since “Vårfrudag” sounds similar to “Våffeldag,” it’s thought that things got lost in translation. Delicious heart-shaped waffles are the result! The semla bun is a cardamom-infused, almondpaste-and whipped-cream-filled treat. It used to strictly be eaten on Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) as a last indulgence before Lenten fasting. Nowadays, semlor are enjoyed throughout the Easter season. On Lucia Day, December 13, Swedes eat plenty of lussekatter, or Lucia buns. Made with saffron and curled like a cat’s tale (thus the “katt” in their name), lussekatter are enjoyed in the morning with a cup of kaffe (coffee) and at night with glögg (Swedish mulled wine).

NEWS FROM SWEDEN

Vocabulary

Nordic: A Photographic Essay of Landscapes, Food and People

Nordic: A Photographic Essay of Landscapes, Food and People with photographs by chef/author Magnus Nilsson is an ASI produced exhibition which has been transferred to the Jamtli Foundation in Östersund, Sweden. It is showing there as part of their food theme, with support from the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia foundation. Director Olov Amelin also plans to tour the exhibition to other Swedish museums.

Kanelbullens Dag :: Cinnamon Bun Day Hembakningsrådet :: The Home Baking

Council

Fettisdagen :: Fat Tuesday glögg :: mulled wine lussekatter :: Lucia buns

For pronunciation, visit The People’s Dictionary: folkets-lexikon.csc.kth.se/folkets/folkets.en.html