Tradition and culture

Chefs, food and pastry

Ever heard of “the Swedish chef” from Sesame Street? He’s hilarious but I’m not sure he can really cook. At least not as well as the Swedish chefs that I admire and who are well known all over the world. Famous Swedish chefs Marcus Samuelsson – Swedish chef working in New York where he’s theContinue reading “Chefs, food and pastry”

The Royal Family

Sweden has been a monarchy for more than a thousand years, with approximately seventy kings ruling during this time. The present king, Carl XVI Gustaf, was inaugurated in 1973 and is the 74:th regent on the throne. The Swedish king is of French heritage. The Bernadotte’s have been on the Swedish throne since 1818. Before,Continue reading “The Royal Family”

“Sill och nubbe”

In Sweden there is an old tradition of having “sill and nubbe” at Christmas, as well as at Easter time and Midsummer. We actually eat and drink very similar during these three holidays. “Sill” and “nubbe” is pickled herring and snaps, or a shot (e. g vodka). Usually the “nubbe”, or snaps, is spiced withContinue reading ““Sill och nubbe””

The holiday season is here

Advent is latin and means arrival. It is a celebration of the arrival of Jesus, and also a time to prepare for Christmas. Advent has its historical roots in the 40 day long fasting period that started around Christmas and finished by Easter. Traditionelly it is a time for fasting and preparing for the birthContinue reading “The holiday season is here”

Swedish Midsommar

Come rain or come sun, Midsommarafton is by far one of the most celebrated dates during the year. This post contains a commercial link In the middle of June almost all Swedes (myself included) celebrate the happening of “Sommarsolståndet”, which occurrs when night and day are the exact same length. With a pick-nick basket inContinue reading “Swedish Midsommar”

Vasaloppet

Aiming to organise a national cross-country ski-race, the first “Vasaloppet” was a an immediate success. And it just kept growing in popularity. The first woman to race In 1923 the first woman ever to participate in Vasaloppet finished last. Even though she was cheered on by thousands of spectators and many saw her as aContinue reading “Vasaloppet”