nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 143 No. 10, May 30, 2015. Price per copy $2.50
Page 19-30
This Week, Page 2
It’s been a staple for generations at an historic midwest restaurant and popular tourist destination—today among the nation’s largest importers of Swedish lingonberries, and the product just got even better—In search of the perfect lingonberry / Page 6
Swedish American Landmark by Ted Olsson, San Francisco ted@nordstjernan.com
Distinguished Swedish Society members Fred and Susan Bianucci greeted guests at the door of the Swedish American Hall: He was in his American suit; she in a Swedish provincial costume. Inside, guests could ascend the grand staircase or ride the new elevator, which goes from the well-known basement nightspot Café du Nord to the private top floor with its Archives room, “Svea” and board room, “Verdandi.” Verdandi was one of the three Nordic norns — the weird sisters who wove each one’s fate: yesterday, today and tomorrow. Verdandi was responsible for the future. The Society’s Swedes who built the hall evidently felt the community’s future would be fashioned in this room. This was the first time in two years that many visitors had been in the building since its long renovation. Continued on page 4
Page 8 Midsummer preparations are under way...
In Brief, Page 2, 3
A new Swedish princess / Deputy Prime Minister criticized / Pirate Bay web domain seized / New meaning of paying in bits—digital currency from high-tech Sweden / Julian Assange arrest warrant upheld.
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Food, Page 8 August Nordin’s masterpiece: the Swedish American Hall of 1907, today. Photo: Ted Olsson
A blue and yellow celebration
The tradition of celebrating a National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) on June 6 began not to signify independence, which it did, but more as a recognition of the founding of modern Sweden with Gustav Vasa’s coronation (on June 6) in 1523. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became a national holiday. In fact, it wasn’t about a national day so much as it was about a flag holiday – a promotion of the familiar and beloved blue and yellow symbol recognized since King Magnus III’s royal coat of arms of 1275: a blue field divided by a yellow Scandinavian cross, which signifies Christianity and is purposefully not dissimilar to the Danish and Norwegian flags. / Page 31
Sill & Grill: Midsummer with a twist; but not without the herring, cheese and knäcke!
Feature, Page 11
The Amerikaveckan Festival in Sweden commemorates the earliest immigrant farmers.
Midsummer 2015, Page 12