Nordstjernan 2004

The Swedish North Star, continuously published since 1872. Price per copy $3.50.

Volume 148 No. 4, March 15, 2020.

Myth, or reality?

STOCKHOLM

in the off-season p 18

dashboard | march 15, 2020 SCANDINAVIAN QUIZ

star is giving Pippi her very own musical for her 75th birthday 1 What this year? A) Meryl Streep C) Stellan

6 Just before Easter, children in Sweden may go door-to-door dressed up as what? A) witches B) bunnies C) Bible characters D) eggs

2 What are “påskliljor” (Easter lilies) better known as in the USA? A) tiger lilies B) lilies of the valley C) daffodils D) white poinsettias

during the 18th century? A) Stavanger, Norway B)Aarhus, Denmark C) Helsinki, Finland D)Göteborg, Sweden

Skarsgård D) Rooney Mara D) Björn 7 What city is called “Little London” beUlvaeus cause of intensive trade with England

Celebrating an unexpected icon Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump made her debut in Astrid Lindgren’s Swedish children’s novel Pippi Longstocking in 1945. Lindgren had made up the strong, precocious redhead to entertain her young daughter; then years later when Lindgren was laid up with sprained ankle, she recorded Pippi on paper as entertainment for herself. The first three stories were published as chapter books, then a series of six books was published in 1969–1975; and two more Pippi stories came in 1979 and 2000, just before Lindgren died at age 94 in the Stockholm apartment (now a museum) where she lived with her family since 1941. Through her adventurous nature, generous spirit and selfassured independence, Pippi became a symbol of freedom, especially in post-WWII Europe; and 75 years later, the Swedish girl with wild braids, a monkey and a horse she can lift with one hand, is well known in nearly 100 languages as a symbol of female strength, resilience, kindness, fairness and acceptance - through many translations, with adaptations in several films and television series – and now for her 75th birthday, a musical.

Name’s Days of the Swedish Calendar Namnsdagar i mars

March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20 March 21 March 22 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27 March 28 March 29 March 30 March 31 March 15

New York Chicago Stockholm Kiruna Lund Los Angeles 2 NORDSTJERNAN

Kristoffer/Christel Herbert/Gilbert Gertrud Edvard/Edmund Josef/Josefina Joakim/Kim Bengt Kennet/Kent Gerda/Gerd Gabriel/Rafael Marie bebådelsedag Emanuel Rudolf/Ralf Malkolm/Morgan Jonas/Jens Holger/Holmfrid Ester |

Sunrise & Sunset

7.06 am 7.01 am 6.03 am 5.58 am 6.21 am 7.02 am

7.03 pm 6.57 pm 5.51 pm 5.39 pm 6.11 pm 7.01 pm

3 Between 1397 and 1524, all the Nordic countries were unified under whose rule? A) Sweden B) Denmark C) Finland C) England 4 Which Pippi character has a fanbase and even has a new album named after them? A) Horse B) Herr Nilsson C) Villa Villekulla D) Pippi’s father

5 With whom did Sweden’s blue and yellow national costume get established? A) King Gustav III in 1771 B) King Carl XIV Johan in 1818 C) Queen Silvia in 1983

CULTURE

Namnsdagar

Gerd – March 23 The female name Gerd is of Old Norse origin with two possible meanings, either “shelter” or “she who belongs to the house.” In Germany, Gerd is a man’s name, but in Sweden Gerd is quite common among women between the ages 50-70; among younger women it’s not common at all. There are 19,623 women named Gerd in Sweden and 126 men with the name.

8 What special event did some IKEA USA locations recently host? A) sleep-over B) product naming contest C) free fika for presidential primary voters D) Eurovision watch party 9 What year was right-hand traffic introduced in Sweden? A) 1942 B) 1990 C) 1967 D) 1971

10 What’s the name of the famous amusement park in Copenhagen? A) Røliga B) Amager C) Tivoli D) Grøna Lund Answers: 1:D, 2:C, 3:B, 4:B, 5:C, 6:A, 7:D, 8:A, 9:C, 10:C

Swedish actress Inger Nilsson became the face of Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking.

Mars

Jonas – March 29 The man’s name Jonas is a form of the name Jona or Jonah of Hebrew origin and means “dove” or “peace.” The name has been in Sweden since 1303, and was extremely popular in the 1960s-1980s but has since gone down in popularity. (We are not aware of a Swedish connection for the popular Jonas Brothers pop rock trio.) 60,877 men and 9 women are presently named Jonas in Sweden.

founded in new york city in september 1872 Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670), founded in New York City in September 1872, is published by Swedish News, Inc., 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 • Readers services and editorial submissions: P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Periodicals Postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. www.nordstjernan.com, Nordstjernan is published semimonthly, except for the months of March, March, September when it is monthly and Augustwith no issue.

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this week…

March TO DO 03.13 WORLD SLEEP DAY: SÖMNDAGEN / Surprisingly few producers of beds support this day hosted by the World Sleep Society.

03.17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Ireland’s national day - originally a day to celebrate the patron saint who christened Ireland and these days even celebrated in Sweden.

In Stockholm there’s a parade from Kungsträdgården to Gamla Stan, but if you’re in other cities, check local listings and make sure you stay long enough for Våffeldagen.

03.25 WAFFLE DAY*: VÅFFELDAGEN / End of March brings out the urge for waffles, a sweet tradition created through, well, a mispronunciation. (This is the International Waffle Day, not to be confused with our American celebration on August 24.)

03.19 GET OUTSIDE: VÅRDAGJÄMNINGEN / The Spring Equinox marks the first astronomical day of spring in the northern hemisphere and also means to leave the shorts for now. (It happens at 11.50 p.m. EST) 03.29 SPRING FORWARD: SOMMARTID I SVERIGE / It’s Daylight Saving Time (in Sweden that is, in the U.S. we sprung forward on March 8. (Three weeks of one hour less of a time difference if you travel to Sweden). In 2019 the EU voted in favor of removing Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanently, and 2021 may be the last time member states follow the seasonal clock change.

Finding the perfect spot for a stop and a spa experience extraordinarie in Stockholm in the off-season. /p18

Dashboard, p4-5

Housing market heats up / Is anything truly Scandinavian? / Busy times for the future queen / Childbirth in the Nordic countries / Most popular names / Declining air travel / Increased losses for SAS / Lady Gaga for Swedish Klarna.

Events calendar, p6-10

What’s going on in Swedish America.

* The tradition to eat waffles on Jungfru Marie bebådelsedag or Vårfrudagen (Lady Day or The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady) came about when people lazily began to pronounce Vårfrudagen as vaffeldag and later yet våffeldagen—a mistake that has made many people happy as it means “våfflor med grädde och sylt” (waffles with whipped cream and jam) are being served almost anywhere you go. At this time of year, the waffle also used to fit well into the farmers’ menus, as they had greater access to eggs and milk after the winter.

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Swedish minimalism on two wheels. /p27

Readers Forum, p11-12

Freedom to roam ... in the United States?

Discover Swedish, p23 Swedish News, p26

Not-so-popular wine app (i.e. at Systembolaget) / Municipalities reduce welfare / Decline in party membership / Criticized emergency solutions / Electric scooter not so dangerous / Solving the Palme murder.

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MARCH 15, 2020 3

dashboard | march 15, 2020

Is anything truly Scandinavian?

Housing market heats up

The Swedish housing market opened 2020 with rising prices after a relatively stagnant autumn.

For the nation as a whole, the rise in property prices is one percent compared to December. In central Stockholm and in Greater Malmö, prices rose 2%, according to monthly statistics from Swedish Real Estate Statistics. The number of transactions has also increased. In January, 10% more housing deals—mainly condos—were made compared to last year. Seen over a one-year term, condominiums and villas have become 6% more expensive across the country.

The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news. founded in new york city in september 1872 executive editor

& publisher:

Ulf Barslund Mårtensson (editor@nordstjernan.com) editor:

Amanda Olson Robison (editor@nordstjernan.com) managing editor & production: Everett Martin graphic design: Nadia Wojcik (design@nordstjernan.com) contributors:

Chipp Reid - Ted Olsson - Leif Rosqvist - Kitty Hughes Ulf Kirchdorfer - Valorie Arrowsmith Bo Zaunders - Göran Rygert - James Kaplan - Gunilla Blixt publications director:

Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333, ext 12)

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Order your own copy, $55.00 for a year (18 issues) Choose ‘subscribe’ at www.nordstjernan.com or call 1.800.827.9333, ext 10 4 NORDSTJERNAN

Scandinavian Airlines, SAS, temporarily removed a commercial from Youtube less than a day after it first aired. The film stated that “nothing is Scandinavian” which was met with heavy criticism.

Everything that is usually considered Scandinavian - from democracy and parental leave to meatballs and pastries - has been imported from other countries, according to the film.

The airline later said in a press release that it stays behind the message in the commercial “which is about travel enriching us.” According to SAS, the film was canceled due to the suspicion that the campaign was “kidnapped”.

“We do not want to risk becoming a platform for

someone else’s values, values we do not back,” they said, ready to discuss next steps. The next step was to release the film once again. Some say it’s all about engagement when it comes to social media … well, maybe not too much of this kind: Close to 9,000 showed their approval of the film while 10 times as many, close to 90,000, gave it thumbs down.

When it comes to whether there’s anything truly Scandinavian? Of course there is. It’s about values and the aggregation of cultural influences and how we choose to live. See the film at www. youtube.com/watch?v=ShfsBPrNcTI

Busy times for the future queen It’s been a busy month for the future queen of Sweden, who turned 8 years old in February. After the accomplished young skiier broke her leg in a skiing accident during a family trip in the Alps, Princess Estelle’s family unveiled an exciting new foundation established in her name: The Princess Estelle Cultural Foundation ("Prinsessan Estelles Kulturstiftelse"). It’s intended to emphasize the importance of art and culture by making contemporary art more accessible to all; the first project is to continue the temporary sculpture exhibition project at Royal Djurgården this summer. Princess Estelle’s parents, who announced the foundation’s start, want to emphasise the importance of art and culture to an open and modern society. Prince Daniel will sit on the board of directors and the foundation's activities will be financed through private donations.

Princess Estelle also had a special mom-and-daughter day in February. They visited Stor Kyrkan in Gamla Stan, where Princess Estelle wanted to get acquainted with the church organ; she even got to play it.

HRH Princess Estelle celebrated her 8th birthday on Feb. 23, here with her brother HRH Prince Oscar (who turns 4 on March 2) at their home at Haga, in Stockholm. Photo: Linda Broström / Kungahuset

dashboard | march 15, 2020

Childbirth in the Nordic countries

Over the past decade, birth rates have gone down in almost the entire Nordic region, according to the report The State of the Nordic Region from the Nordic Council. In Iceland, they have dropped from 2.2 children per woman to 1.7 in 10 years. In Finland (1.4) and Norway (1.5), the levels are now lower than the EU average. It is only thanks to slightly higher birth rates in Sweden (1.76) and Denmark (1.72) that the Nordic region as a whole is slightly above the EU average (1.5). The generous Nordic systems for parental leave and childcare have had no significant impact on birth rates; however, the rising age of mothers has had an impact. Women want to complete their education and embark on their careers before having children. First-time mothers under age 25 have decreased throughout the region, while the number of women becoming mothers after the age of 35 have increased. Today, the average age of a first-time mother in the Nordic region is 30 years..

Alice and Lucas most popular

Alice and Lucas were the names most newborn children in Sweden received last year. Alice retains first place among girls from 2018 while Lucas moved up from fourth place and replaced William in first place for boys’ names. The names that increased most in popularity among newborns last year were Hedda and Frans, according to Statistics Sweden. The names that are most common in Sweden are Anna and Lars.

Declining air travel

In 2019 air travel to and from Sweden’s major airports decreased four percent compared to the record year 2018. In particular, domestic flights fell, according to Swedavia’s statistics based on the 10 airports operated by the state-owned company. In total, more than 40 million passengers traveled to and from these airports, of which 28 million were foreign travelers.

Domestic flights decreased by nine percent, while international travel dropped by two percent.

Increased losses for SAS

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) revenue increased during its first fiscal quarter, but rising losses were also recorded. The loss before tax was SEK 1,087 million in November-January, the first quarter of the company’s financial year. The corresponding period last year for the airline shows a loss of SEK 576 million.

Revenue increased slightly, to SEK 9,707 million, from SEK 9,405 in the first quarter of last year.

Lady Gaga for Swedish Klarna Swedish based fintech company Klarna gets help from Lady Gaga in a new celebrity campaign launched in February. The pop icon flips the bird at the establishment in social media - a message that Klarna also feels is clear-cut. “Just like Lady Gaga, we at Klarna believe that if traditions go unchallenged, the status quo prevails. Why should we settle and conform to societal and industry expectations just because?” Klarna CMO David Sandström said in a press release. In the campaign, Lady Gaga wears finger-shaped jewelry created by the Swedish designer and fashion activist Bea Åkerlund for Klarna. “For my entire career, I’ve taken pride in using my voice to stand up for what I believe is right. So I am excited to work with my friend B. and Klarna to celebrate how far we’ve come as a culture, and call out the work we need to continue to do,” the pop icon says in a press release.

“I wear this ring today with pride to remind myself and everyone that the only permission you need to love comes from within you.”

Klarna was founded in Sweden in 2005 and currently holds a post money valuation of $5.5 billion, which ranks it as the largest private fintech company in Europe and one of the largest globally. With over 85 million customers and 200,000 merchants, Klarna has created a more fluid way to shop and

Swedish LA-based designer Bea Åkerlund designed two limited-edition rings for Klarna, the Knight Finger ($950) and Unification ($500). Eager to order? You’ll find them at www.hbx-klarna.com. Not enough money in the bank? Klarna, a pioneer of buy-now-paylater, will likely arrange for the credit … all proceeds from the sale of the rings will go to Dress for Success, a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence.

pay—originally online and more recently also in-store. The company received a lot of attention for an advertising campaign with rapper Snoop Dogg, who in redundant videos promoted the Swedish payment success. The campaign was criticized by the Consumer Agency for violating the law on moderation in credit advertising, and was eventually withdrawn. For more info on Klarna, see www.klarna.com

Sweden’s population increases. In December last year,

there were 10,327,589 people registered in Sweden, according to new data from Statistics Sweden, SCB. That was an increase of 97,404 over 2018. The largest increase was in the metropolitan regions Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala. Overall, the boom is due to the fact that more people are born than die, but above all immigration into the country is far greater than emigration. Despite this, the population in 209 municipalities (kommuner) decreased 70 percent in 2019.

MARCH 15, 2020 5

local events

Local Events California Los Altos Through 03.29 Dreamscapes: Swedish born landscape painter Cecilia Mases is March’s featured artist at Gallery 9. The show features Mases’ colorful new works in oil and acrylic and is a mix of different ways she sees landscapes and seascapes. “Some are truer to nature; others are more abstract. They are all a created with a love of nature. They are all dreamscapes,” she says. At Gallery 9, 650.941.7969 / www.ceciliamasesart. wordpress.com / www.gallery9losaltos. com San Francisco 03.25 Oskar Stenmark: Exciting evening where old meets new and tradition meets innovation through 10 generations of Oskar’s family’s music that brings ancient melodies from his ancestors in Sweden mixed with rhythm and harmony of flugelhorn, piano, bass and drums. The Black Cat, 415.358.1999 / www.oskarstenmark.com, www.blackcatsf.com

U.S. premier in the U.S. capital Papier, an exhibit by Swedish designers Bea Szenfeld and Stina Wirsén, is now on exhibit at the House of Sweden in Washington, DC. Szenfeld’s work, worn by Nobel Prize guests, politicians and artists such as Lady Gaga and Björk, and inspiring Ikea design collections and more, has made international headlines with her spectacular paper couture.

Wirsén’s work spans a wide range of fields, from fashion drawings to illustrations for the daily press, writing children’s books and public art. Her visual world is simple in its elegance while expressive. Wirsén is also a playwrite and is a set and costume designer for the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm.

Originally exhibited at Lidköping

festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Thousand Oaks Sami people from the Arctic regions of 04.04-04.05, 10 AM-5 PM Scandinavia, with music, dancing, food, The 45th Scandinavian Festival: The lectures, demonstrations, vendors, a Viking Encampment and Sami Village, and activities for families and people of all 37th Annual ages. At California Lutheran University, mksmithers@ Sacramento Scandinavian Festival sbcglobal.net / www.

Saturday, April 18, 2020 scandinavianfest.org

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Scandinavian Food, Baked Goods and Merchandise • Information about the Nordic Countries • Music, Entertainment and Door Prizes • Scandinavian Folk Dancing and Exhibits • Children’s Area with Arts & Crafts Outside - Viking Camp and Ship

SCOTTISH RITE MASONIC CENTER 6151 H St, Sacramento, CA 95819 (near Sac State) Adults $5 • Children under 12 free www.facebook.com/SacramentoScandinavianFestival/ PLEASE NOTE: Some food items may sell out early

6 NORDSTJERNAN

Florida Clearwater 04.03, 11:45 AM- 2:45 PM Suncoast Scandinavian C l u b Lu n c h e o n w i t h entertainment by Swedish-American accordionist Bruce Ralg.

Lunch is $17/visitor. RSVP required to 732.546.7756 or sunscanclub1965@ g m a i l . c o m / w w w. facebook.com/SuncoastScandinavian-ClubInc-639715096132281

Illinois Chicago 03.19, 6:30- 9:30 PM Swedish Heritage Night with the Blackhawks: The Chicago Blackhawks are excited to invite the Swedish community to the United Center when they take on the Minnesota Wild. Tickets are $70 and include an autographed puck by Swedish defenseman,

Bea Szenfeld is the designer behind IKEA’s 2018 WINTER collection.

Photo Ikea.today

ArtHall in Sweden, and in collaboration with the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Papier displays Szenfeld’s handmade paper garments with Wirsén’s expressive fashion drawings as a colorful backdrop—the two artists meet in a mutual affection

for the analogue handmade process and for the love of paper.

Free on Saturdays and Sundays at 12-5 p.m. through June 28. House of Sweden, 202.467.2600 / www. szwedenabroad.se/en/embassies/usawashington

Erik Gustafsson. Swedish American Museum, museum@samac.org / www. swedishamericanmuseum.org/2.0/ event/swedish-heritage-night-with-theblackhawks/

eggs (Äggvåfflor), and some don’t and are crispier and light (Frasvåfflor). Others incorporate carbonated water, sour cream, or even heavy cream. Come get yours for $6. Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / museum@samac.org/ www.swedishamericanmuseum.org

03.20, 11 AM Hejsan! Story & Crafts: Join us at the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration for story and craft time on the third Friday of each month. The theme for the 20192020 school year is animals. Come meet a different animal every month. All ages are welcome to attend with a caregiver for this free (with admission) program, reservations appreciated. Swedish American Museum / 917.495.8396 / www. swedishamericanmuseum.org 03.20 & 03.27, 7:30 - 10 PM Scandinavian Dances: Learn to dance or take your dancing to the next level emphasis is on basic dance techniques one step at a time. Beginners learn to recognize music, connect with a partner, lead and follow. Advanced dancers build a foundation to develop additional dance skills and improve technique. No partner needed and any experience level welcome.

Each class is $10/members, $15/nonmembers. Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / museum@samac.org / www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 03.25, 11 AM-3PM Waffle Day Pop-up Café. The Swedish Våfflor differ from other types of waffles with their thinner appearance and texture more similar to pancakes. They are particularly known for their classic heart shape and even have their own special day on March 25 Våffeldagen (Waffle Day). Recipes varied widely. Some include

Kansas Lindsborg 03.20-03.27, 10 AM Fika Friday: Sip coffee and snack with the Swedish Friendship group every Friday morning at Bethany Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. There may even be some Swedish spoken. Drop by! www.facebook. com/pg/VisitLindsborg/events 03.21, 7 AM-4 PM Våffeldagen: Spend the day in Lindsborg eating waffles and waffle-y treats.

Originating in Sweden, Våffeldagen is an entire day dedicated to the delicious waffle and the upcoming arrival of spring De smakar mycket goda! (They taste very good!) 785.227.8687 / travelinfo@ lindsborgcity.com / www.facebook.com/ waffledaylbk 04.10 & 04.12 The Messiah Festival of the Arts: A 10day festival of art, music and theatre culminates with J.S. Bach’s “Passion According to St. Matthew” at 7:30 p.m. on Good Friday, April 10 and G. F. Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 12. The Bethany Oratorio Society has been performing Handel’s “Messiah” since 1882 - the longest running performance of the Messiah in North America, now in its 138thyear. Presser Hall Auditorium at Bethany College, 785.227.3380 / www. messiahfestival.org

local events

Gudrun’s Colorful Universe

Massachusetts West Newton 03.26, 6-8:30 PM Screening - The Nobel Snowflake: The competition for the head offices of the Nobel Centre in Stockholm is presented in this nail-biting thriller that follows the Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh on his quest to find the ultimate design in the shape of a snowflake. Kajsa Andersö’s film shows the tragic and amusing aspects of the prestigious competition between 11 design teams and the unexpected ending.

Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914, www.scandicenter.org

The National Nordic Museum gets a turn at presenting the technicolored story of Gudrun Sjödén, an inspired, knowledgeable, principled and Swedish creator of fashion for women. In “Gudrun Sjödén—A Colourful Universe,” see a career retrospective that examines Sjödén’s philosophy, process and practice through watercolors, clothing, textiles and archival materials. From her first brick and mortar location on Stockholm’s Regeringsgatan to today’s online marketplace, the exhibit will trace the trajectory of her life as a fashion designer and entrepreneur.

Starting with an exhibitions talk with Sjödén herself on March 28, you can visit this exhibit at Seattle’s National Nordic Museum through September 6 to see how the artist’s work begins as a painting in watercolor and is translated into textile design. Special programs related to the exhibit will be offered throughout the spring and summer; a complete calendar of events can be found at www.nordicmuseum.org.

03.28, 11 AM-3 PM Vaffeldagen-Waffle Day 2020: During our weekly Kaffestugan we will celebrate this Swedish tradition, enjoyed in some form since the 1600s. Often covered with cream and jam instead of syrup, these are sure to delight. Come for lunch and a waffle or just a waffle on its own! We won’t judge.

The standard Kaffestugan menu is also available. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / www.scandicenter.org 04.04, 6-8PM Maple and Spruce, Birch and Pine: Musicians Mioi Takeda and Lynn Bechtold perform new works written for Miolina

by Swedish composer and sound artist Ann Rosén, Finnish composer Tomi Räisänen, and Lynn Bechtold, as well as other featured works by Norwegian composer Ketil Hvoslef and Swedish composers Cecilia Franke, Mauro Godoy Villalobos, and Katarina Leyman, in their first performances in the U.S. Following the performance, composers Ann Rosén and Tomi Räisänen will join Miolina for a Q&A. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / www.scandicenter.org

Minnesota Lindstrom 04.04, 9:30-11 AM Moberg Emigrant Novels Book Club: This is the first meeting of our new club, formed for the study of The Emigrants, the series of four novels by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg. His novels are generally considered to be among the

best in Swedish literature. A main part of the story takes place her in the Chisago County area with main characters Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson. Free! At Wildcat Center, Community Center, Chisago Lakes High School. Lindstrom Historical Society.

612.913.6454 / svendasvede@aol.com / Minneapolis 03.20, 03.21, 9-10 AM Kid at the Castle: Celebrate the power of imagination during this “mini-makers” playdate! Children and their grownups take an adventure of invention and curiosity while creating, exploring and learning together. This program is specially designed for children ages 2-5 and their important adults. $8/family. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www. asimn.org 04.01, 6:30-8:30 PM Nordic Table Workshop - Gravlax: One of the most traditional Swedish foods can also be one of the most intimidating to pull

Life Made Sweder (where it really counts)

The “Wettex disk trasa,” a Swedish invention, will make life much Sweder in the kitchen - guaranteed! 6 3/4” x 8”, machine washable (use it over and over again) 100% biodegradeable.

Two designs: God Jul for Christmas and Life Made Sweder for all year round. Mix and match designs, get five cloths for $20.

Price: $4.95 — order five now for $20.00 Incl. S&H (in continental U.S.)

Please send me ____ Life Made Sweder dish cloth(s) x $4.95 = ______ m 5 dish cloths at $20

____ God Jul dish cloth(s) x $4.95 = ______

(When ordering 5 or 10, please mark how many of each version you’d like)

Total: ______

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OLD TRADITIONS CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES JEWELRY | HOME & KITCHEN SPRING & EASTER

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m Check enclosed payable to Nordstjernan m Please charge my credit card: Card# _________________________________ Exp. Date: _______ / _______ Signature _____________________________________ SSC Code:_________ Mail to: Nordstjernan, P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan CT 06840

MARCH 15, 2020 7

local events

Learn to make it yourself:

Gravlax One of the most traditional Swedish foods can also be one of the most intimidating to pull off at home.

But you can do it! Gravlax – literally “buried salmon” – is a great food for a holiday party or buffet.

A simple home curing project, gravlax starts with a beautiful piece of salmon, cured in the refrigerator with salt, sugar and sometimes spices or herbs. Once cured, the salmon is sliced thin and traditionally served on rye bread with sharp or creamy sauces.

On April 1 at 6:30 p.m., Anna Sharratt will walk students through this process of selecting a piece of fish to tasting the finished product, while sharing opportunities for customizing flavors and accompaniments, from the traditional to the creative. Students will head home ready to share this Scandinavian delicacy with friends and family for Easter, Midsommar and beyond.

This class at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis is demonstration-based with opportunities for participation and sampling. Pre-register $45/members, $55/non-members, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org

off at home. But gravlax – literally “buried salmon” – is a great project to tackle for a holiday party or buffet. Anna Sharratt walks students through the process of selecting a piece of fish to tasting the finished product, while sharing opportunities for customizing flavors and accompaniments, from the traditional to the creative. Preregister $45 ASI members / $55 nonmembers. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org

National archives and library for Swedish-American historical research Publishers of Swedish American Genealogist 639 38th Street Rock Island, IL | 61201-2296 309-794-7204

www.augustana.edu/ swenson 8 NORDSTJERNAN

04.03, 10-11:30 AM Preschool Program: What’s a Swedish påskkärring? Come find out through dance, storytelling, exploration and craft with your little one. This Easter-time topic will be explored through creative storytelling, music, art and more. Together, we’ll answer the questions of “What do Swedish families do throughout for Easter?” and “Why do they do it?” This program is specifically designed for children ages 3-5 and their important adults. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org

04.17, 7 PM Timbuktu’s book & tour: Jason “Timbuktu” Diakité is on tour, this time with his book, “A Drop of Midnight.” Born to interracial American parents in Sweden, Jason Diakité grew up between worlds—part Swedish, American, black, white, Cherokee, Slovak and German, riding a delicate cultural and racial divide. It was a no-mansland that left him in constant search of self. In “A Drop of Midnight,” Jason draws on conversations with his parents, personal experiences, long-lost letters, and pilgrimages to South Carolina and New York to paint a vivid picture of race, discrimination, family and ambition. What unfolds in Jason’s remarkable voyage of discovery is a complex and unflinching look at not only his own history but also that of generations affected by the trauma of the African diaspora, then and now. Meet him, hear about his book, and have him sign your copy. American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org

Ongoing Frederick D. Somers: Borders & Betweens: Exploring then, now and when, this exhibition is a retrospective of the work of Minnesota-based artist Frederick D. Somers. From his time in Sweden to the woods near his home in Northfield, Fred’s oil and pastel paintings reflect themes from the land and are recognized for their peaceful sensitivity. Through March 22 at American Swedish Institute, 612.871.4907 / www.asimn.org

New Jersey Elizabeth 03.25, 9:30-11 AM Våffeldagen /Waffle Day! Calling all waffle lovers to enjoy a waffle breakfast for only $1! RSVP by Mar. 24. Ikea USA, www. events.ikea.com/us/en/events/#/store/ nj-elizabeth

New York Harlem 03.30- 04.04 From South Carolina to Sweden: A Drop Of Midnight - What does blood memory, legacy, and ancestry mean to an AfricanAmerican family that left Harlem for Sweden? Harlem Stage commissioned WaterWorks artist Jason “Timbuktu” Diakité to debut his autobiographical theater project, A Drop of Midnight, directed

by Farnaz Arbabi, composed by Erik Hjärpe and accompanied by live band, The Rakiem Walker Project. One of Sweden’s biggest hip-hop artists and best-selling authors Diakité takes us on a journey of crossgenerational migration from the cotton fields of South Carolina to the little town of Lund, Sweden. It is a story of how he searches for his roots in order to bridge the gap between races, struggles and generations. A Drop Of Midnight explores the questions of being a son and being a father, of how one generation wants to escape the same past that the next generation wholeheartedly wants to embrace. Harlem Stage, 212.281.9240 / dmay@harlemstage.org / www. harlemstage.org/events-list/waterworksdrop-of-midnight-3-31-20 03.19, 7-10 PM Keyboard Conversations - The Romantic Connection: Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel celebrates the 13th season of his popular Keyboard Conversations series. An informal commentary on music by Chopin, Schumann and Liszt is followed by a performance of each work, and a short Q & A session. Scandinavia House, 212.847.9729 / www.scandinaviahouse.org 03.24, 7 PM Book Talk with Two Authors: Best-selling authors Helena Thorfinn (Before the River Takes Us) and Lo Dagerman (translator and audiobook narrator of Stig Dagerman’s classic Wedding Worries) discuss these two novels. Following the discussion, copies of both books will be available for purchase and signing. Free, registration recommended. Scandinavia House,

local events

Potato salad, white busses and the Swedish Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast University’s Wilson G. Bradshaw Library’s spring 2020 exhibition, To Life: The Liberation of Ravensbrück, brings the story of the White Buses, a rescue operation undertaken by the Swedish Red Cross which brought thousands of women and children from Germany’s Ravensbrück concentration camp to freedom at Malmö Harbor.

Lund University and Malmö Museum have generously loaned photographs, journals, drawings, clothing, and other personal effects of the survivors and rescuers to FGCU from their Ravensbrück archives. Through their stories, To Life shares a message of hope, heroism, compassion, and the perseverance of the human spirit.

To Life opened in January in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi-era concentration camps and is on view through May 3 at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Wilson G. Bradshaw

212.847.9729 / www.scandinaviahouse. org/events/helena-thorfinn-lo-dagerman 03.26, 6-9 PM Music on Park Avenue: Swedish pianist Per Tengstrand returns for his popular concert series with a special presentation of famous piano concerti performed with musicians from Princeton chamber music group Opus 21. This evening they present Frédéric Chopin, Johann Sebastian Bach and Claude Debussy. Scandinavia House, 212.847.9729 / info@amscan.org / www. scandinaviahouse.org 03.26 Exhibit Opening: The Gothenburg-based artist duo Cooper & Gorfer presents their series of richly imagined portraits in an exploration of the idea of utopia in the age of the new diaspora. Through June 7 at Fotografiska New York, www.fotografiska. com/nyc 03.31, 6:30 PM Maple and Spruce, Birch and Pine: Musicians Mioi Takeda and Lynn Bechtold perform new works written for Miolina by Swedish composer and sound artist Ann Rosén, Finnish composer Tomi Räisänen, and Lynn Bechtold, as well as other featured works by Norwegian composer Ketil Hvoslef and Swedish composers Cecilia Franke, Mauro Godoy Villalobos, and Katarina Leyman, in their first performances in the U.S. Composers Ann Rosén and Tomi

The Swedish Red Cross expedition to the German concentration camps in March–April 1945 was the largest rescue effort inside Germany during WWII.

Library in Fort Myers. The exhibit inlcudes the multi-media presentation: “How a Jar of Potato Salad led to the rescue of 15,500 Holocaust victims,” and was produced

in partnership with FGCU’s Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies, Sarasota-based non-profit Better Futures, and Sweden’s Lund University and Malmö Museum.

Räisänen will join Miolina for a Q&A with a post-concert reception closing out the evening. Scandinavia House, 212.847.9729 / www.scandinaviahouse.org

218.299.5452 / nordiccultureclubsoffice@ gmail.com / www.nordiccultureclubs. weebly.com

04.01, 6-9 PM Film Screening - Chasing Unicorns: A semisatirical tale based on real-life Estonian startups, Chasing Unicorns follows Õie, a young bookkeeper from a small town who stumbles onto the tech scene in her native Estonia, a country where making startups is a “national sport.”

Based on the experiences of more than 30 Estonian entrepreneurs whose real-life stories overlap with Õie’s fictional journey, Chasing Unicorns is directed by Rain Rannu (Estonia, 2019). In Estonian with English subtitles. Rannu will hold a Q&A after the film. Scandinavia House, 212.847.9729 / www.scandinaviahouse.org

Portland 03.27, 7:30 PM The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc: This fiddle trio masterfully blends the traditions of Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands. Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Norway), Anders Hall (Sweden) and Kevin Henderson (Shetland Islands), have swiftly gained a reputation for their gripping and unique blend of fiddle music since the inception of the Bloc in early 2009. They maintain a firm focus on the traditions of their home while developing a sound with a clever use of harmony, rhythm, riffs and bass lines that leaves the listener enthralled. $20/members, $25/nonmembers. Nordia House, 503.977.0275 / www.nordicnorthwest.org

Shelter Island Through May 2020 Helena Hernmarck exhibit: Shadow and Light is showing at Shelter Island Historical Society, 631.749.0025 / www. shelterislandhistorical.org

North Dakota 03.28, 6-10 PM Nordic Gala: The 17th Annual Nordic Gala of the Nordic Cultures Club includes cultural entertainment, Scandinavian treats and silent auction. $25/advance, $30/door.

The Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge,

For hours and more info, see www. better-futures.com / 941-315-5125

1601 E. LAKE ST. | MINNEAPOLIS

Oregon

Pennsylvania Philadelphia 03.17, 10:30-11:30 AM Toddler Time – The Five Senses: Specially designed program for children ages 18 months to 4 years old that helps young minds grow through interactive stories, engaging hands-on activities and social interaction. $5/child or free/members and accompanying caregivers. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org

Your home for exploring Nordic culture, since 1921

WWW.INGEBRETSENS.COM MARCH 15, 2020 9

local events

the most popular films and tv shows from sweden

swedish dvd releases Order Swedish language movies on DVD. All videos are in the original language with English subtitles.

19.95

ed: $

educ

r Price

Becoming Astrid: About the life of the creator of Pippi Longstocking, Sweden’s beloved author Astrid Lindgren.

Immerse yourself and family in swedishness with the latest dvd releases from Sweden.

Becoming Astrid $29.95 = _______ A Man Called Ove ($29.95) $19.95 = _______ The Last Sentence ($29.95) $19.95 = _______ The 100 Year Old Man ($29.95) $19.95 = _______ The Dragon Tattoo Trilogy Extended Boxed Set $39.95 = _______ Wallander Series 2 Boxed Set ($74.95) $59.95 = _______ Max Manus: Man of War (in Norwegian) $19.95 = _______

Please send me:

03.21, 7-10 PM extrABBAganza! ABBA Dance Party: Break out bell bottoms and platform shoes! What better place to celebrate the iconic music of ABBA than the American Swedish Historical Museum. DJ Robert Drake will spin the throwbacks as everyone lets out their inner Dancing Queen. Highlights of the evening will include a dancing and costume contest along with a few surprises! Tickets include food, cash bar.

Be sure to register early before tickets sell out! $30 members, $35 non-members.

Costumes are welcome, but not required.

American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org Ongoing New Nordic Cuisine: The defining exhibition of one of the most important cultural phenomena to come out of the Nordic countries in recent decades. It focuses on a value-driven food system that has captured the attention of world famous chefs and home cooks alike in the past 15 years. By examining Nordic food trends in a fun, interactive format, this exhibition introduces visitors to contemporary Nordic food and its driving values today. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org

Washington Seattle 03.22, 2-4 PM Mostly Nordic Concert Series: Finnish Fanfare Finland’s long-standing brass band tradition started with military bands accompanying kings and czars or leading soldiers as they marched, but it quickly evolved into entertainment for the common people at folk dances and hunting parties, and then into the world of jazz. The highly-acclaimed Cascadia Brass takes us on a tour of the Finnish brass ensemble tradition throughout its evolution and history. $25/members; $30/ non-members, $10/students. National Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / www. nordicmuseum.org

03.26, 6-8 PM Crafts & Cocktails: Join us after work for this new “crafting happy hour.” Recharge from your day and pick up craft supplies for an evening of creativity, inspiration and fun! Craft is co-developed and facilitated by local writer, artist, publisher and producer, Anna Brones. 21+ with valid ID. $25/members; $35/non-members includes craft supplies and one drink ticket.

National Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / nordic@nordicmuseum.org / www. nordicmuseum.org 03.27, 8 PM ABBA Night 2020: Come and dance the night away Swedish style! The ABBAgraphs will sing live ABBA music, and Haffi Haff— of the Icelandic version of “Dancing with the Stars”— will curate an amazing program. The top floor into a disco with classic ABBA spins all night long. Swedish Cultural Center, rsvp@swedishclub.org / www.swedishclubnw.org 03.29, 2-4 PM The 44th Annual Kalevala Day Festival!

Come for an afternoon of live music, entertainment and a presentation of the Finnish sauna culture, traditional Finnish pastries and coffee. The Kalevala Day tradition goes back to 1835, when “The Kalevala,” the national epic poetry of Finland was published for the first time by Elias Lönnrot. The Finnish Choral Society of Seattle has maintained an Annual Kalevala Day since 1976 in Seattle, hosted at the National Nordic Museum since 1982.

National Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / nordic@nordicmuseum.org / www. nordicmuseum.org

Total = _______

Incl. S&H (in continental U.S.)

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Ever wonder what made so many emigrate from Sweden in the nineteenth century?

Judit Martin’s novel, “Augusta’s Daughter,” about 19th century Swedish peasant life made such an impression on us, we decided to offer it to the Nordstjernan readership. call 1.800.827.9333 for your own copy ($24.90 incl. S&H to continental U.S.).

Through

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readers forum

InBox

How about another event for next year? Forget the grapefruit and pancakes wouldn’t it be better to celebrate the end of the Christmas season with a large bowl of the best brand of vanilla ice cream you can find and top it with the warm “spices and fruits” from the bottom of your almost empty bottle of glögg? It is unbelievably good.

Many have asked us about the image on Page One of our latest issue. The image with a Gottfrid Larsson sculpture and a clock in the forefront and the Klara Church tower in the background is located in the corner of Vattugatan and Klara södra kyrkogata, close to the central railway station in Stockholm.

The combined sculpture and clock used to sit on the corner of the building of the now defunct newspaper Stockholms-Tidningen in the Klara quarters in central Stockholm. It’s still in the same place but on a new building of the late 1980s. The sculpture was made by Larsson in 1903, while the clockwork was made by Linderoth’s clock factory—a local watch factory that went out of business in the 1960s. /Ed. My grandparents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1930s, landed in Alameda, Cal where my mom and uncle were born and spoke fluent Swedish. I have tried to learn the language, took classes at Berkeley and am trying to keep the traditions alive for my children. Growing up I participated in the Scandinavian Club in San Francisco and was Lucia but it’s been terribly hard to find Scandinavian Clubs in Colorado.

Maria Robichaud, CO It’s been too long since we covered Colorado Maria. Thanks for a much needed reminder. /Ed. My mother was 100% Swedish since her parents were from the province of Blekinge. They settled in Minneapolis where they had relatives. As I grew up I learned a lot about Sweden. I’m 1/2 Swedish, 3/8 Norwegian and 1/8 German and enjoy Nordstjernan very much.

Marge Mellendorf, SD Thank you Marge. It’s good to be reminded that we in many ways serve the greater Scandinavian community. /Ed.

Martha Johnson Hurtig, MA We couldn’t agree more with your recommendation, Martha. The glögg spices work really well with vanilla ice cream. Absolutely delicious. Another of our favorite uses of the glögg ingredients are ginger muffins with glögg-marinated raisins. They’re a bit more complicated to make but is well worth the effort. It shows off two of Scandinavia’s signature products: glögg and lingon in one dish. /Ed. The weather in the Northeast has been perfect for adding to the glögg pan but if you’re out of the spicy concoction, save this one for next Christmas:

Ginger muffins with glögg-marinated raisins (yields 20)

Ingredients: 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup glögg 125g (1/2 cup) butter 5 oz milk 1 egg 1-1/2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ginger 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1/2 cup lingonberries (we used regular Felix lingonberry jam) 3/4 cup crème fraîche (plain sour cream can work but it will be slightly more sour - add a bit of sweetened whipped cream to smooth or make your own crème fraîche with buttermilk and cream) confectioner’s sugar Instructions: • Let the raisins marinate in the glögg overnight.

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt the butter and let cool; then add the milk and egg.

• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and spices then add to the butter mixture. Lastly, carefully add raisins and the glögg.

• Distribute the batter into small paper muffin cups. Bake for about 15 minutes in the middle of the oven.

• Mix lingon and crème fraîche, and put on top of the baked muffins along with some confectioner’s sugar.

HAPPY EASTER, GLAD PÅSK!

WOODEN SPOON

SCANDINAVIAN SHOP 1617 K AVENUE PLANO, TX 75074 972-424-6867 twonordic@aol.com Shop for all your Easter treats:

www.woodenspooonplano.com

Swedish Holiday Favorites We now carry a full line of Swedish specialties

Medwurst (made on site), Kokkorv (made on site), Bond-ost, Prästost, Grevé, Herrgård, Crispbreads, Hafi Preserves, Hafi Lingonberries, Abba, Kalles, Swedish Chocolates, Ekströms and much more ...

One Bourbon Street, Peabody, MA 978-854-6650 www.karlssausage.com

MARCH 15, 2020 11

readers forum

This land belongs to you and me

I

Henry David Thoreau said the freedom to walk is synonymous with the freedom to think or the freedom to breathe. He also seemed to accurately predict a bleak future in which we now find ourselves in the United States, where the freedom to walk feels more like a lost privilege.

live in a part of the United States renowned for its natural beauty. Tucked between two national forests—Cherokee and Pisgah—I’m in close proximity to picturesque waterfalls, longrange mountain views on the Blue Ridge Parkway, even the Appalachian Trail. All these places are a mere 15- to 30-minute drive from my front door.

And when I tire of familiar spots, there’s another 1.6 million acres of national forest in western North Carolina for me to explore (not to mention the public lands across the NC/TN State Line, just minutes from my house). What I yearn for, however, isn’t the beauty protected by our National Parks System.

I yearn for the simple pleasure of walking the countryside just beyond my front yard.

All the land surrounding my own three meager acres is privately-owned. Woodlands and streams are littered with signage stating, “Private Property,” “No Trespassing,” and “KEEP OUT.” My county was discovered as a hot tourist destination for wealthy urban dwellers wanting to purchase posh summer homes. Private developers have quickly descended on our small community to purchase high ridgelines and erect tall fences and heavy gates. To some it may seem the mountains are reserved for the paying elite. Put simply, the right to walk the country that surrounds one’s home, without having to drive to an “outdoor point of interest,” seems to be a lost American privilege.

Rethinking the American dream

In his essay, “Walking,” published posthumously in The Atlantic, naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau extolled the virtues of walking, while simultaneously bemoaning the fact it was already falling out of fashion back in 1860. He decries that were it not for his four hours (minimum!) of walking in the natural world each day, he could not “preserve his health and spirits.”

Thoreau ponders how men who remain indoors all day, “sitting with crossed legs, so many of them—as if the legs were made to sit upon, and not to stand or walk upon— [...have not] all committed suicide long ago.”

To Thoreau, the freedom to walk is synonymous with the freedom to think or the freedom to breathe, but he seems to portend the bleak future in which we now find ourselves, a future where “[the land] will be partitioned off into so-called pleasure-grounds, 12 NORDSTJERNAN

in which a few will take a narrow and exclusive pleasure only—when fences shall be multiplied, and man-traps and other engines invented to confine men to the public road, and walking over the surface of God’s earth shall be construed to mean trespassing on some gentleman’s grounds.”

But perhaps it’s just anti-capitalist of me to see a problem with all those private property signs. After all, isn’t private ownership one of the major pillars— if not the singular pillar—of the American Dream?

Since our conception, America has been a country obsessed with ownership. King George III didn’t own colonists’ property (neither did the Natives, obviously), the common [white] man did. What was Manifest Destiny and the Louisiana Purchase but enterprises in expansive American ownership? Our Civil War, for goodness sake, hinged on whether America would legally extend the term “private property” to include other human beings. The Industrial Revolution led to a consumer economy that continues today to exploit—oops, I mean “encourage”—Americans to buy, buy, buy and own, own, own. Private ownership, through the American gaze, is downright patriotic. To truly love our country, it seems, we must possess a piece of it.

Some of America’s historical figures have attempted to prevent Thoreau’s vision of private “pleasure-grounds” from becoming reality. To name a few: Berhard Fernow helped establish The Forest Reserve Act of 1891, allowing the president of the United States to establish forest reserves from public land. John Muir helped create The Sierra Club in 1892, an environmental protection agency that continues to operate to this day. In 1905, Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt worked together to establish the United States Forest Service, the Antiquities Act of 1906 (an act to first conceive the very idea of national monuments) and the National Park System in 1916. Robert Marshall helped create The Wilderness Society in 1935, a non-profit organization dedicated to “fight for the freedom and preservation of the wilderness.” Margaret “Mardy” Murie, who helped create Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960, once warned, “I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by, or so poor she cannot afford to keep them.” And many people credit environmentalist Rachel Carson’s career, studying

man’s effect on the environment, as one of the first steps leading to the development of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency.

Today, we see politicians drafting legislation that focuses not just on conservation but on environmental and climate protection and sustainability. Due to the work of steadfast conservationists, the U.S. Government currently owns over 640 million acres of land, equaling more than one quarter of the country’s total land mass. We boast 61 national parks and hundreds of other natural and historical attractions.

Americans still put a high value on the outdoors, but the tides are at risk of changing. The Trump Administration is responsible for the largest reduction in protected public lands in history. On December 4, 2017, Trump signed proclamations eliminating protections for more than 2 million acres of Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

In the same year, Republican-led Congress voted to auction leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas developers. And let’s not forget the unmistakable symbolism of Trump’s border wall. Literally. It’s a giant wall.

Sweden is just one example

It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s compare our country’s belief in private ownership to that of Sweden’s belief in the fundamental right to roam. Allemansrätten, literally translated into “every man’s right,” is the Swedish (and many northern European countries’) constitutional freedom for citizens to walk anywhere in the countryside, provided they “do not disturb or destroy.”

Before I moved to Sweden for a year in 2005, I purchased a guide to Swedish customs and etiquette and was shocked to read, “Walking in fields and forests, picking flowers, berries, and mushrooms, and swimming and boating in lakes and the sea are all considered rights for everyone.”

(The exception to this rule is hunting.)

According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, “Swedes tend to regard the Right of Public Access as part of their cultural heritage, sometimes even as a national symbol.” A 2008 national survey from the Outdoor Recreation in Change project found overwhelming Swedish support for the continuation of Allemansrätten, and in 2017, in an attempt to draw attention to the freedom to roam, the Swedish tourist board playfully listed the entire country on Airbnb. Indeed, in all my travels through Sweden, I have enjoyed extensive use of Allemansrätten, whether in the form of long bike rides, hikes along the Swedish coast, berry and mushroom hunting, or bathing in

readers forum

Sweden’s clean waters. These activities are fundamentally Swedish and should be part of the Swedish experience. But whereas Swedes welcome everyone—all!—to join in the commune of the natural world, Americans flaunt bumper stickers and flags hailing civil liberties with staunch “Don’t Tread on Me” messaging. And in a country where four in 10 households own a gun, I won’t be treading on anyone’s private property any time soon.

A win-win

There’s good reason why I should want to, however. The health benefits attributed to walks in nature are both physical and mental. Research shows that walking in nature decreases inflammation, eliminates fatigue, lowers blood pressure, and boosts our immune systems, while concurrently increasing memory, lowering depression, and improving our overall mental wellness. Preliminary research even shows that walks in nature might help ward off cancer. Additionally, there’s the “green” incentive to walking. Every time we consciously choose our feet over our automobiles, we help decrease the size of our individual carbon footprints, and—just as a reminder—the average American per capita carbon footprint is over five times the world per capita average. Walking is a win-win. But I still have to drive to get there.

It’s easy for me to point fingers at the motivations behind Americans wanting their private properties, their gated communities, their “No Trespassing” signs. It’s easy for me to see a correlation in the decline of rural small towns—well-established small communities where people know each other and help each other—and an increase in American distrust and suspicion. After all, it’s hard to trust the neighbor you don’t know. But there is hope. To me, it

“To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it” - Henry David Thoreau

seems Allemansrätten is rooted in the tradition of neighborliness, a certain camaraderie and understanding that we’re all in this together.

This life. This walk. This planet.

We Americans have the opportunity to rethink the way we view land ownership; we have the opportunity to reshape the American Dream.

We can ask ourselves, “To whom does this land truly belong? And how might I share the gift of it with others?” It’s possible that the more accessible we make the immediacy of nature, the more people will invest in its overall heath. We can start by tearing down those “Private Property” signs—the tangible and metaphorical—we love so much and start sharing the gifts we’ve previously hoarded to ourselves.

Wendell Berry, essayist and novelist, puts it best when he states in his book, The Unsettling of America: “The care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”

Our charge, therefore, is two-fold: to cherish and to renew. Sweden’s been doing it for centuries. It’s time for America to have a go.

Jessica Lidh

SCANFEST ’20 SEEKS:

Food Vendors • Craft & Gift Vendors Entertainers • Re-enactors Organizations Demonstrating Artisans • Talks SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 Sunday of US Labor Day weekend

NJ Vasa Park • Wolfe Road Budd Lake, NJ 07828 USA

Family Fun Great Food Demonstrations and so much more…

What Scanfest can do for you...

H One Nordic vendor sold $10,000 H a Swedish “plättar” vendor grossed $5,700

Join the fun at ScanFest ’20

FOOD, CRAFT & GIFT VENDORS ENTERTAINERS & REENACTORS DEMONSTRATING ARTISANS ORGANIZATIONS & KIDS’ ACTIVITIES scanfest.org Contact: info@ScanFest.org MARCH 15, 2020 13

feature

14 NORDSTJERNAN

terroir: myth or reality Some regions are considered to have “more terroir” than others … what on earth does that say about the wine, if anything? Our Oregon contributor and wine enthusiast Leif Rosqvist took a close look at the term.

To define “terroir” is not that easy. There is no direct English translation; many have tried to define it but few have succeeded. Why? Because it is all about interactions with climate, soil, terrain and traditions.

Terroir is a loosely translated French term meaning “sense of place” (mixed in with some level of snobbery) and the effect it has on wine. The soil, atmosphere, environment, sunlight and rain patterns, etc. all affect the way a wine will taste. The same grape variety, grown in several different locations will have its own unique characteristics and flavors, based on the terroir. This is of course true of just about any crop, even onions. Those grown in one part of our state taste sweet and mild, while the same onions grown in another area will make you wince and weep. All crops, whether they are grapes, corn, oranges, etc. are affected by the soil, weather and location, but grape growers seem to take these conditions more seriously.

So, whether or not you feel terroir is important enough to consider when making your wine choices, the main thing is to choose a wine you enjoy. Try different wines from a particular region and develop your palate. Broaden your knowledge of wines in general. Being well versed in “wine language” is not really necessary to enjoy the experience, but it can make you feel part of the conversation when these terms are introduced.

Having all this in mind, as the author of this article, I got help from a lot of previously published information.

Let us take a tour around the Willamette Valley area, the most productive wine region in Oregon, to find out about the fundamental conditions for growing wine grapes as identified as part of Oregon Terroir.

Climate

The Cascade and coastal mountain ranges are fundamental to creating the microclimate that makes Willamette a suitable wine region. On the western ridge, the coastal mountain ranges

Terroir complexity (Photo: Wine Folly)

protect the region from the cold Pacific Ocean and create a rain shadow that keeps the vineyards healthy and dry. While the cold waters are ideal for fishing, the maritime climate is too extreme, and too cold for viticulture. The coastal hills buffer the harsher maritime conditions, but they do allow the cool ocean breezes to pass through their wider crevices into the valley.

The most significant one in Willamette is the Van Duzer corridor - a channel which allows the ocean breeze to cool off the majority of the valley every evening from 5 p.m. through the night.

While it affects the entire valley, we tend to feel the wind the most acutely in the afternoon. There can be a 35 degree diurnal shift. The AVA (American Viticultural Area) currently closest to the Van Duzer corridor is Eola-Amity Hills, renowned for its firmer acidity and higher tannins in the wines.

The cooling impact of the ocean across the entire valley is a fundamental element for keeping the nuance of varieties like Pinot Noir. Without it they would struggle in the heat of the Oregon summers. So, where does the summer heat come from? On the other side of the Cascade Mountains is the Owhee Desert - an extreme continental climate with hot summers and cold winters that Continues on next page MARCH 15, 2020 15

feature protects Willamette from the intense heat of central Oregon.

Lying between these two ranges, the Willamette Valley has a unique climate with the best of both worlds - warm and sunny enough to ripen, but cool enough to retain its trademark acidity.

Climate in various wine districts:

Soil matters for a successful harvest.

Soil

Here we need to understand the total elements of the specific vineyard, the bedrock geology, soil structure, depth of soil, drainage, color, age, orientation of slope and elevation. They consist of: Sedimentary soil: This soil is comprised of solidified mineral or organic deposits from Source: Dr. Scott Burns, PSU research “The Mystery of Willamette the earth, often left by bod- Geology, Climate, Soils and its Relationship to Fine Wines. ies of water. Exalt limestone is the finest wine-producing soil in the world and, indeed, it is found in many famous regions ... it is often credited with giving wines a rich, flinty minerality. Sedimentary soil varieties include Willamekenze, Bellpine, Chuhulpin, Hazelair, Melbourne and Dupee; Vulcanic soil: The porosity of these soils—lava, pumice, ash, basalt and more—store more water, which contributes to the wines’ characteristic freshness. Vulcanic soil varieties: They can vary widely, but most, such as Jory, Nekia and Saum, share complex aromas, mouthwatering high acidity, and salty, savory, earthy flavors; Loess soil: The nearly equal mix of silt, clay and sand as well as an organic matter called humus creates loam, a very fertile soil that typically causes vineyards to be over vigorous. Because of the vigor, most loam soils produce wines that have very little flavor and color with varieties such as Laurelwood and Comelius.

Pacific Northwest

The terrain in the Pacific Northwest has the following ingredients for successful growing of wine: bedrock geology, soils as mentioned, orientation of slope and elevation, the vineyards growth. Within the area are regional nuances as well: In Washington, 95% of vineyards are on Missoula Flood sediments, where they control the vigor with drip irrigation; in Oregon, 90% of vineyards are on upland vineyards and 10% are on Missoula Flood sediments, where soils control the vigor.

A winemaker comments: “Successful winemak16 NORDSTJERNAN

ing is based on 80% by the vineyard and 20% by winemaker.” “By the vineyard” refers to the winegrower, vigneron or farmer, then that 20% success from the winemaker refers to how the vinter applies his/her own style, training, experience, location and preference.

Great terroirs will always assert themselves, but it is the human factor that will change the manner of expression. After all, it is the person who makes planting decisions, tends the vineyard and makes the wine, matching a vineyard’s special and unique ter-

roir to the right grape to achieve the desired results.

Terroir seems to be everything that gives the wine a unique identity; more terroir=more detectable identity. For us common people, wine serves as a source of unity. Bringing friends and family together to enjoy and reflect on life. Having the best grapes and amazing winemakers is an added bonus that is so appreciated by people all over the world.

Leif Rosqvist

Wine vocabulary - the full “fig’s language” of wines to impress someone at your next gathering.

Every specialty and every hobby has its own vocabulary, a lingo, a technical language (in Swedish, fackspråk or somewhat derogatory “fikonspråk,” which would be translated as “fig’s language”), and in no area is this truer than in wine and wine tasting. From body, bouquet and nose, to vintage and the lesser known French word terroir, it’s an area that can bring on a headache in the best of us.

closed - underdeveloped and young wines whose flavors are not exhibiting well

oak/oaky - tasting term denoting smells and flavors of vanilla, baking spices, coconut, mocha or dill caused by barrel-aging

complex - a wine exhibiting numerous odors, nuances and flavors

oenology - the science of wine and winemaking (see “enology”)

acidity - the liveliness and crispness that activates salivary glands

crush - the English term for harvest

aeration - the deliberate addition of oxygen to round out and soften a wine aging - holding wine in barrels, tanks and bottles to advance them to a more desirable state alcohol - ethanol (ethyl alcohol), the product of fermentation of sugars by yeast anosmia - the loss of smell appellation - a delineated wine producing region particular to France aroma - the smell of wine, especially young wine (different than “bouquet”) astringent - tasting term noting the harsh, bitter and drying sensations in the mouth caused by high levels of tannin balance - the elements of wine – acids, sugars, tannins and alcohol – come together harmoniously barrel - the oak container used for fermenting and aging wine barrique - a 225-litre oak barrel originally used for storing and aging wines, originating in Bordeaux bitter - a taste sensation that is sensed on the back of the tongue and caused by tannins blend - a wine made from more than one grape varietal body - a tactile sensation describing the weight and fullness of wine in the mouth - light, medium or full bodied Bordeaux - the area in southwest France considered one of the greatest wine-producing regions in the world botrytis - a beneficial mold that pierces the skin of grapes and causes dehydration, resulting in natural grape juice exceptionally high in sugar. Botrytis is largely responsible for the world’s finest dessert wines (see “noble rot”) bouquet - the complex aromas in aged wines breathing - exposing wine to oxygen to improve its flavors (see “aeration”) brettanomyce - a wine-spoiling yeast that produces barnyard, mousy, metallic or bandage aromas brilliant - a tasting note for wines that appear sparkling clear brut - French term denoting dry champagnes or sparkling wines bung - the plug used to seal a wine barrel bung hole - the opening in a cask in which wine can be added or taken out chaptalization - adding sugar to wine before or during fermentation to increase alcohol levels (illegal in some parts of the world, and highly controlled in others). citric acid - one of the three predominate acids in wine claret - the name the English use when referring to the red wines of Bordeaux

cork taint - undesirable aromas and flavors in wine often associated with wet cardboard or moldy basements corked - a wine that has suffered cork taint (not wine with cork particles floating about) cru classé - a top-ranking vineyard designated in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855

open - tasting term signifying a wine that is ready to drink oxidation - wine exposed to air that has undergone a chemical change phenolic compounds - natural compounds present in grape skins and seeds phylloxera - a microscopic insect that kills grape vines by attacking their roots

cuvée - in Champagne, a blended batch of wine

plonk - British slang for inexpensive wine; also used to describe very low-quality wines

demi-sec - French term meaning “half-dry” used to describe a sweet sparkling wine

rough - the tactile “coarse” sensation one experiences with very astringent wines

dry - a taste sensation often attributed to tannins and causing puckering sensations in the mouth; the opposite of sweet

sec - French word for “dry”

earthy - an odor or flavor reminiscent of damp soil enology - the science of wine and winemaking (see “oenology”) fermentation - the conversion of grape sugars to alcohol by yeast fining - the addition of egg whites or gelatin (among other things) to clear the wine of unwanted particles finish - the impression of textures and flavors lingering in the mouth after swallowing wine flavors - odors perceived in the mouth foxy - a term that describes the musty odor and flavor of wines made from vitis labrusca, a common North American varietal fruity - a tasting term for wines that exhibit strong smells and flavors of fresh fruit full-bodied - a wine high in alcohol and flavors, often described as “big” herbaceous - a tasting term denoting odors and flavors of fresh herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, rosemary, etc.) hot - a description for wine that is high in alcohol lees - sediment consisting of dead yeast cells, grape pulp, seed, and other grape matter that accumulates during fermentation leesy - a tasting term for the rich aromas and smells that results from wine resting on its lees length - the amount of time that flavors persist in the mouth after swallowing wine; a lingering sensation malic acid - one of the three predominate acids in grapes.

Tart-tasting malic acid occurs naturally in a number of fruits, including, apples, cherries, plums, and tomatoes. malolactic fermentation - a secondary fermentation in which the tartness of malic acid in wine is changed into a smooth, lactic sensation. Wines described as “buttery” or “creamy” have gone through “malo”. mature - ready to drink mouth-feel - how a wine feels on the palate; it can be rough, smooth, velvety, or furry must - unfermented grape juice including seeds, skins, and stems negociant - French word describing a wholesale merchant, blender, or shipper of wine noble rot - the layman’s term for botrytis nose - a tasting term describing the aromas and bouquets of a wine

Sommelier - A wine butler; also used to denote a certified wine professional. For a full overview go here: sommelier courses. spicy - a tasting term used for odors and flavors reminiscent of black pepper, bay leaf, curry powder, baking spices, oregano, rosemary, thyme, saffron or paprika found in certain wines structure - an ambiguous tasting term that implies harmony of fruit, alcohol, acidity, and tannins sweet - wines with perceptible sugar contents on the nose and in the mouth tannins - the phenolic compounds in wines that leave a bitter, dry, and puckery feeling in the mouth tartaric acid - the principal acid in grapes, tartaric acid promotes flavor and aging in wine terroir - French for geographical characteristics unique to a given vineyard texture - a tasting term describing how wine feels on the palate typicity - a tasting term that describes how well a wine expresses the characteristics inherent to the variety of grape ullage - the empty space left in bottles and barrels as a wine evaporates vegetal - tasting term describing characteristics of fresh or cooked vegetables detected on the nose and in the flavors of the wine. Bell peppers, grass, and asparagus are common “vegetal” descriptors. vinification - the process of making wine vinology - the scientific study of wines and winemaking. Also, the website for the Wine School of Philadelphia. vitis vinifera - the species of wine that comprises over 99% of the world’s wine vintage - the year a wine is bottled. Also, the yield of wine from a vineyard during a single season. weight - similar to “body”, the sensation when a wine feels thick or rich on the palate wine - fermented juice from grapes yeast - a microorganism endemic to vineyards and produced commercially that converts grape sugars into alcohol yield - the productivity of a vineyard young - an immature wine that is usually bottled and sold within a year of its vintage. Wines meant to be drunk “young” are noted for their fresh and crisp flavors.

Source: The Wine School of Philadelphia MARCH 15, 2020 17

feature

STOCKHOLM

in the off-season

Photo: Tuukka Ervasti/Imagebank.sweden

One of the activities in Stockholm which probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea is to experience Stockholm from the roof tops with “Takvandring,” Rooftop Tours.

It may have been the off-season in late October, but there was no indication of this.

Can you imagine a hotel greet- Happy campers

Some of us will instead choose exploring the capital on a bicycle or quietly enjoying life at a rooftop spa—here at Downtown Camper’s The Nest.

18 NORDSTJERNAN

ing you with kayaks and bicycles the moment you enter the door?

Or where are you likely to find a large net with pillows high above the reception desk on which you can stretch out in utter comfort and reboot yourself after a strenuous day of sightseeing? Or where—this being Sweden—can you anticipate being expertly guided by a lifestyle concierge from Australia?

Say hello to Downtown Camper by Scandic, a new hotel in the middle of Stockholm, declared to be the perfect base for intrepid urban explorers. It may seem an incongruity: a hotel celebrating nature and camping in the heart of the Swedish capital. But there it is, and it appears to be working very well, indeed.

Lots of people had gathered at the Campfire Bar & Grill inside the main entrance. Casual and lively, serving modern European brasserie food, it appeared to be something of a gathering place for locals as well as travelers. This being Wednesday, we would later meet there for a Camper Dinner, a weekly event during which a small group of people would congregate around a community table for a special presentation of food and drink.

My wife Roxie and I checked in and went to find our room. When the elevator doors opened, we were not altogether surprised to see a large ping-pong table. We later discovered there is one on every floor. As for our room, it was cozy, comfortable and

quite spacious, with walls and fabrics in dark smoky colors. It even had a sizable window seat, which quickly became Roxie’s favorite spot for curling up with a book.

I visited a Downtown Camper highpoint—literally and figuratively.

It’s called The Nest, and is described as a rooftop wellness area. Located on the ninth floor, it features a long outdoor terrace with a heated pool from which you have a stunning view of the city. Here you can also treat yourself to yoga classes, Swedish massage or a sauna, which on the outside looks like a giant bird’s nest. Lingering next to the pool I saw people enjoying themselves to the fullest. Soaking in water, which is kept heated to a comfortable 38°C (100°F) all year, they not only savored a bird’s view of the city, notably of the City Hall and the Old Town, but several of them also indulged in wine and tidbits from The Nest cocktail lounge. As for washing away stress and making you feel on top of the world, Downtown Camper was doing a good job.

It was soon 6 p.m. and time for the Camper Dinner. Eight of us sat together at the group table. Champagne and truffled popcorn, presented by Niclas our special host, began our five-dish meal. Delicious Vendace roe with smoked sour cream, dill, and onion followed. Then came chanterelles with thyme, egg yolk, and the very Swedish Västerbotten cheese, served with a glass of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. We continued with a generous common platter of venison, enhanced with corn, kale and jalapeño pepper, and with it came a bottle of Chianti Classico. By the time we reached the cloudberry dessert, everybody was having a great time.

Designed to be not only an exquisite dining experience, the Camper Dinner is meant to offer an opportunity to meet new friends.

And so it did.

Concierge, culture and campers

Bicycles, skateboards and kayaks could be rented at the reception. In a conversation with Kristian Hell, the lifestyle concierge, I was also told of daily activities, such as group walks, workshops, movie and DJ nights.

Much of his work involved giving interesting inside tips on happenings

The moment you enter the door, Downtown Camper greets you with bicycles for rent, ditto kayaks in the ceiling and higher up, a large net with pillows to relax after a strenuous day of sightseeing

in the city. Which is a reminder of how very central this hotel is in busy Stockholm. Despite this being not exactly high season, a lot was going on - theatrical productions, concerts, the reopened National Museum, new cafés and restaurants; the streets were not overcrowded but full of

action, and then there are all those waterways....

When we checked out of the hotel, I fantasized about our next visit to the capital. Maybe I’ll take a kayak through some of the waterways that connect the 14 islands and neighborhoods of town—an experience prom-

ising to make Stockholm live up to its nickname the “Venice of the North.”

Text: Bo Zaunders Photographs: where not specifically noted, by the author

MARCH 15, 2020 19

feature

Hotel Downtown Camper, just as the name indicates is all about activities and a busy lifestyle— interspersed with relaxing downtime.

The Camper Dinner, below, offers an opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy great food and wine at the restaurant’s group table.

For more info, see Downtown Camper

Photos: Bo Zaunders 20 NORDSTJERNAN

Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden

The island Royal Djurgården (“The Animal Farm”) is a calm oasis close to central Stockholm and also offers an amazing variety of museums to visit.

Not to be missed Djurgården is a beautiful place no matter the season. You have six museums within walking distance, not counting Skansen. If you visit early in the year, don’t miss a visit to the Spring Salon at Liljevalchs (www.liljevalchs.se), which features art by established artists as well as amateurs, all hand-picked by a jury. The salon runs from January through the end of March, and all the art is for sale. You’ll find it near the Nordic Museum (www.nordiskamuseet.se) and the Vasa Museum (www.vasamuseet.se) on your way to the Abba Museum (www.abbathemuseum.com) or Skansen (www.skansen.se).

What you really want to do is walk around, maybe go for a spa treatment, sit down for a late afternoon fika at the classic Vetekatten (www. vetekatten.se) on Kungsgatan if you’re in the city center or Tössebageriet (www.tosse.se) if you take Karlavägen back from Djurgården.

Djurgården’s history as royal hunting grounds goes back to the 13th century, but several of today’s sights were built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Rosendal Palace, designed by Fredrik Blom, was built between 1823 and 1827 as a retreat for Karl XIV Johan. It is now a museum but is only open in the summer. Waldemarsudde (www.valdemarsudde.se), now a museum, is a palatial villa built by Prince Eugen according to drawings by Ferdinand Boberg. The picture gallery was added in 1913. One notable attraction is “Prince Eugen’s Oak,” which with a girth of 28 feet is rated the biggest on Djurgården, and with its age—400 years—the oldest.

Once you’ve been to the National Museum, the Moderna Museet (www.modernamuseet.se) is just across the bridge on Skeppsholmen island and definitely worth a visit. The architecture is impressive, the atmosphere is calm and there’s a great restaurant for lunch or a coffee break.

Södermalm and daytrips

Don’t forget Södermalm, the trendiest part of Stockholm known for its many eateries, cafés and boutiques, and also home to the fictional characters of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy books and films.

For a change of scenery you can enjoy a day trip by boat in the archipelago of Lake Mälaren, to visit the Viking town Birka or the royal family’s present home, Drottningholm castle. Day cruises (www.strommakanalbolaget.se) in every direction leave from Stockholm city center. The closest island, Fjäderholmarna, has a restaurant that’s open certain days in the spring and fall, and is just a 30-minute boat ride from downtown.

In addition to museum visits, autumn offers Stockholm Jazz Festival (www.stockholmjazz.se) with 10 days of 160 concerts at 60 venues all over the city in October, or Stockholm Film Festival (www.stockholmfilmfestival.se) in November.

Royal shopping

Why not go shopping at purveyors to His Majesty the King? Craftsmen, merchants and others have been delivering goods and services to the monarch and the Royal Family for several hundreds of years. The present King has a list of 130 royal purveyors and about half of them are in Stockholm.

A complete list of shops appointed by the Royal Family is available at www.hovlev.com.

Eat,sail, walk or skate

Eat your way around Stockholm on a three- to fourhour walking tour with a local guide (www.foodtoursstockholm.se, www.stockholm.foodtours.eu).

Want to see Stockholm from the rooftops?

You are well secured with safety equipment and are rewarded with unbeatable and 360-degree views of Stockholm. Guided tours only (www. takvandring.com).

Walking or cycling? There are several selfguided walking tours to explore the city on a “stadsvandring,” and several organizers offer guided tours—some are free, others require a fee (www.ourwaytours.com).

Whatever your plans and whatever the season to see Sweden’s capital—kayak, sail, cycle, walk, ice skate—check www.stockholmadventures.com for inspiration. For general info on available tours right now, see www.visitstockholm.com.

Just outside Stockholm

If you prefer a couple days outside the city, treat yourself to a true royal experience. Few places on earth offer as many beautiful stately homes as the Mälaren Lake Valley. You’ll find 20 castles within a 90-mile radius, from Stockholm in the east to Strömsholm in the west. Each has its own splendor and treasures, but all are open to the public—some during summer, others the year round. You find a collection of palaces around Mälaren open to visitors at www.malarslott.se.

Everything is close—just 45 minutes by car or 3.5 hours by ship from Stockholm city center is Mariefred. While you won’t be able to sleep at Gripsholm Castle, you can stay at the Gripsholm Inn, Sweden’s oldest inn establishment, in operation since 1609. “The history of Sweden is the history of its kings,” goes an old saying. Any visit to the estates and castles of Sweden is a fascinating and rewarding insight into Sweden’s rich history and how it became the nation it is today. Gripsholm Castle, built in 1537 by the founder of modern Sweden Gustav Vasa, is a short stroll from the Mariefred Inn. There you can take your time to wander slowly through the many rooms and winding passages, filled with close to 500 years of history.

MARCH 15, 2020 21

feature

Hygge in a bowl

Cozy slow cooker chicken and barley soup

I’ve tried many recipes for chicken soup over the years, some streamlined and simple, others more complicated and time consuming. This Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken and Barley Soup is most definitely in the “easy” category, and yet it is consistently my absolute favorite; the one I return to again and again each fall and winter when the temperature drops and we are all in need of a little warming up, inside and out.

More inspiration from Krist’s kitchen: www.true-north-kitchen.com

I call this Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken and Barley Soup for a reason. It’s honestly one of the coziest meals I know. Hygge in a bowl. When we need something soul-warming and comforting for dinner (and BONUS: something I can make ahead), I turn to this easy, delicious and satisfying soup.

Add a crusty loaf of bread, and dinner is done.

What more can you ask for?

One of the things I love about this soup is how straightforward the recipe and flavors are. It is simply a good, old-fashioned chicken soup seasoned with thyme and bay leaf and the aromatics you might expect: onion, garlic, carrot and celery. But far from being boring, this nourishing and comforting soup is a delicious example of why simple is sometimes best.

Tips for an excellent soup

I’ve got just a few tips and tricks for ensuring that your chicken soup is the very best it can be: 1. Choose bone-in chicken thighs. Thighs can withstand a relatively long cooking time and still remain moist and tender. The meat shreds beautifully and easily. The bones also bring flavor to the broth as it simmers, giving the soup a rich, homemade flavor.

2. Trim any excess skin and fat from the thighs.

One of the reasons chicken things make an excellent and tender choice for this soup is that they naturally contain a higher fat content than chicken breasts. This is a wonderful thing for both texture and flavor, but to prevent the soup from becoming excessively greasy, trim any excess skin or fat from your chicken thighs prior to cooking.

3. Sear the chicken thighs prior to adding them to the slow cooker. This not only adds flavor, it also renders some of the fat from the skin prior to adding the chicken to the soup.

4. Sauté the aromatics prior to adding them to the slow cooker. Cooking the onion, carrot, celery and garlic in a little of the leftover chicken fat before adding them to the soup adds tremendous flavor and is a step worth taking.

5. Skim any excess fat off of the top of the soup with a spoon. Before you add the shredded chicken back to the pot, take a moment to skim any excess fat off the surface of the soup. Again, this helps prevent the soup from being greasy.

6. Season to taste. I can’t stress this one enough. One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make is failing to season their food properly. TASTE THE SOUP WHEN IT IS DONE. Does it have enough salt?

Probably not. Add some and taste again. Continue this process until you are genuinely pleased with 22 NORDSTJERNAN

Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes Yield: 6–8 servings

the final result. We all have a different idea of how much salt is enough, so it’s important to let your own tastebuds guide you to that perfect amount.

The only special equipment you’ll need to make this recipe is a slow cooker. Mine is the Crock-Pot brand which I’ve found to be relatively inexpensive and reliable. Just make sure yours as at least 6 quarts in size as this makes a large batch of soup. And you can freeze the leftovers! The flavors just get better with time (the barley will expand as the soup cools causing it to thicken up a bit).

I encourage you to give this Cozy Slow Cooker Chicken and Barley Soup a try before spring arrives. I know the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, but I’m betting we still have a few more weeks of soup and stew weather ahead.

Kristi Bissell Ingredients: 1 teaspoon canola oil 6-8 bone-in chicken thighs (about 2-1/2 to 3 pounds), trimmed of excess skin and fat coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 onion, diced small 2 carrots, diced medium 2 stalks of celery, diced medium 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1/4 cup dry white wine 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth 3/4 cup pearl barley 1 bay leaf 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley Instructions: • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper and place skin side down in the skillet. Cook until skin is golden brown, about

5 minutes. Flip the thighs over and continue to cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer thighs to the slow cooker.

• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic, and cook over medium heat until vegetables have softened slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add thyme and wine, and continue cooking, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet, until wine has almost completely evaporated, about 1-2 minutes. Add 3 cups of broth and bring to a boil.

Transfer vegetables and broth to the slow cooker.

• Add remaining 4 cups broth, pearl barley, bay leaf and soy sauce to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours.

• Remove chicken thighs from the slow cooker, and shred chicken into bite-sized pieces with tongs and a fork, discarding the skin and the bones. Skim any excess fat from the surface of the soup. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add lemon juice and parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

language & culture

Lesson 7 Vokabulär/Vocabulary 1 Discover Swedish is not a regular language course.

Teachers and other professionals in the language field may object to the fact that it leaves out bits and pieces, and simplifies language learning. That is a calculated move: These lessons are for regular readers, maybe even beginners, trying to get a grip on another language.

Subscribers eager to look back at earlier lessons, 1-6, please check our online digital content in issues 16-18, 2019 and 01-03, 2020: www. nordstjernan.com/digital_issues Discover Swedish concentrates on grammar, hopefully in a playful way, but serious at the same time. The playfulness is illustrated in the examples and exercises. It aims at pointing out similarities but also differences between the two languages.

Apart from grammar and the overall structure of Swedish, these lessons also teach how to use your own experience with vocabulary. Discover Swedish demonstrates shortcuts, mainly based on the influences of Latin and Greek—languages that are the foundation of English, Swedish

Internationella ändelser/ International endings: -tion Ordlista i slutet av varje övning/Vocabulary at the end of each exercise

and the Germanic languages. The lessons will include crosswords, fill-in sections, personal questions, Odd Man Out, word groups (like family, colors, animals), jokes, silly translations, short texts in Swedish, all in a kind of Swedish atmosphere. By partaking in Discover Swedish you will no doubt get a grip on Swedish and you may even learn a lot about svenska (the language) och svenskarna (the people of Sweden).

Christer Amnéus

Revolution och demonstration/Revolution and demonstration:

Läs följande ord/Read the following words. De leder tillbaka till latin/They lead back to Latin. revolution – demonstration – expedition – manifestation – acceleration – rekommendation – aktion – administration – kollektion – adoption – produktion – institution – situation – kombination – information – relation – station – inflation – konfrontation – organisation – funktion – attraktion – tradition – inflammation - konsumtion – installation – operation – infektion – reaktion – konsultation – kondition – kompensation – position – deklaration – korruption – reaktion – konstruktion

Augusta’s Daughter Ever wonder what made so many emigrate from Sweden in the nineteenth century?

Judit Martin’s novel, “Augusta’s Daughter,” about 19th century Swedish peasant life made such an impression on us, we decided to offer it to the Nordstjernan readership. call 1.800.827.9333 for your own copy ($24.90 incl. S&H to cont. U.S.).

The sequel,

Kajsa

was just released. The story of 15-year-old Elsa-Carolina’s illegitimate daughter Kajsa,who was cast out into the world from a foster home at the age of 8.

Sammanfattning/Conclusion: All Western languages are highly influenced by Latin. In this lesson we will learn that the Latin ending –tion has a strong position in English as well as in Swedish. If in doubt, simply guess when you come across the examples in this lesson.

This also goes for Latin words ending in –sion (decision, division, mission).

Silly translation: “How stands it to? – Well, it bangs and walks.”

Fler övningar / More exercises on page 25.

Vilka observationer har du gjort/ What observations have you made?

Well, they look pretty much the same in the two languages. Notice that “c” in most cases is replaced by a “k” (aktion, korruption, konstruktion). That’s more or less the whole difference. A teacher of English would object.

Continues on page 25

Please send me ____ book(s) “Augusta’s Daugheter” x $24.90 = _______ Please send me ____ book(s) “Kajsa” x $24.90 =

Incl. S&H (in continental U.S.)

_______

Total: _________

Name Address City State Zip Tel. m Check enclosed payable to Nordstjernan m Please charge my credit card: Card# Signature

Exp. Date:

/

SSC Code:

Mail to: Nordstjernan, P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan CT 06840

MARCH 15, 2020 23

local events

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language & culture

Continued from previous page 2. Demonstration och inflammation.

Läs texterna/Read the texts. Inget facit/No key En demonstration mot korruption ledde till en revolution. Detta, i kombination med en konfrontation mellan politiska partier och stor inflation, fick administrationen att kollapsa som en reaktion.

En patients kondition blev en infektion och en konsultation hos doktorn följdes av en operation där en inflammation hindrade lungornas funktion.

Rekommendationen att påstå att kollektionen är en stor attraktion var en naturlig reaktion och position. Organisationen har en tradition att ge konsumtionen en vital roll..

KEY Ordförråd/Vocabulary detta: this / mellan: between / stor: big / fick: made / som: as / blev: became / hos: at / följdes av: was followed by / där: where / hindra: block / påstå: declare, claim

3. Demonstrera och reagera/Demonstrate and react.

KEY3. Demonstrera och reagera/Demonstrate and react.

1. Stefan Löfvén, the prime minister, informs about the situation.

2. Do you construct/Are you constructing a house?

3. Greta Thunberg organizes a demonstration.

4. She administers/manages.

5. We operate (on) the patients.

6. You combine facts.

7. They adopt a child.

KEY4. Ha, ha ...

“Do you want to marry me?”

“No, but I admire your good taste.”

Silly translation “How stands it to? – Well, it bangs and walks” would be a direct translation from the Swedish “Hur står det till? – Jo, det knallar och går,” in other words, “How are you? – Well, I’m doing pretty well.”

Stand is stå, bangs is knallar and går means walks.

Läs exemplen. Översätt/Read the examples. Translate.

1. Stefan Löven, statsministern, informerar om situationen. (inform) 2. Konstruerar du ett hus? (construct)

3. Greta Thunberg organiserar en demonstration. (organize) 4. Hon administrerar. (administer/manage) 5. Doktorn opererar patienterna. (operate) 6. Ni kombinerar fakta. (combine) 7. De adopterar ett barn. (adopt)

Här gjorde vi om substantiv till verb / We made nouns into verbs.

Välkommen till nästa övning. Welcome to the next exercise, on Vanliga verb (common/regular verbs) in issue 05, 2020.

4. Ha, ha ...

“Vill du gifta dig med mig?”

“Nej, men jag beundrar din goda smak.”

Ordförråd / Vocabulary gifta dig: marry / mig: me / beundra: admire / god: good / smak: taste

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MARCH 15, 2020 25

news in brief

Swedish News Popular wine app may be stopped Municipalities are reducing welfare

One in three municipalities will reduce welfare spending in 2020, according to a survey by Swedish TV. Elderly care is the area that most municipalities, one in five, save on. But almost as many save on education and childcare. Seven out of 10 municipalities answered a questionnaire from Swedish television. The parliamentary majority’s plans to send SEK 7.5 billion to the municipalities makes things easier but won’t solve the problems, according to a chief economist at the municipalities and regions organization (SKR).

Decline in party membership

The parliamentary parties lost a total of 9,038 members last year. The largest decrease was among the Social Democrats, which lost 4,727 members. But MP, the Green Party lost the largest share of 1,900, which is every sixth member. Two parties went against the trend and increased their membership.

The Christian Democrats (KD) increased by 4,252 members and the Swedish Democrats increased by 1,600 members. “Our position as a clear opposition party is behind the increase,” says KD’s party secretary Peter Kullgren.

Criticized emergency solutions

Homeless people without social problems, such as abuse or mental illness, are becoming more common in Swedish cities. In Gothenburg, it is estimated that half the city’s 5,000 homeless belong to this group. The social services are not tasked with solving the housing shortage in the city, according to sector manager Eva Saletti, but the City of Gothenburg gives money to solve the housing emergency one week at a time.

Increased violence against youth

The number of robberies in which the victims are under age 18 more than doubled between 2016 and 2019, according to a report from the police. Last year 2,484 such robberies were reported, and often the perpetrators were also minors. The offenses have also become more brutal. “There is more violence and more humiliation. There’s no empathy,” says a youth investigator on the outskirts of Stockholm.

Many perpetrators come from vulnerable areas, according to one regional police chief.

Electric scooter not so dangerous

Good news for anyone visiting Stockholm and cruising the streets on an electric scooter: The risk of a fatal traffic accident is no greater on an electric scooter than on a regular bicycle, according to a new international report from the OECD International Transport Forum (ITF). The study also appears to show that motor vehicles are involved in about 80 percent of fatal accidents that occur with both cyclists and electric scooters. For more info, see www.itf-oecd.org/sites/ default/files/docs/safe-micromobility_1.pdf 26 NORDSTJERNAN

The government-owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden, Systembolaget, is trying to stop Vivino from marketing its services in Sweden. Vivino, the world’s largest wine app was founded in Denmark in 2010, and according to its own records has attracted over 40 million users since its inception. Last year Vivino was launched in Sweden, but Dagens Juridik (www.dagensjuridik.se) says Systembolaget is now trying to stop them. They are demanding that the Patent- and Market Court (Patent- och marknadsdomstolen) prohibits the app from marketing and selling alcoholic beverages in Sweden, under threat of a fee totaling SEK 3 million (~$350,000).

With the Vivino app, a user can check back on all the wines they’ve tasted, enjoyed and photographed. One can even put wines in a virtual wine cellar and show them off to friends. In most countries, direct sales of wines are also conducted through their own e-commerce. When the service was launched in Sweden, Vivino offered its customers to buy wine directly in the app or on the web and have the wines delivered to the door by Stockholm-based IT startup Budbee.

Systembolaget sent a warning letter to Vivino on January 22 this year urging the company to cease its sales and marketing which, among other things,

Renting a regular bicycle, an electric bike or scooter is an excellent way to explore Stockholm, and there are ample renters to choose from. You just download an app to rent and the cost is about the same, SEK 10 in a start up fee, then SEK 2.25 - SEK 3 per minute.

We’ve covered a few—Swedish Voi, (www.voiscooters.com), Lime (www.li.me) and the German Tier (www.tier.app) are among the large ones.

Managers aren’t doing so well

Long-term sick leave because of mental health issues among Swedish managers has risen sharply over the past six years. The number of sick days in 2014-2019 nearly tripled, according to a study by corporate health care company Previa, which followed 12,300 managers. “The increase we see is quite dramatic,” says Lennart Sohlberg, an analyst at Previa. “Short-term absences have decreased while long-term absences have increased, often as a result of psychosocial causes.” The trend is most dramatic for female managers; however, managers are still less on long-term sick leave than regular employees.

Study on mobile ban in schools

In February, Minister of Education Anna Ekström presented an investigation to improve the ability to study in schools. The Liberals have pushed for tougher legislation to ban cell phones and to make it easier to move students who are exposing others to violence or

hinted at fredagsmys or “Friday night coziness,” which may be in violation of alcohol marketing restrictions in the country. In Sweden, Systembolaget has a monopoly on selling beverages with an alcohol content of more than 3.5 percent. Vivino’s marketing also violates the law on special moderation in alcohol advertising, according to the government company. Winefinder has also tried to sell wine in Sweden in collaboration with both City Gross and food delivery startup Mathem, but this collaboration was terminated after pressure from Systembolaget. (The company now works with Best Transport in Sweden.) www.budbee.com www.besttransport.se www.winefinder.se www.vivino.com threats. “We have major problems with security and the ability to learn in Swedish schools,” says Nyamko Sabuni, Liberal Party leader.

Solving the Palme murder

Palme Group investigative leader Hans Melander agrees with Prosecutor Krister Petersson’s statement that he will solve the murder of Olof Palme. “I think we will succeed,” he said recently on Swedish TV. This is the first time the detective has commented on the case in such positive terms. Melander has been working on the investigation since 2002; Olof Palme, twice the prime minister of Sweden, was murdered in Stockholm in 1986.

EU Statutory minimum wages

The Swedish unions lost the battle on the minimum wage issue. In its reply to the European Commission, the parent organization Europafacket expressed support for the proposal to introduce some form of statutory minimum wages. Neither Swedish unions, employers nor the government want minimum wages at the EU level. They act to continue collective bargaining where unions and employers in negotiations regulate wages without political influence. The Swedish trade union organizations LO, TCO and Saco believe compulsory legislation is the wrong way to go.

news in brief

Cheaper power in 2020?

DID YOU KNOW? Swedish Wine. Growing wine in Sweden has become increasingly popular, especially in the south, but you’ll also find winemakers only an hour outside Stockholm as well. The reason is not a warmer climate, but a new grape variety, Solaris, adapted for northern latitudes with less sun and requiring no use of pesticides. A few wineries offer wine tastings, a restaurant and limited hotel accommodations, as does Blaxta Vingård, www.blaxstawine.se, an hour and a half southwest of Stockholm. For more info, see www.svensktvin.se, check “vingårdar,” but remember, some of those listed are hobby vintners.

This year looks to be the cheapest year in modern history for electricity.

Today’s prices in Sweden are significantly lower than even 20 years ago.

Today, a kilowatt hour (kWh) costs around 15 öre (less than 2¢) on the Nordpool electricity exchange, which is unusually low during the winter. The so-called forward prices, future contracts for quarters two and three, are currently at just over 10 öre per kWh. The main explanation is unseasonably high levels in the water reservoirs. However, electricity is a relatively small part of the total electricity price; taxes and distribution raise the price for a residential customer to about SEK 2/kWh, roughly 18¢. The U.S. national average residential rate is 11.88¢.

The father of ECG. Early in 1950 Helmuth Hertz (1920-1990) began researching ultrasound in medical examinations, and Swedish physician Inge Edler (1911-2001) told Hertz he wanted to devise a non-invasive method for examining the heart. Echocardiography, ECG or EKG, has since revolutionized cardiovascular diagnostics. In 1977 Hertz and Edler received the American equivalent of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. The use of ultrasound in medical diagnostics continues to increase in a number of different fields today.

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Cake, with a U.S. office in Salt Lake City, Utah, has several retailers in the U.S., from California to New York. The Cake Kalk dirt bike will set you back $13,000, the street legal Cake Kalk $14,000, but you’ll be the most sustainable rider in town. www.ridecake.com

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