Published by Swedish News. Volume 145 No. 1, February 1, 2017. Price per copy $3.50.
Time for a Semla
You may consider yourself a Swedish food and fika purist, but we found two creative and delicious variations on a theme that are definitely worth treating yourself (and everyone) to. One, shown above, is a creative approach to blending two traditions – the prinsesstårta and the semla – made famous this year by Markus Ekelund in Sweden / p 24. The other is a special semla to share with someone you love this Valentine’s Day – made by Swede Anna Bringle, who brought her baking business to the U.S. a few years ago. Find out how to get your own or try her continues on page 16 dreamy semlor recipe.
Extreme Sailing
“Life at the extreme” isn’t an exaggerated motto for Volvo’s biannual race across the oceans. The global sporting event is truly extreme, spanning four oceans and five continents and requiring the most skillful sailors in the world on extraordinary boats built for speed and endurance. With the addition of a couple new stopovers in the 2017 race, some changes to the rules have spiced it up, too. Sailing teams have the opportunity to redefine themselves and anticipate opportunities to take some new risks to stay strong in the competition. The changes even the playing field, so to speak, and as one sailor said, “the rewards for winning are greater. It may liven things up quite a bit more.” continues on page 27 IKEA settles a lawsuit and donates to children’s hospitals in memory of young victims. / p. 5 A peaceful lifestyle is no longer reserved for vacation as more Swedes move to live in the country year-round. / p. 5
One grumpy Swede inspires an entire midwest city to experience Swedish culture throughout February. / p. 7
Meandering the Göta Kanal
A journey in an historic passenger boat on the Göta Kanal is like traveling the Swedish Orient Express on water. In addition to other popular cruises, a new three-day cruise along Sweden’s west coast was added in 2016 – along the coast of Bohuslän from Goteborg to Grebbestad not far from the Norwegian border. It is a landscape dominated by more than 3,000 islands and 5,000 skerries. You’ll visit some old fishing communities, Smögen at the heart of Bohuslän, the sailing metropolis of Marstrand island and Fjällbacka, which is generally associated with Ingrid Bergman and Camilla Läckberg’s detective novels. continues on page 14
A grumpy old Swede inspires Page 7