Swedish Press March 2013 Vol 84:2

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March 2013 Vol 84:2 $4.95

Global Sharing and Learning How the Swedes get ahead

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Exclusive Interview with Gรถran Carstedt | Sweden from Poverty to Prosperity Swedish Press Vol 84-2 Mar 2013.indd 1

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As North America’s exclusive source for all things Swedish since 1929, Swedish Press is your window back home. Available in both digital and print editions, Swedish Press is published 10 times a year from its headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. SWEDISH PRESS (ISSN 0839-2323) is published ten times per year (Jan/Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July/Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) by Swedish Press Inc, 862 Peace Portal Drive, Suite #101, Blaine, WA 98230 for $35 per year. Periodical postage paid at Blaine, WA 98230-9998 (No. USPS 005544).

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5 From the Editor’s Desk

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7 Letters to the Editor

WEBSITE www.swedishpress.com E-MAIL info@swedishpress.com TEL +1 604 767 9721 TOLL FREE +1 866 882 0088 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Claes Fredriksson claes@swedishpress.com EDITOR Sydney Vickars sydney@swedishpress.com CO-EDITOR Anton Fredriksson anton@swedishpress.com ART DIRECTOR Joan Law Fredriksson joan@swedishpress.com REPRESENTATIVES Calgary: Carin Pihl +1 403 931 0370 Toronto: Claes Holmquist +1 416 496 7907 Thunder Bay: Elinor Barr +1 807 344 8355 Winnipeg: Ellen Boryen +1 204 897 1216 Denmark: Elisabeth Andersen +45 3045 6062 Continental Europe: Anton Fredriksson +33 618 432 056 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Björn Bayley, Olof Flodmark, Lars Romert, Ulf Waldén, Paul Horn af Åminne, Peter Ladner, Brian Antonson, Christer Garell, Anders & Hamida Neumuller SWEDISH PRESS SOCIETY President: Lennart Österlind Secretary: Suzanne Rahmberg Treasurer: George Cook SUBSCRIPTION rates per year $35, 2 years $65, 3 years $95, 1 year abroad $75. Digital edition $28. Subscribe Toll Free at 1 866 882 0088 or at www.swedishpress.com.

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CONTENTS (March 2013 )

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Swedish Press

Swedish Headlines 9 Headline News 10 News at a Glance 12 Swedes in the News Business 13 Business News 14 Company File: Mercuri International 16 Clean Innovation: REALice 17 Clean Leader: Gunilla Öberg Features 18 Hur ett Isolerat Fattigt Land i Europas Utkant blev en Välfärdsstat 20 Sharing Swedish: A Changing Dynamic in Swedish Language Learning 21 Sweden: A Welcoming Destination for Mining Interview 22 Göran Carsdedt: Sweden’s Role in Global Learning Heritage 24 Samuel’s Diary 25 Maclayhem 26 Easter

Sarah Assbring

Lifestyle 28 Top Sju 30 Theatre 31 Music 32 Fresh Ideas 33 Sport Hemma hos 34 Design: A Touch of Sweden to Your Home 35 Treats a la Olofsson In the Loop 36 Landskapsnyheterna 39 Canada & US Update 41 Calendar and Events 42 Ads and Info 43 Press Byrån 46 Sista Ordet

CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT No. 40010214 Return Undeliverable Canadian addresses to Swedish Press, 1321 W 33rd Ave, Vancouver BC V6M 1A6 We acknowledge the assistance of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

PRINTED IN CANADA NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: MARCH 10 Utsikt över Stockholm från Mosebacke på Södermalm. By Elias Martin (Kungliga biblioteket)

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WE LIKE TO GO UNNOTICED 400 MILLION TIMES A DAY We make over 150 billion food cartons a year for over 2000 of the world’s top food companies. That means about 400 million will be consumed on any given day, many of them on breakfast tables like this, everywhere from Los Angeles to London to Lagos. Each one is meticulously engineered to keep good things in and bad things out. Of course, people don’t give us a second thought. They rightly assume that inside every carton they’ll find exactly what they expect: safe, protected food from whichever brand they choose. We just help make it happen. This is the Circle of Protection. tetrapak.com/protection

Tetra Pak,

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and PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD are trademarks belonging to the Tetra Pak Group. www.tetrapak.com

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First Impressions and Pioneers

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Exclusive Interview with Thomas Johansson Striking Gold Clean Leaders

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Swedish Press March 2013

hank you to all of you who could make it out to the launch of Swedish Press on January 29th. It was a wonderful feeling to unveil the fresh Swedish Press and show all our guests, and the world, what we have created. Thank you for all the comments and input you have provided, they help us in continuing to make Swedish Press better.

Our theme this month is education and learning and we sure have learned a whole lot in the last few weeks. We have learned about checking for mistakes once, twice and three times and about shipping, bundling and how the Canadian and US postal systems work. We have learned that 5000 is a big number when you need to label and sort each issue individually and we have learned that you, our readers really and carefully read Swedish Press. When the magazine had not arrived at “the normal time” we received many friendly calls and reminders.

In this issue we discover how Sweden pulled itself from poverty to prosperity thanks in large part to training, education and Folkbilding. We also take a look at the largest sales training company in the world and discover that Sweden was the first country to host a UN conference on environment back in 1972.

Our interviewee lets us know that the reasons for Sweden’s success are our abilities to involve and engage the many people and to share and combine our own strengths with good ideas from others. When we combine the best from each of our respective cultures – whether it be Swedish, American, Canadian or something else – the result is a new and better co-created solution.

As we move forward with Swedish Press we look forward to hearing more from you so that we can collaborate and continue to build a Swedish Press that is both yellow and blue, with stars, stripes and a maple leaf.

It is our hope that these 48 pages will pique an interest amongst Swedes and those with Swedish parents or grandparents, and also among all those who have recently discovered Sweden and are interested and impressed by what Sweden has to offer today.

Enjoy the learning and keep on sharing your thoughts, ideas and also your copy of Swedish Press with those around you!

Claes Fredriksson Editor-in-Chief

Lennart Öst erlind, Ron Sp

ence and Clae

s Fredriksson

PS – Our online subscription form is up and running and our new website will be launched shortly. In the meantime please enjoy our launch video at www.SwedishPress.com

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[Contributors]

Anton Fredriksson Anton is an economics student at Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University. He has journalistic experience as a member of the Communications Management Team at the 2011 World Scout Jamboree in Sweden and previously interned for the magazine Monocle in London.

New members welcome!

Stop by our club or visit

1920 Dexter Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 206-283-1090 www.swedishculturalcenter.org info@swedishculturalcenter.org

design. She has worked on projects ranging from interiors, furniture design, to product design, and architectural illustrations. Kristi travels extensively and is also an accomplished athlete having cycled across Canada, competed in numerous marathons, and raced in Ironman Canada. Her most recent and biggest endeavor is becoming a first time Mom.

Sthig Jonasson Sthig has worked as a cultural journalist, theater critic and literary critic for more than 50 years.

He has had critique assignments for Örebro Kuriren, Ålandstidningen, Uppsala Demokraten and Uppsala TV, a local television station. Sthig has been a cultural editor for Uppsala Demokraten and Uppsala TV. He also covers various cultural activities in Sweden and is also a member of the Uppsala City Theatre Board.

Alexandra Scott Born in Peru, raised in Mexico and Brazil, and currently residing in Vancouver. Alexandra decided to pursue a degree at The University of British Columbia, focusing on Psychology and Political Science. She has a special interest in combining her academic and professional (mining) background and telling complex technical stories through a human multinational lens.

Tatty Maclay Tatty is a half-Swedish, half-English journalist, translator and mother of four. She grew up in London, but spent summers in the Stockholm archipelago. After five years in her husband’s homeland of Scotland, she recently moved her family to Sweden and she writes about their new life for Swedish Press.

Martina Söderlund Born and raised in Sweden, Martina resides in Vancouver Canada where she is working for an international architectural firm as a civil engineer specialized in green building design and energy performance. Martina will contribute with cultural, technical and design related stories for Swedish Press.

Hamida Neumuller Born in Kampala, Uganda, Hamida Neumuller has a great interest in fine arts, books, food and cooking. She worked as Director of Information at the Swedish Cooperative Center (SCC) between 1976 and 1982. Hamida and her husband, Anders, have published the Swedish Press from 1986 to 2012. They have two children: Mina and Sofia.

Olof G. Tandberg Graduating with a Masters degree in human geography and ethnic minorities in 1958, Olof Tandberg went on to study humanities at the University of Stockholm. Active in the establishment of Amnesty International’s Swedish sector and having worked for the Foreign Department of Swedish Radio and for UNESCO, among a myriad of other employment. He was the Foreign Secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences from 1970 to1998. Tandberg is also a well established author. Among his most recent publications are: Francis Bacon, Lord Blackett and the National Academies as Bridge Builders (2000), Lina Jonn – a story of a photographic pioneer and her studio (2003) and ABCs of Kurdistan – a personal statement (2008).

Lars Nordstrom Lars Nordström was born in Stockholm where he lived until 1974. He was educated at the University of Stockholm, Portland State University, and Uppsala University, where he received his Ph.D. in American literature in 1989. He is the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships.

In 1988 he settled with his family on a small vineyard in Beavercreek, Oregon. For many years Lars worked as a technical translator in the high tech industry, but now divides his time between growing wine grapes and writing and translating literature, as well as giving talks on various Swedish-American subjects. To learn more, please visit him at larsnordstrom.com.

Kristi Robinson Kristi is a freelance Designer and Fine Artist with a Masters degree in sustainable furniture

Sydney Vickars Sydney has a World Literature degree from Simon Fraser University and is interested in the comparative study of narratives, language and culture. She lives in Vancouver and has spent time traveling and living in Europe. She has been writing for various publications and is pursuing graduate studies.

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Letters to the Editor Gratulationer till Dig och Ditt team för en förstklassig produkt!

Färgen är ett klart lyft uppåt, och innehållet balanserat och intressant.

Några ideer för framtida nummer: > Kanske litet högre proportion svensk text? Men detta beror väl på hur du bedömer statisk om hela läsekretsens önskemål. > Papperet är av högsta kvalitet, vilket är bra. Men innesidorna är kanske onödigt robusta. Det skulle kanske gå bra med halva ytvikten, men fortfarande “high gloss”?

Jan Nordin North Vancouver, BC The first issue of your “new” Swedish Press arrived yesterday, and it is immaculate in graphic design and content.

I regret that the February events listing I provided in mid-January seems to have been lost in the transition. Now that I have seen your calendar format, I realize that the voluminous listing for March that I sent to you is way too long. I have attached a summarized version, in your style, that I hope will be useful.

Keep up the important coverage of Swedish-American news.

Stephen Anderson Swedish American Museum Chicago Received mine yesterday. I am not sure if I like the new layout. Also used to be 12 issues per year and it will be 10 now? And no price drop?

Arsh Jam via Facebook We have decided to publish 10 issues with a double issue before Christmas and one before the summer. We have increased the page number by 16 pages and now print in full colour which as you may imagine costs a little more.

I recently recieved your January/ February issue of Swedish Press and the cover was stunning. I loved your old magazine and I will love your new one. May I suggest that when you publish recipes, please include the measurements in quarts, cups, tablespoons and teaspoons also. I do a lot of cooking and do not want to take the time to convert the measurements.

I might make a mistake!!!

Thank you so much. I am the cultural leader for my Vasa Lodge and I get a lot of information from both your magazines. It is the highlight of my day when I recieve them.

Merlene Mayette Rhode Island Det var trevligt att se er första upplaga, mycket profsigt och intressant. Lycka till i fortsättningen!

Kan ni skriva lite mer om vad svenskarna gör här i Nordamerika också ?

Vi har mycket på gång på Centret, t ex Nordic Exhibition som Sonja anordnar.

Kunde vara en intervju med henne eller andra som jobbar på Centret !

Eller något vad som händer om lokala nyheter. Det är ju full fart på svenskarna runt i världen. Kunde vara något om SWEA tex ?

Bara lite ideer som ni kan använda i framtiden.

Gunilla Kay Vancouver, BC Feedback on the new Swedish Press Look: It looks very clean and inviting.

Good job with that.

We felt that it had a bit too much of business slant. For you and me, business is very interesting, but many people are not too interested and therefore we suggest you tone that down.

We do like the nice photos and the nice colours and think that creates a positive image. It is a very clean and modern look.

Mats and Vivian Gerschman Vancouver, BC Thank you for all your valuable comments.

We have noted that some of you prefer to see more stories in Swedish and we plan to maintain a 20% share. For this issue, check out our Swedish feature on page 18.

Svenska Skämt-Tecknare Sture Hegerfors (född 22 maj 1938 i Göteborg), är journalist, författare, skämt-tecknare och serieredaktör. Grundade Svenska Serieakademin och har varit dess president sedan starten 1965. Även en av grundarna till Seriefrämjandet och dess förste ordförande (1968–75). Ledamot i Bild och Ord-akademin sedan 1983. Har skrivit om serier och seriehistoria i upp-slagsverk som Bra Böckers Lexikon och Nationalencyklopedin.

Har även översatt serier från franska, bland annat tidiga delar av den svenska Spirou-utgivningen.

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• Extended service life under poor lubrication conditions Tests have been conducted at the SKF Engineering & Research Centre to verify the service life of bearings made from SKF nextgeneration bearing steel.

The results († diagram 2) show conclusively that upgraded SKF Explorer bearings last twice as long as the original, when used under poor lubrication conditions.

• Extended service life under contaminated conditions The SKF Engineering & Research Centre also performed endurance tests under contaminated conditions that verified performance improvements of the upgraded SKF Explorer bearings.

These test results showed († diagram 3) that the upgraded SKF Explorer bearings provide almost twice the service life under contaminated operating conditions.

Tough job?

Image used under license from Shutterstock.com.

Get a tough bearing.

Diagram 2

Service life under poor lubrication conditions

Test conditions Bearings: 22220 E Load: 140 kN Speed: 1 500 r/min

Lubricant: Turbo T 9 mineral oil k: 0,45 Operating temperature = 75 °C

New upgraded SKF Explorer self-aligning roller bearings can provide up to twice the service life service lifeRelative as the original under difficult 2,5 operating conditions 2,0

Combining clean and homogenous high-quality steel with an 1,5

improved heat treatment, new upgraded SKF Explorer bearings have a higher 1,0 degree of wear resistance. This enables as much as twice the service life as the original, in applications where 0,5

there are high levels of contamination and/or poor lubrication.

0 For actual test results, see www.skf.com/upgrade.

Original SKF Explorer

Upgraded SKF Explorer

Service life under contaminated conditions

Relative service life 2,5

Bearings: 22220 E

2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 0

Original SKF Explorer

Upgraded SKF Explorer

5

Extensive SKF testing showed upgraded SKF Explorer bearings provide almost twice the service life.

The Power of Knowledge Engineering

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Swedish Headlines SAAB SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS

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fter decades of development, setbacks and arguable success, sales of Saab’s flagship fighter jets are finally taking off. In February the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets Materielverk) on behalf of the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) agreed to develop and acquire 60 of Saab’s newest generation of Gripen E fighter jets. The deal was first given the green light by the Swedish Parliament with an overwhelming majority back in December.

The agreement worth a total of SEK 47.2 billion will take place between 2013 and 2026 and includes the upgrade of 60 existing Gripen C jets to the latest E model as well as a possible order from Switzerland. “This is a historic event for Saab,” declared Saab CEO Håkan Buskhe, “We’re taking the next step, which also greatly

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight single-engine multirole fighter manufactured by Saab.

increases our export potential for many years to come.”

Switzerland is likely to be the next country to join a growing list of air forces operating the Gripen aircraft which includes South Africa, Hungary and Thailand. After a rigorous selection process, Switzerland settled on Saab’s Gripen over the French Rafale and as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon in November, 2012. Now the deal, which concerns the sale of 22 JAS Gripen E fighters, awaits the approval of politicians and may even require a national referendum. A decision should be reached by this summer. If Saab is able to secure the deal with Switzerland, it will greatly improve its

Swiss pilots fly Gripen E/F test aircraft in Sweden | Photo credit: Swiss Air Force

chances to win other bids worldwide, most notably in Brazil.

The market for fighter jets is becoming increasingly crowded as manufacturers including France’s Dassault, the United States’ Lockheed Martin as well as Europe’s Eurofighter grapple to close cautious clients. As much of the western world cuts back on defence spending, defence suppliers are looking further afield to emerging markets in Latin America and Asia which are keen to expand their

Photo credit: Saab Group

burgeoning air forces. India, in particular, which is looking to add 126 new fighter jets to its skies, has been at the forefront of a courting war between defence giants. “I foresee an even tougher market,” predicted Bushke, “We are well positioned to meet these conditions with our research and development efforts.”

The Saab group which is now entirely dedicated to the niche defence and security sector seems to have survived from the loss of its automobile division relatively unscathed. By focusing on its core product, Saab has been able to carve out a sizable swath of sovereign airspace–and the share is only growing. With a 9% increase in orders over the past year, other countries are taking note. As Canada looks for alternatives to the notorious F-35s, the Swedish Gripen is even being touted as a viable set of wings for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Minecraft in Swedish Schools

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school in Stockholm recently introduced Minecraft lessons to its curriculum, spawning controversy and making headlines.

Added to lesson plans for 13-year-old students, teachers hope that Minecraft will encourage the development of critical thinking skills. Attempting to hone in on age appropriate interests, the Swedish Viktor Rydberg school sees the video game as capable of teaching “city planning, environmental issues, getting things done and even how to plan for the future.”

Specifically, 180 students take part in the lessons, “learning how to build virtual worlds, complete with electricity grids, water supply networks and indeed anything else that may come to mind.” Because it is 3D and widely available, the Viktor Rydberg school is on to something. Turns out the assistant head teacher at Thomas Ferens Academy in Hull, Andrew Richardson Medd, is quite aware of the potential of such a project. Enthusiastic about the already popular game and its effect

on youth and their developing critical thinking skills, Medd is interested in organizing an international competition of sorts between the two institutions. An advent in educational thinking, perhaps video games will be the new frontier in academia.

Swedes Open Up their Hearts and Cut Down their Paycheques

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he Swedes seem to live up to their egalitarian reputation in many facets of their daily economy. Now, a new study reveals that Swedes would be willing to take a pay cut if it would mean preventing job losses. In the current economic climate, where jobs are highly sought and difficult to secure, some 61 percent of Swedes say that they would be willing to bring home less bacon – or smoked salmon – if it meant that jobs could be saved in the long term. After the financial crisis hit in 2008, a “crisis deal” was put into place stipulating that there would be shorter working hours and less take home pay in exchange for no jobs being lost. That Swedes agree with this compromise is testament to their unwavering compassion for the general good of society.

A scene created in Minecraft. Photo credit: inspirationalfeed.com

Photo credit: picstopin.com

News at a Glance

Ambitious Goals for Energy Sector

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review of the policies in place concerning Sweden’s energy usage was released on February 5th and shows that the country must now “identify the most viable pathways and technologies to meet [its] objectives at least cost with minimum risk to energy security.” That is, The International Energy Agency (IEA) recognizes that Sweden already has one of the most effective and impressive energy use strategies internationally and commends its leadership and innovation in this area. However, when it comes to energy consumption, great is never good enough.

Because Sweden has such an intensive manufacturing industry and very high rates of energy consumption per capita, more structured strategies are required and are currently being put in to place. These strategies include: a comprehensive analysis of the robustness of different decarbonisation scenarios to 2050; an energy-efficiency approach across the whole economy; a smarter grid that leads to improved consumer choice through independent data management, net-metering and dynamic pricing; and certainty up

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to 2030 with respect to the electricity generation mix and the replacement of current nuclear capacity.

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Train Removed From House

IKEA to Educate in Älmhult

n an attempt to make it easier to recruit local staff, IKEA has turned its focus to local schools near its headquarters in Älmhult, in the south of Sweden. IKEA plans to donate over 8 million kronor to the local school system in the next two years. Though it may seem controversial and perhaps as if IKEA could promote negative influence on the school system, both the company and the city’s elected officials think differently.

In fact, their main goal is to “improve the quality of the schools and in turn, the attractiveness of Älmhult.” While IKEA will work with the local school board officials to oversee how the donated money is utilized, it will be the school board officials who determine curriculum development and changes.

Additionally, the Älmhult schools are some of the most highly ranked in Sweden already, the donated money will just give them an extra boost.

Hopefully, says Sonja Emilsson, vice chair of the local governing board, this new initiative will help entice IKEA employees commuting long hours everyday to relocate their families to Älmhult.

Photo credit: Reuters/Jonas Ekstromer/ Scanpix Sweden

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early two months ago, a train crashed into the kitchen and living room of a ground-floor apartment at the end of the Saltsjöbanan commuter rail line. Because of the unordinary circumstances of the crash, engineers and railway officials have been discussing and puzzling over how best to remove the train without causing the house to collapse. Finally, after two weeks of discussion, the train was removed by way of five tow lines fastened to the wagon on one end and the cranes and a tractor on the other.

Successfully removed, the car hovered in the air for a few moments before being lowered to the ground. To find out the exact circumstances of the crash and the surrounding incidents, the car will be forensically examined.

Questions from the global community will hopefully be answered.

Swedish Military’s Numbers Faltering

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recent year-long assessment by the Royal Academy of War Sciences points out that the Swedish defense regime is going to be at low capacity come 2019 when the results of current reforms have manifested fully. Among the weaknesses described, poor communication, air force and supply routines are the largest contributors to Sweden’s potential military downfall. In the

Gripen flying along the Swedish coast.

Photo credit: Stefan Kalm/Saab

Stridsbåt 90 (Combatboat 90) is the workhorse of the swedish Amfibiekåren, the swedish marines.

Photo credit: militaryphotos.net

event of an invasion, says the report, Sweden would only be able to maintain defense in one area of Sweden for one week. According to the report, in 2019 there will only be two battalions capable of providing ammunition and supplies to seven other battalions ready for service. While this may prompt worry among Swedes and the Swedish government who cite the issue of not knowing where an attack may take place, perhaps the better question is: how likely is an attack on Swedish soil anyway?

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Gay Gala with Royal Presence Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden made a surprise cameo appearance at Stockholm’s Gay Gala on Monday, February 3rd.

Held at the Cirkus concert venue and sponsored by QX magazine (published for the LGBT community in Sweden and Scandinavia), the Gay Gala strives to highlight the achievements of the LGBT community. The princess was applauded

Gardell and Crown Princess Victoria

with a minute-long standing ovation as she surprised the audience with her appearance on stage. She awarded the “Gay of the Year” award to comedian and author Jonas Gardell, stating that “we’ll dry each other’s tears with open hearts”. Gardell responded aptly with “Victoria, you may be the princess, but tonight I am the queen.”

Orjan the Pride of Bahamas Last October, Orjan Lindroth was honored in Palm Beach with an Addison Mizner Award. On the credit that he – “a Bahamian resident, a community builder, developer and Schooner Bay

Olof Lindroth

founder” – was a patron for his work to further classical architecture, Lindroth was awarded this most prestigious prize. Stating that the Bahamas should be “proud to have such a dedicated individual as a resident and developer,” the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA) awarded Lindroth on the grounds that he has significantly sponsored excellence in the creation of 21st century classical and traditional architecture and related fields.

Spelar Alla Roller Själv TCO – Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation – delar varje år ut kulturpris till två personer som gjort framstående insatser inom sina områden. Vartannat år ges priset till konstnärer inom kategorierna Ord och Scen/Film, vartannat år till konstnärer inom Bild och Musik. Priset för 2012 gick till två konstnärer som både tänjer och undersöker gränserna för former och normer. Författaren och dramatikern Sara Stridsberg fick priset för skapan-

det av omvälvande dramatik och litteratur som skruvar och speglar vår samtid och ifrågasätter makt och normer. Under hösten 2012 har hennes pjäs “Dissekering av ett snöfall”, med inspiration från Drottning Kristinas liv, spelats på Dramaten. Skådespelaren och regissören Anna Pettersson fick priset ”för sitt nytänkande i scenföreställningar som envist utforskar skådespelarens arbete … och ifrågasätter makt och kön i skådespelarens tolkning”. Hon har iscensatt ”Fröken Julie” i en nyskapande version på Strindbergs Intima Teater där hon själv står för regi samt spelar samtliga roller.

Shooting Live in Courtroom Nearly four years after the Swedish founders of the file-sharing site The Pirate Bay were found guilty

Director Simon Klose

of facilitating copyright infringement, director Simon Klose is releasing his documentary highlighting the story. The story of four men, Peter Sunde, Gottfried Svartholm Warg, Fredrik

Neij, and Carl Lundström, who were sentenced to prison and hefty fines following a controversial trial is exhibited in this much anticipated documentary.

The entire story from conception and innovation of the idea to the trial has been shot in over 200 hours of footage. Culling the documentary from this footage, Klose has been able to successfully follow the journey of these four men from a relatively unbiased point of view.

Holgersson Statue Flew Away A bronze statue of Selma Lagerlöf, author of The Wonderful Adventures of Nills Holgersson, went missing on February 1st from Landskrona in southern Sweden only to be found a few hours later.

Erected in 2009 in memory of the author, who in 1909 was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. A prolific writer throughout her life, Lagerlöf accumulated a broad collection of work – including titles such as Jerusalem and The Story of Gösta Berling.

Selma Lagerlöf on the 20 kronor bill.

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Business News

Retro Rebranding Starting this year bold stripes and bright colours are rolling out across the 190 7/11 stores in Sweden as part of a new rebranding push by the iconic convenience store chain.

The Swedish arm of 7/11 looked to the branding agency, BVD, to re-design everything from its napkins to its countertops in hopes of staying ahead of the curve in the competitive design-conscious Swedish market. 7/11 will join a long list of clients for the Stockholm-based branding agency which has previously worked with Absolut Vodka, Pressbyrån, H&M and Filippa K. In line with the new look, 7/11 is also collaborating with the advertising agency Svensson, on a new marketing campaign with humorous TV spots centred around 7/11 Sweden’s slogan “I

nöd & lust.” (for better or for worse) Numbering over 49,000 locations worldwide, 7/11 opened its first store in Europe on Stockholm’s Tomtebogatan back in 1980.

Minnesota Trade Mission Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton along with leaders from Minnesota’s business community will cross the Atlantic on a trade mission to Germany, Norway and Sweden in June of this year. Along the way they will meet with business leaders and government officials of the northern European countries in an effort to promote Minnesota exports.

The state has long-standing ties to Sweden thanks to its vibrant Swedish community and is also the home of the American Swedish Institute. “This trade mission will identify new customers interested in buying Minnesota’s high-quality products and attract foreign investors to our medical device, bioscience and renewable energy industries,” explained Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner, Katie Clark Sieben. Sweden is a key export market for the state accounting for over $130 million in sales in 2012 alone.

Neutral in Currency Wars

When central bankers and finance ministers from the G20 countries descended on Moscow in mid-February, discussions surrounding a possible currency war were high on the agenda. Numerous countries are considering devaluing their currencies which can make their goods more attractive to foreign buyers as well as increasing profits for firms who bring their foreign earnings home. Notably absent from the fray is Sweden which is sending reassuring signs to global currency markets that they are comfortable with their currency’s strength.

“We’re happy with the level we’re seeing now,” said Stefan Ingves, the Governor of Sweden’s

central bank, Riksbanken, “the krona is where it ought to be.” Following the announcement, the krona soared to its strongest level against the dollar in 18 months and against the pound in over 20 years.

Ericsson India Ericsson has been awarded a $1 billion contract to run Reliance Communications’ networks in India’s northern and western states. Reliance Communications, India’s thirdlargest mobile phone company with 134 million customers, is outsourcing the management of a part of its network to Ericsson in order to focus on its core businesses. Ericsson will run both the company’s wireline and wireless networks for an initial 8 years. The contract is an encouraging sign for the Swedish company as it looks to extend its service business to Asia.

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Š 2012 Mercuri International – Concepts and Models.

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Company File

S

ales and salesmanship can be learnt by anyone, they are skills that must be trained in a structured and systematic way.

This was the basic premise for Curt Abrahamson, the founder of the largest sales training company in the world: Mercuri International.

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Selling”. The partnership was ideal because Goldman came up with the theories – often very simple – and Abrahamson presented them in a convincing way.

The company initially focused on selling training to companies in Sweden. However, very soon Abrahamson realized that quick growth meant moving beyond Swedish borders. Whereas other countries where in a state of rebuilding, Sweden at the time had been spared from the war. Abrahamson felt compelled to assist companies in these countries to develop their sales and marketing skills.

The story goes that he personally knew every person and every department in the organization.

Founder Curt Abrahamson

Who would have thought the silent, somewhat shy, humble Swedes could become the most renowned in the world of teaching people how to sell. Abrahamson succeeded in this field and so did his partner Heinz Goldman.

Together they started Mercuri in the 1950s and based the company on the principles that Goldman had discovered and assembled in his book entitled “The Art of

]

Mercuri International

During the 40+ years that Abrahamson spent building the company, he was deeply engaged and very active. The story goes that he personally knew every person and every department in the organization and maintained almost daily contact with his teams in the field.

Two of Abrahamson’s three children have been involved in the business and despite their active engagement, the company was sold in 1998 to Bure, a publically traded investment company in Sweden.

The transition from a family business with a strong and passionate leader to a corporately managed multinational company has not always been easy. Mercuri has, however, managed the transition and has grown to become the

largest sales training company in the world.

One reason for its success is that Mercuri has managed to keep the delicate balance between freedom and control – the company is very careful when selecting new employees and goes to great length (2 full days of role playing) to find the “right” person. They look for people that are driven, loyal and take pride and ownership in the company, its values and its clients.

They look for people that are driven, loyal and take pride and ownership in the company, its values and its clients.

As for the future – Mercuri is currently looking at geographic expansion in Asia and at new partnerships to reach their future clients. The company is also realizing that while it will maintain very tight focus on being a sales consulting company, what is regarded as a sales function is also changing and provides opportunity for more training.

This means that Abrahamson’s original idea that selling can be learnt by anyone is even truer today than it was 60 years ago when the company was created. For further reading and learning please visit www.mercuri.net.

MISSION OF MERCURI INTERNATIONAL We deliver powerful sales performance to you. This is done globally or locally through the creation of measurable solutions, tools and cutting edge technology. We work with your people to motivate excellence in all their customer focused activities.

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Clean Innovation Harder, Faster & Greener Ice... is this for REAL?

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Swedish technology, REALice, developed in Malmö and already widely applied in Europe, enhances ice for ice rinks by using cold instead of hot water, saving energy in the process and creating a slicker, safer and faster ice surface.

The technology removes air bubbles and changes the viscosity of the water used when laying and resurfacing the ice. This means that ice can be resurfaced with ambient temperature water rather than very hot (60–70 oC) water that is normally used today. By using water with less or no air-bubbles, the ice sheet becomes more compact and harder.

Depending on how a facility is run, the energy savings can be up

to 20% – 40%. In a regular size ice rink this would be (average savings per ice sheet, based on 600 liters per resurfacing, 12 x daily, 48 weeks/year): Natural Gas: 600 – 1000 GJ Electricity: 50 000 kWh or more Emissions: 30t – 50t of CO2 REALice, if installed in North America’s 7000+ ice rinks, could save as much as 350-700 Gigawatt hours per year and over 200 000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Canadian speed skating star Clara Hughes | Photo credit: Olympic.ca

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REALice

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The system is already installed in more than ten countries in Europe. The Hartwall Arena in Helsinki which hosted the Premier NHL Game Europe 2009, 2010, 2011, Hockey World Championship 2012 and the European Figure Skating Championships 2010 is one of the early adopters. Currently there are only a handful of installations in North America.

The idea behind REALice is to achieve:

• • • • • •

Lower energy consumption Lower compressor loads Harder, faster and safer ice Less “snow” created Reduce lime scale deposits Greener and cleaner ice

REALice technology is partner to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and it is only a matter of time until this technology will be widely applied in North America, given the increased quality of the ice and the reduction in cost, energy and emissions.

REALice will make the fast moving game of hockey even faster and more exciting – a double edged bargain.

On the 12th of February, Efficiency Vermont and Spartan Arena, USA, organized a seminar about saving energy and how to be more sustainable by using REALice in ice rinks and arenas.

If you would like to learn more about this Swedish innovation please visit www.real-ice.com.

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[Clean Leader] Gunilla Öberg is a Professor at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Before moving to UBC, she was the founding director of the Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research at Linköping University, Sweden. Her research focuses on sustainable sewage and water management in growing urban areas. She is committed to teaching and publishes with scholars in the educational field.

1 How did you get involved with the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC? I have been engaged in interdisciplinary environmental research and higher education in Sweden since the late 1980s. I always wanted to work abroad and when my children moved out, I started to look for opportunities at various places around the world and I found an advertisement from UBC for a director for IRES, which sounded like my dream job. I applied, went for an interview and was offered the job.

2 The path you have chosen likely involves higher risk and at times more challenges that a “normal job/role”. What drives you to do what you do?

The conviction that we can contribute to the creation of a better world that is equitable, respectful and “good” for all people and other creatures. I know it sounds naïve, but I am not a naïve utopian. I am actually driven by a very pragmatic, down-to-earth conviction that it is doable.

Gunilla Öberg

3 What is IRES currently doing about cleaner solutions to ensure it is moving towards a future that is cleaner?

IRES’ mission is to foster sustainable futures and we are one of the few graduate programs in North America that explicitly encourages their students to carry out integrated studies of human and natural systems in support of decisionmaking. It is not possible to handle the environmental problems we are facing without taking into account both nature and society. We are training our students to do so.

4 Describe a recent success with a challenging clean initiative (large or small). What did you do and why?

Why do you think it worked?

Part of my job is to evaluate various types of initiatives. Sometimes my assessments are appreciated, other times not so much. I evaluated an organization that has put a lot of energy into the development of a sustainability vision. I pointed out that it was highly unlikely that the vision would have any real impact since they had not developed an implementation strategy. Without such a strategy the organizational structure, ingrained habits and what I call tacit ‘thought styles’ would ensure that things remained as before. The report was not appreciated… but shortly after, a task-force was created to look into obstacles to the implementation of the vision, and I was asked to participate. I believe it was successful because the analysis was very honest (as close to blunt as it gets) and it suggested a way forward.

5 What are you, personally, currently doing to be “cleaner”?

I use transit whenever possible, bike to work and my only vehicle is a motorcycle. I do belong to a car coop for those occasional situations when I do need a larger vehicle.

6 What is limiting you or IRES from doing the “cleaner action”?

Funding for graduate students.

Half of our students are international, and the major funding agencies only provide funding for Canadians. This limits our ability to compete for the very best, and every year we loose a handful applicants to Harvard, Yale and MIT, often not because of their reputation but because they can offer solid funding.

7 What connections could Swedish Press assist with?

Helping us identify organizations who want to collaborate with us and provide funding for our students.

8 Who do you admire/take your clean leader inspiration from?

My dad because he is pragmatic, common-sensical and an extremely good leader. Elinor Ostrom, (winner of the Nobel memorial prize in economy) for her unconventional, no-hold-back approach to academia, and my colleagues in IRES for their high standards and warm hearts.

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Hur ett Isolerat Fattigt Land i Europas Utkant blev en Välfärdsstat h

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By Olof G Tandberg

rganiserad undervisning i Sverige skedde i klostren och bedrevs på latin. Att undervisa på svenska ägde rum först efter reformationen på 1500-talet. Redan under högmedeltiden fanns en katedralskola knuten till varje domkyrka underställd domkapitlet. Detta var ursprunget till det allmänna läroverket.

Enligt 1686 års kyrkolag ålades varje präst att för sin socken dels svara för undervisningen i enlighet med “den rena protestantiska läran”, dels rapportera till svenska riksdagens Hemliga Utskott om antalet gossar och män i “krigbar” ålder samt antalet fertila kvinnor i socknen. Uppgifterna ansågs värdefulla inför ett eventuellt krig. Den svenska folkräkningen är den äldsta regelbundna i världen.

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Ståndsutjämningen som Gustav III lyckades genomföra 1773 innebar början till slutet för Stormakts-Sverige; Konungen Gustav III skapade även fria akademier och Sverige fick därigenom värdefulla utländska kontakter.

Lantbruks-Sverige började moderniseras.

Med anspelning på förlusten av Finland, som varit Sveriges östra rikshalva under 600 år, manade Esaias Tegnér 1817 i sin dikt “Svea” fosterlandet “att inom Sveriges gräns erövra Finland åter”. En lång kunskapskamp mot fattigdom, okunnighet och alkoholmissbruk tog sin början.

Folkbildningen växte sig stark. I undervisningsresolutionen från 1723 krävde regeringen att barnen skulle kunna läsa “bok” och redogöra för centrala delar av Martin Luthers katekes. Lagen 1842 om allmän folkskola bestämde att Sveriges socknar skulle inrätta allmänna folkskolor, men allmän skolplikt infördes först 1882.

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En våldsam inflation minskade adelns dominerande makt. I riksdagen förstärktes detta av borgare och bönder genom reformer som t.ex. enskiftet. Åren 1810-1855 kallas ofta för “alkoholismens decennier”. En militant nykterhetsrörelse växte fram med starkt folkligt stöd och omfattande krav på en restriktiv alkoholpolitik.

Nykterhetsrörelsen leddes av prästen Carl Emanuel Bexell i Rydaholm och förespråkades av bl.a. Johan Olof

Wallin, Sveriges kanske främste psalmdiktare. Ett måttlighetsprogram föreslogs av nykterhetskämpen Peter Wieselgren som undertecknades av 95,000 personer.

Nykterhetsrörelsen samarbetade med den kristna väckelserörelsen. Folkbildning med studiecirklar och bibliotek, folkhögskolor och föreläsningsföreningar bildade ett imponerande nätverk. I dag drivs 150 folkhögskolor av landsting och regioner.

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Akademiledamoten, professorn Torsten Husén (1916–2009) samordnade arbetet för att bygga upp den svenska enhetsskolan. Med sin eminenta kunskap ledde Husén det omfattande reformarbetet. Under 1960-talet redovisade han evaluering av skolformer i Europa och USA. Resultaten blev stora kunskapsbaser som bidrog till att förenkla den svenska högskolereformen 1977 och enhetsskolan samma år.

Fria kunskapsbaser möjliggjorde produktivt stöd för svenska uppfinningar som t.ex. skiftnyckeln. Upptäckter av grundämnen, avancerad forskning inom fysik och kemi samt utvecklingen av praktisk matematik, astronomiska upptäckter av solfläckar, solenergi, fredlig atomkraft samt träforskning har utvecklats i samarbete mellan Sveriges universitet och kungliga akademier.

Genom att rationellt utnyttja Sveriges naturtillgångar har ett fattigt land i Europas utkant steg för steg blivit en välfärdsstat.

Utsikt över Stockholm från Mosebacke på Södermalm. By Elias Martin (Kungliga biblioteket) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Sharing Swedish: A Changing Dynamic in Swedish Language Learning

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h

By Sydney Vickars

hile there are around 30,000 foreign students from all over the world who study in Sweden, Swedish language learning abroad is a focus often left overlooked. This phenomenon is particularly interesting today as there has been a drastic shift in those who choose to study the language and the culture of Sweden abroad.

When Scandinavian studies first came to the University of British Columbia as part of the Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies department in the Faculty of Arts, the majority of students in Swedish classes were immigrants or students claiming to have a strong connection to or ancestry in Sweden. Lecturer Lena Karlström comments on the changing tides of academia and how Swedish plays into it.

Today, the tables have turned and because UBC has instituted a policy requiring many students to add a second – or additional – language to their repertoire, most of Karlström’s students are not of Swedish heritage. Students

are now taking the class because they are interested in learning, over other options, specifically about Swedish culture and its language.

Enticing the average student to find out that “we wouldn’t call the weekdays Tuesday, Thursday and Friday if it hadn’t been for the Vikings and their gods: Tyr, Thor and Freya,” UBC has the largest Swedish language course in North America and is growing. Gregg White, Executive Director of Swedish Council of America and long time teacher at the American Swedish Institute, confirms the same change in language learning demographics. “20 years ago my students were mainly of Swedish descent,” he explains, “today we have a younger (20-30), eager crowd that want to know about Sweden, its design and media scene and learn the language as well”. This trend testifies to the idea that as Swedish culture continues to be exported – whether it be by hockey, music, IKEA, or what have you – a growing interest in Sweden and its language seems to be taking root.

S u m m er Le a rning in Swe d e n Sigtunaskolan

has offered summer courses in Swedish for years. Besides extended knowledge, we offer intensive and entertaining days. You will board near the school, enjoy new friendships and take part in spare time activities. “Swedish mini” aims to young students aged 8-12 years with various knowledge in Swedish. The student will live together with a parent in one of our boardinghouses and enjoy our wonderful school area. “Swedish for youth”, aged 13-17 years, is a longer course that aims to adapt a specific study program for each student based on tests made at the beginning of the course. The student will also learn about Swedish history, geography, culture and how the Swedish society works. Please contact us at www.sommarkurser@sshl.se.

Uppsala International Summer Session

is Sweden’s oldest and largest summer program and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013. The UISS offers Swedish language courses from complete beginners to very advanced levels as well as courses about Swedish culture, history and society during 9, 6 or 3 weeks from June 16, 2013. Nowhere in Sweden will you find such an intensive summer program with such a rich choice of courses. The UISS organizes excursions that allow our students to visit sites around Sweden and to experience Swedish culture, history, and society first hand. Please consult our website for information and contact details at www.uiss.org.

Grennaskolan

The summer school at Grennaskolan weeks 28-30 is an excellent opportunity to feel how it is to be a student at a boarding school, and the course is widely acclaimed by both students and parents. Students study Swedish or English at the summer school.

Irrespective of which you choose, all students have the same broad recreational programme in the afternoons and evenings. The students stay at one of our student residences where a house mother or house father are present during the evenings and at night. The summer school is primarily oriented towards Swedish expatriates and international students in the age-group 14-16 years. Read more at www.grennaskolan.se.

Stockholm Summer School

Stockholm Summer School offers seven different courses during the summer of 2013 and is a joint venture between three universities in Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University. The basic idea is that by spending four weeks in Stockholm during the month of June, international students will become aware of Stockholm as a study destination for future master’s studies. Karolinska Institutet, KTH The Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University are three of Sweden’s leading universities and are located in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. For more information visit www.stockholmsummerschool.se.

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Sweden: A Welcoming Destination for Mining

By Alexandra Scott

M

ining is one the oldest industries in history. For centuries people have turned to the ground in search of richness and development for their communities, from stones and flints to make weapons and tools, to gold and silver for its monetary value. Nowadays, investment travels long distances, penetrating foreign markets and governments, to find rich mineral areas for exploration. Many governments welcome mining companies to explore their high mineral concentration zones. Sweden is not the exception and is rapidly emerging as a major location for future mining development. However, it is important to note that it was only in 1992 that Sweden opened mining exploration to the world.

I work for a producing mining company with operations in Mexico and potential projects in Latin America. While chatting with mining professionals and students at the AMEC Roundup 2013 in Vancouver, it became apparent to me that Sweden was not on their radar. Perhaps their disregard for this rapidly growing Scandinavian market was due to the fact that modern day exploration, at an international scale is relatively new in Sweden. But Sweden, with its exploration potential, should not be overlooked. Later, I had the opportunity of meeting and chatting with Ben Whiting, Chief Geologist for OREX Minerals Inc., a Canadian-based junior exploration company with project in Sweden, called “Barsele Gold Project�.

I learned that Sweden has a vast mineral endowment, such as in the Fennoscandian-shield, making it a prime location for mineral exploration. Moreover, Sweden offers a stable socio-economic platform for mining investment. Mining companies that invest in Sweden enjoy a developed legal system with minimal corruption, high environmental standards and safety regulations. One of the outcomes of such a scenario is the security of mineral tenure, or ownership, which makes Sweden a very attractive market for foreign investment in comparison to places of high corruption and political instability, where exploration and development projects can be costly, time-consuming and difficult to advance. Sweden offers a relatively low-risk, safe and lucrative environment for investment.

In addition, Canadian mining companies exploring Swedish grounds have the opportunity to work in a place where most of the population speaks English, is highly educated, and efficient. The labour force is productive; and even though this often means higher salaries, Sweden offers advanced technology which can lower operating costs by reducing the number of man hours per task. A stable and solid currency separates Sweden from other countries, foreign political and economic instability, and fluctuating inflation rates. I have no doubt Sweden will continue in its emergence as an attractive location for future mining projects.

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Interview

Sweden’s Role in Global Learning Göran was in Vancouver, on the invitation of Dave Waldron of Synapse Strategies, to facilitate a Regenerative Neighbourhoods Summit, hosted by the University of British Columbia. Thought leaders and practitioners in green buildings, sustainability, community planning and ‘regenerative design’, from across North America came together to explore the potential and practicalities associated with ‘regenerative sustainability’ at the neighbourhood scale. Regenerative sustainability is a positive approach to sustainability that asks: “to what degree can human activities actually improve human well-being and ecological integrity?”

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Göran Carstedt, Ph.D.

Göran is a social entrepreneur and authority on strategic leadership addressing 21st Century challenges. He has been described as one of Europe’s most accomplished executives, having served in senior leadership roles with Volvo in Sweden and France, President of IKEA North America and Head of IKEA Europe. He has also been a senior director of the Clinton Climate Initiative (C40 Cities), Chair of The Natural Step International and senior director with the Society for Organizational Learning.

]

What makes Sweden good at providing absolutely un-proportional in terms of its achievements. The point I would education? make is to look not at the scores on the I myself have experienced two tests, but at the democratic platform impossible achievements that the that for different reasons, has created Swedes have accomplished and they a society where all people are welcome relate to our ability to provide on the educational journey. education and create learning. The fact that Sundström, Näslund, Forsberg and the Sedins all come from the same How do Sweden’s academic institutions factor into this equation? small town, Örnsköldsvik, populated While Sweden might not have the roughly by 30 000 citizens does not best or highest ranked universities make sense. The fact that IKEA, the in the world, biggest furniture what we do company in the have is a team world started in mentality. the Swedish town This little country is This mentality Älmhult with 9000 people absolutely un-proportional in encourages us to share our is also highly terms of its achievements. knowledge unlikely. Success rather than in Sweden is, as horde it on these two individualistic achievements terms. I came attest to, not to Umeå University in the late 60s. related to size nor resources but I was not a study guy. I played a lot of rather due to learning, involvement, persistence and having the right fertile poker and hockey, and was also very active in other sports. I did however mylla or soil to develop people and have a lot of respect for academia talent. and still came out seven years later with a PhD. In terms of the education system in The whole point is that while the general, how does Sweden play? university might not have been the Well, we are not ranked that highly best, I accepted the invitation today, we don’t rank as highly as many they offered to help “create” this other countries do. And I’m not sure new institution. Umeå University that 20 or 30 or even 40 years ago was at the time newly established we were that high either – they didn’t and very entrepreneurial. We were have any measures at the time. But, all invited to play a role in making it I’m not really that worried about that better. in the sense that this little country is

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much coal, oil and gas and the planet We all live on the some global island cannot assimilate it all. It scares me. and we are running out of space. What If the climate destabilizes, it can run role can Sweden play to help us all out of control. But I am still hopeful co-exist? as I see all the people on the planet Well, the teaching way of thinking is trying to do something about it, trying that we have an idea and we’re going to come up with solutions, using their to put it into someone else’s head. creativity to make resolve of this situaBut, when teaching does not work try tion. It is very exciting. learning, the learning mentality is difWhat has Sweden’s role been globally ferent. By going and doing things, by when it comes to education?

What motivates you to be working experiencing, Sweden has with the challenging aspects of by proving to always led by sustainability? the world that example and The main reason I left corporate life we in Sweden must continue Sweden has always after 23 years was that I wanted to can do someto do so. To deal with the bigger issue of sustainthing positive refer back to led by example and must ability. I was curious and wanted to for the world my previous continue to do so. see what this was all about. And as the – like lowering example, even Vaclav Havel quote goes – “something our CO2 emisIKEA follows old is on the way out and something sions to one the mantra that else is painfully being born”. I want to and half tons all people are be part of co-creating that “something of CO2 per invited to join person a year – for instance – if we can else”. I want to do the things that I find and its goal is to: “make life better for do that, if we can really push ourselves important and I want to help other the many people”. people see that this is important. In to do that and be happy while doing it, As Swedes, we take pride in creatthe end its about making sure that I that is the way to change the world. ing and being the model. We cannot have been the best Göran that I can This way of teaching or sharing tell other countries what to do or not be and that I am comfortable with the works for two reasons: we can be an to do – we can however show them choices I made. inspirational model for other counand that is a role we have played and tries and cultures but also this forces will hopefully continue to play.

If you could give one word of advice us to find solutions for this (how we manage our transportation, our waste, for Swedes outside of Sweden, what Why is Sweden taking a leading role would you tell them? our products, our services) which the in issues relating to sustainability?

Continue to be proud of your roots world will demand. We know that the And when did it start? and where you come from. See that world will have to completely reorWell, much like in Canada, the small there are so ganize itself in population in a large country fuels a many things order to sustain sense of love for nature. It fits with the to learn from 9 or 10 billion idea of “taking care” which applies to The world will have to other cultures, people on the Sweden’s general mentality. Sweden and try to find planet – but as hosted the first United Nations concompletely reorganize itself a combination of today we do ference on the environment in Stockin order to sustain 9 or 10 of all the best. not yet know holm in 1972. We made this role for Take the best how. ourselves. Importantly, we must also billion people. out of all your consider the idea that a sustainable experience and Is there anything world isn’t just for the rich. Rememmake a new you are anxious ber, the rich can always take care of alloy. We must or afraid of? Are themselves. This creates irreconcilmix the blue and yellow with the stars you hopeful and optimistic about the able gaps or as one of my favourite and the stripes and the maple leaf. future? quotation by François Mitterrand And we must recognize the need to I am still scared when it comes to CO2 goes: “a world better for a limited few always continue learning. emissions. We still burn much too will be uninhabitable for all of us”.

You often refer to the word lagom – please explain more about the concept.

I use the term lagom when I try to explain an egalitarian way of taking what is yours while making sure there is enough to go around for others too; to act consistently with a team mentality.

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HE RITAG E

Moving to America in 1868 Samuel Magnus Hill, the author of this diary, is 17 years old in 1868. The Hill family consists of his father (age 44) and mother (49), his brother August (8), and sister Augusta (5). The opening of the diary takes us right to the hustle and bustle of leaving.

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Samuel’s Diary

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Diary Kept on the Journey to America 1868 – Samuel Magnus Hill

By Lars Nordström

Part 1

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[Monday May] 4th e left the place in the morning after being served plenty of food and drink, and many wished us well on our approaching journey. Since we only had one horse, father and I had to walk almost the entire way, and when we arrived in Eksjö we were tired. We got to rest briefly while the horses grazed. A great group of emigrants met up there and purchased various small things for the long trip ahead. Quite a few of them got drunk as they drank farewell toasts to their homeland. My paternal grandfather met us there too, because he had been called as a witness in a case in the magistrates’ court. We said farewell to each other, never to see him again in this life. God bless his grey hair!

After having prepared ourselves for our journey in this manner we continued on our way to Nässjö, the railway station nearest to Eksjö. As before, we had to continue on foot. And since the load had increased for most people, there were many who had to walk behind [their carts]. Some who had lingered a bit too long in town were in high spirits, and they traveled down the road in the wildest speed, continually using the whip on the poor animals, exhausting them, so that they would catch up with the others, or gain enough time for a stop to renew their intoxication, in case it had diminished.

In that manner we arrived in Nässjö in the evening and had our belongings weighed in and loaded up, ready for our departure to Gothenburg. For the first time I got to see a locomotive pulling train cars, and it was curious to me to observe its devices.

As there were quite a few people in Nässjö that night, there were no comfortable lodgings for us and we had to sleep on the floor in unheated rooms. There were about 100 of us from Västra Ryd alone, and quite a few from other areas, so we were about 500 individuals at the station traveling to America.

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Moving to Sweden in 2012 Tatty and her family recently moved from Scotland to Sweden. A half Swedish/half English journalist, Tatty grew up in the UK and works as a journalist. This is a journal of her first year in Sweden with her Scottish husband and four young children.

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H E RI TAG E

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Maclayhem

Maclayhem: thoughts from the motherland

by Tatty Maclay

I

am totally in awe of Swedes’ monumental coffee consumption. Swedes consume an average of around 8 kg of coffee per person per year ( beaten only by the Finns) and I’m beginning to wonder whether this isn’t the secret to Sweden’s relative economic prosperity – everyone’s so wired on coffee they’re working at twice the speed of countries like Portugal (who consume a miserly 4.3 kg of coffee per person annually) and Puerto Rico (a pitiful 0.8 kg).

Impressive it may be, but I still don’t understand how it’s possible to consume so much caffeine in one day and not be permanently shaking like the apps on your iPhone when you press them for too long? Admittedly, it is really good coffee. It doesn’t seem to travel well, though. My mother used to take packets of Gevalia back to England after every trip to Sweden, and even, finally, bottles of Swedish tap water, to try to recreate ‘vanligt, hederligt Svenskt bryggkaffe’ abroad, but it never tasted quite the same.

I love coffee, but if the Scandinavian ability to drink copious amounts of coffee is genetic, it’s a gene I sadly failed to inherit. My one attempt to drink coffee like a native went horribly wrong when, after a whole afternoon taking advantage of the free ‘påtår’ (refills) in a wonderful old café called Ofvandahls in Uppsala, I fell off my bike into the snow, my heart palpitating wildly out of my chest.

Classic konditori/cafés like Ofvandahls (where famous names like Karin Boye, Gustaf Fröding and Prince Eugen got their caffeine kicks long before me) are an integral part of Sweden’s history, social life and culture. In fact, there are so many references to coffee and coffee drinking in Stieg Larsson’s ‘Girl with a Dragon Tattoo’ that one American critic went so far as to suggest this was the reason for the author’s untimely death. Which reveals a total lack of understanding of Swedish caffeine tolerance.

So far, Sweden’s cafe culture has managed to resist total Starbucksification (there are currently only Starbucks outlets at airports and train stations) and long may it last. Sure, there are the home-grown copycats, like Wayne’s Coffee and Espresso House, but they serve far better coffee – and food - than any Starbucks and, considering 8kg a year translates to around 11 cups of coffee per day, there’s space for American-style espresso houses, classic ‘kondis’s like Ofvandahls and probably any other establishment serving the strong, black medicine that fuels this country. Fika or die, seems to be the motto, so I’m working on building up my tolerance and, in the meantime, ordering my herbal tea very, very quietly.

Photo: © Joe Maclay | www.joemaclay.com

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Heritage Eggs and Colours and Witches, Oh My! The Changing Face of Easter in Sweden

By Sydney Vickars

A

general lightening of the traditional Easter conventions coated in religion has become a trend over the past couple of years in Sweden. While it is important to note that Easter is still a well observed holiday in Sweden, the customs have changed to accommodate a movement away from solemnity.

Poetically, Easter marks the transition between wintery greyness and the bright burst of Springtime colour.

{ } Easter

and sparkstottingar (chair toboggans pushed along like a scooter), in attempt to, with sleigh bells, make as much noise as possible. Followed by profuse feasting, this too was a way of bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring.

For the Swedes, eggs and witches are the common Easter motifs. Because the faithful originally were prevented from eating eggs for the six weeks of Lent, eggs were in copious supply by the time Easter rolled around. Therefore, eggs were not only a fairly obvious choice for the menu but also for crafting details.

Commonly dyed by tying onion peel, ears of corn or birch leaves around them, the eggs were commonly yellow and slightly patterned. Similar customs are continued today.

While most establishments and weekly activities remain closed for the public holidays of Good Friday and Easter Monday – much like here in North America – Easter has become, quite literally, lightened in Sweden. Poetically, Easter marks the transition between

Photo credit: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se

Photo credit: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se

wintery greyness and the bright burst of Springtime colour. Early budding varieties of willow or birch branches are decorated with brightly coloured feathers and put in vases with water to force the growth of the first small yellowish-green leaves by palmsondagen, or, Palm Sunday.

In fact, even in the days of King Gustav Vasa, Swedish young people gathered before Lent with their sleds

Witches were believed to be particularly active and especially powerful during Holy Week, and therefore much superstition ensued. Rituals including hiding brooms and rakes, keeping doors and windows shut and locked and lighting bonfires were taken up in order to protect against the witches’ wrath. Indeed, much like the other traditions still present, if lightened to a certain degree, vestiges of these past beliefs are still perpetuated in many parts of the country. Easter bonfires are still lit and there even remain friendly neighbourhood competitions to maintain the largest fire.

Whether it is enjoying a friendly game of “eggs” or writing riddles to be recited at the table with family and friends, Easter traditions remain connected to their historical origins, though they are significantly more joyful than previously conceived of in Sweden.

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Swedish Press Vol 84-2 Mar 2013.indd 27 VCIM53011604_AD_XC60.indd 1

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Lifestyle Top Sju

1 Grammis Galan 2013 Grammis är Sveriges äldsta musikpris med syfte att uppmärksamma artister och musiker som åstadkommit intressanta produktioner inom 18 olika kategorier av musik under året som gått.

Grammis galan går av stapeln på Cirkus i Stockholm den 20e Februari.

Nominerade i kategorien ”Årets Artist” och “Årets Album” är: ÅRETS ARTIST First Aid Kit Loreen Mando Diao Refused Swedish House Mafia

Swedish House Mafia

Mando Diao

ÅRETS ALBUM El Perro Del Mar – Pale Fire First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar Lorentz & Sakarias – Himlen är som Mörkast när Stjärnorna Lyser Starkast Mando Diao – Infruset Markus Krunegård – Mänsklig Värme

El Perro del Mar is a musical project that was founded in December 2003 in Göteborg by Sarah Assbring.

2

Swedish Words We Need in English?

A recent exposure of language differences between Swedish and English reveals that there are some key Swedish words that do not have a suitable English equivalent. While this is a troubling revelation for translators, it is indeed interesting to note what these words are and what cultural dynamics perpetuate such a discrepancy – especially considering

that we seem to want to say the missing word in English often. It is not like the Italians who have a word for “the bit of milk that stays on your lip after your drink it” or the Japanese who have a word for “the person who wiggles too much on the subway.”

These Swedish words (a word for “a term yet to be coined”; “a word yet to be whispered”; a term for “the coffee you ‘grab with’ someone”; and “the thing that happens that pushes you over the edge”, so to speak) are not found in English and so we must question what cultural dynamics are at play to allow this. After all, in such an extensive and quickly growing language as English, might we find room for a Swedish term here and there?

Sven Yrvind and his “bathtub”.

think. In fact, Yrvind is fully prepared with reading material and dietary necessities. Estimating that it will take about 600 days to make the worldwide journey, Yrvind is set to surpass world records for smallest boat to make it around the whole world. And, not to worry, Yrvind will have a seatbelt to help him cope in the waves that can be up to 30 or 40 metres high out on the lonely seas.

4

Nordic ‘folklore zombie’ to Hit Swedish Cinemas

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The Bathtub Boat and the Bathtub Sailor A 73-year-old Swede, Sven Yrvind is set to sail around the world in a three-metre boat that is only slightly bigger than a bathtub. Following a lifetime with a day job as a sailor and boat builder, Yrvind’s plan to circumnavigate the globe in such a small boat is slightly less ill-conceived than one might initially

From left: David Liljeblad , Lisa Henni and Sonny Laguna

Three Swedish indie filmmakers have secured Swedish distribution of their movie after successes in the US. Their film is based on an old Nordic folktale and spins a tale based on fantasy and fable. Once a year,

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The Wither, or vittra, is an indie film made in Sweden.

Tommy Wiklund, Sonny Laguna and David Liljeblad rent a secluded cabin in the woods and watch 72 hours of horror movies in a row. In light of these experiences, the three up and coming filmmakers have come up with what some are calling “Sweden’s first zombie movie”.

Although not completely thrilled by this interpretation, the artists are excited by the success of their film about the vittra, the Nordic creature that lives underground, in the United States. Soon to be debuted in Sweden, “Vittra” is being projected to be hugely successful at home too.

5 ABBA: The Museum A new and funky museum will be opening in Stockholm, Sweden this spring. Specifically designed to cater to the fan population of ABBA, this museum will be the world’s first official one of

its kind. Originally scheduled to open in 2009 and halted because of construction complications, the official opening of the museum will be on the 7th of May 2013. It states on their website that they “want to be available to everybody, from [their] very first opening day.

Since [many] music lovers and ABBA fans live outside of Sweden, [they] want to offer a chance to get tickets beforehand in order to guarantee a unique first time visit.”

The plans include a studio where you can record your own ABBA music and the opportunity to see ABBA perform “live” at Wembley Stadium.

Showcasing what is still Sweden’s most famous and successful band of all time, the ABBA museum will be home to the entire ABBA collection and certainly to a very ecstatic fan base. For information on tickets and about the museum, see www.abbathemuseum.com.

6 Romancing the West This very large and beautiful book by the three Swedish authors offers a Scandinavian

mind, a part of people’s imaginations.” Showcasing large and beautiful photographs of the landscape, the people and the general beauty of North America, the authors have successfully made a Swedish portrait of the West.

7 Great Swedish Adventure – Allt för Sverige

perspective on the west through photography.

Following a collection of recipes named Swedish cookbook of the year, Lars Aberg and the two other authors romance the West from a Europen point of view. This very heavy book displays, as the back of the book attests, that the West is “not only a geographic place,” but “a state of

In the years 1846-1930, 1.3 million Swedish people immigrated to America to build a better life for their families. Today, more than 4.8 million Americans have Swedish heritage. The television series “Allt för Sverige”, or “Great Swedish Adventure”, is a reality TV show about Americans with Swedish ancestry who return to Sweden to find their roots.

Everyday Americans journey throughout Sweden to compete in cultural challenges, discover their land and find their roots – and the grand price is meeting their relatives. The show has reached huge success in Sweden for Season 1 and 2, and is now casting for Season 3, which will be broadcasted later this year.

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Lifestyle

Theater

Stor föreställning på Dramaten

By Sthig Jonasson

Å

rets teatersäsong har börjat lysande för Dramaten som på lilla scenen i Stockholm spelar Lars Noréns pjäs från 1991 “Som löven i Vallombrosa”, märkligt nog för första gången på en svensk scen. Den har tidigare bara visats som TV-teater 1995.

Pjäsen utspelas under två somrar när tre generationer har samlats i ett sommarhus i Stockholms skärgård.

I huset finns den döende fadern John och hans tre barn: aktrisen Lena, Sonja som jobbar på apotek och Gabriel som är forskande naturvetare.

Det är en i grunden dysfunktionell familj där alla har överstora egon.

“Som löven i Vallombrosa” bärs upp av ett stort ensemblespel där den centrala rollen görs av Reine Brynolfsson. Stina Ekblad är övertygande som den självupptagYlva Ekblad och Stina Ekblad. na Lena medan Ylva Foto © Roger Stenberg.

Ekblad gör en genomskådande Sonja. De andra rollerna spelas av Björn Granath, Hannes Meidal, Marianne Vassbotn Klasson och Iwar Wiklander.

Det pratas mycket, men det finns inte mycket till yttre handling. I Steffen Aarfings minimalistiskt enkla scenografi låter regissören Vibeke Bjelkes skådespelarna leverera smarta och eleganta repliker.

Associationer, undertexter och referenser blandas till en svart fars där publiken ofta har roligt, mycket roligt. Det här är ett fyra timmar långt verbalt teaterfyrverkeri som ger mer av spänning än en aldrig så våldsam handling. “Som löven i Vallombrosa” både handlar om och är teater, där teaterns illusion bryts av ett oväntat slut. Pjäsen spelas t o m den 6 juni.

Hjälp sökes, Orionteatern Förnyad musikteater

B

By Sthig Jonasson enny Andersson och Björn Ulvaeus har tillsammans med författaren Kristina Lugn förnyat musikteatern med föreställningen “Hjälp sökes” som spelas på Orionteatern i Stockholm. Det är en existentiellt ­ångestfylld historia som utspelas på en djupt förfallen bondgård i Norra Uppland där bröderna Engelbrekt och Axel går varandra på nerverna.

De avskyr varandra och lider av en djup ensamhet och vemodig längtan efter meningen med livet, nu är deras liv fult, skitigt och torftigt. Ingen av dem vill vara där, men de har ett arv att förvalta. De är totalt odugliga som bönder och kan inte ta hand om sig själva eller om gårdens alla djur, som finns på scenen. Det är två kor, två grisar, tre gäss, tre hundar, tre höns och hästen Doglas.

Ingen av bröderna lyssnar på den andre, replikerna når slumpmässigt sina mål. För att bryta Geten Kalleman tristessen sätter de in en kontaktannons med rubriken “Hjälp sökes”. Så kommer den kaxiga och frenetiska Hillevi in i deras liv. Med följer också Hillevis självvalt stumma mamma och geten Kalleman. De ger gården liv – men inte på det sätt bröderna tänkt sig.

Johan Ulveson spelar den nervigt sjavige Axel med flottigt och stripigt hår och en svajig sidledes gångart som om han var på väg någon helt annan stans än dit han kommer. Magnus Roosmann spelar den tungt vresige Engelbrekt som håller på att implodera av aggressioner och ångest. Sofia Pekkaris Hillevi är räddaren som kommer till gården. Hennes språk är fyllt av svårtolkade poetiska metaforer som förvirrar bröderna, men hon lever och det får också bröderna att leva och Engelbrekt blir kär.

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Lifestyle

MUSIC

Melodifestivalen 2013 – Glamour, Nostalgia and Pride Igniting this Spring

“N

By Martina Söderlund

on-Swedes” look at you in disbelief when you try to enthusiastically talk about the upcoming Melodifestivalen 2013, or Schlagerfestivalen (“the Schlager Festival”), this annual national song competition that is taking off in February for its 53rd year. It’s like a religious forthcoming for all generations, last year ending up in a mass stage of Euphoria. For six Saturdays starting on February 2nd, approximately 4 million Swedes will every weekend keep their calendars, in addition to their chips and smagodis (candy) bowls open to follow this event Danny Saucedo and Gina Dirawi are the hosts of closely on TV. Mind you, Melodifestivalen 2013. this is 45% percent of the population. You don’t want to show up in the fika (coffee break) room on Monday morning at work not being prepared to chip in on the gossip – you simply don’t.

Internal voting where you rate each artist is pretty much mandatory at home in front of the TV, and wild discussions about the clothing, the songs and the performances follow until each artist is then scrutinized to their back bones by big headlines for the week or weeks to come.

ABBA set the stage with their winning song “Waterloo” in 1974.

It’s glamour, it’s fame, it’s nostalgia.

And nowadays it’s the one scene that Swedish artists use as their big breakthrough – or comeback.

And many artists are coming back again and again, to try their luck and ABBA was the winner of the get some attention from Melodifestivalen in 1974.

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media which is a guarantee for Melodifestivalen these days. It is a huge production.

The line-up in 2013 includes a great variety of returning giants and upcoming rookies, such as Eric Gadd, Army of Lovers, Rikard Wolff, against YOHIO, Ulrik Munther and Sean Banan, to name a few.

The events will be held in Karlskrona (Feb 2nd), Göteborg (Feb 9th), Skellefteå (Feb 16th), Malmö (Feb 23rd), Karlstad (March 2nd) and YOHIO with “Heartbreak hotel”, one of two finalists from Stockholm (March 9th).

Heat 1 on February 2nd.

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2013 will then compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, the glorious super final where all nations of Europe compete against one another, often with a very eclectic compilation of songs.

This year Sweden will also be the hosting nation of the super final of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Malmö on the 18th of May. 125 million viewers are estimated to watch this final each year. Loreen sweeped the floor in last year’s final getting the full vote from all participating countries with her song Euphoria.

Normally, it’s mostly the domestic version of Melodifestivalen that really spin people off normal patterns, but this year Swedes will explode from pride and euphory – a great opportunity to market Sweden to the world.

Melodifestivalen 2013 – Finalists so far

Artist Song

Heat 1: Feb 2 David Lindgren “Skyline”

YOHIO “Heartbreak Hotel” Heat 2: Feb 9 Louise Hoffsten “Only the Dead Fish Follow The Stream”

Sean Banan “Copacabanana” Heat 3: Feb 16 TBD in Skellefteå Heat 4: Feb 23 TBD in Malmö Second Chance: Mar 2 TBD in Karlstad Final: Mar 9 TBD in Stockholm Eurovision Song Contest (International Final): May 18 TBD in Malmö

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Lifestyle

FRESH IDEAS

Making the Climate Well: A New Solution for Cooling by Heating

C

By Sydney Vickars

limateWell is a company based on a sustainable technology which converts heat into air conditioning around the clock. Using solar thermal collectors – which traditionally function only when it is hot and only during the day – and an integrated energy storage system, the ClimateWell technology is innovative and has extraordinary potential – both functional and sustainable.

In addition to contributing to the environment, ClimateWell also offers the potential of saving money as it uses a renewable resource. That is, ClimateWell uses sunlight rather than oil or gas.

ClimateWell components are based on a proprietary sorption technology. The basic principle is a chemical heat-pump technology with integrated energy storage in a dry salt. All ClimateWell components have in common that they are powered by a heat

source. When releasing the energy you get a cold side (for Air Conditioning) and a hot side (for heating).

No compressor is used for this. It is a purely heatdriven process. The system is essentially composed of a reactor, a condenser and an evaporator, which work together to provide indoor climate solutions.

Because 25% of the total energy consumption in Europe and 68% of the energy consumption in US households is used for heating and cooling, an innovation such as ClimateWell has the potential to reach and serve many different markets.

ClimateWell was formed in 2001 and the first solar cooling installations were made in 2003. The company is now focussed on three areas: Solar cooling and storage, Air conditioning for heavy vehicles and Highly efficient water heaters and boilers.

For images and information please visit: www. climatewell.com.

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Lifestyle

SPORT

The Vasaloppet: Not Your Average Ski Race

Sunday of each March and begins in the Swedish town of Salen.

E

By Sydney Vickars

very year, many cross country skiers in Sweden, the United States and Japan set out on a ninety kilometer ski race. Not just your average race, the Vasaloppet event is held in commemoration of a Swedish king-to-be, Gustaf Eriksson Vasa. Vasa was fleeing from his enemies (the Danish bailiffs) only to subsequently become the King of Sweden, with the help of the men of Dalecarlia.

Significantly also the world’s most popular ski race, the Vasaloppet is defined by history and its tradition is carried on in its modern form today. This year, more than 63,000 are registered to participate in the Vasaloppet event.

This year, more than 63,000 are registered to participate in the Vasaloppet event.

In its historic form, the race began in Mora – the location where today the race finishes. In January 1521, Sweden was occupied by the Danes and the young nobleman Vasa had spoken at the Mora church in an attempt to rally his compatriots to take up arms against Kristian, the “Tyrant”. Coming out unsuccessful, Vasa fled on skis to Norway. However, having a change of heart, the Dalecarlians sent two of their fastest skiers after Vasa, and the race was on.

Eventually liberating Sweden from the Danes with the help of a peasant army, Vasa went on to become King of Sweden between 1523 and 1560.

In 1922, Anders Pers conceived of the idea to reintroduce the race to the Swedish population. Except for when there is insufficient amounts of snow, the Vasaloppet in its modern form takes place on the first

Vasaloppet’s winter week has this year attracted more registered entries than ever before. Photo: © Vasaloppet

Until 1954, the Vasaloppet was a purely national affair. Today, over twenty percent of the participants are from abroad, mainly from Norway, Austria, Germany, Russia, France and Switzerland. Now Japan and the United States offer their own version of the Vasaloppet and Swedes travel abroad to participate internationally.

The Vasaloppet has now expanded to include a whole week of festivities to precede the ninety kilometer race. Races during the week before include shorter thirty kilometer races, relays, and races geared towards children and youth. The average time for a Vasaloppet racer is just over 5 hours, and today Olympians and other famous athletes – such as Pippa Middleton – participate in the event.

Though the tradition of Swedish hospitality is upheld during the race – the raceway is heavily populated with blueberry soup and drink stands – the race is also somewhat of a weight loss scheme. It is estimated that the average skier loses three kilos (or almost 7lbs) during the course of the race. The hearty dinner all racers are invited to at the finish is not only well deserved but also highly necessitated.

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Hemma hos A touch of Sweden to Your Home

S

Paint Color Whiten and Brighten. This is perhaps one of the main things you can do to give your home that Swedish ‘look’. When it comes to choosing paint colors opt for shades of white.

It will make the room feel bright and airy, and create a sense of spaciousness. You can also go with muted grays, neutrals, or pastels.

Add a Pop of Color.

White walls provide the backdrop, but modern Swedish interiors embrace bold splashes of color. Paint an accent wall in a bright color to bring a tasteful flair to the room. Bring in more color with framed posters or pieces of art, and match it up with solid color and patterned pillows for the sofa, or an area rug.

Lighting Oversize. Chandeliers are a wonderful focal point in a Swedish interior.

So go big in size when choosing a

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large open back book shelves are a great way to create show space for objects and items that might otherwise be clutter. Be selective and reserve shelf space for objects that are worth putting on display.

By Kristi Robinson

wedish homes are not only functional, but they are beautiful too. Free from clutter and excess ornamentation classic Swedish interiors are tranquil and sophisticated, while the modern counterpart exudes chicness and simplicity. Whether your style is mostly the former, or more of the latter, here are some easy design ideas you can use to make your home a Swedish haven.

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Design

An elegant and classic Swedish interior.

Photo credit: Saltsjöbaden residence from edisonavenue.net

light fixture – whether it’s a paper globe, a jeweled chandelier, or a large floor lamp.

Flooring Natural Wood. Wall to wall carpeted floors simply don’t exist in Swedish homes where natural hardwood is abundant. If you are renovating your home and want to create a truly Swedish interior a hardwood floor is a must-have. Select a light colored species of wood; birch, maple, pine, beech and oak are all popular choices in Swedish homes. Whitewash your wood floors for a more traditional look.

Furniture & Accessories Mix It Up. Swedish style means mixing traditional furniture with modern, and wood furniture with upholstered. Create an interesting picture wall of different sized frames with a mixture of family photos and art. When it comes to incorporating patterns have fun with these too.

Bring in patterned pillows, curtains, and wallpaper.

Organize. Of the many things that Swedish interiors are known for is their clean functionality and minimalism. Floor to ceiling shelving, or

Accessorize. Add some Swedish elegance to your interior space with decorative objects such as a candelabra or tea light candle holders, a crystal vase and votives, or for something a little more grand: a Grandfather clock, as a nod to the traditional Swedish Mora clock.

Windows Keep it Light. Natural light, particularly during the long winters, is such a valued commodity in Sweden that it makes sense to have windows treatments that almost disappear into the background. Sheer window coverings are the perfect solution because they offer a bit of privacy while allowing the light to stream in. If you prefer a little more privacy choose light colored or white ceiling to floor drapes.

A bold and colorful modern Swedish interior.

Photo credit: Lagerlings via designloversblog.com Correction: Last month’s (Jan-Feb) article “The Strength of Swedish Design” featured an image of Pirkka stools with the designer incorrectly named. The Pirkka stool was designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999).

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[ ] W Treats

a la Olofsson

e came to Canada in August 1988 because of an opportunity given to Jorgen.

He worked at ModoChemetics in Örnskoldsvik, and was asked to transfer to the Vancouver office.

Although we knew we would miss our family and friends, we couldn’t turn the opportunity down. It was such an exciting change, and it was so nice to be able to stay at home with the kids, Linda and Hector, every day. Eventually they started school and we decided to stay in Vancouver. Right from the start we loved this beautiful city. Not only is it beautiful but people in Vancouver are always so friendly and welcoming. Both our children are adopted from Colombia, South America and here they fit in so easily.

Having said that, while we were new in Vancouver, Linda and Hector liked that we went to Swedish School, where they could speak Swedish with the children and the teachers, and so could I. We met many good and lasting friends through the school and the Swedish Cultural Society.

Our children have been very involved in the Swedish community and have helped out at numerous events. Our son Hector is 27 years old, and has a passion for fitness; he works as a Personal Trainer. He loves to be the tour guide when our relatives from Sweden come to visit us.

Our daughter Linda is 29 years old, and will be graduating in April with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resources. She is volunteering as the Treasurer for the Swedish Cultural Society.

Jorgen now works as a software developer and I am a Special Education Assistant at an elementary school in North Vancouver, where we bought a house in 1995. We became Canadian citizens in 2004.

Although we love Canada, we do miss our family in Sweden. To keep in touch, we make trips to Sweden once or twice every year, make skype and phone calls, and send plenty of emails.

When we retire, Jorgen and I would like to travel across Canada

and visit the different provinces.

Even though we have been here for so long I have only seen BC and Alberta. We also plan to travel through the US and hopefully play golf here and there.

By Monica Olofsson

Tjälknöl Start with: 1 steak of moose meat, frozen (or beef )

Tjälknöl is frozen meat, which is put in the oven at a low temperature and, after it is done, is placed in a spicy, salty marinade. This makes the meat very tender. In Sweden moose meat would be popular to use, but any kind of steak works. This is a very popular dish in Härjedalen.

Marinade: 1 L water 100 ml salt 15 ml sugar 7 whole black peppercorns 5 Juniper berries (or substitute with other spices) 2 bay leaves

From www.Spisa.nu Set the oven to 75 degrees Celsius. Place meat in ovenproof dish and place in oven for 8-17 hours depending on the size of the steak. The bigger steak the longer time. Insert a meat thermometer when the meat has thawed. When it shows 55 ˚c the meat will be rare, 65 ˚c medium and 75 ˚c done.

In a saucepan mix the ingredients for the marinade and bring it to a boil. Cool. When the steak is done put it in the marinade. Put the meat in big double Ziploc bags and add the marinade. Close the bag and let it sit in the fridge for about 5 hours. Slice the meat very thin and serve it with scalloped potatoes.

Lingonkaka 125 g butter 2 eggs 200 ml sugar 250 ml flour ½ tsp baking powder 350 ml fresh lingonberries (or cranberries) 100 ml sugar Icing sugar

Melt the butter and let cool. Whisk eggs and sugar well. Add the flour mixed with baking powder. Finally, add the melted butter.

Pour half of the batter into a greased and breaded spring form.

Mix berries and sugar. Spread over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top of the berries.

Bake in 175 degrees ˚c for about 50 minutes. Let sit to cool and then sprinkle a thin layer of icing sugar on top.

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GÖTEBORG

När ett tåg spårade ur i hög fart vid slutstationen på Saltsjöbanan och rände in i ett flerfamiljshus fanns bara en person ombord.

Det var vid 02.30-tiden som tåget lämnade SL:s vagnhall i Neglinge i en hastighet av 80 kilometer i timmen.

När det närmade sig ändhållplatsen i Saltsjöbaden 1,5 kilometer bort, saktade det inte ner utan körde i hög fart rakt igenom den så kallade stoppbock, som finns där spåren tar slut, och rände in i en av lägenheterna i flerfamiljshuset ett femtiotal meter bortanför stoppbocken.

Bakom spakarna fanns en kvinna som är anställd som städare i Neglingedepån. Hur hon kom över tåget är oklart. Förarnas nycklar ska vara personliga.

Städaren skadades allvarligt och fördes med helikopter till Karolinska universitetssjukhuset. Dagen efter olyckan anhölls hon misstänkt för allmänfarlig ödeläggelse men senare skrev åklagaren av misstankarna därför att det inte finns något som tyder på att kvinnan medvetet körde iväg med tåget. Brottsrubriceringen kan nu komma att ändras till arbetsmiljöbrott.

“Allt talar för att det varit fråga om en ren olycka där flera tillfälliga och olyckliga omständigheter gjort att kvinnan fått tåget i rullning i samband med städningen,” säger kammaråklagare Pär Andersson vid City åklagarkammare i Stockholm i ett pressmeddelande. “Den tekniska utredningen visar att det funnits flera allvarliga säkerhetsbrister kring tåget och uppställningsplatsen.”

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ringa föräldrarna och berätta vad som hänt. Nu medger sjukhuset att man gjorde fel.

– Vi ska underrätta föräldrarna till barn under 18 och i det här fallet har vi inte gjort det, säger AnnMarie Broqvist, vårdenhetschef på akuten på Gävle sjukhus.

16-åringen var passagerare i en bil som kördes av en 18-åring utan körkort. I en korsning i Storvik utanför Sandviken, körde bilen in i sidan på en annan bil. I den satt en 55-åring, som fick livshotande skador. Alla inblandade fördes till sjukhus, även 16-åringen. När hon skulle röntgas i handen vägrade hon dock och gick i stället hem och lade sig. Det var storasystern som nästa dag i ett inlägg på Facebook såg att hennes syster varit på akuten. Mamman visste då ingenting.

Familjen har anmält både polisen och personalen på akutmottagningen för tjänstefel. Sjukhuset ska nu undersöka vidare om man ska vidta ytterligare åtgärder och till exempel göra en lex Maria-anmälan till Socialstyrelsen.

De hade heltäckande kläder i simhallen i Kärra. Då körde badpersonalen ut de två muslimska kvinnorna. Nu har hovrätten dömt Göteborgs stad att betala skadestånd till kvinnorna på grund av etnisk diskriminering.

De två kvinnorna badade inte själva utan följde med sina badande barn till simhallen. De var iklädda långärmade t-shirts, joggingbyxor och huvudduk. De fick order om att lämna simhallen om de inte bytte om till lättare klädsel. Enligt badets personal var klädseln inte tillräckligt hygienisk.

Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO stämde Göteborgs stad för brott mot lagen om förbud mot diskriminering och krävde skadestånd på sammanlagt 300 000 kronor. Tingsrätten friade Göteborgs stad från anklagelserna men nu har hovrätten dömt staden att betala 20 000 kronor var i skadestånd till kvinnorna.

MALMÖ Chefen för Hovrätten i Malmö tycker att en av domarna är för lite på jobbet. Bland annat ville inte domaren ha ett möte därför att han skulle spela golf. Nu skall Statens ansvarsnämnd avgöra vilka arbetstider som gäller.

SKÅNE Två personbilar som stannat till på Tranarpsbron kan indirekt ha utlöst en av de största masskrockarna som någonsin har inträffat i Sveriges historia. Bilarna, som ska ha stannat på bron i fel körfält, kan ha varit anledningen till att tre tyska lastbilar bromsade in, fick sladd, sammanstötte med varandra och utlöste masskrocken på E4 utanför Klippan.

De stillastående personbilarna är inte misstänka för något brott, men

GÄSTRIKLAND När en 16-årig flicka togs till sjukhus för att röntgas efter att hon varit inblandad i en svår trafikolycka, fick hennes föräldrar inte veta om det förrän nästa dag. Och det var via Facebook. Varken polisen eller sjukvården hade brytt sig om att 18

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söks av polisen för att klargöra vad som hände. Däremot misstänks lastbilsförarna för brott efter att ha kört i 70–90 kilometer i timmen, vilket var alldeles för fort i förhållande till väglaget. Det rådde tät dimma och det var mycket halt. Enligt polisen hade chaufförerna kunnat bromsa in lugnt om de bara hade anpassat hastigheten.

Vidare misstänks elva lastbilschaufförer och en personbilsförare för vårdslöshet i trafik, eller alternativt för att inte ha anpassat hastigheten till fordonet framför.

En lastbilschaufför misstänks även för vållande till annans död eftersom hans lastbilssläp klämde ihjäl en bilist som gått ut på bron för att varna andra trafikanter.

Totalt var 74 fordon inblandade i masskrocken, varav 40 var lastbilar. Även en ambulans var inblandad. En bil körde genom broräcket och hamnade nere i ån. 46 personer skadades, fyra av dem allvarligt. Räddningstjänsten tillkallade bussar som kunde värma folk som inte skadats men som befann sig på platsen.

SMÅLAND En vårddömd pedofil misstänks ha begått grova barnpornografibrott inifrån den psykiatriska kliniken i Växjö. Redskapen har varit en mobiltelefon och en maskerad dator.

Mannen har dömts för grova sexuella övergrepp på barn i Örebro. Polisen gjorde husrannsakan i mannens rum på regionpsykiatriska kliniken i Växjö efter tips från Rikskriminalen. Den genomgång som gjordes av det till stora delar krypterade materialet visade att pedofilen hade tusentals barnpornografiska bilder och att han spridit dem vidare. Datorn var dold bakom skalet på en musikanläggning. Den 40

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LAPPLAND NORRBOTTEN

VÄSTERBOTTEN

JÄMTLAND

HÄRJEDALEN

ÅNGERMANLAND

MEDELPAD HÄLSINGLAND

DALARNA GÄSTRIKLAND UPPLAND VÄSTMANLAND Stockholm VÄRMLAND SÖDERMANNÄRKE LAND DALSLAND ÖSTERGÖTLAND BOHUSLAND VÄSTERGöteborg GÖTLAND SMÅLAND HALLAND SKÅNE

GOTLAND ÖLAND

BLEKINGE

Malmö

var kopplad till en tv, som fungerade som skärm. Internetuppkopplingen gick via mannens mobiltelefon.

Thomas Dahlén, ställföreträdande chefsöverläkare på kliniken, är frustrerad över patienternas fria tillgång till mobiltelefoner. Behandlingen av bland andra dömda sexbrottslingar försvåras, anser han. De datorer som kliniken har till patienternas förfogande har inte internetuppkoppling och personalens datorer har filter mot barnpornografi.

Men sådana åtgärder blir verkningslösa med dagens mobiltelefoner.

SÖDERMANLAND Mannen gick in på ett bankkontor i Strängnäs och bad om att få betala fakturor för olika byggjobb. Med hjälp av ett förfalskat körkort identifierade han sig som en kontoinnehavare i Stockholm och lyckades få igenom transaktioner på 1,8 miljoner kronor. Men allt filmades av bankens övervakningskameror och bilderna spreds i media. Då gav bedragaren 54

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upp och anmälde sig själv till polisen.

Mannen, som är i 50-årsåldern, anhölls senare misstänkt för grovt bedrägeri. Förutom kuppen i Strängnäs utreds han också för ett annat grovt bedrägeri. Han har tidigare dömts för bokföringsbrott. Kontoinnehavaren som lurades på miljonbeloppet upptäckte inte att pengarna var borta förrän dagen efter bedrägeriet. Då hade pengarna redan förts vidare till andra konton.

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UPPLAND Några dagar efter att en färdigmonterad stuga stals i Librobäck utanför Uppsala hörde tjuven själv av sig, och berättade att han tagit stugan till en plats tre mil från tomten den stals från. Stugan hade en tid stått på en trailer på en tomt i väntan på att kunna forslas vidare, något som var omöjligt på grund av vägbyggen. Det var när nyheten om den stulna stugan kom ut i lokala medier som tjuven fick kalla fötter och hörde själv av sig till ägaren.

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VÄSTERBOTTEN Flyktingarna i Vännäs lever i skräck.

Polisen har dubblerat sin bemanning för att försöka stävja bråken mellan dem och ett gäng ungdomar.

Allt startade med att en ung svensk flicka misshandlades av en man med invandrarbakgrund. Det var ingen grov misshandel och det ska inte ha legat något rasistiskt motiv bakom det som hände. När ett 40-tal personer samlades utanför två flyktingfamiljers hus var det lynchstämning.

Sedan tog mobben reda på var olika arabisktalande flyktingar bodde. Det ropades glåpord och flyktingarna hotades. Till slut fick de evakueras.

Sammanlagt har 46 personer fått lämna Vännäs och det är osäkert när och om de kan komma tillbaka.

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N O R T H

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Augusta’s Daughter Life in Nineteenth Century Sweden

Swedish Easter Smorgasbord

A novel by Judit Martin

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Local Community News in Swedish North America

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From February 28th to May 13th, 2013, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum presents the “Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America” exhibition. The first international loan exhibition and catalogue dedicated to this Swedish artist in the United States for more than 25 years, this museum will present new international scholarship about an artist who was considered “among the most prolific and talented artists living around 1900.”

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Portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner in Venice, 1894, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Courtesy of Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

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Perhaps because his oil canvases are little known to the American general public today, this exhibition allows the United States the opportunity to learn about how Zorn became an international artist who set the groundwork for modern art between 1890 and the early 1900s.

The curator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum since 2011, Oliver Tostmann, calls Anders Zorn an “intoxicating artist who personifies the promises and contradictions of his time.”

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Thanks in part to a series of public programs that will supplement and complement the exhibition, this “European Artist” will likely no longer be easily overlooked.

Chicago Beginning at 6pm on April 20th, 2013 at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago, the Swedish American Historical Society will celebrate the 375th anniversary of the New Sweden Colony in Delaware. Highlighting the history of the development spawning from when two ships left Goteborg in December 1637 and anchored in Delaware Bay in March of the following year, this dinner program will discuss the first Swedish settlement in North America. Only 17 years later, Dutch forces invaded and captured the New Sweden colony and in 1655, it became part of New Netherland.

Speaking on behalf of the Historical Society is Kim-Eric Williams, the director of the Swedish language program at the University of Pennsylvania. Williams is considered one of the leading translators of 17th-18th century Swedish script and will offer insight into the history of the New Sweden colony and its development and incorporation. For more information of the event and the Swedish American Historical Society – established in 1948 and based in Chicago – visit www.swedishamericanhist.org.

Minneapolis On March 10th from 2-3pm, join Swedish-American journalist and author Klad Bergman as he discusses his latest book entitled Amerika – drömmarnas land or America – Land of Dreams. Arriving in Los Angeles in 1960 as a student, this book tells the biographical tale of Bergman’s jouney in America between the two oceans and amongst 18

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Commemorative First-day Cover marking the 300th Anniversary of the First Delaware Settlement.

such political turmoil as “the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, Nixon and Watergate, the Reagan years, 9/11 and terrorism and the election of America’s first AfricanAmerican president.”

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Vancouver The Scandinavian Cultural Society is requesting photos and stories of the lives and contributions of you or your Nordic immigrant ancestors to North America before 1960. This is in anticipation of an exhibition entitled “Nordic Spirit Festival: To Canada with Hope” where the photos and stories will be displayed in order to highlight the immigrant experience. The photos and stories will be categorized according to organizations, cooperation, politics, religion, skills, society, technology, sport, arts and culture, and more. Between April 12th and April 14th, this exhibition will serve Vancouver’s Swedish community.

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Washington DC From February 19th to March 18th, 2013, enjoy this month long cultural exposure exhibition at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event is called “Nordic Cool” and showcases the diverse arts and cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This event coincides with the Swedish embassy’s theme for 2013: globalization and migration.

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Simply call 604-731-6381 or go to nordicway.com and order a subscription to Scandinavian or Swedish Press.

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[ ]

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Calendar & Events

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Guide to interesting and fun events in Swedish North America

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Mar 1, 8, 15 – Friday 7:30 pm: Scandinavian Dance techniques and instruction, including the Hambo Mar 3 – Sunday 12 noon: Herring Breakfast with entertainment by Karen Lindblad and Borrowed Light.

Mar 9 – Saturday 9:00 am: Pancakes with Pippi, including crafts and dancing Mar 9 – Saturday 1:30 pm: Scandinavian Jam Session with instructors Mary Allsopp and Paul Tyler Mar 14 – Thursday 7:00 pm: “Tolerance vs. Inclusion: How Immigration Affects Education,” a presentation by researcher Faith L. Walls.

Mar 16 – Saturday 10 am: Family Easter Workshop, learn about Swedish food, decorate a påskris, paint eggs Mar 22 – Friday 6:00 pm: Opening of the exhibit, “Entangled Roots,” by artists Corinne D. Peterson, Tim Klassen and Stephen Klassen.

Mar 23 – Saturday 1:00 pm: Guided tour of the permanent exhibit, “A Dream of America: Swedish Immigration to Chicago”.

Mar 25 – Monday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm: Våffeldagen, a feast of Swedish waffles celebrating Annunciation Day. Apr 20 – Saturday 5:30 pm: SwedishAmerican Historical Society dinner and program on 375th anniversary of the establishment of New Sweden Colony on Delaware River.

LINDSBORG Bethany College 335 East Swensson St, Lindsborg, KS 67456 | Tel: 785-227 3380 ext. 8137

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Mar 24 – Sunday 3:00 pm: Handel’s “Messiah” presented on Palm Sunday by soloists from the American Spiritual Ensemble celebrating the 132nd Messiah Festival of the Arts.

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Mar 29 – Friday 7:30 pm: Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” will be presented on Good Friday.

Mar 31 – Sunday 3:00 pm: The American Spiritual Ensemble’s “A Spiritual Messiah” will be presented on Easter Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Ave Minneapolis MN 55407 Tel: 612-871 4907 | info@ASImn.org Mar 10 – Sunday 2:00-3:00 pm: “America - Land of Dreams” A Swedish-American Journalist’s Portrait of America.

Through May 26 – Exhibition on Eight Seasons in Sápmi, the Land of the Sámi People.

NEW YORK Scandinavian House: The Nordic Center in North America 58 Park Ave @ 38th St. New York, NY 10016 | Tel: 212 779 3587 Mar 11 – Monday 6:00 pm: 100 Years of ASF, the American-Scandinavian Foundation: How Has the World Changed Over the Last Century? A Curtis L. Carlson Centennial Lecture with Jan Egeland.

Mar 19 – Tuesday 6:30 pm: Strindberg and Friends, A Tribute in Memory of Harry G. Carlson.

Mar 26 – Tuesday 8:30 pm: Music on Park Avenue – Evening with Swedish pianist and artistic director Per Tengstrand who presents a series of concerts with guest musicians.

LYNDHURST Messiah Lutheran Church 5200 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst OH 44124 | Tel: 216-371-5141 office@messiahlyndhurst.org March 10 – Sunday 2:00-4:00 pm: VOA Lodge Meeting – Program: Gudrid of Vinland. Kaffe med dopp.

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April 7 – Sunday 2:00-5:00 pm: Kaffe Stuga Open House, Bake sale, Swedish Butik, Live Accordion Music.

PHILADELPHIA American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145 | Tel: 215-389 1776 | info@americanswedish.org

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Mar 10 – Sunday 3:00 pm: Skaran Concert featuring the trio of Swedish folk musicians Emilia Amper (Nyckelharpa), Anna Roussel (Wooden Flute) and Jonas Bleckman (Cello).

Mar 24 – Sunday 2:00-4:00 pm: Easter Workshop and Egg Hunt

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SEATTLE Swedish Cultural Center 1920 Dexter Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 | Tel: 206-283 1090 Mar 3 – Sunday 8:00 am-1:30 pm: Swedish Pancakes Mar 3 – Sunday 10:00 am-2:00 pm: Weaving class resumes.

Mar 5 – Every first Tuesday of the month 10:00 am: Ladies Auxiliary Mar 13 – Wednesday 6:30 pm: Members & Friends Dinner Meeting.

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VANCOUVER Scandinavian Cultural Centre 6540 Thomas Street Burn­aby, BC V5B 4P9 | Tel: 604-294 2777 info@scandinaviancentre.org Mar 23 – Saturday 6:00 pm: Farewell Party for the Honorary Consul Anders Neumuller and his wife Hamida.

RSVP to Yvonne Spence 604-980 8866 yvonne@ronspence.com April 12 to 14 – Nordic Spirit Festival: To Canada with Hope – The Scandinavian Cultural Society requests photos and stories of the lives of their members’ Nordic immigrant ancestors to North America before 1960 for display.

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Ads & Info Calgary Organizations

Svenska Skolan i Calgary bedriver undervisning för barn 3-15 år gamla på lördagar kl 9:30–12:00. Alla barn är välkomna. Undervisningen sker på svenska. Kontakta Svenska Skolan genom Scandinavian center 403-284 2610 eller skicka epost till contact@swedishschool.com. Läs merom vår skola på www.swedishschool.com

BC Organizations Consulate of Sweden Tuesday 1:00-5:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am2:00 pm or by appointment. #1480 - 1188 West Georgia Street. 604-683 5838 Scandinavian Business Club meets every second Wednesday of the month. New members welcome.

Phone Ben Marklund 604-524 2915.

Visit us at www.sbc-bc.ca The Scandinavian Centre 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4P9. 604-294 2777 Svenska Kulturföreningen Ordförande Monica Olofsson, 604987 6086. Kassör Åsa Eidelöf 1937

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Rufus Drive North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 3L8 404-988 9882 Svenska Skolan en gång i veckan för barn mellan 3 och 14 år. Ordförande Mia Logie 604-725 8431, Administratör Anette Anastacio svenskaskolanvancouver@gmail.com Sweden House Society President Robert Toren 604-980 9241, Vice-President Lennart Österlind, Treasurer Ron Spence.

SWEA – Swedish Womens Educational Association. Du, svensktalande kvinna. Kom med i SWEA. Vi träffas en gång i månaden för att ha kul, lära nytt och prata svenska.

“Kontakta Alexandra Roos tel:778990 9130, email: vancouver@swea. org eller Pia Hilton tel:604-261 2484 email:sweavanmemb@gmail.com.

Besök oss på www.sweavancouver.org Swedish Canadian Village Swedish Canadian Manor and Gustav Vasa Place at 1800 Duthie Avenue in Burnaby, B.C. V5A 2R4 604-420 3222 provides retirement apartments, beautiful grounds. Just

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steps from the bus. Swedish Canadian Resthome Association President Erik Nordholm.

Victoria BC Organizations Swedish Club of Victoria Meetings held third Wednesday of each month at 1110 Hillside Ave. Contact Annabelle Beresford 250656 9586.

Washington Organizations Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, 3104 NW 67th St., Ballard 206-789 5707 Open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday closed.

Swedish Cultural Center 1920 Dexter Ave., N, Seattle, Wa 98109; Tel: 206-283 1090. Open MonSat. Catering available for all events.

Classified Olympic Village 2-bedroom Rental Stunning mountain and sea views, on Seawall. Scandinavian ambiance with high-end European appliances. Underground parking, on-site pool and gym. Monthly rental from Febrary.

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NAMEDAYS Mar 1 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 31

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Sista Ordet

An Outsider’s Perspective

By Jesper Eriksson

M Jesper Eriksson Jesper was born near Stockholm, Sweden in 1994. He has lived in China, Morocco, India, and Malaysia. He spent the past four years studying at the International School of Kuala Lumpur.

Jesper is currently studying at Sciences Po de Paris in Le Havre, France.

Swedish-English Dictionary Svenska skämt-tecknare – Swedish cartoonist sju – seven hemma hos – at home with landskapsnyheterna – provincial news press byrån – news agent sista ordet – the last word

y mother is Swedish. My father is Swedish. I was born in Sweden. However, I’ve never lived there. The past 18 years have tossed me about, landing me in places like China, India, and Malaysia. Swedish was the language spoken at home, yet a month or two every summer and the occasional winter were the only glimpses I got of the beloved homeland.

It is therefore the case that my schooling has occurred exclusively in the international schools that I’m sure all expats are aware of. It fascinates me how these educational environments have affected the view I have of my own country. After all, around a third of my life has been spent around students and teachers from all countries imaginable. In my senior class of high school, I was the only Swede, with a Dane being the only other fellow Scandinavian.

Once, I was walking around at one of the many cultural festivals that the school in Kuala Lumpur organized. The school had invited students and parents of all nationalities to add fragments of their heritage to this celebration. Of course, the most popular part of this was the food section. I remember seeing the Indians smiling behind their table full of fresh naan and curry, the Taiwanese eagerly serving an impossibly large assortment of dumplings, the Canadians proudly serving maple syrup pancakes. As I walked, I eventually came to the Swedish table. Smoked salmon and sill. I hate fish. Yet as friends and strangers came to the table to inspect what Sweden had to offer, I took a plate, piled on the salmon, and with some hesitation began eating. I tried to keep a straight face. Forcing fish down my throat was the only way I could show these onlookers what my national identity was made of.

This national identity expressed itself in other ways as well. Eagerly explaining the traditions and superstitions of midsummer is one, describing the beauty of Sankta Lucia another. When ABBA played on the radio, it didn’t matter that I didn’t like their music, I sang along proudly. Eurovision became an event to monitor carefully, even though my cousins back home really couldn’t care less.

When I returned to Sweden for the summer, my family travelled down south to be with my grandparents to celebrate midsummer. When lunchtime came, the smörgåsbord was beautiful. Breads of all kinds, my favorite meatballs, perfectly cooked potatoes. And of course, sill. When at the table, my hand instinctively reached for the jar of noxious fish, and my grandmother looked at me strangely. “You like that?”, she asked. “Not really”, I replied, my hand falling again. I looked at her plate. Pickled herring wasn’t to be found. “You don’t like it either?”, I asked. She laughed and shook her head. I was shocked.

Abroad, I had developed distorted perception of what Sweden is, and what it means to be Swedish. I thought that eating pickled fish was an integral part of this. My grandmother proved me wrong.

Now, as a university student in France, I can’t keep up with the new slang or the subtle changes in mannerisms. I don’t know all the trendy places in Stockholm. Forget if I still consider Sweden my home, that question has become irrelevant. But even if I’ll never be able to live in Sweden permanently, I do know one thing. I’ll always sing along to ABBA and I’ll always hope for Swedish success in Eurovision. But maybe, just maybe, I won’t pretend to like sill anymore.

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