The Swedish North Star, continuously published since 1872. Price per copy $4.25. Volume 151 No.18, December 15, 2023.
DASHBOARD | December 15, 2023 SCANDINAVIAN QUIZ
1
What is both the oldest, continually published ethnic immigrant newspaper in the U.S. and a first-rate Christmas gift? A) The Danish Pioneer B) Finnish American Reporter C)Nordstjernan D) The Scottish Herald
Name’s Days of the Swedish Calendar Namnsdagar i december December 15 December 16 December 17 December 18 December 19 December 20 December 21 December 22 December 23 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 27 December 28 December 29 December 30 December 31
December 15 New York Chicago Stockholm Kiruna Lund Los Angeles 2 NORDSTJERNAN
Gottfrid Assar Stig Abraham Isak Israel/Moses Tomas Natanael/Jonatan Adam Eva Juldagen Stefan/Staffan Johannes/Johan Benjamin Natalia/Natalie Abel/Set Sylvester
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7 Who can we thank for Google Maps as we travel this holiday season? A) Tomten B) Danish developers C) Volvo D) Norwegian flight attendants
8 What did it mean to be the first farmer to return
3 What does it mean if you break your pepparkakor
9 Where is one of the oldest houses in the world –
into three pieces? A) you must eat three more cookies B) someone you love sneezed C) you must share a Christmas haiku D) your wish will come true
4 What are most Swedes likely to wrap their Christ-
mas gifts with? A) hand-made gift tags B) recycled ribbon C) clever hints to what’s inside D) back issues of Nordstjernan
5 What is IKEA Japan’s official mascot? A) blue shark B) red horse C) yellow fish D) green leaf
CULTURE
Namnsdagar
home after Julotta on Christmas Day? A) Tomten would leave the best gift B) he’d win the lottery C) a stranger will visit D) summer would bring a bountiful harvest built in the 11th century and occupied since 1550 by 17 generations of the same family? A) Faroe Islands B) Birka, Sweden C) Rauma, Finland D) Hafnir, Iceland
10 Outside North America, which country has the most representation in the NHL - with 73 current players, over 400 total, and 8 Hall of Famers? A) Norway B) Sweden C) Denmark D) Finland
Answers: 1:C, 2:D, 3:D, 4:C, 5:A, 6:A, 7:B, 8:D, 9:A, 10:B
Will the largest straw animal in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records make it until Christmas this year? The Swedish city of Gävle has a pair of Christmas traditions that make headlines around the world. Each year, merchants and students build a huge straw Christmas goat and more years than not, someone burns it down. On First Advent, December 3, the goat was initiated at the Town Hall Esplanade in Gävle. Its move from Slottstorget on Söder to Rådhusesplanaden in the center was prompted by construction of the city’s new cultural center. As usual, it will be monitored to prevent anyone from setting fire to the 43-foot-high, 3.6-ton straw goat. The Gävle goat has been a tradition for 56 years but has only survived Christmas 19 times, it was last destroyed in 2021. The new location of the trestle has provoked reactions from many residents who are questioning whether the new, even more central location is safe from fire. The assessment is that the goat can stand safely on the esplanade as there are plenty of escape routes.
lutfisk during the holidays? A) U.S. B) Sweden C) Norway D) Finland
2 How long does the 57-year-old, 42-foot-tall straw
Gävle goat stand in Gävle, Sweden each December? A) weekdays through the shopping season B) Advent 1 through Advent 4 C) it’s actually there all year D) all month unless it gets burned
The Gävle goat unveiled
6 Which country (probably) consumes the most
December
December 17 - Stig The name Stig is a man’s name with Danish roots and it comes from the word “stiga,” which means “to walk.” It was originally a surname that eventually became a given name. It has been used in Skåne, southern Sweden, since the end of the 12th century. December 21 - Tomas Tomas or Thomas is a man’s name originating from the Aramaic language meaning “twin.” The oldest proof of Tomas in Sweden comes from a rune stone from the 13th century. December 31 - Sylvester Sylvester (or Silvester) is a masculine name with Latin origin and means “wooded” or “wild.” It’s an unusual name in Sweden. Silvester is also the German name for New Year’s Eve—a day dedicated to the Saint Sylvester, a 4th century pope whose day is celebrated Dec. 31.
FOUNDED IN NEW YORK CITY IN SEPTEMBER 1872
Sunrise & Sunset
Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670), founded in New York City in September 1872, is published by Swedish News, 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 • Readers services and editorial submissions: P.O. Box 680, Minneola, FL 34755 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 August with no issue.
7.12 am 4.29 pm 7.10 am 4.20 pm 8.38 am 2.46 pm below horizon 8.30 am 3.34 pm 6.51 am 4.45 pm
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THIS WEEK…
December TO DO 12.21 PUT UP THE JULKÄRVE: TOMASDAGEN / Traditionally a market day and time to put up the julkärve (Christmas stalks), also the day the beer was ready, and named after the apostle who voiced his disbelief in the resurrected Jesus. 12.21 GET YOUR VITAMIN D: VINTERSOLSTÅNDET / Winter Solstice: It doesn’t get any darker than today but from now on the days get longer and lighter. Soon spring. 12.24 FOURTH SUNDAY OFADVENT: FJÄRDE ADVENT / Advent, from the Latin word “adventus,” which means arrival, is celebrated during the month before Christmas. Swedish families light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath on Christmas Eve this year. 12.24 WATCH DISNEY CARTOONS: JULAFTON / It’s Christmas Eve, the big event with a festive meal and Christmas gifts. And at 3 p.m. all of Sweden watches the traditional “Kalle Ankas Jul” (Donald Duck’s Christmas). 12.25 GET UP REALLY EARLY (OR JUST STAY UP ALL NIGHT): JUL / It’s Christmas! Many Swedes get up very early to go to church for the special Julotta service. A bell used to toll at 5 a.m. to awaken the people for the 6 a.m. service but today the service may start as late as 7 a.m. 12.31 IT’S NEW YEAR’S EVE: NYÅRSAFTON / Skål to a happier, healthy, and also dare we hope for a more peaceful new year in 2024!
Page 18
Hosting a glögg party is always fun, and our recipes make it easy. /p18-21, 23
Dashboard, p4-5
More foreign students in Sweden / Högskoleprovet / New advice for children’s screen time / Young people want to work in-person / More expensive 2024 / Less interest in “black week”. Reverse Migration: Light shines in the darkness /p10
Chat GPT-4 Christmas
I just downloaded the AI application to test the artificial intelligence definition of Christmas, asking Chat GPT-4 to write 50 words on what Christmas means. It came back with this: “Christmas embodies joy, love, and unity. Beyond festivities, it’s a season of giving, reflection, and gratitude. Rooted in diverse traditions, it signifies hope and renewal, celebrating the birth of Jesus or simply embracing the warmth of togetherness. Christmas transcends cultures, spreading goodwill and evoking the spirit of generosity and compassion.” I’m sure we all agree but the comments didn’t feel warm or alive to me so I had to ask the same source why AI sounds a bit artificial? The reply: “AI sounds artificial due to programmed algorithms lacking the nuanced human touch, missing emotional depth and intuition in communication.” It’s good to know it will be some time before the app takes over my job. Be that as it may, it is Christmas and this holiday is undeniably a serious matter in all of Scandinavia. Not serious in the true meaning of the word, but rather because it’s considered a time of year when it’s mandatory to take time to celebrate and enjoy friends and family. Whether it’s thanks to pagan traditions, the generally dark Scandinavian winters or an urge to socialize when travel isn’t so easy and inviting, the time is here, and it is important to make the most of it. They say Christmas is a time of peace on earth. Unfortunately these words are not always true—in fact, they’ve probably not been as untrue as right now for a long time. For there is very little peace to be found in this world of ours. While neither Sweden nor the U.S. is without fault (we all have our shortcomings), far more important than finding fault is to try to make amends. This is something our two countries have in common. We help each other and give aid and comfort to the extent possible not only at Christmastime. We have created systems of care and support—far from perfect but with an effort that shows a will to help. Be grateful for who you are, for what you have and where you are wherever you are. Remember the spirit of Christmas, of love and support—give back what you can, when you can, where you can. God fortsättning på helgerna, Gott Slut på året och Gott Nytt År när det blir så dags—Happy Continuation of the holidays, Happy End of the Year and Happy New Year when the time comes. The staff of Swedish-America’s newspaper Nordstjernan wishes you continued happy holidays — Peace and joy to all! Ulf Barslund Mårtensson Editor & Publisher PS. In calendar years, we’re entering our 152nd consecutive year of publishing in 2024, and consecutive means we didn’t miss a beat for 152 years … mind blowing when you think about it. Things have changed drastically since our start but never faster than in recent years, and rest assured when I say they will continue to change. Change, as we all know, is neither good nor bad, but it becomes what we make of it. At the pace things change these days it is our wonderful fate to be at the beginning, in most areas. We’ll keep you posted, not least on how AI is doing or not doing.
Page 22 The Nordic Spirit Symposium in California highlights recent archaeology of Viking-age Scandinavia. This is where you want to be to find out more about the Viking Age. /p29
Page 13 Swedish Christmas trends. Christmas trends evolve with each passing year. From sustainable decorations to tech-driven gifts, trends reflect cultural shifts.
The Exchange Rate:
$1.00 = SEK 10.43 (12.01.2023)
DECEMBER 15, 2023 3
DASHBOARD | December 15, 2023
More foreign students in Sweden
The number of foreign students at Swedish universities and colleges continues to increase. There are now slightly more than in the years before the pandemic, increasing 12 percent to just over 13,000. In total, almost 41,700 incoming students studied at Swedish universities during the 202223 academic year, according to statistics from the University Chancellor’s Office. This means an increase of five percent compared to the previous academic year, according to an article in the newspaper Publikt.
The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news.
Högskoleprovet - test for higher studies
On Sunday, October 22, roughly 53,000 people in Sweden took the university entrance exam in about 100 places in Sweden. It is the highest figure for an autumn exam since September 2017. But the coveted top score of 2.0 is only achieved by a fraction of students. The university exam is designed so not everyone can get the highest result. Instead, a norm-
Here are the words from the test section in word comprehension. How many words do you get right? Circle the correct synonym, see below for a key. 20 words in the Swedish högskoleprovet:
founded in new york city in september 1872
01 Proper
executive editor & publisher:
03 Dementera
copy editor: Amanda Olson Robison (editor@nordstjernan.com)
managing editor & production: Everett Martin graphic design: Nadia Wojcik (design@nordstjernan.com) contributors: Ted Olsson - Leif Rosqvist - Martha Swanson Kitty Hughes - Ulf Kirchdorfer - Valorie Arrowsmith Bo Zaunders - Göran Rygert - Gunilla Blixt
publications director: Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333, ext 12)
NORDSTJERNAN P.O. BOX 680 MINNEOLA FL 34755 CONTACT US AT 1.800.827.9333 EXT 10 FOR READER SERVICES, EMAIL: SUBS@NORDSTJERNAN.COM; EXT 12 FOR ADVERTISING, EMAIL: ADVERTISING@NORDSTJERNAN.COM WWW.NORDSTJERNAN.COM Covering three worlds: Sweden, America and Swedish America. Order your own copy, $67.00 for a year (18 issues) Choose ‘subscribe’ at www.nordstjernan.com or call 1.800.827.9333, ext 10
stolt
02 Galosch
förmögen
högtidsdräkt luras
överrock
gummisko
slipshållare
fördumma
nackdelen
tillgänglig
stulen
tankfull
11 Löpa amok
ramla omkull
12 Påtaglig bekant 14 Biopsi 16 Fruktlös
av välvilja utmana
mager
avsätta
utan innehåll
18 Enveten
envis
ångra
20 Ingivelse plötslig impuls
utan anledning
det synliga
erfaren
tillåta
avböja
ordna
tvivla
oväntad gåva
ha tilltro till
orimligt antagande få raserianfall
ogillande anmärkning
gå vilse
hastig med avsikt
utan tvekan
transplantation
vävnadsprov
utvisa som inte ger resultat
den större delen
egoistisk
uppståndelse
trevlig
bli överlycklig på rätt sätt
medelvägen
19 Ombesörja
inställsam
i förtroende
förakta
stå ut med
hård hantering
passande
17 Kvintessensen exakt
bero på
blodgivning
oro
som gör ont
användbar
särskild
röntgenbild
motståndet
som gäller hjärnan
personlig inbjudan
noggrann
bli försenad
brasklappen
som rör synen
lättskött
utsättas för
bekymrad
märkbar
ärrbildning
15 Detronisera
begriplig
rakborste
förneka
resultatet
utbredd plåga
olyckligt misstag
10 Omsorgsfull
13 Uppsåtligen
undantaget
räknas in i
osann uppgift
förbjuda
som sker på reflex
formell begäran
08 Vara avhängig av 09 Klander
noggrann
som rör frukosten
06 Hemsökelse 07 Tjänlig
välvårdad
störa
04 Medaljens baksida 05 Cerebral
allvarlig
ofullständig
det väsentliga
avbildningen
snabb förändring
positivt besked
enkelriktad upprepa
tillfällig lättnad
11-få raserianfall, 12-märkbar, 13-medavsikt, 14-vävnadsprov, 15-avsätta, 16-som inte ger resultat, 17 det väsentliga, 18-envis, 19-ordna, 20-plötslig impuls
Ulf Barslund Mårtensson (editor@nordstjernan.com)
ing table is used, where the result is based on how well one performed in relation to the other exam participants. Last spring, only 28 people received a 2.0, which does not even measure 0.1% of those who wrote the exam. You must be good at reading comprehension, mathematics and work under time pressure, says Christina Wikström.
Answers: 1-välvårdad, 2-gummisko, 3-förneka, 4-nackdelen, 5-gäller hjärnan, 6-utbredd plåga, 7-användbar, 8-bero på, 9-ogillande anmärkning, 10-noggrann,
4 NORDSTJERNAN
DASHBOARD | December 15, 2023
Among the greater expenses in Sweden—gasoline, which, compared to U.S. prices is between three and four times as expensive (SEK 18-20 per liter).
More expensive next year
Household costs will increase next year, shows a forecast compiled by Konsumentverket, the Swedish Consumer Agency. The increase to 2024 is not as large as between 2022 and 2023 but is expected to hit already vulnerable households hard, according to the authority. 2023’s high interest rates and expensive rents are expected to continue into 2024, but some spending areas are expected to ease: Electricity is predicted to be approximately 30 percent cheaper in 2024, compared to 2023, the agency believes.
Less interest in “black week”
Swedes spent two percent less during this year’s “black week” compared to the year before, according to the banks. The exception was home electronics, where sales increased 11 percent. During the big sale week, purchases of clothes and shoes decreased around one percent, sales of home furnishings declined approximately 3 percent, and restaurant and hotel visits decreased by roughly 8 percent. According to the banks, the average discounts this year were lower than last year, but the number of discounted products was higher.
One in five wants to save on culture
For the first time in a long time, the government’s cultural grants will not increase. The grants to several cultural institutions, including the Royal Opera, will even decrease next year. The decision is what motivated the Royal Opera to have research institute Novus conduct an opinion poll on whether the cultural sector should receive more or fewer resources. 43 percent answered that culture should receive more money. A third think culture should receive the grants they receive today, while 19 percent think it is right to decrease funding. The Royal Opera’s CEO, Fredrik Lindgren, describes the cuts in the cultural sector in the state’s budget for 2024 as “a very hard blow to the entire cultural sector.” Novus’ survey is based on responses from 1,000 people of different ages and from different parts of the country. Doubled interest on Swedish student loans. The government has decided that the interest rate for student loans in Sweden will be raised from 0.59 percent to 1.23 percent in 2024.
New advice for children’s screeen time
What is a reasonable amount of screen time for children? Is there such a thing as “just right” or is it so bad that parents should ban it altogether? The answer, according to the Swedish Pediatric Society’s (Barnläkarföreningen) new advice is: Children under the age of 2 should not have any screen time at all, and children between the ages of 2 and 5 should watch a maximum of one hour a day. The Swedish Public Health Agency is currently investigating and developing recommendations on screen time. But it cannot wait another year or two, according to Barnläkarföreningen, which is now issuing general recommendations for young children’s screen use. Children who start using digital screens early can, among other things, have delayed language development and difficulty with concentration. It can also affect the training of other abilities, such as handling emotions, and lead to increased myopia and difficulty sleeping. Barnläkarföreningen’s advice is in line with the recommendations that already exist in a number of European countries and the United States. Even the World Health Organization WHO has
issued guidelines that say babies should not have any screen time at all and that children up to the age of 5 should not hang out in front of the mobile phone, an iPad or watch TV for more than an hour a day. The Swedish Society of Pediatricians also provides some solid advice and tips on how caregivers can think and act with digital screens: 1. You are most important to your child’s development. You can teach your child new things yourself and be a role model by thinking about how and when you use digital media. For example, using your cell phone can affect contact with your child, which can create a vicious spiral of more negative behavior. 2. Set agreements about screens at home. Have agreements for the whole family about where, when and how screens are used. Using screens together or setting time limits can also work. 3. Don’t divert negative emotions with screens. Screaming, whining and crying are natural - if they are unhappy, try distracting the child with, for example, peek-a-boo games, toys or a book instead of picking up a screen.
Young people want to work in-person
The youngest people in the labor market, who are between the ages of 18 and 25, are the least interested in working from home, according to a survey from the research institute Ratio. Office workers today work from home on average 1.8 days a week. Ages 49 to 64 spent more time - two days - at home, and the youngest work only 1.2 days away from home. Researchers at Ratio believe there are several factors behind the difference, e.g. that younger people live in smaller homes, want to learn on-site and network within the companies they work for. DECEMBER 15, 2023 5
LOCAL EVENTS
Local Events You don’t have to travel far to visit a Swedish Julmarknad On December 19, no matter where you are, you can be transported to the magical Christmas market in Stockholm’s Old Town. At 12-12:30 PM EST, enjoy a virtual lunch-time tour of Gamla Stan’s Julmarknad! Experience the sights as Philadelphia’s former American Swedish Historical Museum’s Marketing Assistant Izabell Eriksson Andrén provides a LIVE walking tour of the market while Assistant Director Lauren Burnham shares the history and tradition of European Christmas Markets. Contact ASHM to RSVP $5/members, $10/ non-members, 215.389.1776 / www. americanswedish.org
California Los Altos Dec 16, 3 PM Third Advent: Swedish Advent hymns and Christmas carols with the Zaida Singers. Service in Swedish with English elements (bring American family and friends!) followed by coffee and fellowship. At Los Altos Lutheran Church, Kristin.hamren@svenskakyrkan.se / www.svenskakyrkan.se Los Angeles Dec 16, 2-8 PM Santa’s Workshop with Lucia celebration: Enjoy this beautiful event and Lucia celebration. Doors open at 2 p.m. with Lucia performance at 5 p.m. Shop handmade
Christmas decorations, meet Santa Claus, do children’s crafts, and enjoy saffron buns, meatballs, hot dogs, glogg and drinks in the dining hall. Angelican Lutheran Church, losangeles.admin@svenskakyrkan.se / www.churchofswedenla.com/events San Francisco Dec 16, 10 PM ABBA Christmas Party: A retro dance party featuring the sounds of the Swedish pop supergroup ABBA. Dress all in white, and dance to ABBA originals, remixes and mashups all night long. At The Record Bar, www.recordbarsf.com
In-person & online classes Swedish yarns, looms, tools, & supplies Weaving books in Swedish & English Web store & visits by appointment www.vavstuga.com 413-625-8241 80 Basssett Road Shelburne, MA 01370 U.S.A.
San Pedro Dec 15, 6 PM Lucia Friday: Annual Lucia celebration followed by lussekatter, pepparkakor, gingersnaps and varmkorv available for purchase, in the church at 1035 S. Beacon St. / www. churchofswedenla.com/events Colorado Idaho Springs Dec 21-23, 6 PM Viking Candlemas and Concert: Learn about Norse lore, hear the traditional Hardanger fiddle and original music by Nordic Daughter, and meet the real Odin! Enjoy traditional Scandinavian Christmas fare such as lefse, Swedish meatballs, and pickled herring. At United Center, 303.900.8689 / www.nordicdaughter.com Illinois Chicago Dec 16, 1 PM VIRTUAL Book Club: This month we read and discuss “Wonderful Feels Like This” by Swedish author Sara Lövestam. Join via Zoom, Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org Dec 17, 4 PM Julgudstjänst: Traditional Swedish Christmas service in Swedish at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. 773.728.8111 / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org Dec 17, 5 PM Julmiddag: A festive and traditional Swed-
6 NORDSTJERNAN
LOCAL EVENTS ish Christmas smörgåsbord catered by Tre Kronor includes an appearance from Tomten, julklappar (presents) for the children, a Lucia procession and dancing around the Christmas tree. Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org Kansas Lindsborg Dec 25, 5:45-7 AM Julotta: Traditional Swedish Lutheran Christmas service with brass ensemble sending the call to worship at 5:45 a.m. from the bell tower of the beautiful church. Bethany Lutheran Church, www.visitlindsborg.com Dec 26, 10-11 AM Annandag Jul: “Another day of Christmas” is celebrated with a traditional Lutheran Church service in Swedish. Bethany Lutheran Church, www.visitlindsborg.com Maine Belfast & Belfast Dec 15, 16, 17 Kongero: This Swedish vocal group consists of four female folk singers whose music is characterized by tight harmonies. They call their genre Swedish Folk’appella, telling tales of life with medieval ballads, witty ditties, and spirited dances. www.kongero.se Portland Dec 17, 3 PM Fanny & Alexander: Ingmar Bergman’s
warmest and most autobiographical film and four-time Academy Award–winning triumph combines his trademark melancholy and emotional intensity with immense joy and sensuality. One of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.188 Minutes, in Swedish with English Subtitles. At Space, www.space538.org/events Maryland Potomac Ongoing Hilma af Klint: Swedish artist Hilma af Klint’s series Tree of Knowledge, 1913–1915 is being featured in the exhibition ‘Iconoclasts: Selections from Glenstone’s Collection.’ The exhibition showcases the works of more than 50 artists who have made some of the most radical contributions to art in the 20th century. Glenstone Museum, www. glenstone.org Minnesota Minneapolis Dec 15 & 16, 9 AM Kids at the Castle: Tiny Tomtes and Extraordinary Elves - It’s a morning playdate at the Castle! These action-packed creative playtimes encourage adventurous young minds through circle time, storytelling, crafts, visual play, music, and movement. Adults must accompany children. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www. asimn.org
Dec 16 & 17 Julbord Dinner: Don’t miss this multicourse meal featuring all your favorite Nordic dishes made by FIKA Café’s executive chef and accompanied by live music. Seating requests must be made one week in advance. ASI’s holiday exhibit will be open for viewing. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org Dec 17, 2-4 PM Nordic Book Circle: Contemporary Nordic Literature in Translation. A sampling of voices from across the Nordic region is available in English translation with particular emphasis given to women, queer, and/or BIPOC writers. This month’s book is: Last Night in Nuuk, Niviaq Korneliussen (Greenland, translator Anna Halagar). American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org Dec 19 & 26, 6:30-8 PM Holiday Cocktail Tour: Celebrate the holiday season with a guided tour of the holiday exhibition and receive a unique mug to fill it with glögg, holiday and N/A drinks from our cash bar. For ages 21+. N/A drinks available. Also on various dates in early January. American Swedish Institute / www.asimn.org
experience that brings to life the magic of winter, traditions, myths, and tales. Explore the festive rooms of the Turnblad Mansion and immerse yourself in experiences cocreated by local community contributors representing the Nordic countries. Through Jan 7, 2024 at American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org Scandia Dec 16 & 23 Annie’s Jul-themed Coffee Party: Join us in the festively decorated Välkommen Hus, shop the Butik and enjoy coffee with three courses of food: cardamom bread, fruit-filled coffee cakes, sliced cheese and apples, rice pudding and assorted Swedish Jul cookies. Swedish traditions and stories will be shared between courses. Each date includes a 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM entry. Gammelgården, 651.433.5053 / www.gammelgardenmuseum.org
Ongoing Once Upon a Mansion: ASI’s 73rd Holiday Experience - Step into the story at the American Swedish Institute’s enchanting holiday
Since 1919
LOS ANGELES Saturday December 23, 3pm
CHRISTMAS SERVICE in Thousand Oaks.
Sunday December 24, 2pm
CHRISTMAS SERVICE with the Norwegian church, San Pedro.
Monday December 25, 7am
CHRISTMAS SERVICE with breakfast in San Pedro.
Monday December 25, 11am
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
with lunch in Angelica Lutheran Church, LA.
Saturday December 30, 5pm
CELEBRATING 2023
and the beginning of a new year—Winter Concert with Swedish traditional “Julbord” For tickets, see www.churchofswedenla.com.
Sunday January 7, 11am
EPIPHANY SERVICE
with lunch and Christmas tree looting for all kids (“Julgransplundring”) Se vår hemsida för mer information.
CHURCH OF SWEDEN, LOS ANGELES 1035 South Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 Tel. (310) 292-7080 • Epost: losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se Hemsida: www.churchofswedenla.com
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Peterson Farm
3260 Fluvanna Ave Jamestown NY 716.483.2202 DECEMBER 15, 2023 7
LOCAL EVENTS New York Buffalo Ongoing Nordic Art and Culture Initiative: This unique platform for art of the Nordic Region has begun and will over the next 60 years develop North America’s leading collection of contemporary art from the Nordic region. Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 716.882.8700 / www.buffaloakg.org NYC Dec 15-22 Christmas Lunch or Dinner: Enjoy a Christmas plate served family style – including herring, gravlax and Christmas ham, Swedish meatballs, prinskorv and Jansson’s. Restaurant Aquavit, 212.307.7311 / www.aquavit.org Dec 16, 23 & 24 Julbord: Restaurant Aquavit serves an especially elaborate family style meal, served only during the Christmas season a hallmark at Aquavit. All the classic Julbord favorites from a wide selection of herrings, salmon and seafood preparations to the cured meats, salads and hot food will be part of the special table complete with a warm cup of glogg. Restaurant Aquavit, 212.307.7311 / www.aquavit.org Jamestown Dec 16, 3-6 PM Lucia The American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation and Thule Lodge invite you to join them in a traditional Lucia celebration! The service will be followed by traditional Lucia buns and coffee as well as entertainment. 716.708.7226 , swedishlucia@gmail. com / www.facebook.com/events/s/jamestowns-lucia-2023/369792168840342/ Pleasantville Jan 7, 1-5 PM Julgrandsplundring: Enjoy lunch, glögg, music by Smörgåsbandet, dancing and a raffle during this Swedish Christmas tree plunder party! At Emanuel Lutheran Church, vasafreja100@gmail.com / www. drott-lodge.org Ongoing Narrative Threads: Works by Eight Nordic Artists presents multi-media artwork by
Fanny & Alexander is one of Ingmar Bergman’s warmest and most autobiographical films, an Award–winning triumph that combines his trademark melancholy and emotional intensity with immense joy and sensuality. It’s also one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, so Nordic artists, each distinguished by their innovative use of natural, synthetic, and digital materials. Exploring Nordic craft traditions through a contemporary lens, the works in the exhibition engage with material experimentation and digital technology. Through Feb 17 at Scandinavia House, 212.779.3587 / www.scandinaviahouse.org Ongoing Play Sessions: Have fun while learning about the culture of Scandinavia through books, toys, and free unstructured play sessions in an activity room and a sensory room loaded with educational elements. Scandinavia House, 212.779.3587 / info@amscan.org
Ellen Lindström “The Swedish Meatball”
Adding fun & musical flavor to every event.
917-968-2926 www.TheSwedishMeatballs.com
Merry Christmas! 8 NORDSTJERNAN
be sure to add it to your list of must-see holiday movies. If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area on Dec. 17, you can see it at Space at 3 p.m. 188 Minutes, in Swedish with English Subtitles. www.space538.org/events
Oregon Portland Dec 16, 10 a.m. Vikings: Expansion and Influence in the Wider World: Learn about the raiding and trading that Vikings are famous for, the reasons they did so and how they accomplished their goals - all still debated by historians. Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org Dec 16, 2-4:30 PM Christmas Card Craft: Make your own holiday cards with a Nordic motif, with artist instructor Sweden-born, Portland-based Annelie Thurin. All levels of skill and knowledge of welcome, all materials included. Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www. nordicnorthwest.org Dec 16, 3 PM Lucia Fest: Celebrate as the white-robed maiden comes out of the night with her crown of lighted candles to dispel the darkness, bringing light to the Christmas season. At Moreland Presbyterian Church, info@newsweden.org / www.newsweden. org Dec 23, 10 a.m. Vikings: Language and Arts. We will examine the materials, methods, and the primary styles of the oral culture and storytelling of Viking life. Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org
Dec 30, 10 a.m. Vikings: Mythology and Religion. Learn about the cosmology of the Norse peoples in the early Viking Age as well as the reasons why they ultimately converted to the Christian faith and how that affected what it meant to be a Viking. Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org Through Jan 1 Creatures of Christmas Exhibit: Nordic Northwest is being visited by some special creatures - meet the 13 Icelandic Jul Lads, a Swedish Jul Goat, Danish and Norwegian Nisse, and Finnish Santa, Joulupukki. Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org Ongoing Ole Bolle the Troll: Acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo, has done it again. His latest project, Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King is six giant troll sculptures—characters in an environmental story penned by the artist—built from recycled materials and installed around Washington state. The last troll sculpture, Ole Bolle, can be experienced in the wooded are on the grounds of Nordic Northwest, 503.977.0275 / www. nordicnorthwest.org
LOCAL EVENTS
We might best know the julbock (Christmas goat) as a straw tree ornament bound with red ribbons, but there are versions of all sizes (see p2 for the world’s largest julbock in Gävle, Sweden) of this symbol of Christmas whose origins date back to ancient Pagan festivals. Through Jan 1 In the Creatures of Christmas Exhibit at Nordic Northwest in Portland, Oregon, you can see special creatures of all the Nordic countries, including the 13 Icelandic Jul Lads, Danish and Norwegian Nisse, a Finnish Joulupukki as well as the Swedish Christmas goat. This is a perfect exhibit for families to explore some well-known and secretive creatures. www.nordicnorthwest.org
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Dec 19, 10:30-11:30 AM Toddler Time - Christmas Tomte: Get into the holiday spirt by learning about the tradition of Jultomte. We will read “Little Tomte’s Christmas Wish” by Inkeri Karvonen and Hannu Taina and try Swedish holiday activities. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org Dec 19, 12-12:30 PM VIRTUAL Gamla Stan Christmas Market: Take a virtual trip to Gamla Stan’s Julmarknad! Explore Stockholm’s famous old city’s Christmas Market via Zoom from
wherever you are! RSVP $5/members, $10/ non-members. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org Ongoing Karin Larsson: Let the Hand Be Seen. Immersed in the world of the Swedish countryside, Karin Larsson’s work in the textile arts, furniture construction, and interior design reflect how she embraced new methods for the home she shared with her children and husband, the celebrated painter Carl Larsson. This exhibit showcases Karin’s work and features reproductions of her most significant pieces against a backdrop of Carl’s most beloved paintings. Through
SEASON’S GREETINGS
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“Julbocken” by Swedish artist and illustrator John Bauer (1912).
February 2024 at American Swedish Historical Museum / 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org
gate mental states and visual, modern conventions. Through February 2024 at House of Sweden, www.houseofsweden.com
Washington Seattle Ongoing Nordic Journeys: This exhibition spans centuries of journeys and challenges across 1.3 million square miles and the footsteps of Nordic immigrants to North America. National Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / www.nordicmuseum.org
Wisconsin Madison Dec 16, 3:30-8 PM Julfest/Julefest/Pikkujoulu 2023: Christmas Party organized by the Scandinavian American Club Madison. At the Madison Senior Center, 608.266.6581 / MadisonSAC@ gmail.com / www.madsac.org
Ongoing Exhibit: Søren Solkær’s “Sort Sol” or Black Sun, captures and showcases the mesmerizing formations of starling flocks known as murmurations. Through March 10 at National Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / www.nordicmuseum.org Washington, DC Dec 16, 12-5 PM Swedish Fika: Kristina’s Swede Treats will serve coffee and delicious pastries, including Swedish cinnamon buns, at House of Sweden, www.houseofsweden.com / www. facebook.com/houseofsweden Ongoing Julia Peirone - I Am Not Blonde. Stockholmbased photographer Julia Peirone photographs the frustration that many young women feel with the external ideals and demands that are imposed on them. The pictures can hardly be defined as portraits in a conventional sense; rather, they investi-
Milwaukee Dec 17, 4 PM Lucia Celebration: Celebrate St. Lucia Day with a celebration of light. Hear the story and beautiful music. Lucia procession, traditional dancing around the Christmas tree. Visit Santa. Coffee and treats. Bring a dish to share if you can. At Fox Point Lutheran Church, 262.781.6113 / www.sahswi.org Stockholm Dec 16 God Jul Celebration: This holiday art, food and Makers Market is a festive extravaganza of handmade treasures and delicious treats, horsedrawn wagon rides, a Jul tomte and of course Lucia. At the Stockholm Pie and General Store, www.thewestcoastofwisconsin.com
DECEMBER 15, 2023 9
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reverse migration
Light shines in the darkness
We were met in the darkness at the train
station in the small town of Nybro, but it was only 3:30 p.m. As the train had made its way through the countryside, I sleepily watched candles coming to light in windows of houses, town halls, school buildings and an occasional barn. Even our station, built in 1874, had Advent candles in its first-floor windows. There were evergreen swags hung at its doors, and the town had lights strewn across the main streets. We were tired from the day of travel, now at about hour 19, but also so excited to be reunited with our loved ones. Our suitcases were heavier than usual, packed with Christmas gifts and warmer clothes for the two-week holiday. Christer helped us load our bags into the car, and we drove through the forest on familiar roads. It’s a short drive, but every time I take it on my arrival
day, I feel I’m being transported from one world to another. We pulled up outside Solbacka, and it too was lit and welcoming for the festive season. Our kids had been there at the start of Advent to place the electric candles in the windows and hang the large paper star to shine from the upstairs. It looked so cozy. Grateful, we walked through the door – met by the familiar smells of home and comfort. I could feel the warmth from the kakelugn lit earlier in the day. Then I saw the tree. Christer cut a small evergreen from the woods nearby and placed it in the corner between the buffet and the south facing dining room window. He had strung one short strand of lights and said, “Maybe you can make some decorations.” He left us to get settled, I took my bag upstairs, checked for random spiders or flies, did a cursory
look in every room, and pulled out the wool blankets from the basket at the top of the stairs. Then I went back to the tree. I just sat and took it all in for a few minutes. As we have found with many Swedish traditions during our Reverse Migration, the sheer scale of things is different. This tree is no match for the large, full, themed trees we find at home in U.S. stores and displays – and even in the homes of our family and friends. I have been known to participate in this extravagance. But the little tree brought “simple” to a whole new level. It wasn’t exactly a Charlie Brown model, but it was quite sparse by American standards. It was small, with just a few lights. And I loved it. The following morning, I dried some orange slices and strung them with popcorn and berries through some ribbon I found in a lower cabinet. My daughter made a paper star for its crown. Every time I walked into that room in the weeks that followed, I paused for a second. That tree struck me as a more profound symbol than branches plucked from the forest for holiday cheer – though it was indeed that! That December was a particularly chaotic time in my life – and that simple tree reminded me to take a breather. To celebrate light and warmth and love. I recognized that often smaller, less complicated versions of many things can yield the same or even better results. Christer gave us a gift of love by preparing Solbacka that Christmas holiday – and his effort was so meaningful – that he left some of the “work” for me, to decorate and personalize it, was also relevant. Even now, as I look back, I see there are other lessons in this for me. I write now from my desk in Michigan. It’s windy and gray outside. I have just lit a candle for a little ambiance and inspiration. In a few weeks we will return to our noisy little village that is often more quiet than most, and we will celebrate the season, the return of longer days, the warmth of family, of good food, warm cups of glögg and wool mittens. We will sing and laugh and have both full, loud tables and quiet moments alone. There will be a little tree. And I will love it. The star will hang from the window frame upstairs and the candles will light
Find the perfect gift. Explore unique and handmade Nordic-inspired gifts at the American Swedish Institute’s Jul Shop. 10 NORDSTJERNAN
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our way when we walk into the small white village church on Christmas Eve. I can’t help but wonder what magic is in store for us … but in a deeper way, I recognize that celebrating light and love whether here or there is, in fact, the true meaning of the season. “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood…” (reference to the Gospel of John). God Jul. Tack för att du läser.
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As another year draws to a close, we want to thank Nordstjernan for the opportunity to send our season’s greetings. Everyone at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York wishes all readers of Nordstjernan Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Christmas is coming
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Anticipation. Christmas is approaching and we all have this feeling, this expectation. We light our Advent candles, we hang our Advent star in the window, decorate our houses and prepare. Advent means arrival. We are preparing for Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Anticipation. No one knows exactly when Jesus was born. But his birthday was conveniently placed on the darkest day of the year. Midwinter Solstice. The day when light begins its victorious march against darkness. And nowhere is it more profound than in Sweden, where the dark hours are many and long. Children are waiting for Christmas Eve. Waiting for Tomten, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, who comes with bells, reindeer and a truck full of Coca-Cola. Christmas is a time of abundance both in Sweden and in the U.S. In Sweden we watch Donald Duck on TV (“From All of Us to All of You”) on Christmas Eve. Do you? At 3 p.m. we are all sitting in front of the television. The big question is whether to eat and open the presents before or after Donald Duck. When I was a minister at the Stockholm Cathedral, future bishop Caroline Crook said in a Christmas sermon: “You can celebrate Christmas with Donald Duck, but you can’t die with Donald Duck.” Pretty dramatic. But why not treat ourselves to watching TV, eating good food and enjoying Christmas to the fullest? I don’t think Jesus would mind us celebrating him together with Donald Duck and Rudolph the rednosed reindeer or singing along to Blue Christmas with Elvis. Because He is the King we have all been waiting for. It was about him that the prophets proph-
member Him, who came to us naked and powerless. The Swedish national poet Gunnar Ekelöf wrote in the poem Ferryman’s Song: ”I sing of the only that reconciles the only practical, equal for all: How seldom man has the power to renounce power! To renounce I and voice, renounce – The only thing that gives power.”
esied: “The people walking in darkness shall see a great light. Yes, on those living in the land of deep darkness a light will shine. For to us a child is born, a son is given, and on his shoulders the Kingdom shall rest.” The Prince of Peace. Born as a small child. Oh silent night, holy night. A new King is born. Quietly and almost without fanfare, God comes to us in a small child. And the angels sing praises. The baby Jesus, naked and helpless, stretches out his hands toward Joseph and Mary. Without their care he cannot survive. The almighty God, the creator of the universe comes to us defenseless and powerless. That’s the Christmas Gospel. The love from the newborn awakens us and can break the chain of events from Cain onward. God’s strategy for converting us is not coercion but warmth and intelligence. We can meditate on the Gospel and mystery of Christmas while we digest all the chocolate pralines we ate. And in every newborn child, in every situation, in every meal, when we break bread, we re-
Jesus could have written this poem. His mouth was silent in the interrogation with Pontius Pilate. He did not resist on the cross. He forgave those who crucified him. And a new star lights up in the sky. The Star of Bethlehem. A star that leads us to the stable and over life’s stormy fairways. A certainty that God leads us. That you do not strike your foot against any stone. The birth of Jesus actually changed the world. Changed our view of God. When we can see God at eye level, something happens. Martin Luther wrote: “Every meeting with another person is a service.” And the meeting with a newborn child shows that we need each other. God’s incarnation in Jesus is in all and everything. He needs us and guides us, working our minds and hearts with the only power that can change us - the power of Love. On Christmas Jesus looks upon us from his simple manger. He looks at us with curiosity and trust. He looks us in the eyes. In his inscrutable eyes we behold the infinite and the mystery of God. Grace and joy shines from his face and he blesses us. ”I varje hjärta armt och mörkt, sänd du en stråle blid. En stråle av Guds kärleks ljus, i signad juletid.” - Hymn 116, Psalmboken (the Swedish hymnbook)
Merry Christmas!
Rev Joakim Schröder Church of Sweden San Francisco
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December is a stressful time when Christmas presents have to be bought, glögg or mulled wine is made, the Christmas tree is decorated, gingerbread cookies are baked and packages are wrapped for the approaching holiday. Many Swedes also travel over Christmas, perhaps to spend time with loved ones or to get away from everyday life. A survey in 2022 by Statistics Sweden, SCB, shows how Sweden’s population moves during Christmas, and, among other things, how more and more people leave the big cities in favor of more sparsely populated areas in the north. According to the survey, Swedes leaving metropolitan areas during Christmas has been a persistent trend in recent years. In 2021 for instance, Stockholm and Uppsala were the two counties from which most people traveled. In total, there were five counties whose population decreased during Christmas 2021 while the counties of Jämtland and Dalarna had the largest percentage population increase. Another pattern, not unexpected, is travel from municipalities where there are large universities increases during the Christmas period. Many students go home to family and friends over Christmas, and cities like Linköping, Lund and Uppsala decrease drastically in population. The survey also shows that when Christmas travelers do not go further north, most travel within their region. Stockholmers, for example, usually travel to their nearest neighboring regions Uppsala or Södermanland. Christmas travelers from Västra Götaland show the same tendency: They mainly
Christmas trends evolve with each passing year. From sustainable decorations to tech-driven gifts, trends reflect cultural shifts. While themes like nostalgic decor or unique DIY projects (not represented in this depicted minimalistic approach) often capture the holiday spirit, keeping Christmas celebrations both traditional and innovative is a must for us at Nordstjernan.
Continues on next page DECEMBER 15, 2023 13
FEATURE
Continued from previous page travel to Halland, Jönköping and the Värmland region. Similarly, Skåne residents generally stay in the southern parts of the country, as many spend Christmas in the neighboring counties of Halland, Blekinge and Kronoberg. In terms of overall trends, sustainability and recycling are more important than ever before. We see this in an increased demand for natural and recycled materials and products that are manufactured in a sustainable way. Another strong trend is reflected in an increased use of natural materials, such as wood, stone and plants. This can create a calm atmosphere in the home - toned down, neutral and harmonious is one way you can’t go wrong, according to some interior designers in Sweden. The earthy color palette consisting of various shades of beige, brown, black and off-white is still popular in interiors, and also spills over into Christmas decoration trends. According to our Christmas trend oracle Gunilla Blixt, the most prevalent trend is really the lack of one. The Japanese or Korean Christmas menus that were once the talk of the town (at least in Stockholm) are no longer high on the list. Instead, people opt for the traditional Christmas tables but with a lot of vegetarian and vegan food options. When it comes to decorations, the lack of a specific trend is even more obvious. Glitter and glamour, black and white Christmas decorations and romantic pink and purple ribbons on the tree ... Swedish interior design magazine Hus & Hem identified seven trends for Christmas 2023, which really prove Gunilla Blixt’s point. Here they are: 1. Minimalistic and pared down A trend that appeals to those who do not like to fill their home with gnomes and lots of decorations. Here, it’s instead about decorating with few but effective Christmas details - with a big focus on cozy lighting and string lights. The color palette shows warm earthy tones, forest green, black, white and grey. But red can also fit into the minimalist Christmas, in a few selected places in the home.
2. Glitter and glam In the complete opposite direction, we find this trend that offers us a Christmas filled with glitter and glamour. Decorate the Christmas tree with glitter garlands and glitter-strewn bows, hang a disco ball from the ceiling or place them on the Christmas table.
14 NORDSTJERNAN
3. Black and white Striped Christmas baubles with black and white stripes, black and white candles or a tablecloth in a graphic pattern. Black and white is one of the big themes of Christmas. 4. Decorations in fabric and paper How about a fabric poinsettia? The craze for crafts is especially clear at Christmas 2023. Now we want to decorate with nice and festive details in fabric and white paper. 5. Vintage inspired Christmas 2023 is also about nostalgia, and we are more than happy to decorate with retro-inspired Christmas decorations, such as Christmas trains around the tree and vintage decorations in the form of toys, cars, candies, locomotives and cassette tapes. Classic patterns, red and green colors, straw decorations, inherited items and a cozy feeling that breathes childhood. The traditional piece on the Christmas decorations is a favorite for many years, but in recent troubled years, the style has seen a clear resurgence. 6. Pink and purple Pink has followed us all year, so the trendy color accompanying us into the Christmas celebration is perhaps not so strange. Tie pink bows around the branches of the tree and in the Christmas wreath, match a Christmas red tablecloth with pink glasses or hang pink Christmas ornaments on the tree. Purple also fits nicely as an accent color on the set table.
7. Bows, laces and ribbons This Christmas, the focus is on the bow. Tie beautiful ribbons in the Christmas tree or at the top of the tree! The bows also appear as motifs on cushion covers and as Christmas tree decorations. And the new mobile phone rules for those who want to be polite: Do not call! At least not without first sending a text to tell them you’re going to call.
Travel
Christmas is a popular time to travel for Swedes. Many opt out of traditions at home in favor of sun, heat and a sandy beach—some surveys suggest as many as 40% of Swedes would prefer to travel abroad over the holidays. Familiar and safe destinations such as the Canary Islands and Thailand are recurring favorites. Most popular travel destinations for Swedes in 2022 In a survey conducted by Travellink, 6 in 10 people according to statistics from Ticket Travel Agency answered that they dream of traveling to warmer Gran Canaria (1) latitudes, but 7 in 10 want to be with their family. Bangkok (2) Last year, the most popular departure day among London (7) Swedes traveling abroad was December 22. The Phuket (4) statistics also show that most people booked their Málaga (10) Christmas and New Year holidays in the second Berlin (New) half of the year. And, other than sun and beaches, Tenerife (5) it is big cities like Paris, London, Barcelona and Paris (8) Amsterdam, as well as warm weather in Malaga Alicante (New) and Alicante, that have attracted the most travelers. Barcelona (New) DECEMBER 15, 2023 15
FEATURE
A thousand years of the In the month of December we face a collection of important annual rituals and remarkable meals. Common to all of them, from glögg mingles to corporate holiday parties, is their contribution to a loaded Christmas atmosphere that can only be redeemed in the perhaps most unusual meal that Swedish food culture can boast: Julbord, the traditional Christmas table.
many Swedes may celebrate Christmas mainly because others will celebrate in a similar fashion at the same time, a kind of cultural “följa John” (Simon says) behavior. Most of us get time off from work when there’s a red day on the calendar, and the schools now have a secular “winter vacation,” so the children are also free from school. Perhaps in order to make Christmas worthy of value, we create a feast with links to family and relatives but also our geographic emotional origin. Christmas is in various ways a celebration of roots and origin. In order to celebrate these emotional connections, we need Christmas presents and special dishes and drinks that become worthy memories in different combinations.
The beginning of a tradition
Since Christmas is a Christian celebration, the Christmas dinner as a meal idea goes back a millennium to our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and thus the end of the Viking era. However, there is an older meal that coincides 16 NORDSTJERNAN
with the celebration of Christian Christmas - the older midwinter sacrifice (“midvinterblot”) that occurred when the sun returned. Later research, however, suggests the midwinter celebration was a little later in the winter, probably in the middle or second half of January. It’s therefore reasonable to assume the later Christmas celebration borrowed elements from the “blot” because party ingredients are easily moved between celebrations. Most of the dishes for this old original feast are no longer made, and eating a special menu of Christmas food as we do today - to signify it as Christmas and not another annual festival - is a relatively new concept. Christmas traditions have always changed over the centuries because they respond to people’s ideals at any given time, and thus are a reflection of how we see Christmas in any single time period.
Food reflects culture
Our Christmas dinner today, a buffet that is eaten in a single sweep as a single meal, is only about 40 years old. It was in the 1970s that the Christmas buffet was created from the older, three-course
Christmas Eve dinner. Until the 1960s, the Christmas Eve meal was often first a small smörgåsbord with Christmas ham, followed by lutefisk as the main course and rice pudding as dessert. Not even the three-course meal was particularly old. It had in turn come into fashion during the Romantic Period around 1880-1900, replacing a French four- or five-course meal that was earlier common in the bourgeois social class. If you were a farmer or of the working class at this time you ordinarily ate freshly slaughtered meat dishes on Christmas Eve but divided into several rounds and not as a bu1952 ffet. The focus of that meal was on bread, beer and aquavit, newly butchered meat and perhaps fried spare ribs. In the bourgeois classes you ate meat and poultry and drank imported wine and spirits. The Christmas menu thus consisted of a small portion of stored food but mostly of the freshly slaughtered meat and other fresh food. One avoided eating food preserved and stored for a celebration because this was food for the rest of the year. Celebratory food has always been the opposite of everyday food, and that’s why we eat pork in the
form of Christmas ham for our celebration and not sheep and beef, which is more common in history.
Exclusive and inclusive dinners
The Christmas food therefore began to be prepared at Lucia when the Christmas pig was slaughtered. If you were a poor day cropper, it was not uncommon for you to slaughter the pig but sell the whole carcass to the city’s citizens, except for the pig’s head and feet that were kept and used for headcheese. The one who had access to a whole pig made dishes like oven-fried spare ribs, headcheese with a mixture of fresh and salted meat, and perhaps the blood soup “lummer,” a kind of black soup, although it was more common to make blood sausage or blood bread to be eaten during the coming spring. The hams of the pig were not eaten for Christmas; they were instead salted and saved as food for the coming summer. Fresh food also included soft bread, fresh buns and apples, and of course the freshly brewed and over fermented beer, finishing off the farmers’ tables until the second half of the 19th century. In higher classes of society, like clergy, bourgeois and the elite, one ate the same things as in the farmhouses but with the addition of imported wines, spices and dried fruits. Here also roasts of game were served, lutefisk and white rice porridge. What distinguished the upper class way of eating was, of course, the cooking technique with more advanced combinations of dishes, spicy meat and various kinds of sweet and fried pastries. But the biggest difference from the peasant and day cropper
perspectives was probably the volume of food. The nobility, the priests and the cities’ upper classes had a lot of meat, a lot of bread, a lot of fish and birds, and not just for Christmas but all year round. The change of the Christmas table during the late 1900s and into the 21st century is characterized by an unusual cultural process: It is a serious matter to remove dishes from the Christmas table; instead, we add and expand it and make sure everyone around the Christmas table has their favorites, because a Christmas table should be inclusive. Today’s newcomers are dishes that include fresh vegetables, salads and chicken. These dishes were not at all present at Christmas time in history but
are related to the modern food industry, and of course, fast and cheap air and truck transportation. Rickard Tellström Dr. Richard Tellström is a researcher of Swedish food culture history and teacher at the Department of Ethnology at Stockholm University. Find out more at www.su.se or follow Tellström’s blog at www.taffel.se
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Dec. 9
St. Lucia Festival & Old-Fashioned Christmas
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Dec. 02
Artists’ Studio Open House & Snowflake Parade
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FEATURE feature
It’s December. The days are short and the air is chilly and damp. We need something cheerful and warm to counteract the cold and lift our spirits. Why not invite friends over for a cozy afternoon of Swedish glögg (spiced mulled wine) and some tasty Scandinavian treats? Hosting a glögg party is very common during the month of December in Sweden. So common, in fact, that you may need to make appearances at several parties on any given Saturday or Sunday. Perhaps this is why glögg is best served in small cups. Hosting your own Swedish glögg party doesn’t take much— glögg of course, one or two Scandinavian inspired items, quite possibly complemented with your own favorite cocktail munchies. The following glögg recipe and Swedish limpa smörgås was developed by chef Kristi Bissell. For some sweeter additions, turn the page.
For more inspired Scandinavian cooking, check Kristi’s True North Kitchen blog which offers a sampling of recipes with a true Nordic feel. See www.true-north-kitchen.com
18 NORDSTJERNAN
Glögg
Makes 4-6 servings Ingredients 1 orange 1 bottle dry red wine (full-bodied but not expensive) 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced into thin rounds 10 whole cloves 10 cardamom pods, crushed (include both pods and seeds) 3 cinnamon sticks 1/2 cup aquavit, such as the Linie brand (rum, brandy or vodka will also work) For serving: golden raisins, blanched almonds and thin orange or clementine slices Instructions - Remove peel from orange using a vegetable peeler and transfer peel strips to a medium saucepan. Cut orange in half and squeeze juice into the saucepan with the peel. - Add all remaining ingredients to the saucepan and heat until mixture just comes to a simmer. Cover and remove from heat. Let steep for two to four hours at room temperature. Strain into a clean container. (Mixture can be prepared to this point up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.) - When you are ready to serve, return mixture to a saucepan. Add aquavit and a handful of golden raisins. Heat but do not boil (boiling will remove the alcohol). Serve immediately garnished with raisins, blanched almonds and orange slices.
Smörgås with blue cheese, roasted pear compote and hazelnuts Makes 32 small open sandwiches
For the smörgås 8 thin slices toasted rye bread such as limpa (rye crispbread also works well) Danish blue cheese roasted pear compote (recipe follows) 1/2 cup hazelnuts For the roasted pear compote 5-6 small to medium Bartlett pears, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes 2 tablespoons honey seeds from 2 cardamom pods, crushed in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle 4–5 thin slices of fresh ginger (no need to peel) pinch of coarse salt 1/2 vanilla bean 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1. Make the roasted pear compote - Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients except vanilla bean and lemon juice in an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish. - With a small sharp knife, split vanilla bean down one side of the pod. Open the pod and lay it flat on your cutting board. Using the back of your knife, remove the black seeds from the interior of the
Swedish Limpa Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons molasses zest of 1 orange 1 teaspoon anise seed, toasted briefly in a dry skillet and then ground (or 1 teaspoon ground anise seed) 1 teaspoon fine salt 2 teaspoons instant yeast 1 cup dark rye flour 2 cups bread flour Instructions - Combine buttermilk and baking soda in a liquid measuring cup. - Combine butter, water, molasses and orange zest in a small saucepan and heat to a simmer. Remove from heat and cool slightly. - Add buttermilk mixture and molasses mixture to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. - Add ground anise seed, salt, yeast and rye flour to the bowl.
pod by scraping from one end of the open pod to the other. Place seeds and empty pod in the baking dish along with the other ingredients. - Bake for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until pears have softened considerably. - Remove the pan from the oven. Using a spoon, remove and discard the vanilla bean pod and ginger slices. Mash pears with a potato masher or the back of a fork until they create a chunky, rustic mash. Add lemon juice. Taste the mixture and season with additional lemon juice, salt or honey to taste. - Set aside to cool (compote can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks). 2. Meanwhile, toast the hazelnuts. Place nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown. Transfer nuts to a clean kitchen towel and wrap them inside allowing them to steam for a minute or so. Rub the nuts between the kitchen towel to remove the skins (don’t worry if all the skins come off). Chop nuts coarsely. 3. To assemble the smörgås, transfer toasted slices of bread to a clean work surface. Cut each slice into 4 triangles. Top with blue cheese, a dollop of the roasted pear compote and a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts. Serve.
- Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium low until ingredients are just combined. - Add bread flour and continue to mix on medium low until the dough is fully combined. Increase speed to medium and knead dough for approximately 4 minutes. If you are mixing and kneading the dough by hand, the process will take longer. - Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours. - Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove the dough from the bowl and pat into an oval shape that is about 1-1/2 inches thick. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise for another 45 minutes to an hour. - Remove plastic wrap and decoratively score dough with a razor blade or a sharp knife. Place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 3035 minutes. The internal temperature of the dough should be at least 198° when it is done. Allow bread to cool before slicing. DECEMBER 15, 2023 19
FEATURE
Pepparkaksbollar
Ganache, or truffles, is an elegant dessert or in-between snack or sweet that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for Christmas. Here’s a Swedish version with a an extra Christmassy twist to it, as it includes cloves, ginger and cardamom. This recipe yields 20 rich truffles.
Ingredients 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons butter 150g dark chocolate (break it up into smaller pieces) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon cocoa Instructions Bring the heavy cream to a boil, put in butter and chocolatepieces,and let it melt on low. When melted, stir in the spices. Let the batter cool until almost firm. Form small balls and sift the cocoa over the truffles. Let sit in fridge before serving.
Pepparkaksbollar, the Swedish version of the elegant ganache or truffles with a Christmas twist. A perfect dessert for holidays. And easily done, too.
Merry Christmas VASA ORDER OF AMERICA A Swedish Fraternal Organization NEW YORK DISTRICT #4
God Jul och ett Framgångsrikt Nytt År! önskas Vasa-Syskon och vänner
Trevlig Jul & Gott Nyttår Lodge Freja No 100
Monthly meeting at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Pleasantville, NY
Chair: Marylin Cole 914-793-9803
2023-2025 NEW YORK DISTRICT #4 OFFICERS Grand Lodge Deputy District Master Vice District Master District Secretary Vice District Secretary District Treasurer Executive Board Member Executive Board Member District Cultural Leader Supervisor of Children’s & Youth Clubs Junior Past District Master Freja #100, White Plains, NY Thule #127, Jamestown, NY
JEANNE ERIKSSON-ANDERSEN ELAINE LINDQUIST MCGRATH ROBIN ABRAHAMSEN GAIL M. OLSON MARYLIN COLE ROBERT RASMUSSEN BEATRICE RASMUSSEN CHRISTINE HANSEN NINA PRASSO KATHRYN BROWN JEANNE ERIKSSON-ANDERSEN
LOCAL LODGES Olympic #235, West Hempstead, NY Lindbergh #505, Melville, NY Stenland #727, Central Nyack, NY
CHILDREN’S CLUBS Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1, West Hempstead, NY Barnklubben Three Crowns #112, Jamestown, NY
20 NORDSTJERNAN
Happy Holidays from
Scandinavian Park, Inc.NFP Vasa Park, Route 31 South Elgin, Illinois Thank you for your support in 2023 and please consider sending a holiday donation to Scandinavian Park, Inc. NFP c/o Johannes Smits, Treasurer, 315 Chatham Lane, Roselle, IL 60172, so we can keep Vasa Park going strong in 2024. For news and updates, visit www.vasaparkil.com and www.scandinaviandayil.com.
Christmas Brownie
For this Christmas brownie, use a springform pan. Ingredients 100 g butter 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1/2 tablespoon ginger 1/2 tablespoon cloves 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cardamom 2/3 cup flour
An old friend of ours in Sweden sent us this wonderful recipe, which we recently tried and love! It’s a classical brownie with a twist: The chocolate has been replaced with Christmas spices, ginger, cardamom and cloves – a perfect addition to the julbord.
Some call it “Pepparkaks-kladdkaka” (say that quickly several times in a row), we call it sticky Christmas brownie. Call it want you want, chances are you will eat it before you have even figured out a name for it.
Instructions Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt the butter and let it cool. Butter the springform pan. Beat eggs and sugar, then stir in the melted butter, the spices and the flour. Pour the batter into the pan and let bake in the middle of the oven for 15-20 minutes.
God Jul From New Jersey District #6 Vasa Order of America
Trevlig Jul!
Lucia at Barnklubben Lucia#2, 1966
Holiday Greetings
District Master Kory Warner Vice District Master Maria Gawin Secretary Cathy Peterson Assistant Secretary Robert Coleman Treasurer Christine Coleman Executive Board Inger Hanright
från
Lyckan Lodge No. 597 Edison, NJ
Executive Board Carole Anderson Executive Board James Radel
God Jul
& Gott Nytt År
Jeanne Dragspel@aol.com
to all our friends!
VOA Barnklubben
Elsa Rix #1 516-565-2091
God Jul och Gott Nytt År
District Lodge No. 1, VOA
SMORGASBANDET.COM DECEMBER 15, 2023 21
Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden
Food and friends, family ...
Season of saffron
Many are the spices that remind us of Christmas, but saffron might be a Swedish favorite. Derived from the saffron crocus flower, saffron has been traded and used for over four millennia. Iran now accounts for about 90% of the world production of the spice. Because each flower’s stigmas need to be collected by hand, and there are only a few per flower, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. A Christmas without “saffran” in bread is not a Swedish Christmas. Luckily, since it is expensive, you don’t need much of the spice to get the golden glow and the particular taste of it. The most common saffron recipe is of course “lussekatter” but in our test kitchen a new favorite is the saffron cheesecake. Served next to a soft spice cake and with a cup of steaming glögg ... how can you go wrong? Recipes and story in Nordstjernan, December 1, 2022.
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DECEMBER 15, 2023 23
FEATURE
Pepparkakan - the gingerbread cookie
Take your Swedish pepparkakor and put it in the palm of your hand. Make a silent wish and with just one finger press it into the cookie until it cracks, then count the broken pieces. Tradition says that if the pepparkakor breaks into just three pieces your wish will come true! Well, so they say.… In the Nordic countries, the most popular form of ginger confection is the pepperkaker (Norwegian), pepparkakor (Swedish), brunkager (Danish), piparkökur (Icelandic), piparkakut (Finnish), and in the Baltic countries piparkūkas (Latvian) and piparkoogid (Estonian). They are thin, very brittle cookies that are particularly associated with the extended Christmas period. In Norway and Sweden, pepparkakor are also used as window decorations, the cookies are a little thicker than usual and decorated with glaze and candy. Many families bake pepparkakor as a tradition with their kids. In English, pepparkakor would be referred to as gingersnaps rather than gingerbread. The origins of gingerbread are not precise. Ginger root was first cultivated in China around 5,000 years ago and was thought to have medicinal and magical properties. When its usefulness as a preservative was discovered is unclear, but some food historians say the first known recipe for gingerbread dates from around 2400 BC in Greece. Others trace its history to 992 AD, when Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis is thought to have taught Christian bakers in France how to make it. Later references include a gingerbread guild in Germany, probably formed in the 15th century to protect the rights of certain bakers. At around the same time, nuns from the Abbey Pax Marie, founded in 1346 by Saint Bridget with the assistance of King Magus IV of Sweden, were baking gingerbread to ease indigestion. Ginger spread to Europe via the Silk Road. During the Middle Ages it was favored as a spice for its ability to disguise the taste of preserved meats. English King Henry VIII is said to have used a ginger concoction in hopes of building a resistance to the plague. Even today we use ginger as an effective remedy for nausea and other stomach ailments. In the United States the first known recipe for “soft gingerbread to be baked in pans” is found in Amelia Simmons’ 1796 cookbook, American Cookery. The first evidence of pepparkakor being consumed in Sweden dates back to the 1300s, and the first recipes in cookbooks are from the 1700s. But it is first in the 1800s that pepparkakor started to be associated with Christmas. Now they are a well known traditional food in all the Nordic countries and especially at Christmas in Sweden. Their shapes cover every iconic jultide design including hearts, pigs, julbock, moose, dalahäst, women, and, of course, men. There are other more unique Scandinavian designs as well. Ottilia Adelborg (1855–1936) is one of Sweden’s early cartoonists; shorter cartoons are among her contributions to children’s magazines at the turn 24 NORDSTJERNAN
Milda’s gingerbread house at the Stockholm Central Station. 16.5 feet high, 20 feet wide and 13 feet deep consisting of 1,500 lbs of gingerbread dough was seen by 144,000 people over a few weeks in 2009.
of the last century. Adelborg received a solid art education, including at the Royal Art Academy, Stockholm, and began her career as an illustrator in the children’s magazines of the time. Soon she started writing children’s books herself and became one of those who renewed the genre and contributed to a more thoughtful educational perspective. Her skill of combining image and text also influenced other children’s book authors. In her 1907 picture book Bilderbok samlad ur Barntidningar (Children’s Picture Book), you can see how text and image, “sist ett hemskt och gräsligt troll” (finally a horrible and ugly troll) weave together ginger and cinammon. Adelborg had a strong interest in folk culture and settled in 1903 together with two of her sisters in Gagnef, Sweden, where she, among other things, started a school for lacework. These and others of her early works led to Adelborg being called “the creator of the Swedish picture book for children.” American author and artist Jan Brett, in an instructional video shows how she manipulates raw gingerbread cookie dough to create the movements and action of the Gingerbread Baby from her book, Gingerbread Baby, 1997. Her illustrations clearly have Scandinavian influences, and the Gingerbread story, “Catch me if you can,” has a series of twists to the classic plot. While the cookie dough
can be delicious, of course, subtle nuances of character movement and expression become easier to visualize and produce using the actual dough. In “Sweden, The Land and the People,” travel writer Agnes Rothery wrote of Dalarna in the 1930s: “All countries are dream countries … but Dalarna … is the dear, familiar land of our childhood where the tiny panes in every cottage may be made of sugar, and the overhanging eaves of gingerbread.” Gingerbread recipes and traditions vary with every country, but let’s stay with Sweden where the basics prevail. Setting aside an afternoon to craft edible gingerbread houses is a seasonal highlight for children and grown-ups alike. Made from the same delicious dough as the cookies, thinly rolled and carefully formed, they are built with allimportant decorations including colorful Swedish candy and piped icing that resembles snow. The tradition of decorated gingerbread houses began in Germany in the early 1800s, supposedly popularized after the not-so-Christmassy fairytale of Hansel and Gretel was published in 1812. The Grimm’s Original Fairy Tale includes the line: “When they came nearer they saw that the house was built of bread, and roofed with cakes, and the window was of transparent sugar.” (In later versions it became gingerbread, rather than just bread.) Inspired by the story, German bakers began to craft small decorated houses from lebkuchen, spiced honey biscuits.
In celebration of the gingerbread house tradition, Stockholm’s Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design, or ArkDes, holds an annual competition and exhibition displaying innovative takes on the distinctive classic. The contest runs from November until January. A full-scale gingerbread house as a Christmas decoration was made in 2009 in Stockholm Central Station using 294 kg (648 pounds) flour, 92 kg (203 pounds) margarine, 100.4 kg (221 pounds) sugar, 66.3 L (14.6 imp gallons; 17.5 US gallons) golden syrup, 2.2 kg (4.9 pounds) each of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and 3.7 kg (8.2 pounds) baking powder! Several special gingerbread days and traditions are in the Swedish jultide calendar. Gingerbread was especially sold outside churches on Sundays. Religious gingerbread reliefs were purchased for
the particular religious events, such as Christmas and Easter. The decorated gingerbreads were given as presents to adults and children, or as a love token. Julafton gift-giving means opening one present on Christmas Eve and saving the rest for the morning. But an all-time favorite tradition is eating pepparkakor cookies after Christmas Eve dinner. In Sweden, St. Knut’s Day is considered the final day of the Christmas season. Knut was a Danish prince who died on January 7, 1131. In 1169, thanks to his influential relatives, he was canonized by the Pope. By the end of the 1600s the name day of Knut was changed from the Epiphany on January 6 to January 13 (the 20th day after Christmas) and the popular rhyme “tjugondag Knut kör julen ut” (20th day Knut drives Christmas out) followed shortly. In the past, Knut traditions varied across the
Gingerbread cheesecake
country, and across the centuries with society balls, small town carnivals, or children dancing, singing, and dressing up as little old ladies and going door to door carrying a basket for candy. A bit more foreboding, it was also jokingly time to “körde ut” (drive out) the house guests. Perhaps the most unified action on Knut is that many people throw out their Christmas trees. It was the traditional day to break up the gingerbread houses and eat them. And, finally: eating the gingerbread, cookies and biscuits. It may sound a bit odd, but pepparkakor with blue cheese, ädelost, and glögg is wonderful. Have gingerbread cookies with your morning fika! And enjoy that wonderful smell throughout the holiday season. Researched by Nils R. Caspersson
A traditional American cheesecake made with Philly cream cheese, gingerbread and Swedish lingonberries. And pretty too.
Who doesn’t like cheesecake? And this one is a lovely mix of American (it is after all a traditional American cheesecake made with Philly cream cheese) and Swedish (lingonberries). A truly Swedish-American love story with a Christmas twist: An American-style cheesecake with a taste of both gingerbread and lingonberry. Perhaps your New Year’s dessert? Ingredients Crust: 1/2 cup of gingerbread cookies 50g (2 oz) butter (melted) Filling: 400g (14 oz) Philadelphia cream cheese (at room temperature) 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon flour 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (ground) 1/2 teaspoon ginger (ground) 1/4 teaspoon cloves (ground) 3 eggs Lingonberry jelly: 1 gelatin sheet 1/3 cup lingonberry concentrate 1/3 cup lingonberry preserve Instructions 1. Pulse the gingerbread cookies in a food processor until you have big crumbs. Add the butter and continue mixing until it’s a nice paste. Spread the paste into a springform pan (with removable sides). Put in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cheese and sugar and add flour, vanilla and spices. Continue beating until you have a smooth batter. Add the eggs, one at a time.
3. Pour this batter into the pan, and bake in the middle of the oven for about 35 minutes. The filling should be “still” but a bit loose in the middle, it will set as the cake cools. After it cools, put in the fridge. 4. For the lingonberry jelly, put the gelatin sheet in cold water for about 5 minutes. Heat up the lingonberry concentrate and take the pot off the heat. Let the gelatin melt in the concentrate, and then let the jelly cool in the fridge until it is solid enough to spread over the cake.
5. Spread a thin layer of lingonberry preserve over the cake and carefully spoon the jelly on top. Keep the cheesecake refrigerated.
Pepparkakor (Gingersnaps)
10 oz unsalted butter (2 sticks + a couple tablespoons) 1-3/4 cup sugar 1 cup golden syrup (“ljus sirap”) 1 cup water 1 tbsp baking soda (hjortronsalt or bikarbonat) mixed in with flour 6-1/3 cups flour 1/2 tbsp ground ginger 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tbsp ground cloves Frosting (optional) 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 2 tsp water
Mix butter, syrup, sugar and spices Add water Mix in flour and baking soda Refrigerate for 12 hours Roll the pastry thin and cut out shapes with a cutter Bake at 375-400°F in oven. Frosting: Place confectiorners sugar in a bowl and gradually add water until frosting is firm. Decorate with the frosting, let cookies rest until dry. DECEMBER 15, 2023 25
Merry Christmas
LOCAL EVENTS
God Jul & Gott Nytt År
God Jul Gott Nytt År Swedish Club of San Francisco and the Bay Area
Barbro, Liza, Kristina & Lotta
Eva, Oskar & Nils Welin
l u J d Go och
Honorary Consulate of Sweden 505 Sansome Street San Francisco
t t y N Gott r! Å
Ted & Astrid Olsson Zander, Cam, Eleanor & Josephine Juli, Ryan & Calder
SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES
önskar er alla
En Välsignad Jul och Ett Gott Nytt År
Wishing everyone a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year Mike Sjöblom and family
SWEA SAN FRANCISCO ÖNSKAR DIG
GOD JUL &
Through
NORDSTJERNAN 1.800.827.9333 Ext 10
GOTT NYTT ÅR The Swedish Newspaper in America wishes all friends happy holidays En riktigt God Jul och Gott Nytt År! OCH GOTT NYTT ÅR! www.nordstjernan.com 26 NORDSTJERNAN
www.nordicnorthwest.org
God Jul
LOCAL EVENTS
God Jul Gott Nytt År
Glad Jul och Gott Nytt År! tillönskas Vasamedlemmar och övriga föreningsmedlemmar av Fylgia Lodge Nr. 119 V.O.A. Scott Schulkin, Ordförande Roxanne Schulkin, Sekreterare
Wishing all our friends A Very Merry Christmas and A Prosperous & Healthy New Year
The Talbot Family Carol, Kurt, Marilyn, Erika Christopher & Stephanie, Alexandra, Kaley, Audrey, Layla & Wayne Wood
Familjen Schulkin önskar er alla
God Jul och Gott Nytt År!
God Jul och Gott Nytt År
God Jul & Gott Nytt År önskar Board of Directors and members The Swedish Society of San Francisco
Björn och Inger Skogström
En riktigt
GOD JUL
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Zaida Singers
och
GOTT
NYTT ÅR önskar LISA WIBORG
Seasons Greetings Swedish American Patriotic League 126+ years in the Bay Area, California President: Alexander Olsson Vice President: Marta Ryan
Secretary: Marta Ryan Treasurer: Sandy Watts
www.sveadal.org DECEMBER 15, 2023 27
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Svensk jul / Swedish Christmas
DID YOU KNOW?
Why Swedes celebrate Christmas on the wrong day. Around the year 300, the Christian church fathers decided that Jesus was born on December 25. The Nordic countries differ from much of the world, however, by celebrating his birthday on December 24. The Nordic custom has its roots in the time before the mechanical clock. A new day then began at sunset - instead of midnight, as it is today. No one knows for sure when Jesus was born. For example, several historians have concluded that he was born in the spring - probably in the month of March - and that he was not even born in the year 0 but six years later. Where Santa comes from. According to a popular tradition, Santa Claus lives in Greenland, the North Pole, or as we covered in last year’s Christmas issues of Nordstjernan, in Dalarna or possibly somewhere in northern Finland. To find the historical origin of one of the absolute protagonists of Christmas, however, we must look to the south. The likely inspiration for Santa Claus is the bishop Saint Nikolaus, who lived in the city of Myra in present-day Turkey in the 4th century. Nikolaus wrote himself into church history through his great generosity and through the fact that he gave his gifts inconspicuously. For example, he put coins in the shoes of the poor at night, and from there the tradition in some places comes to put slippers outside the door and then find a small gift in them on Christmas Eve morning or perhaps on December 6, the Feast day of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas became an important name in the Catholic Church, but because he was also the patron saint of seafarers, respect for his name survived in Protestant Holland, where he is called Sinterklaas. In the 19th century, Dutch immigrants brought the tradition with them to the United States, and there he became Santa Claus, as we know him today. The ‘Swedish’ origins of today’s Santa. The whole world recognizes him at once. And the artist responsible for creating the image of the one who is known far and wide as Santa Claus, was an American born to Swedish immigrant parents. Known in some circles as “the greatest advertising illustrator of them all,” Haddon “Sunny” Sundblom (1899-1976), was born in Muskegon, Michigan to a Swedish-speaking One of Sundblom’s earliest family. His father, Karl Wilhelm Sundblom, came Santas for Coca-Cola. from the Swedish-speaking part of Åland, Finland and his mother Karin Andersson was from Sweden. His legacy is most strongly tied to his creation of the “Coca-Cola Santa” in a long-running series of holiday advertisements. In 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned the illustrator to paint Santa. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Prior to 1931, Santa had been depicted as everything from a tall gaunt old man to a spooky-looking elf. The Swedish Santa is called Jultomte.
28 NORDSTJERNAN
Kalle Ankas Jul: Millions of Swedes sit down in front of their TV sets at 3 p.m. every Christmas Eve to take part in one of the country’s most sacred Christmas traditions. “From All of Us to All of You” is an animated television Christmas special, produced by Walt Disney Productions and first presented on December 19, 1958 on ABC as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology series. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket along with Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell, the special combines newly produced animation with clips from vintage animated Disney shorts and feature films, presented to the viewer as “Christmas cards” from the various characters starring in each one. In Sweden, the show is called Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (“Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas”). It is broadcast on SVT1 at 3:05 p.m. as part of the channel’s traditional Christmas Eve programming, which features a live host between programs.
Läs texten. Sätt in ord från den för att lösa korsordet / Read the text. Use words from it to solve the crossword puzzle Du hittar en lista över nya ord i spalten till höger och den fullständiga texten på engelska på sidan 30 / You find a list of new words in the column to the right and the complete text in English on page 30.
God Jul och Gott Nytt År
Julafton den 24 december är den stora dagen för svenskarna. Den sista delen av julkalenderns 24 episoder på TV visas. Julgranen är grön med sina oftast bara vita ljus. Vid få tillfällen får man en puss under misteln. Familjen äter julbord med till exempel inlagd sill, julskinka, Janssons frestelse och köttbullar medan andra äter lutfisk, några gröt med russin. Varje år klockan 15 visar TV Kalle Ankas Jul med korta glimtar från hans många Disneyvänner. Tomten har bråttom men anländer i Sverige utan sina renar. Alla får julklappar. Familjen dricker glögg, äter godsaker, choklad och frukt. Juldagen (Juldan) den 25 är en dag för kontemplation, promenader eller ofta party för de unga, Annandan (Annandagen) också. Under julen går en del familjer i kyrkan, till midnattsmässa på julafton eller julotta tidigt på juldags morgon. Kanske spelas Ave Maria. Flera har semester under julveckan och över Nyår. Alla vill ha snö och is men i söder är det ofta tö och mildväder. Julen är framför allt en familjehögtid. The Discover Swedish practices are for regular readers, maybe even beginners, trying to get a grip on another language. Subscribers eager to look back at earlier lessons, numbers 1-61please check our online digital content at: www.nordstjernan. com/digital_issues By partaking in Discover Swedish you will no doubt get a grip on Swedish and you may even learn about svenska (the language) och svenskarna (the people of Sweden). Christer Amnéus
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Lesson 62 CROSSWORD PUZZLE Jul / Christmas (Key, page 30)
Ordförråd / Vocabulary:
Julen: Christmas Julafton: Christmas Eve Juldan (Juldagen): Christmas Day Annandan (Annandagen): Boxing Day sista delen: the last episode julgran: Christmas tree ljus: lights (like candles) i få fall: in few cases puss: (friendly) kiss mistel: mistletoe skinka: ham (at Xmas up to 7 pounds) Janssons frestelse: potato and fish gratin köttbullar: meatballs lutfisk: dried fish, rehydrated using lye gröt: porridge russin: raisin visa: show Kalle Anka: Donald Duck vänner: friends tomten: Santa skynda sig: hurry up utan ren: without a reindeer julklappar: Christmas presents glögg: like mulled wine godsaker: candy, chocolate frukt: fruit promenad: (a) walk ung: young kyrka: church kanske: maybe flera: several (people) semester: vacation julveckan: Christmas week Nyår: New Year snö: snow is: ice tö: thaw familjehögtid: family festival/holiday bensin: gas gatan: the street vår: spring your: er måndan (måndag): Monday rata: reject ide: (bear´s) den skare: hard layer of snow kannorna: the jugs nypa, nöp, nupit: pinch, pinched, pinched dra: pull öka: increase om: if hej: hi syskon: siblings näs: peninsula näsa: nose ska: will, shall, be going to ko: cow NB: nota bene bo: 1) nest, 2) live av: by, of
God Jul och Gott Nytt År / Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
DECEMBER 15, 2023 29
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
market place Scandinavian Traditions
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Danish archaeologists have excavated the streets beneath Ribe to discover how the first city of the Viking age was established. They say if you want to know anything about the Viking Age, Ribe, in west Denmark, is the place to go. Above, Professor Søren Sindbæk of Aarhus University, one of many speakers at the California symposium with curator Nanna Holm.
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Excavation of a house floor from the early ninth century, Ribe, Denmark.
NORDSTJERNAN 1.800.827.9333
18 times (in print & digital) per year. Not missing a beat for 151 years. 30 NORDSTJERNAN
Ribe, Denmark: Borgring, north gate, Søren Sindbæk and a conservator at the timbers from the burned gate.
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Vikings: New technology, new findings
Scandinavia has had many admirers. One of
them, French-American Paul Belloni Du Chaillu (1831-1903) was sent by the Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, on an expedition to Africa from 1856 to 1859. Subsequently, he authored a book on Africa in which he described his journey through that continent. He was the first European to affirm the existence of mountain gorillas and a race of people of very short stature, Pygmies, in central Africa. Not content with this, he went on to explore North America as far as possible to the North Pole, as well as Mexico and South America, and “returned in enviable health, having entirely escaped even the rheumatism that is supposed to claim for its own all travelers from milder climes,” according to John Habberton, who reviewed his books in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. The anthropologist, zoologist and traveler Du Chaillu visited Norway in 1871, and then spent the next five years exploring Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Sami regions of Scandinavia. He noted that Scandinavia had “at times exerted mighty influences on the remainder of Europe,” and he was puzzled that so little attention had been given to the region. It lies off the major roads of the Continent, and except for “a few English sportsmen and an occasional party whose first desire is to see the sun at midnight” (but who then long to “get back to their comfortable homes as soon as possible”), foreigners were rarely seen in the land. This meant the Scandinavians “were simply what their own surroundings have made them, and their dress, customs, and homes are in great part unlike those of any other country.” In his two-volume descriptions of his travels,[1] he was impressed that the antiquities of Scandinavia could “safely challenge comparison with any other nation in the north of Europe.” For example, he described the city of Wisby (Visby) on Gotland island. This municipality had antiquities and an illustrious history as great as any city: “In the days when London was merely the principal city of England, and centuries before Liverpool existed as a shipping port, Wisby was the business centre of trade in Northern Europe, her business relations extending to Greece, Rome, India, and Persia.” The walls of the city are 60 or 70 feet high and were built in the 13th century, protecting the immense riches in the city. How Scandinavia acquired all these riches of coins, jewels, gold and silver vessels, etc., was not only by trade, however. How many of the valuables found in these cities really originated there is a somewhat delicate question to discuss: The old Scandinavians, like all other powerful nations of the same period, had a habit of traveling in immense surprise parties to other countries and bringing back whatever suited their fancy, dispensing entirely with the formality of asking the original owner’s consent.
The Nordic Spirit Symposium is open to the public and highlights recent archaeology of Viking-age Scandinavia. Sponsored by the Scandinavian American Cultural & Historical Foundation and California Lutheran University, it takes place on February 9-10, 2024 in Thousand Oaks, California.
Viking ships, towns, fortresses and DNA
The annual Nordic Spirit Symposium in Thousand Oaks originated in the office of the president of California Lutheran University, Dr. Luther Luedtke, at a meeting with Siri Eliason, Swedish Consul General in San Francisco and member of the board of the university, and Dr. Howard Rockstad, who was to go on to chair the symposia. Luedtke pledged the physical support of the university, and Eliason suggested a cultural program in San Francisco, Humanities West, as a model. Los Angeles Swede, Dr. Åke Sandler, contacted his good friend, the philanthropist Barbro Osher, president of the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation in San Francisco, for monetary support of the project. The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation graciously agreed and the first symposium was held in 2000. Since then, prominent scholars from the Scandinavian countries, England, Canada and the United States have come to the campus to speak on topics with enthralling titles such as, “The Vikings: Westward Exploration, Expansion and Settlement” (2000), “The Northern Front: Scandinavia in World War II” (2003, 2004), “On the Cutting Edge: Scientific, Environmental and Cultural Developments” (2006), “The Nordic Explorers: From Polar Frontiers to the Silk Road” (2010), “Scandinavian Peacemakers and Humanitarians” (2013), “Scandinavians in the Old West” (2014), “Iceland! Land of Fire, Ice and Vikings” (2015), and “Kings, Nobles and Bishops: The Reformation in Denmark, Norway and Iceland” (2016), continuing with the Reformation in Sweden and Finland in 2017. In 2018 the symposium discussed “Vikings Reach America: First Contact,” and in 2019, the intriguing subjects under the title, “Vikings, Sagas and Runestones: New Findings Change History.” The symposium in 2020 brought together scholars to discuss “Magic, Folk Legends and Creatures.” After a lapse because of COVID-19, the in-person program resumed with “Scandinavian Design” in 2023, discussing simple, beautiful, finely crafted furniture, textiles, glass and ceramics made of natural materials in conjunction with the exhibit “Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890-1980,” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Presentations have included not only lectures but also drama, film, music, Viking reenactors and panel discussions with plenty of audience participation. For the February 9-10, 2024 Nordic Spirit Sym-
posium, exceptional speakers will discuss new excavations as well as surprising revelations from old collections with new, scientific techniques: • Prof. Søren Sindbæk of Aarhus University, Denmark, will speak on the Viking Age in Denmark, the significance of recent excavations at the Viking town of Ribe, and the new discovery of the fifth Ring Fortress of King Harald Bluetooth. • Dr. Christian Løchsen Rødsrud of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History will speak about the new discovery of a Viking ship burial at Gjellestad, Norway; the first ship burial excavated in Norway in more than 100 years. • Dr. Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson of Uppsala University, Sweden, will speak about Birka, an important Viking trading center in Sweden, including the recent rare discovery of a Viking shipyard. • Dr. Nelleke Ijssennagger-van-der Plujim, director of the Frisian Academy in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, will speak on Viking activity in the Low Countries and the extended region of coastal Frisia. • Dr. Sigríður (Sunna) Ebenesersdóttir of the University of Iceland and deCODE Genetics will speak on Viking Age DNA studies and the Scandinavian genetic history study led by Ricardo Varela, et al. The symposium will be held at California Lutheran University in Southern California beginning with a reception at the Scandinavian Center on the university campus and then two lectures in the Samuelson Chapel on Friday evening, Feb. 9, and the rest of the talks at the chapel throughout the day, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The program will end with a banquet with the speakers on Saturday evening. For information concerning the Nordic Spirit Symposium contact nordicspiritclassics@ gmail.com or Howard Rockstad at 805.497.3717. Discounted lodging at a Thousand Oaks Inn will be available for travelers. Ernst F. Tonsing, PhD [1]. Paul B. Du Chaillu, The Land of the Midnight Sun: Summer and Winter Journeys through Sweden, Norway, Lapland, and Northern Finland, with Descriptions of the Inner Life of the People, Their Manners and Customs, the Primitive Antiquities, etc., in two volumes (London: John Murray, 1881; New York: Harper and Brothers, 1881).
DECEMBER 15, 2023 31
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Swedish Christmas Tree When do you put up the Christmas tree? How do you decorate it? The tradition of having a tree for Christmas came to Sweden from Germany some time during the 15th century. At first the Swedes were satisfied with just a few branches as decoration, but in time the entire tree was brought in, just as in Germany. According to reports, the first tree in Sweden was up in 1741, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that the tradition spread from the mansions to farms and simpler houses. The trees then were usually small enough to be put in a pot or on top of a table. The first Swedish Christmas trees were decorated with candles, fruit and candy. Apples were put in the tree, to pull down the branches a bit so the candles would not fall over. Little by little families began making their own Christmas decorations out of paper and straw. From around 1880, Christmas decorations were sold in stores in the bigger Swedish cities, most of them were imported from Germany. The tradition to decorate the home with branches and leaves is a very old one and not expressly for Christmas (twigs are brought in for Easter, leaves are usually used as decoration for summer weddings and so on) – branches, leaves, and twigs were thought to ward off evil spirits. Most Christmas trees sold in Sweden are Norway Spruce or European Silver Fir.
A classic for the ‘julgransplundring’ - the traditional end of Swedish Christmas Raspberry and coconut squares Makes 40
Crust: 3-1/2 tbsp (1/2 dl) sugar 3/4 cup (200 g) butter 2 cups (5 dl) flour
Coconut mixture: 5 egg whites 3/4 cup (2 dl) sugar 2 cups (5 dl) sweetened coconut flakes Raspberry filling: 1/2 cup (1 dl) raspberry preserves
Crust: Heat oven to 350˚F. Mix together sugar, butter and flour by hand or in a food processor. Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment into a square 12” x 12” (30 x 30 cm). Place the square and the bottom parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake on center rack for 8-10 minutes. Coconut mixture: Mix egg whites, sugar and coconut flakes in a saucepan. Simmer on low heat until thickened. Note: Do not boil! Remove from heat. Increase heat to 400˚F. Spread the raspberry preserves on the warm crust. Spread the coconut mixture on top. Bake for 9 minutes, place under the broiler for 1 minute until the coconut mixture is golden brown. Cut the cake in squares while lukewarm. Let cool and enjoy.
God Jul och Gott Nytt År / Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Christmas Eve on December 24 is the big day for Swedes. The last part of the 24episodes of the Christmas Calendar on TV is broadcast. The Christmas tree is green with its often just white lights (candles). On rare occasions you get a kiss under the mistletoe. The family eats a Christmas smörgåsbord with for instance pickled herring, Christmas ham, Jansson’s temptation and meatballs while others have lutfisk, some porridge with raaisins. Every year at 3 p.m. television shows Donald Duck’s Christmas with short glimpses of his many Disney friends. Santa is in a hurry but in Sweden he arrives without his reindeer. Everybody gets Christmas presents. The family drinks glögg, eats candy, chocolate and fruit. Christmas Day on December 25 is a day for contemplation, walks or often parties for the young ones, Boxing Day as well. At Christmas some families go to church, to a midnight service on Christmas Eve or a so-called “julotta” early in the morning of Christmas Day. Maybe Ave Maria is played. Several people take vacation during the week of Christmas and the beginning of the new year. Everybody wants snow and ice but in the south it is often mild weather. Christmas is above all a family holiday. 32 NORDSTJERNAN
NEWS IN BRIEF
Swedish News Sweden will not get the 2030 Olympics
There will be no Winter Olympics in Sweden in 2030. The IOC chose instead to proceed with France alone. The message was released in late November. “I am very surprised and very disappointed,” says the Swedish Olympic Committee’s chairman Hans von Uthman. “We had a vision of being able to organize the Olympics and Paralympics in a completely new way.” The last time the Winter Olympics were in France was in 1992 when they were held in Albertville.
Tesla sues Sweden
Tesla sued the Swedish state and Postnord for missing mail on Monday, November 27 after Postnord ceased delivering mail to the Swedish subsidiary. Employees at Postnord are on sympathy strikes because Tesla has refused to sign a collective agreement with the union IF Metall. The strike stops Tesla from receiving new registration plates supplied by Postnord. Postnord has so far not responded to the lawsuit.
“Lifestyle determines ifcc you can stay”
It must be possible to revoke a residence permit due to crimes or “poor lifestyle,” states the government and SD in the directives for an upcoming investigation. “Only Swedish citizens have an unconditional right to stay in Sweden,” said Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Deputy Minister for Labor Markets. Examples of shortcomings can be benefit fraud, abuse of the welfare system, statements that seriously threaten Swedish democracy, dishonest livelihoods or abuse.
Variable mortgage rates at 4.87 percent
The Swedes’ total mortgage debt is increasing, but in the last year the rate of growth has decreased every month. At the same time, consumer loans are increasing, according to new figures from Statistics Sweden. The average variable mortgage interest rate was 4.87 percent while the average interest rate for a fixed term between 1 and 5 years was 4.61 percent.
Greater risk of cyber attacks
The Swedish Defense Forces warns in a report of an increased risk of hybrid operations. This includes, among other things, cyber attacks and influence operations. Chief of Defense Staff Michael Claesson points to risks such as the increasing threat of sabotage against vulnerable underwater infrastructure, that cyber attacks are already extensive, and that influence campaigns against Sweden are in full swing. In addition, there is a possible threat picture linked to international migration where Finland has singled out Russia for transporting refugees to the Finnish border.
The Viking graves at Burgårdsparken, centrally located between the Ullevi football arena and Valhallabadet. the results of the carbon 14 analyses of the remains date the graves with certainty to the Viking Age.
Unique Viking graves found in Göteborg
The elevations in the ground were unassuming. They were 11.5 feet in diameter but only 8-10 inches high. When they were excavated, however, two graves from the Viking Age were found. The find was made in Burgårdsparken in the middle of central Gothenburg. “These are completely unique remains, finds from the late Iron Age, often called the Viking Age, not at all previously known in Gothenburg,” according to Ulf Ragnesten, archaeologist at the City Museum. The graves that contained burned human bones have been dated to around year 750-1000. A handful of Viking Age burial grounds have previously been investigated in the Gothenburg
area, such as in Askim, Björlanda, Säve and in Frölunda. Burgårdsparken is centrally located in the city of Gothenburg between the Ullevi football arena and Valhallabadet swimming hall. During the Viking Age, the area was on a hill surrounded by wet coastal meadows since the sea level was 6 or 7 feet higher than today. The graves are located near today’s Mölndalsån, which at the time connected the site with the river and other settlements. “The graves in Burgårdsparken show that the entire Göta River estuary area was already occupied during the Viking Age - and not least that Vikings lived in what is today central Gothenburg,” says Ragnesten.
JEF to patrol the Baltic Sea
Ministers in the defense cooperation Joint Expeditionary Force, JEF, which is led by Great Britain, decided at an extraordinary meeting November 28 to patrol the Baltic Sea with about 20 warships. Defense Minister Pål Jonson described the decision as “deterrent and stabilizing.” JEF has not previously decided on any similar operational measure, and according to the Minister of Defense, this decision has been taken in close consultation with NATO. Sweden will field two Visby corvettes that will have special responsibility for parts of the Baltic Sea. In addition to Sweden, Britain, among others, participates with a frigate and maritime surveillance aircraft. The effort will protect critical infrastructure but also send signals to Russia. The decision is also a consequence of October’s security summit held on Gotland within the framework of JEF. Then the participating heads of government decided to commission the defense ministers of the respective countries to prepare a plan for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. The protection of critical underwater infrastructure is highly topical, not least since the sabotage against the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in September 2022 and the suspected sabotage against the Balticconnector gas pipeline and two data cables, one of which is Swedish, in October 2023.
The Swedish economy is shrinking
Sweden’s GDP decreased by 0.3 percent during the third quarter compared to the previous quarter. It was the second quarter in a row that GDP decreased, which is technically usually defined as a recession. One of the main explanations for the decline is reduced household consumption. This fell by 0.6 percent. DECEMBER 15, 2023 33
Two years in a nutshell
celebrating 151 years in 2023