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Slow Fashion in Eco-conscious Sweden
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October 2018 Vol 89:08 $5.95
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Valet 2018 Slow Fashion Interview with Atlas Copco CEO Treehotel
Liquid Wind is building the world's first high-capacity facility for producing circular electro-fuel. Powered only by wind energy, it will transform waste CO2 into liquid fuel. To learn more and invest in this Scandinavian solution, visit www.liquidwind.se.
Svenska Kulturföreningen Swedish Cultural Society
THE
40th ANNUAL
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS FAIR November 17-18, 2018 11am-4pm Free admission!
CELEBRATIONS 2018 ANNUAL GALA
Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. Saddle and Cycle Club, Chicago, Ill.
JULMARKNAD
Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
ST. LUCIA CELEBRATION
Thursday, Dec. 13, noon Chicago Cultural Center Thursday, Dec. 13, 4:45 p.m. Swedish American Museum Thursday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Ebenezer Lutheran Church
Scandinavian Centre 6540 Thomas St Burnaby, BC For more information: SwedishCulturalSociety.ca SwedishCulturalSociety.ca@gmail.com
JULMIDDAG
Traditional Swedish Christmas family dinner Sunday, Dec. 16, 5 p.m. Swedish American Museum 5211 N. Clark St., Chicago
SwedishAmericanMuseum.org
Swedish Press is the world’s leading magazine on all good things Swedish. An authority on design, business, culture and travel since 1929, Swedish Press delivers insightful news and commentary in a visually striking format. With a nod to the past, and a peek to the future, Swedish Press is your go-to source for updates and inspiration from Sweden. SWEDISH PRESS (ISSN 0839-2323) is published ten times per year (Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July/Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec/Jan) by Swedish Press Inc, 862 Peace Portal Drive, Suite #101, Blaine WA 98230 for $45 per year. Periodical postage paid at Blaine, WA 98230-9998 (No. USPS 005544). US POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Swedish Press, PO Box 420404, San Diego, CA 92142-0404 OFFICE: 9040 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6E5 Canada US MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 420404, San Diego, CA 92142-0404 WEBSITE www.swedishpress.com E-MAIL info@swedishpress.com TEL +1 360 450 5858 TOLL FREE +1 866 882 0088 PUBLISHER Claes Fredriksson Claes@swedishpress.com EDITOR Peter Berlin Peter@swedishpress.com
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4 Letters to the Editor 5 From the Editor’s Desk Swedish Headlines 6 Headline News: Sweden’s Parliamentary Elections 2018 7 Swedes in the News 8 Landskapsnyheterna Business 9 Business News 10 Company File: Treehotel – Getting the Treehotel Off the Ground
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CONTENTS ( October 2018 )
ART DIRECTOR Joan Law Joan@swedishpress.com
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Björn Bayley, Peter Ladner, Brian Antonson, Christer Garell, Anders & Hamida Neumuller
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Swedish Press Global Swedes 16 Mats Rahmström – CEO & President of Atlas Copco
Lifestyle 18 Top Sju A piece from Sandra 19 Book: Sun Dogs Backlund’s 2013 fall/ winter collection. and Yellowcake: Photo © Kristian Gunnar Mines – Löveborg a Canadian Story 20 Film: Filmmaker Johan Norberg and His Audacious Suggestion 21 Film: Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2018 Hemma Hos 22 Design: Sandra Backlund Knits Extraordinary Works of Art 23 Treats à la Lisa-Maj
Photo courtesy: Treehotel
Heritage 11 Stockholm’s Nationalmuseum Reopens Feature 12 Slow Fashion in Sweden Interview 14 Ulf Dalnäs –Gothenburg’s Creative Son
Swedish Press Connects 24 SCA – Swedish Council of America 25 SACCNY – The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, New York Road to 2045 26 Swedish Elections: The Climate May Solve the Political Climate In the Loop 27 Canada, US & Beyond 28 Calendar and Events 29 Ads and Info 30 Sista Ordet “Work, work, work – that was all we knew!” Cover image: Sandra Backlund won the Grand Prix of Festival International de Mode et de Photographie in Hyères, France in 2007. Photo: Rene Habermacher | Left: Nationalmuseum exterior. Photo: Hans Thorwid/Nationalmuseum
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Letters to the Editor Enjoy reading Swedish Press? Email us your pictures along with your name and comments to info@swedishpress.com and we’ll be happy to publish them. To Swedish Press, Happy to renew my subscription to your great magazine for another year. The September issue shows a picture of “Swedish west coast in the Summer”. That picture brought back very happy memories from my childhood. On the left it shows “Vändigen” on Hamburgö, that’s where my sister and I learned to swim. Every summer the day after “den blomstertid nu kommer” my sister and I would be on the train to Hamburgö. For eight weeks we were spoiled by
our “summer parents”. Our “dad” was a fisherman and going out with him fishing, setting crabtraps or rake blåmussler was the most fun a child could ever have. Fresh food of every kind from the sea was on the menu almost every day. When the shrimp boats came in with their catch we would run down and buy some. Then sit on the dock munching and watch the boat traffic go by. (Ah, those were the days!) Kind regards, Stina Nurmi Pitt Meadows, British Columbia Dear Joan, I look forward to Swedish Press every month. I left Sweden when I was 19 years old to study music in the US
and have worked and lived since 1969 in Canada. I have family in Sweden and go back and forth regularly. My connection is strong, and your paper gives many really interesting highlights of what is going on there from many different perspectives. I really enjoy it!! Best regards, Eva Svensson Victoria, British Columbia Whether your Swedish is fluent or rusty, we hone your language skills by publishing some articles in Swedish. But never despair: you will find English translations online thanks to our valiant team of volunteer translators. Simply go to http://biolson.atspace.cc/swemail/ and you will find translations of all Swedish articles going as far back as to August 2007.
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from the Editor’s Desk
Beyond IKEA and H&M We need your support!
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wedish design and fashion have a great deal in common: simplicity, functionality, conformity, and subtle aesthetics. These traits are cultural as much as artistic. The winter darkness and severe climate have encouraged functionality and pleasing contours, while the strong Lutheran traIconic Bumling-Pendant designed by Anders Pehrson launched in 1968. ditions have favoured simplicity and conformity over conspicuous opulence. This background might seem rather lean and colourless at first. However, since the end of World War II, Swedish design and fashion have taken off like fireworks. On the design side it all began with IKEA. Known for stylish do-it-yourself home décor and furniture, IKEA has grown to over 400 stores in 50 countries. In parallel, both traditional wares – such as glass, weaving and Sami crafts – and modern home furnishings are moving far beyond basic functionality in terms of colour, texture and style. The same is true for Swedish fashion where H&M has served as a stalwart since the War. H&M has expanded to over 4,500 stores around the world selling trendy clothes and accessories at affordable prices. Beyond the walls of this global giant, the fashion industry is steadily becoming bolder and more experimental, for example by blurring gender identities and pursuing sustainability. It is therefore no surprise that we have chosen Swedish Design and Fashion as the main theme for the present issue of Swedish Press. Slow Fashion in Sweden is the subject of this month’s Feature article (page 12). Ulf Dalnäs, Director of the venerable Academy of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg, tells us about his many social initiatives (page 14). We present Sandra Backlund, a Swedish fashion designer known for her avant-garde knitting and for creating garments made from human hair (page 22). This month’s Company File profiles the quirky Treehouse Hotel in Swedish Lappland (page 10). We also report on the re-opening of the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, closed since 2013 for major renovations (page 11). In the Lifestyle section we summarize filmmaker Johan Norberg’s new documentary Sweden: Lessons for America? which provides some daring food for thought (page 20). In Treats, Lisa-Maj Roos crowns her short biography with two delectable recipes (page 23). In addition to the Design and Fashion main theme, I trust you will find value in the latest social, political and business news from Sweden, along with our special reports on sports, art, culture and ecology. Under Global Swedes, pay attention to our exclusive interview with Mats Rahmström, CEO and President of the Swedish industrial giant Atlas Copco (page 16). A great deal of space has been allotted to the 2018 Swedish general election results (page 6 and page 26). We conclude with reminiscences told by 100-year-old Swedish immigrant Walter Jansson who, among many other achievements, participated in the construction of Canada’s vast railroad network (page 30). Enjoy, and keep in touch! Peter Berlin Editor Peter@Swedishpress.com October 2018
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Swedish Headlines
] What Next?
Sweden’s Parliamentary Elections 2018
The distribution of the 349 seats Sweden’s new parliament
By Peter Berlin
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Swedish National Election Results
arely has Sweden been the subject of such intensive international media interest as during the leadup to the September 9 parliamentary elections. The main reason is that the current populist trend in the western world has also reached Sweden, the traditional bastion of liberalism. The antiimmigration and anti-establishment party Sweden Democrats (SD) has grown to becoming the third largest party, running slightly behind the rightleaning Moderates (M) in second place. The “winner” was, as nearly always, the centre-left Social Democrats (S) despite a major loss in popularity. The question now is: who will form the next government? The Social Democrats, with Stefan Löfven as Prime Minister, could continue to run a minority government in coalition with the Green Party, or the Moderates could just barely defeat the Social Democrats if they either continued their existing alliance with the Centre, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats, or else invited the Sweden Democrats to become a coalition partner. But both the Social Democrats and the Moderates have sworn that they will have nothing to do with the Sweden Democrats. We shall see. Swedish populism is not only focused on immigration, but many Swedes also feel that they have been forgotten by the mainstream parties. Some Swedish political commentators fear that populism will pose a threat to democratic institutions, for example
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Source: Reuters. Note: 6,002 of 6,004 districts counted
by triggering an erosion of the judiciary and the freedom of the press. Populist parties tend to go for snap policy decisions to garner short-term popularity among specific constituents rather than making careful prior trade-offs in search of optimum solutions for the longer term. President Trump’s brand of leadership is sometimes held up as a cautionary example. Be that as it may. Most Swedes are simply drawing a sigh of relief that the Sweden Democrats didn’t rise to the very top in the political brew. County and Municipal Election Results The symbols of the major political parties feature colours that are traditionally associated with their left-right leanings: red equals left, blue equals right. Hence the colour red dominates the symbols of the Social Democrats and the Left Party, while the Moderates, the Liberals and the Christian Demo-
crats see themselves in various shades of blue. Not surprisingly, green is associated with the Green Party, while the extreme right-wing Sweden Democrats have borrowed the yellow found in the blue-and-yellow Swedish flag. The following maps give an idea how the various Swedish districts voted in 2018. People in the far north lean towards the Left Party while the far south shows a strong preference for the Sweden Democrats (yellow). The “blue” Moderates, Liberals and Christian Democrats are found mostly in and around Stockholm and in the urban areas along the west coast. The relatively sparsely populated rest of Sweden is dominated by the Social Democrats (pink). Left: Districts around Gothenburg
Top: Districts around Stockholm Left: Districts in Skåne
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Swedes in the News
Swedish Culture and a Royal Birthday Stemme for Sweden
Nina Stemme. Photo: SVIV
Dramatic soprano opera singer Nina Stemme has been awarded the honorary title of “Swede of the Year” by Swedes Worldwide (Svenskar i Världen) for her formidable musical achievements and ability to profile Sweden internationally. Stemme has been compared to Swedish primadonna Birgit Nilsson and has performed on prestigious opera stages worldwide. “There are few things that make one as proud and happy as getting an award ‘from home’, from Sweden! Something that feels extra honorable with this award is that I share it with very brilliant personalities, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Astrid Lindgren, Staffan de Mistura, Hans Rosling, Lars Gustafsson – yes, I really want to give the whole list of former award winners here!” Stemme told Swedes Worldwide. Success for Abbasi The Swedish Oscar Committee has voted the Swedish drama film Border (Gräns in Swedish) as Sweden’s
contribution to the Academy Awards 2019 for “Best Foreign Language Film”. Border was directed by IranianSwedish director and writer Ali Abbasi, also known for movies M for Markus and Shelley. The script, written by Abbasi, John Ajvide Lindqvist and Isabella Eklöf, is based on Ajvide Lindqvist’s horror novel about a customs officer with a sixth sense. Border was awarded “Un Certain Regard” at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018 and premiered in Swedish movie theatres on August 31st.
Ali Abbasi. Photo: Getty Images
Gabriel's big day Hip, hip hooray for Prince Gabriel of Sweden, Duke of Dalarna, who turned one year old on August 31. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden honored the young Prince with a set of new photographs published on their official Instagram page. In the photographs the one-year-old can be seen wearing a baby blue shirt, while giving off an adorable smile. Prince Gabriel’s parents, as well as plenty of followers of their Instagram
soccer skills from fans and colleagues, like Swedish footballer Nilla Fischer, Swiss footballer Lara Dickenmann and British footballer Steph Houghton. Televinken host passes HRH Prince Gabriel. Photo: Erika Gerdemark, Swedish Royal Court
account, wished the sweet prince a very happy birthday. Schelin quits soccer Ouch! Swedish soccer player Lotta Schelin announced at a press conference on Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg that she is retiring from soccer due to a neck injury sustained in a game last year. Schelin explained that the injury makes it impossible for her to continue playing. Schelin is Sweden’s all-time record goal scorer with an impressive 88 national team goals. She has played for the Malmö-based football club FC Rosengård, for the French football club Olympique Lyonnais, and for Sweden’s national team. Schelin has received major praise for her remarkable
Lotta Schelin
Anita Lindman Lamm. Photo: Carl-Johan Söder/SVT
Loved by children and parents alike, Anita Lindman Lamm, 86, was known for the classic children’s program Anita and Televinken. She passed away in her home in Norrtälje, Stockholm on August 31 after a lengthy illness. Lindman Lamm, born in Ludvika, Dalarna, worked as a preschool teacher and, for many years, as presenter, host and producer for Swedish Television. Anita and Televinken premiered in 1964 with a puppet named Televinken operated by Swedish voice actor Ola Lundberg, and featured Lindman Lamm as Aunt Anita. Together they taught Swedish children how to behave in traffic. Lindman Lamm is survived by two children, six grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
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[Landskapsnyheterna] SKÅNE Kung Carl Gustaf har mottagit en medalj efter att han, på en fisketur i Öresund, lyckats dra upp dagens största torsk på 3.5 kilo. – Roligt att få medalj någon gång, sa kungen till Helsingborgs Dagblad. Kungen, som är road av fiske, var inbjuden av Sveriges sportfiske- och fiskevårdsförbund för att tala om torskens situation i Öresund och våra övriga svenska vatten. – Situationen för torsken i Östersjön och Västerhavet är oroande. Öresund är ett bra exempel på hur ett havsområde kan förvaltas, där en sportfiskenäring samsas om de gemensamma fiskresurserna med ett hållbart yrkesfiske som använder redskap som är skonsamma mot bottnarna, sa kungen till Sportfiskarna. Efter sin fångst släppte kungen tillbaka torsken i Öresund. GOTLAND Efter att ett antal däckrazzior utförts i Sydsverige, där polisen stoppar bilister, gör en trafikkontroll samt undersöker bilisternas däck, visade det sig att Gotlands bilister klarat sig bäst. – Gotland är bäst i klassen när det gäller däck. I Sydsverige hade 11,9 procent av fordonen vinterdäck i augusti, vilket är den högsta noteringen hittills. På Gotland var den siffran bara 3,4 procent, vilket kan bero på att gotlänningarna använder mycket dubbade vinterdäck, sa Anna Rönnle, ansvarig för NTFs verksamhet på Gotland. Sammanlagt kontrollerade polisen 512 bilar under däckrazziorna i Sydsverige. Kontrollerna visade att gotlänningarna även tar bättre hand om sina däck än resten av landet. Till exempel hade färre Gotlänningar slitna däck. – På sikt har gotlänningarna blivit mycket mer medvetna om kvaliteten på däcken och dess betydelse för trafiksäkerheten, så att man blir kvar på vägen vid en eventuell krissituation. Vi inledde samarbetet 2007 och ser en
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mycket positiv utveckling, sa Rönnle. Kontrollerna utfördes i samarbete mellan Energimyndigheten, Polisen, Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut, Däckbranschens informationsråd, trafiksäkerhets organisationen NTF och Bilprovningen.
LAPPLAND NORRBOTTEN
UPPLAND Jonas Bergkvist, 37, från Växjö i Småland tog hem första pris i kategorin ”Sveriges vackraste naturliga helskägg” under Mustasch- och SkäggSM i Stockholm. – De går efter längd, tjocklek, kvalité men också efter hur väl skägget passar ihop med den personliga stilen. Skägget ska liksom inte se konstigt ut på personen. I den kategorin jag tävlar i får man inte använda sig av hjälpmedel såsom vax eller formklipp. Det ska vara naturligt, sa Jonas Bergkvist. Det här är tredje året som Jonas Bergkvist vunnit det prestigefyllda priset, och enligt honom finns det en hel del att tänka på om man vill få till ett riktigt fint och välvårdat skägg. – Flera använder till exempel bara vanlig duschtvål i skägget, och det går inte. Om jag vet att jag ska vara någonstans vill jag helst ha en timme på mig att ta hand om skägget med schampo, balsam och fön. Det tar mer tid än många tror, sa han. VÄSTERBOTTEN Polisen i Umeå fick nyligen rycka ut i natten efter att en häst upptäckts spatsera omkring alldeles ensam i Umeå city. Larmet kom till polisen tidigt på morgonen efter att ett vittne sett hästen komma gående vid Umeå älven. Hästen, som rymt från sitt hem och hage, promenerade sedan vidare till broparken i Umeå. Polisen var snart på plats för att fånga in hästen – ett jobb som visade sig vara lättare sagt än gjort. Till slut lyckades dock polisen och hästen kunde fångas in. Umeåpolisen skriver på sitt instagramkonto: ”Tack vare bra teamwork mellan
VÄSTERBOTTEN
JÄMTLAND
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ÅNGERMANLAND
MEDELPAD HÄLSINGLAND
DALARNA GÄSTRIKLAND VÄSTMANLAND VÄRMLAND
NÄRKE
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DALSLAND ÖSTERGÖTLAND BOHUSLAND VÄSTERGöteborg GÖTLAND SMÅLAND HALLAND SKÅNE
Stockholm
GOTLAND ÖLAND
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polis och hästägare lyckades hästen fångas in. Vi konstaterar att hästkunskap inte ingår i polisutbildningen, tackar för i natt och unnar oss en välförtjänt sömn”. LAPPLAND En av Kebnekaises toppstugor har bränts ner på grund av att den var i väldigt dåligt skick. Det var Svenska Turistföreningen som tog beslutet att bränna ner stugan på Sveriges högsta fjällkedja. – Den har farit väldigt illa av väder och vind, och har varit fallfärdig de sista tio åren, den har inte varit brukbar, sa Marit Sarri, föreståndare på Kebnekaise Fjällstation, till Sameradion SVT Sápmi. Det finns dock fina toppstugor till skydd och säkerhet för bergsbestigare kvar på Kebnekaise. Den nyaste stugan tillkom 2017. Nedbränning av stugan i dåligt skick, som var den högsta i Sverige, övervakades av Räddningstjänsten.
[Business] News Climate Change in Ecology, Politics & Education
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A Call for Emergency Funding
he recent summer drought and devastating wildfires in Swedish Lappland are endangering the survival of the reindeer population. The country’s 4,600 Sami reindeer owners are asking the government for financial assistance; this is to help defray the cost of providing fodder to replace the scorched ground cover normally used by the reindeer for grazing. If the 2018 summer heatwave is heralding a longer-term climate change in the Arctic, this might not be the last time that the Sami require emergency funding. The financial support is needed to ensure the survival of their 250,000 animals which are prized for their meat, pelt and horns. Climate change may also affect the ability of the reindeer to graze during the winter. Traditionally, the animals dig through the snow to gain access to lichen which forms an important part of their diet. However, recent winters have seen more rainfall than usual which turns to sheets of ice on the open ground, making it difficult for the reindeer to locate and access the lichen. Scientists believe they have
discovered ways of growing lichen in forests where the ground is somewhat protected from ice sheet formation by the presence of trees, but more state funding is needed to fully develop this approach. After Brexit… Swexit?
namely to focus on free trade and stay out of politics. Several member countries – notably those in Eastern Europe and, famously, the United Kingdom – resent the ambition among EU politicians to defy the sovereignty of member states by forcing them to adopt pan-European laws and policies that go far beyond what is required to secure free trade. If the EU fails to listen to the Eurosceptics, the Sweden Democrats suggest that Sweden consider calling a referendum on whether or not to remain in the EU. Striving for Excellence
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uring the 2018 Swedish general election campaign, the far rightwing Sweden Democrats advocated that Eurosceptics across Europe join forces to bolster their presence in the European Parliament. It may seem paradoxical that the European Parliament would welcome members who question its role, but such is the reality. In fact, what Eurosceptics aim for is not a dissolution of the European Union, but rather for the EU to return to its original mandate,
A Sami woman watching the reindeer. Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images
Stockholm School of Economics. Photo: Juliana Wiklund
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ccording to the Masters in Management list established annually by the Financial Times, the Stockholm School of Economics (Handelshögskolan) has risen in rank from number 23 in 2017 to number 12 in 2018 among the 100 best business management universities in the world. “This is very good news and means a lot to us,” says the university’s president Lars Strannegård. “There are more than 14,000 schools of economics in the world, and only the 100 best make it to the list. Competition is stiff for a country as small as Sweden.” For the 8th year in a row, the top position is held by the University of St Gallen in Switzerland with their Master’s Degree in Strategy and International Management.
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Company File
Getting the Treehotel Off the Ground By Lara Andersson
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arads, the small town in northern Sweden that lies just 50 km south of the Arctic Circle, has a population of 600 people. Northern Sweden and Lappland are known for unspoiled scenery, clean air and striking seasonal changes. While you might expect to catch a glimpse of the mysterious aurora borealis in this remote location, stumbling across one of Scandinavia’s most internationally hyped design hotels seems rather more unlikely. Yet, it is here that you find the renowned Treehotel which draws visitors in design, fashion and film from around the world. Even Crown Princess Victoria came here. Located 70 minutes from Luleå Airport and 35 minutes away from the Boden train station by car, Treehotel offers accommodation scattered throughout the forest belonging to Kent Lindvall and Britta JonssonLindvall. Each room in the pine forest hovers about 4 to 6 meters above the ground, accessible by ramp, bridge or electric stairs. The
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concepts are fanciful – from a bird’s nest to a UFO cabin – but the execution is elegant and contemporary. How does such a place come into being? Former vocational guidance counsellor Kent and nurse Britta are Lappland natives and long-time partners. It all started when they acquired a retirement home in Harads, which they carefully restored and turned into a guest-
house. The guesthouse – though charming and run with the utmost care – wasn’t generating the necessary income, so Britta began brainstorming about unique ways to boost the number of visitors and ultimately landed on the concept of a design hotel. As luck would have it, around the same time Kent was on a fishing trip to Russia with three of Sweden’s prized architects, Bertil Harström, Thomas Sandell and Mårten Cyren. Despite working for different firms, they decided to
each design a bespoke room, which soon thereafter got the idea for the Treehotel off the ground (literally). Perhaps the most notable structure at Treehouse Hotel is the Mirror Cube, a result of this initial collaboration. This structure, a 4 x 4 x 4 meter cube whose mirrored exterior blends elegantly with the forest’s breathtaking landscape, reflects the neighboring trees and has become the crown jewel of the Treehotel for its stunning design. You will notice in all of the hotel rooms that they do not have running water or sewage, but rather a water supply that is replenished daily and is sufficient to brush your teeth and wash your face and hands. Rooms feature combustion toilets, and showers are found in a separate building at ground level. As the couple explains on the hotel’s web page, “Treehotel is built on the premise that guests should enjoy a genuine experience of nature, so it is a given that sustainability and ecological values are two pillars of our hotel operation.” Here you live in the trees, simply and sustainably, with Lappland at your fingertips. www.treehotel.se Photos credit: Treehotel
H E RI TAG E
‘The Museum is home to 700,000 pieces of art...’ Stockholm's Nationalmuseum Reopens By Sofie Kinnefors
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weden’s biggest art and design museum, the Nationalmuseum on Blasieholmen in Stockholm, is reopening its doors to the public on Saturday, October 13 after being closed for renovation since 2013. The museum, which is home to approximately 700,000 pieces of art and design, was closed down to allow extensive renovation and refurbishment after many years of intensive use. The majestic Nationalmuseum promotes art and culture through its impressive collection of drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures from the 16th century onwards. “Our mission is to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage, provide knowledge and expertise, and promote public access to art,” reads the Nationalmuseum website. Once again, visitors can admire works by Dutch 17th-century artists such as Rembrandt; French impressionist painter Renoir; Swedish Count and politician Carl Gustaf Tessin’ art collection; Swedish 1800’s landscape painters including Nils Blommérs, Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson; as well as plenty of works by incredible female painters and sculptors, notably
The newly renovated Nationalmuseum. Photo © Bruno Ehrs/ Nationalmuseum
Eva Bonnier, Hanna Pauli and Agnes de Frumerie. The Nationalmuseum is also home to Sweden’s National Portrait Gallery, consisting of more than 5000 works. The museum’s remarkable collection includes 40,000 porcelain items from former Swedish porcelain manufacturer Gustavsberg, as well as vintage and modern fashion, jewelry art and queer art. The museum building, originally designed by German architect Friedrich August Stüler, has since its opening in 1866 been renovated, rebuilt and modernized a couple of times. It was extended and enlarged during the 1960’s. Further renovations and additions took place between the 1990’s and 2000’s. The latest renovation of the museum has been the most thorough and extensive to date. The goal has been to transform the museum into
a modern establishment while preserving its cultural and historical character. The National Property Board of Sweden (Statens fastighetsverk) was put in charge of the recent renovations. Appointed by the Swedish government, they worked on the renovations during 20142017. Once the work on the Nationalmuseum building was completed, art collections, scenography and interior design objects were moved back into the museum and completed by the property landlord. Apart from technical updates to the three-story museum building, a new restaurant, two new studios and a museum shop have been installed. The previously dark windows have been uncovered to expose views of the city, so the art will be on display in daylight as well as artificial lighting. New colors inspired by August Stüler’s original ideas have also been added to the newly renovated museum. The Nationalmuseum may have been closed to the public during its latest renovation, but it has continued to display its collections elsewhere in Sweden as well as abroad. Now that the renovations are completed, visitors to the museum can look forward to an even more thrilling experience of fantastic art, modern technology and new innovations. Photo © Hans Thorwid/ Nationalmuseum
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Swedish Press | October 2018 11
Slow Fashion in Sweden
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By Lara Andersson
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Swedish Press | October 2018 12
hat we live in a world of builtto-break goods is a given. From technologies to furniture and clothing, the items we purchase are created en masse, oftentimes with low quality materials and construction to encourage us as consumers to buy them at rock-bottom prices and then conveniently to purchase new ones when they inevitably exhaust their short lifespan. This phenomenon, otherwise referred to as “planned obsolescence,” has allowed businesses to thrive for decades, but it comes at a great cost to the environment, as unsustainable materials, fabrication processes and disposal practices continue to take an irreversible toll on Nature. Sweden, with its stance as an eco-conscious nation and its abundance of successful clothing brands, has a unique opportunity to act as a role model for the fashion industry by demonstrating what sustainable fashion can look like. When it comes to the discussion of sustainability in the fashion industry, authors Jennie Johansson and Johanna Nilsson have created a lexicon for the conscientious consumer. Their book Slow Fashion proposes ways in which individuals can change the fashion industry through a more thoughtful approach to purchasing garments. One of the main expressions that comes up in such a discussion is “circular economy.” Today, we operate under a linear economy production and consumption cycle wherein items are disposed of once they become obsolete. The facts and figures of fast fashion’s current status quo are unsettling. According to the Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency, it takes almost 2700 liters of water and numerous toxic chemicals to produce a single T-shirt. Between 2000 and 2010 the average Swede’s consumption increased by 50 percent, resulting in the statistic that most individuals purchase 13 kilos of clothing and throw eight kilos of clothing in the trash each year. Readers of Slow Fashion can pick up easy-to-follow behavioral changes that could make a lasting impact on the norms of the fashion industry and the state of the environment.
While Jennie and Johanna encourage changes at the individual level, Sweden’s Mistra Future Fashion endeavor is to reconfigure the fashion industry through a series of lectures, collaborations and research initiatives. Hosted by RISE research institutes in Sweden and primarily funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research, the Future Fashion project is a “cross-disciplinary research program… [with a] total budget of SEK 110 million… [that] stretches over 8 years, from 2011 to 2019.” The website’s tagline concisely states the program’s goal: “a systemic change in fashion, via closed loops and changed mindsets.” They divide their action plan into four categories. The first plan of action is to develop the aforementioned circular economy, the second is to stimulate a circular supply chain, the third is to inform the consumer, and the fourth is to encourage textile recycling. Small scale changes in each of
these categories can make a difference. Take, for example, a statistic they used in their 2015 Future Fashion Manifesto. “If an average garment stays in use 3 times longer than today,” they write, “its carbon footprint is reduced by 65 percent and its water use by 66 percent.”
By linking themselves with fifteen research partners, including the Stockholm School of Economics and the Swedish School of Textiles, as well as fifty different industry partners such as H&M and Helly Hansen, they ensure they have a broad spectrum of like-minded, highly influential collaborators to make a palpable impact. Companies such as H&M now publicize their ambitions and accomplishments on portions of their webpage which are exclusively focused on their environmental aspirations. By 2030, the H&M Group will use 100 percent recycled or sustainably sourced materials. This is huge, especially when you consider that it will overhaul a great number of beloved Swedish brands such as & Other Stories, COS, Arket, Weekday and Monki.
As I researched the sustainability goals of different Swedish brands, I was particularly impressed by Filippa K’s commitment to the cause. Founded in 1993 by Filippa Knutson, the brand is championed on the Swedish Government’s website for its innovative strategies for ethical consumption. Their lease program is perhaps one of the most unconventional approaches I have encountered so far. “Our collections are available for rent,” they state online, “a great option for keeping your wardrobe curated and updated, enabling you to temporarily own additional pieces instead of stacking up for the sake of it. Renting clothes, like
swapping and upcycling, is a service on the rise.” You can rent any piece from Filippa K’s collections at 20 percent of the retail price for four days at a time, cleaning fee included. Click on the sustainability tab on the brand’s website and you encounter a comprehensive analysis of their goals, including a breakdown of their favorite sustainable fabrics. Like H&M, Filippa K pledges to create entirely sustainable collections by 2030. To help extend the lifespan of their garments, they also introduced a 10-year care plan so that you won’t have to repurchase an item if it needs repair. Other Swedish brands, such as Gothenburg-based Nudie Jeans, have incorporated a similar warranty into their business structure, offering clients free repairs on their jeans for life. “The idea behind the Nudie Jeans Repair Shops is that they are hubs for our jeans to be repaired, resold as second-hand or even donated to the Nudie Jeans recycling program,” the brand writes of their repair program.
Sweden has been hailed for its up and coming gender-neutral clothing companies, and now it seems that it is poised to be one of the first nations to actively and successfully work towards operating its fashion industry within a circular system. Though “fashion has been defined by change and a desire for constant new designs,” the government’s webpage states, companies are striving to “make sure their garments last longer, even though it might mean they make less money on their products in a shortterm perspective.” Swedish brands, both big and small, are realizing the tremendous power they hold in their hands. Between their efforts and our consideration as consumers, we can hope to reach a much smarter fashion industry within a decade.
Photo: Martinkay78
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Swedish Press | October 2018 13
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Gothenburg’s Creative Son
Ulf Dalnäs – the Chief and Head of Department at the Academy of Design and Crafts, University of Gothenburg (Högskolan för design och konsthantverk vid Göteborgs Universitet, HDK) – has always been artistic. After years in the music industry, Dalnäs changed gears by focusing his creativity on making HDK as strong as possible. Swedish Press spoke to Dalnäs about his work, interest in design and why he loves the name “Whyred.”
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Swedish Press | October 2018 14
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ith a mother who worked as a hat designer and upholsterer, and a father who was the head of a music school, it is perhaps no surprise that creativity runs in the Dalnäs genes. While his parents held study circles in the family basement on the Swedish west coast, Dalnäs’ interest in music and education grew strong. For a long time Dalnäs made a living as a freelance musician. He also worked as a teacher at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg (Musikhögskolan i Göteborg) – a place where he felt right at home. “I enjoyed working in various artistic contexts at the school and eventually became Director of Studies, as well as Education Director of the Artistic Department,” he said. Dalnäs has also played an active role in Europe’s development of higher education, and has served as Vice President of the Board of the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) – the leading network of artistic colleges internationally. Dalnäs began his job as Chief and Head of Department at the Academy of Design and Crafts in 2015. He is responsible for the school’s staff, budget, workplace environment and the Department’s research and education activities. A big task, but Dalnäs has the support of a skilled team. “By my side are colleagues working in education and research, as well as six
department staffers tasked with various responsibilities. In total, we have 160 employees, so it is a big organization,” he said. HDK was founded in 1848. The school was called Slöjdföreningens skola (or “Slöjdis”) between 1865 and 1964, and Konstindustriskolan between 1964 and 1989. The prestigious design academy offers a Bachelor’s program, a Master’s program, Doctoral programs, freestanding courses and teacher training, as well as an impressive selection of courses in the field of art and design. Especially popular at the school is the Master’s program Child Culture Design which focuses on children and child culture, and the Master’s program in Business & Design (currently being developed and on hold) which focuses on how design contributes to the development of societies. Both programs attract students from all over the world. HDK is unique in many other ways. “Our university is actively involved in interdisciplinary research, which focuses on challenges facing our society. We believe it is important that the
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artistic perspective is represented in social development and progress. Global migration, ageing, social sustainability and various other challenges are examples of areas where we collaborate with hundreds of researchers representing other faculties and universities,” Dalnäs said. HDK’s main building is located on Kristinelundsgatan in central Gothenburg and is connected to the Museum of Design and Craft (Röhsska muséet). It provides many well-equipped studios. HDK also includes HDK Steneby in Dals Långed where programs in metal design, furniture design and textiles are offered. The number of students at HDK in Gothenburg varies every year, but the academy usually counts approximately 800 students all in all. Inspired and driven by his admiration for art and learning, Dalnäs finds it stimulating to be part of an organization which features teacher training, as well as design and crafts. HDK’s Chief has high hopes for his university. “We are working to establish a new institution. We
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currently have three: HDK, the Academy of Music and Drama (Högskolan för scen och musik) and Valand Academy (Akademin Valand). The latter has free art, photography, film and literary design (litterär gestaltning). Our goal is to merge HDK and Valand Academy by 2020.” This fall art lovers – students and non-students alike – can look forward to a festival including design, architecture and fashion. For the second consecutive year HDK is hosting the Gothenburg Design Festival, and once again the theme is Open Week. “We want our design festival to differ from commercial ones and focus on social sustainability and how design can be used to make a difference,” Dalnäs said. “It was one of our internationally recruited professors, Onkar Kular, who pointed out that HDK did not take advantage of its full potential and profile, and that is what made us start the festival,” he continued. “Our main goal is to share our academy and world of design with new groups and to encourage participation and involvement,” said Dalnäs. For
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more information see https:// hdk.gu.se/gothenburg-designfestival. Dalnäs himself doesn’t have a favorite designer, but buys and enjoys wearing clothes from the Swedish clothing brand Whyred. He explains the story behind the brand’s unique name. “One of the founders of Whyred was Roland Hjort. It was Roland Hjort’s grandfather, the famous Swedish artist Sven X:et Erixson, who in a radio interview was asked about his favorite color. Because his paintings are so extremely colorful, he didn’t really know how to answer the question. It ended with him answering ‘red,’ after which the journalist asked ‘Why red?’ To which X:et Erixon replied ‘Well... blue then.’ I think that was such a brilliant answer!” said Dalnäs. So, which is the HDK Chief and Head of Department’s own favorite color? “He-he… blue,” he concludes the interview with a smile. Interviewed by Sofie Kinnefors Photos: the Academy of Design and Crafts, University of Gothenburg, HDK
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Swedish Press | October 2018 15
[
Putting Sweden on the Map At Home
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‘Just one innovation...’
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Mats Rahmström, CEO & President of Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco is a global industrial group of companies headquartered in Nacka, Sweden. Its global reach spans about 180 countries. In 2017 the company (excluding the Epiroc spin-off) had approximately 34,000 employees worldwide. The group’s products are available in almost all industries, from the manufacturing of flat screens to the automotive industry as well as in hospitals and construction sites. Atlas Copco companies also develop, manufacture and service compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction equipment, power tools and assembly systems. In the following interview, Mats Rahmström offers an insight into the company’s activities and corporate culture.
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Swedish Press | October 2018 16
Please tell us about your background and your career path within the Atlas Copco group of companies. I have worked with Atlas Copco for 30 years, starting in 1988. I didn’t think initially that I would stay for so long, but I have had the opportunity to constantly take on new roles and challenges in the company. And I must say that I hope that more people in the beginning of their careers will see the possibilities that working for a global company like Atlas Copco can open up. For example, I spent a couple of years in Canada which was a great experience. I have been the CEO & President for the group for almost two years. Is Atlas Copco involved in any activities to protect the global climate or environment? Yes, they are very much integrated in everything we do. We constantly deliver innovative products and services that help our customers save energy. We make sure that we maximize the positive impact while minimizing the negative footprint. One example is our variable speed drive (VSD) compressors. They only run at the required speed, which saves considerable amounts of energy. The average annual savings by VSD and VSD+ oil injected screw compressors sold in 2017 amount to the equivalent of around 600,000 tons of CO2, compared to
using idling compressors. Taking Atlas Copco as a whole, all our manufacturing and transportation emits 400,000 tons of CO2. So just one innovation can have an enormous impact. We also try to use as much renewable energy as possible in our own factories. Today it stands at about 40 percent. Has your company initiated any humanitarian programs? We actively work to improve social conditions in the communities where we operate. Water for All was started by our employees in 1984 and is still run by Atlas Copco staff. Many of us in the company donate money on a monthly basis. Atlas Copco then contributes twice that amount, so every dollar donated becomes three dollars. Last year almost 400,000 people got access to fresh water through 55 different Water for All projects. It is quite amazing what that can lead to in terms of reduced infant mortality, or girls who can go to school instead of walking long distances in unsafe environments to get water. In Canada, the first Water for All project selected was in Pikangikum First Nation community, located 100 kilometers north of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. By June 2017, a total of CAD 25,000 had
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been raised through voluntary donations. I am very proud of the company’s engagement in these projects and what we have achieved. The United States is the company's largest single market, followed by China. How does the current White House protectionist policy affect Atlas Copco? We don’t see a large direct impact. Our setup is agile and there are things we could do, for example sourcing more from other countries. We mostly produce for the local market in both China and the US. I think it is important however to stress that we firmly believe that the world economy benefits from free trade. Looking further afield, in which areas do you feel Sweden contributes the most, globally speaking? I think it is quite impressive that Sweden has been able to produce so many globally successful companies – from Atlas Copco that has been around for 145 years to Ikea and Spotify which have more recently become household names all over the world. So I would say that innovation is an important contribution. It is certainly something we here at Atlas Copco focus a lot on.
‘.... can have an enormous impact.’ How do you think the image of Sweden is evolving internationally, and particularly in North America? I travel a lot all over the world. As a representative of a Swedish company, my experience is that the image of Sweden is positive. We enjoy much recognition for being progressive and innovative, as well as for having a long tradition of high technological competence. How do you think Sweden has achieved the success it has despite being such a small country, population-wise? To a large extent I believe we can thank our educational system for that. Free further education is one important factor that has led to a lot of talent and a skilled workforce being developed. Language skills is another one, since most Swedes begin to learn at least one foreign language at an early age. And speaking of protectionism, free trade has opened up the world, and that has given us opportunities to reach markets outside of our quite small domestic one. We have welcomed competence from other countries, which is important for a small country like Sweden. I also think that Swedes are seen as being pretty straightforward and trustworthy. That makes us easy to do business with. What aspects of Swedish culture and lifestyle are you personally most passionate about promoting? I think that Swedes generally are
very good when it comes to team building and collaboration. I am very interested in sports, and we have quite a few examples of Swedish success in that field as a result of our belief in creating strong teams. This can also be found in the corporate world, and that is something I am very passionate about. Multicultural teams are more creative and achieve more through teamwork than each individual alone. In Sweden we also have a long tradition of women being part of the workforce. That is an important factor for bringing diversity to the workplace and ensures that we have access to the whole talent pool. Your employees receive Swedish Press digitally. What has been the feedback among your non-Swedish employees? Would you recommend a similar distribution of the magazine to other international Swedish companies? This magazine, by being fully dedicated to Swedish issues and stories, brings to light many characteristics and dimensions of Swedish culture. Atlas Copco’s organizational culture has embedded many of those Swedish cultural traits. From my colleagues in the United States and Canada I understand that Swedish Press is a valuable source of information. And, having had the experience of being an expat, I know it can be very nice to keep connected with your home country if you are living or working abroad. Interviewed by Peter Berlin
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Swedish Press | October 2018 17
[Lifestyle]
Top Sju
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Looking for a reason to devour a piece of Swedish pastry? Kanelbullens dag (The day of cinnamon buns) takes place on October 4. Kanelbullens dag was introduced in 1999 by Hembakningsrådet to honor Sweden’s cinnamon bun tradition and increase the sales of yeast, flour, sugar and margarine. Celebrate the day by baking your own sweet buns filled with sugar, cinnamon, cardamom or vanilla, or simply pick up a couple at your local Swedish bakery, café, grocery store or gas station.
After visiting the Nordic design fair Formex in Stockholm, the Swedish publication Elle Decoration listed this autumn’s six hottest trends: 1) Earthy tones, including shades of yellow, orange, red, beige and brown; 2) Animal figurines in the shape of, for example, birds and zebras; 3) Natural materials, such as wood, stone and linen; 4) Artificial plants, such as cactuses and trees; 5) Personal ceramics; and finally 6) Mixed patterns – mixing design and textiles of different colors and patterns.
Sweden’s most beautiful train ride offers gorgeous views of Kinnekulle and lake Vänern in Västergötland. According to a survey completed by train travelers on the Swedish State Railways website sj.se, the most beautiful train journey is the one between the towns of Lidköping and Mariestad. Second on the list was the trip between Kiruna in Swedish Lappland and Narvik in Norway.
31 October 31 marks Halloween, and Swedish children will dress up in spooky costumes and walk around the neighborhood asking neighbors for “bus eller godis” (trick or treat). The celebration of Halloween is fairly new to Sweden; the tradition gained momentum in the 1990s when great efforts to launch the holiday
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Swedish Press | October 2018 18
Halloween at Liseberg.
celebration were made. Swedish stores and magazines soon caught on, and in the following years the phenomenon grew more and more popular. Today Halloween is celebrated to the max especially at Gröna Lund in Stockholm and Liseberg in Gothenburg.
19 Lyrro – ut & invandrarna is a sequel to the Swedish comedy YRROL from 1994. The sequel premieres in Swedish movie theaters on October 19. The movie was directed by Swedish actor, writer and film director Peter Dalle. The comedy includes beloved Swedish comedians/actors Suzanne Reuter, Johan Ulveson, Peter Dalle himself, Claes Månsson, Henrik Dorsin, Björn Gustafsson and Nour El Refai. The movie humorously depicts northern Swedes looking to move south in search of a better climate, and refugees from the south looking to move north.
10 Swedish foodie website koket.se has listed its top ten recipes for families with children. The recipes are quick, easy and – most importantly – popular with children. Not surprisingly the list includes lots of Swedish classics: 1) Spaghetti with meat sauce; 2) Chicken with a side; 3) Meatballs with a side; 4) Fish; 5) Pasta; 6) Sausage stroganoff; 7) Salmon; 8) A vegetarian option; 9) Sausage with a side; and last but not least, 10) Tacos. For more inspiration and recipes visit koket.se.
11 The popular Swedish competition show Mästarnas mästare, where former athletes face each other in a variety of athletic challenges, has started filming its 11th season in Greece. Participating in the TV program are: Kjell Isaksson (pole vault), Carolina Klüft (track and field), Tommy Salo (ice hockey), Mikaela Lauren (boxing), Marita Skogum (orienteering), Henrik Larsson (soccer), Kim Martin (ice hockey), Staffan Olsson (handball), Annelie Pompe (adventurer and athlete). The host is Micke Leijnegard. Mästarnas mästare season 11 premieres on SVT in March, 2019.
[Lifestyle] Book Sun Dogs and Yellowcake: Gunnar Mines – a Canadian Story Born out of the 1940’s quest for the atomic bomb and driven by the tension of the Cold War, Gunnar Mines and more than fifty other companies parachuted into the pristine Lake Athabascan region, home to small First Nations and Métis communities, a few fishing enterprises, and fur trappers. They were swept along in a uranium frenzy reminiscent of the Klondike gold rush, a heady, exciting era.
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t is against this backdrop that prize-winning Canadian author Patricia Sandberg begins her memoir in Sun Dogs and Yellowcake. Sun dogs are the illusory “suns” that sometimes appear in the Arctic sky on either side of the physical Patricia Sandberg sun (see book cover), while yellowcake is a sunyellow powdery precipitate of partially refined uranium ore. The author spent eight years of her childhood in Gunnar, a town of around 900 souls that sprang up around a uranium extraction and processing mine on the shores of Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan. The mine was a highly profitable business from the mid-1950s until the early 1960s. The mine’s radioactive output was
bought up exclusively by the United States in order to produce nuclear bombs. Gunnar Mines was named after Gunnar Berg, a Swedish immigrant and prospector who discovered gold in the area in the early 1930s. Another Swedish immigrant, Patricia Sandberg’s grandfather Fred Sandberg, subsequently joined the mining business and eventually settled in Gunnar. The author’s recollections are a page-turner; her prose is elegant, and her narrative is Fred and Freda Sandaccompanied berg, Patricia’s Swedish by a wealth of grandparents photographs and maps. Moreover, she has gone to admirable lengths to find other former residents of Gunnar and to supplement her own recollections with theirs. She also relies on reminiscences told by her mother Barbara, and notes left behind by her father Jack. The stories are arranged in chronological order, such that the reader is able to follow the evolution of life in and around the mine.
Most of the interviewees recall their years at Gunnar with nostalgia and affection. In the absence of urban distractions they formed a tight-knit community and depended entirely on one another, apart from occasional trips to places like Edmonton. Sandberg writes: Weekends were for house parties and some weekdays were too. But as the author points out, the isolation drove many of the men – including her own father – to alcoholism, and it is difficult to imagine how marriages and families could thrive in such an environment. Added to this, there were the inevitable workrelated injuries and loss of life. The 260-page book is not primarily about the role of Swedish immigrants in the Canadian mining sector, but Swedes appear here and there in different roles throughout the memoir. Patricia Sandberg will contribute a future article in Swedish Press specifically The beautiful scenery of about her Lake Athabasca. grandparents, along with some interesting anecdotes about other Swedish and Norwegian immigrants who worked in the same area and time period. So stay tuned! Sun Dogs and Yellowcake is available on Amazon and also via the author’s website www.patriciasandberg.com. Reviewed by Peter Berlin Photos courtesy of Patricia Sandberg
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Swedish Press | October 2018 19
[Lifestyle] Film Filmmaker Johan Norberg and His Audacious Suggestion
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ohan Norberg is a popular Swedish author, commentator, filmmaker, and Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC. His latest documentary, Sweden: Lessons for America? was aired on U.S. public television stations beginning in midSeptember, and streaming worldwide online started on September 21. The premise of the documentary is the rather audacious suggestion that Americans would be better off if the United States was more like Sweden. Do the Swedes know something that Americans don’t? Sweden: Lessons for America? A Personal Exploration by Johan Norberg delves into the economic
Johan Norberg explores how the ideals of free speech took hold in Sweden, long before they became a part of everyday American life. Credit: Harmeet Basur
and social landscape of the Swedish scholar’s homeland. The lessons to be learned from Sweden may not be the ones you expect. The one-hour documentary accompanies Norberg on a journey through the history of Sweden’s economic rise. The program illuminates key ideas and enterprises that sparked the reform
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Swedish Press | October 2018 20
and continue to help Sweden maintain its lofty economic position, including freedom of the press, free trade, innovation, technology, relief from tax burdens and labor strife. “I want to share how we Swedes grew our nation from a truly impoverished country to becoming the fourth most prosperous country in the world,” said Norberg, who also served as executive editor for the program. “I think our experience offers lessons for other countries around the world, even the U.S.” Norberg unfolds Sweden’s history as he drives, ferries and bicycles his way through modern day Sweden, meeting people along the way who enlighten aspects of the prosperous country’s economic sensibilities. His journey begins on a ferry to a region of Finland which was part of the vast Swedish Empire from the 16th to the 18th centuries, to introduce viewers to Anders Chydenius who is perhaps best remembered as an outspoken defender of freedom of trade and
industry, religion and press. He is credited with Sweden becoming the first country in the world to have freedom of the press written into its constitution, 25 years before the Bill of Rights secured that same freedom for Americans. Back in Stockholm, Norberg visits the offices of Aftonbladet. Founded in 1830, the newspaper became a bastion of freedom of the press, having been shut down by the Swedish monarchy 26 times in its early days. Today, the Aftonbladet continues its mission under the leadership of its first female publisher. Norberg trades four wheels for two as he bicycles through Malmö to Hövding, makers of the world’s first airbag bicycle helmet. Putting the helmet and his perfectly coiffed hair to the test, Norberg demonstrates the innovative technology that makes the helmet considerably safer than hard helmets. He discusses the outdated Consumer Protection Act regulations, which prohibit the Hövding from being sold in the U.S. A downloadable trailer to the documentary, press release, photos and Norberg’s bio can be found on www.swedenlessonsforamericafilm. com.
This innovative safety “helmet” inflates on impact and could change the bicycle helmet industry. So why can’t it be sold in the U.S.? Find out in Sweden: Lessons for America? by Johan Norberg. Credit: Harmeet Basur
[Lifestyle] Film Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2018 By Alice Shih
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eptember is the month when North America celebrates the best of international cinema at the biggest film festival of the subcontinent. The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off on September 6, spanning eleven restless days of star-gazing and movie magic in the dark. The storylines of the two Swedish films in the selection are not exactly contemporary. While Aniara happens in the future with deep space as its backdrop, Border (in Swedish Gräns) draws on ancient folklore when humankind was much closer to the mysteries of Nature. Border was the Swedish Oscars entry for best foreign film at the 91st Academy Awards and was the winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Un certain regard prize. The story of Aniara has a beginning very similar to Titanic, whereby passengers are promised a luxurious journey on a spacecraft built using supposedly infallible modern technology. The craft becomes damaged
in an instant after being impacted by space debris. Co-directed by newcomers Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja, their first feature keeps their audience on the edge of their seats when Aniara, the spaceship, gets knocked off course after the collision and loses its guidance system. Space travelers on the craft are hoping they will be rescued, but days turn into years, and gradually blind faith evolves into cults. Power abuse, hopelessness and other negative emotions surface as the thought of being saved seems ever more far-fetched. This film dissects and analyzes the notion of prolonged hopelessness in a most effective and thought-provoking manner. Ali Abbasi’s Border (Gräns) brings us back to the days when earth was inhabited not just by humans. Creatures like trolls take different forms and live among humans. Humankind wants to dominate other creatures and force our way of life onto other beings by taking
away their offspring and bringing them up like humans. These beings are robbed of the knowledge of their roots – a form of racial cleansing to which European explorers exposed indigenous tribes after they landed in the New World. The protagonist in Border has been considered ugly all her life, not knowing that her special body features are undesirable only to the human eye. She possesses an extreme sensitivity of smell, which proves very useful at a border customs post where she is able to sniff out smugglers of illegal substances. All her life she has been looked upon as a deformed and barren woman. Her only contribution in her work in human society is her unique gift of smell. When she finds out her true identity, things begin to make sense and shed a new light on her fate, as well as on her value in this world. The film presents itself as a horror film, but the message transcends its genre, and the mystery leaves the audience in a state of shock followed by moral enlightenment. Not to be missed! Below: Director Ali Abbasi at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in France on May 11, 2018. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
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Swedish Press | October 2018 21
Hemma hos
Sandra Backlund Knits Extraordinary Works of Art By Kristi Robinson
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he said it was a coincidence that she ended up knitting, A piece from Sandra 2013 fall/ and could just as Backlund’s winter collection. well have chosen Photo © Kristian Löveborg any form of artistic expression working with her hands. Fuelled by her desire to invent and create, Swedish fashion designer Sandra Backlund has taken the traditional craft of knitting and pushed the boundaries beyond imagination to create her extraordinary threedimensional pieces of fashion art. Sandra Backlund has been on Swedish Press’ radar for a number of years by virtue of her awesome creative force. After Sandra had stepped out of the spotlight for a period of time to start a family, we were privileged to talk with her about her past, present, and future yet to unfold. It was during her second year at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm that Sandra says she found her voice and discovered that knitwear – a skill she began to learn from her grandmother at the age of 7 – was the direction she was going in. The day she graduated she set up her own company. In the years that followed she created her solo collections that garnered the attention of the fashion world. Winning a number of high profile fashion awards, Sandra also collaborated with Louis Vuitton
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Swedish Press | October 2018 22
[Design]
and was chosen as a protégé by Italian Vogue. Her work has been exhibited in art and fashion museums in Chicago, London, and Tokyo. Sandra explains that her work is a living process, a bit like sculpting. No sketching, just a few basic stitches and then she improvises, inventing as she goes along. Her work has two aspects: one is creative and free, and the other is very mathematical where she likes to make laws and boundaries. Her aesthetic happens because she is able to flip between the two aspects, stepping in and out of a purposeful dance between play and control. Recently Sandra has made an entrance back into fashion and design in a big way with a project for Swedish headphone manufacturer Urbanears. They approached her to participate in an ad campaign for their Plattan 2 Bluetooth headphones. To mark the evolution from wired to wireless headphones, Sandra was asked to create 3D knitwear using the original Plattan textile cords. She felt like it was meant to be. What
drew her in was the opportunity to support a Swedish company as a Swedish designer, and to do an art project for a commercial company. Sandra said sometimes it’s fate that decides for you. The result after
six intense weeks of work was five stunning pieces made using 4500 meters of headphone cord. The most challenging part was working with the cord since it wasn’t flexible, making it very tough on her hands and fingers to create the stitches. However difficult, the outcome of Sandra’s hard work combined with her creative genius has again been met with rave reviews. When asked what’s next for Sandra, she mentioned that the idea of making another collection is close to her heart. She is interested to see if her time away has given her a new perspective. Whatever her approach is, we are sure it is going to be aweinspiring. All other photos are knitwear created by Sandra Backlund for Urbanears. Photos © Urbanears.
Hemma hos
The Lure of the Sea By Lisa-Maj Roos
Lisa-Maj Roos is a gallery-represented artist based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her work can be found here (www.lisaroosart.com) and at 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery in Halifax (www.14Bells.com).
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was born and raised on the Canadian prairies in Winnipeg, Manitoba, located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers near the longitudinal centre of North America, far from the sea and my Swedish roots. I am the eldest daughter of Swedish immigrants and a family of great artisans, storytellers, and seafarers — Viking traits, I discovered, that are mine by birthright. My grandmother, Inga, was a master weaver. I recall as a child scrambling up the bench to sit beside her while she worked at her loom, watching her weave cloth from patterns she had designed. My grandfather, Gösta, forged his art out of wrought iron, his legacy living on in the beautiful candleholders and chandeliers he created with his giant hands. My aunts, Margareta, Mary, and Maj-Lis, were talented painters with many of their pieces found in private collections. My mother, Joyce, an artist in her own right, sewed all of our clothes and Swedish costumes by hand. I can still hear the chuka, chuka, chuka of her sewing machine…
[Treats]
à la Lisa-Maj
My own journey as an artist (and my longing for the sea) began when my father, Erik, a woodcarver, had me paint his carvings for him, some with traditional rosemaling. While he carved and I painted, he would share memories of his beloved Sweden — his love for the sea and the little village where he was born, his family, culture, language, music, food and, of course, the herring. I could almost smell the briny air and hear the sound of the Nyckelharpa as the chips of wood fell to the floor around his feet.
A mix of northern and southern Sweden, my heritage is richly woven with the colours, food, song and art of my ancestors. I now live on the east coast of Canada where new life began for so many, replacing the Nyckelharpa for the Celtic fiddle, the prairies for the sea, and devoting my life to making art just steps from the Bay of Fundy. I am at home here. The sea is in my blood. My Viking spirit is at peace. Was it the lure of the sea? I think so. And, of course, the herring.
Solomon Gundy Ingredients: • ½ dozen salt herring • 2 medium red onions • 2 cups vinegar • 2 tablespoons pickling spice • ½ cup sugar
Preparation (Maritime Style Pickled Herring): Remove heads and tails from herring. Clean and remove the skin and bones. Cut in pieces about 1 inch thick. Soak in cold water for about 24 hours. Squeeze the water from the herring. Place in bottle with slices of onion, in alternate layers. In a saucepan, heat the vinegar and add pickling spice and sugar. Let cool, then pour over the herring in the bottles. Photo credits: Wawrzyniec Korona
Swedish Apple Pie Ingredients: • 2 1/2 cups peeled, cored and sliced Granny Smith apples • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp cardamon • 1 tsp sugar • 1 cup sugar • 3/4 cup butter, melted • 1/2 cup chopped pecans • 1 cup all purpose flour • 1 egg, lightly beaten • 1/4 tsp salt
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan with butter. Fill 2/3 of the pan with sliced apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon, cardamon and 1 teaspoon sugar. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup sugar with the melted butter. Stir in pecans, flour, egg and salt. Mix well. Spread mixture over the apples. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with ice cream! Lisa-Maj’s oil painting. Photo credits: Maria Longmire
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Swedish Press Connects
Swedish Council of America
”The Vikings are Coming!“ By Gregg White, Executive Director
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his phrase has struck terror into the hearts of the inhabitants of Britain ever since the first Norse raid on Lindisfarne in 793 CE. The ninth century Anglo-Saxon Chronicles records the invaders as being “ravaging… wretched heathen men” whose arrival Helmet found in burials at the was preceded by “whirlValsgärde field– Photo: Gustavianum, winds, lightning, and fiery Uppsala University Museum dragons flying in the sky”. No wonder the pre-Norman English were terrified. Ever since, the date of this the first of many incursions on British soil has been considered the beginning of the Viking Era. But is that accurate? Could these Scandinavian wayfarers have just suddenly appeared with almost no prior history? Not likely. Until recently most research into the Vikings and their time has been focused on the later history of these seafaring traders, on their interactions with Western Europe, and on how they eventually gave rise to the modern Scandinavian nations. Far less attention has been devoted to the very beginnings of this trajectory, especially in eastern Scandinavia where there is a rich history of Viking activity long before they arrived at Lindisfarne. To understand the very origins of the Viking phenomenon, a new research project on the Viking Age Sword found in burials at the Valshas been established at gärde field. Photo: Gustavianum, Uppsala University Museum Uppsala University.
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At the heart of the project is one of Sweden’s greatest archaeological treasures, the largest cemetery of ship burials ever found. Located at Valsgärde in Uppland, prominent people of both sexes were interred here for nearly three centuries prior to the raids on Lindisfarne. These boat graves include extensive funereal objects such as jewelry, weapons, textiles, utility items, and sacrificed animals. Together with the nearby burial mounds at Gamla Uppsala, Vendel, and Ultuna, these grave sites offer deep insight into the history of early Sweden and its emergence from the heart of the Mälar Valley. Now housed at Gustavianum, Uppsala University Museum, the objects from Valsgärde tell a complex and interesting story of why and when Viking society actually began. To share this fascinating history, items from the collection are included in a stunning exhibition that will soon be displayed at several locations across the US. Called “The Vikings Begin”, the exhibit presents an idea of how society in the Vendel period (550 – 790 CE) developed and which facets of Viking society were already beginning to emerge in the early 7th century. In addition, Gustavianum has created supportive scenography featuring many Valsgärde artifacts, allowing them to tell their stories of our ancient times. This is a unique exhibit, the likes of which have never been seen in North America before. It opens at the Nordic Museum in Seattle on October 20, 2018, and at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis on May 17, 2019. Additional bookings are in the works. This is another informative exhibit brought to you, in part, by SCA. Enjoy! SCA is Swedish America’s community foundation. Our mission is to promote knowledge and appreciation of Swedish heritage and culture in North American life and to strengthen contemporary cultural and educational ties between North America and Sweden. We achieve this by providing grants to organizations, scholarships to youth, recognition to leaders and communications to the community – all focused on furthering our mission. www.swedishcouncil.org
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The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, New York
Innovate46: Innovating, Disrupting & Winning Together The theme of this year’s Innovate46 conference is Innovating, Disrupting & Winning Together – How Startup-Corporate Partnerships and Collaborations Drive Innovation.
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n October 10, 2018 the Swedish startup scene joins the corporate world at Nasdaq MarketSite in New York to meet, launch, network and explore how ground-breaking collaborations can drive innovation. The full-day conference features representatives from American and Scandinavian venture capital firms, researchers, cutting-edge companies and prolific startups for expert talks and interactive workshops. Innovate46 aims to explore the importance of thriving collaborative ecosystems and how actors can continue to build bridges between big and Niclas Holmberg, Nasdaq & Anna small – between Sweden Throne-Holst, SACCNY and the U.S. Innovate46 is also the one and only platform for the Anders Wall Award for Exceptional Entrepreneurship, which is an important part of the initiative. Three talented entrepreneurs have been selected to pitch on stage to an impressive jury, and the winner is awarded a $25,000 cash prize. The nominees must present an exceptional entrepreneurial capacity and ability to create and lead a successful business, and also have proven traction on the American market. The entrepreneurs nominated
for the 2018 award are: Christopher Ahlberg, CoFounder & CEO, Recorded Future; Lisa Lindström, CEO, Doberman AB; and Willem Sundblad, Founder & CEO, Oden Technologies. In addition to these activities, SACCNY, Erik Gatenholm, CELLINK & Dr. the Swedish Agency for Anders Wall, Anders Walls Stiftelse Economic and Regional Growth and the Swedish Energy Agency will organize an acceleration week for ten brilliant tech startups in New York to help facilitate their growth. The ten companies will also pitch on stage at Innovate46. Upon the conclusion of the acceleration week, the startups will have acquired world-class connections, coupled with know-how and practical resources in how to optimize a business in the United States. The event is by invitation only. Sign up for interest to receive more information by sending us an email to innovate46@ saccny.org. Join us at New York’s #1 conference on Nordic innovation and entrepreneurship! Natalia Brzezinski, Brilliant Minds www.saccny.org/ and Stina Ehrensvärd, Yubico. innovate46 About SACCNY: The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, New York (SACCNY) works to promote, advance and protect commercial and professional relations between Sweden and the United States while acting as an important support agent for Swedish businesses internationalizing into the U.S. market.
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Road to 2045
Road to 2045
Swedish Elections: The Climate May Solve the Political Climate By Mattias Goldmann, 2030-secretariat In the recent Swedish elections, every single one of the eight mainstream parties congratulated itself as a winner. In reality, tough and long negotiations remain until a government is in place – and if that government can’t get a budget approved, new elections might happen already this year. One solution is to build on the cross-party climate and energy agreements.
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hilst the international media have mostly portrayed the xenophobic Sweden Democrats as this election’s winner, with just over 17 % of the votes it performed well below most polls and expectations, and remains the third largest party in Parliament. And while that percentage is enough to keep any of the previous coalitions from gaining a majority of the seats in Parliament, it also means that the other seven parties are now reaching out to try and find ways to govern without the need for support from the Sweden Democrats.
In the days just after the election, both sides insist that they have the right to form the government, and that the other side should yield and – in whole or in part – support such a minority government or even take part in it. Later on, new coalitions might well be formed, but no matter who will govern, it is clear that there will be a shift of power from a weakened government to the Parliament. If this is not well handled, a lot of what has hitherto been taken for granted in terms of stability and predictability may soon be a thing of the past. According to the 2030-secretariat, where all the parties of the Parliament except for the Swedish Democrats regularly meet for informal consultations and discussions, a way forward could be to build on the successful agreements across the aisle that were reached in the previous four-year period. All in all, more than 20 such broad agreements were signed in areas from pensions to military defense, but many of them are vague framework agreements that mainly push the issues into the future. The main exception is the climate agreement. Here, every political party except for the Swedish Democrats,
who had often veered towards climate skepticism, has agreed on the emissions targets for 2030 – a fossil-independent transport sector with a 70 percent emissions reduction compared to 2010 – and for 2045, when Sweden is to be net neutral in its climate impact. This is by far the most ambitious target in the world; we know this since the UN Paris Agreement requires every country to put forward its climate targets for ease of comparison. When new political coalitions need to be built, this is the agreement to start from. Not only does it include every party that wants to ensure that the Swedish Democrats are left without any real policy influence; it also shows true leadership just when it is needed the most. The agreement withstood the election test. Even though several of the parties were at times desperate to find something that would attract more voters, not even one of them attacked or questioned the climate legislation. Furthermore, while the Green Party finished last in the elections and lost the most in proportional terms, combating climate change was the single issue that rose the fastest when voters were asked what issues they cared the most about, even finishing as the number one issue in the Swedish daily newspaper Expressen’s poll. This is no doubt due to last summer’s record heat and drought, but whatever the reason, it still means that, in areas that matter to the voters, the seven parties found a Yes We Can, the Swedish Way. Not only will Swedish politics potentially save the climate by leading the way, but the climate may also be the savior of Swedish politics. Fores (which includes the 2030-secretariat) is a Swedish think tank devoted to questions related to climate and environment, migration and integration, entrepreneurship and economic reforms, as well as the digital society.
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Swedish Museum Gala honors businesses – Owners of two venerable Andersonville establishments will be recognized by Chicago’s Swedish American Museum during its annual Gala “Aspire!” The event will take place Saturday, Nov 3, in the city’s Saddle and Cycle Club. The honorees are Scott Martin and his father, Tom Martin, owners of both Simon’s Tavern and the Svea Restaurant. These popular venues continue to reflect the Swedish character of the neighborhood that attracts visitors from as far away as Sweden. Simon’s Tavern began a century ago as a storefront café where a favored clientele could get spiked coffees in a basement speakeasy during Prohibition. In 1934, the year after the law was repealed, owner Simon Lundberg opened the street-level bar located across from the Museum. “Simon’s was more than simply a beer hall,” Kerstin Lane observed in her book Andersonville: A Swedish-American Landmark Neighborhood. “It was a place where a Swedish worker could cash a check without having to pay a fee, get a free lunch, and buy a beer.” While there is no free lunch at Svea, a few doors up the street, one can get a tasty, wholesome Swedish breakfast or lunch for a reasonable price. The restaurant was acquired in 1972 by Swedish immigrant Kurt Mathiasson, 8
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whose efforts resulted in founding of the Museum. Mathiasson and his friends were avid collectors of Swedish artifacts, and the restaurant became the repository of as many objects as possible. When the need for larger space was apparent, he spearheaded the project. The Swedish American Museum opened in 1976, next door to Svea, and moved into the abandoned Lind Hardware Building in 1988. King Carl XVI Gustaf attended both grand openings.
best-tasting meatballs, generation after generation. Scandinavian vendors and artisans participate with their specialty items. There are Scandinavian musicians, folk dancers, games, swimming, dancing, climbing, etc., along with the traditional program. Visit www.VasaPark.org for more information.
San Diego Green Connections 2018: Energy Storage & Renewable Energy –November 15th 8am-5pm at SDG&E Innovation Center, San Diego.
Los Angeles Scandinavian Höstmarknad/Fall Market and Swedish Meatball Competition – The annaul Swedish Meatball Competition at Vasa Park, Agoura Hills will be the centerpiece of the fall Marknad this October 14th, 2018. The idea was to stimulate interest & competition between the lodges, now expanded to other individuals who are just sure that they or their family made the
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For the 7th year in a row, Scandinavian cleantech companies and researchers will visit San Diego to attend the annual climate conference Green Connections. American business leaders and researchers from California will join to discuss the latest trends in an international setting. How will the future look like? Join the conference to see the solutions of tomorrow, listen to inspiring speakers and engaging panel discussions. Take the chance to learn more about the industry that is saving our world, do some networking and meet exhibitors. The ticket also includes breakfast and lunch. Get your ticket today: http://www.sacc-sandiego.org/ tickets.html 28
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CHICAGO Swedish American Museum 5211 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640 Tel: 773-728 8111 | info@samac.org www.swedishamericanmuseum.org ONGOING exhibits: “Modern Antiquity,” photographs by 1885 Swedish Immigrant Charles Erik Spaak, through Sun, Oct 28; the Kungsholm Miniature Grand Opera, through Sun, Nov 25. Oct 4 – 11 am to 4 pm: Kanelbullens Dag, the 40th anniversary of the Swedish celebration of cinnamon buns. Oct 7 – Sun 12 noon: Traditional Herring Breakfast catered by Tre Kronor restaurant. Oct 14 – Sun 4 pm: Concert by Duo Scandinavia of traditional vocal and instrumental music based on a major emigration period. Oct 20 – Sat 2 pm: Lecture by Richard Tellström on Swedish food and development of the smorgasbord; co-sponsored by the Swedish American Historical Society. Oct 20 – Sat 6:30 pm: Swedish American Historical Society 70th anniversary reception at the Swedish American Museum, dinner catered by Tre Kronor, and talk by Dr. Dag Blanck of Uppsala University on “Where Do We Stand Today? The Changing Nature of Swedish-American History.” CLEVELAND Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 VOA 3740 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights OH Marty.bergman@sbcglobal.net Tel: 216-371 5141 Oct 9 – Tues: Annual Leif Erickson Day Celebration and Lunch – Sponsored by the Nordic communities of Cleveland. 11:30 am Shooter’s on the Water, 1148 Main Ave. Cleveland. 11:30 beverage ‘salute to Eric’, followed by lunch on your own. Oct 14 – Sun 2 pm: Nobel-Monitor VOA – Korv Meal: $10.00, Peace Lutheran Church, 3740 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH. Contact: marty.bergman@sbcglobal.net 216-371- 5141 DETROIT Swedish Club of Southeast Michigan 22398 Ruth St, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 Info: 734-459 0596 www.swedishclub.net Oct 7 – Sun 1 to 2:30pm: Annual Fish Boil 8
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HOUSTON SACC-Texas c/o Consulate General of Sweden 3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 805, Houston, TX texas@sacctx.com | www.texas@sacctx.com Oct 25-26 – Thurs to Fri: SACC Summit 2018 will gather corporate members, partners, industry leaders and representatives from 20 regional Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce. This year’s SACC Summit will be in Houston, Texas and feature the theme Sustainable Success – Business through renewable energy and sustainable recycling. MINNEAPOLIS American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55407 Tel: 612-871 4907 | www.asimn.org Ongoing through Oct 28: Gudrun Sjödén – A Colourful Universe – Exhibition to showcase the work of renowned textile designer Gudrun Sjödén and her bold feminine collections that are inspired by nature and Swedish folk motifs. Ongoing through Oct 28: Alison Aune + Kirsten Aune: Colors from the North – The Aune sisters who reside in Duluth come together for an exhibition creatively exploring the intersection of craft, art and heritage. PHILADEPHIA American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145 | Tel: 215-389 1776 | info@americanswedish.org | www.americanswedish.org Oct 20 – Sat 11 am to 1 pm: Exhibit Opening – Fiber Installations by Ted Hallman, PhD Ongoing through Jan 21, 2019 – From the Heart, Made by Hand: Treasures from the Women of Sweden. Ongoing through Mar 10, 2019 – Ingmar Bergman and His Legacy in Fashion and Art PORTLAND New Sweden Cultural Heritage Society PO Box 80141 Portland, OR 97280 www.newsweden.org Oct 27 – Sat: ScanFeast: Nordic Northwest's 27th Annual Auction & Gala at Nordia House – Enjoy a night filled with good food, fine wine, Nordic friends and two 18
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exciting auctions – live and silent. This year’s theme is Trolls, Tomtar, Tontut and Nisser, Oh, My! SEATTLE Swedish Cultural Center 1920 Dexter Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109 Tel: 206-283 1090 | www.swedishclubnw.org info@swedishculturalcenter.org Oct 5 – Fri: Viking Feast & Viking Disco. Viking cuisine expert James Bushell will prepare the food. Costumes encouraged. Nordic Museum 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107 Tel: 206-789 5707 | nordic@nordicmuseum.org www.nordicmuseum.org Oct 6 – Sat 6 to 9 pm: Night at the Nordic – This premier fundraising event in the Osberg Great Hall features a presentation by Rick Steves, founder of Rick Steves’ Europe, a plated Nordic-inspired meal, travel-themed auction packages, Fund-aNeed opportunity, and of course, aquavit! Oct 20 – Sat 10 am: The Vikings Begin Exhibition Opening VANCOUVER Scandinavian Community Centre 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 Tel: 604-294 2777 | info@scandinaviancentre.org | www.swedishculturalsociety.ca Oct 13 – Sat noon to 9 pm: Leif Erikson Day Festival – Focus on Iceland. To honour Leif Erikson; to praise the contributions to Canada of people of Nordic descent and to promote the spirit of discovery. WINNIPEG Swedish Cultural Assn of Manitoba 764 Erin Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 2W4 | Tel: 204-774 8047 | Reservations at: svenskclub17@gmail.com Oct 4 and 11 – Thurs 7 pm: Craft like a Viking – Viking Necklace bee. Bring your own beads and heavy thread. No cost. Oct 5 – Fri 11:45 am: Svensk Lunch Oct 20 – Sat 7:30 pm: Viking Feast – “Harvest God – Freyr”; food, drink, musicians, poets, games; $35. Wear costumes. sccreservations@shaw.ca. Oct 21 – Sun 10:30 am to 1 pm: Swedish Brunch 28
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[Ads] and Info Swedish Press Classified Alberta Organizations Svenska Skolan i Calgary bedriver undervisning för barn 3-15 år gamla på lördagar kl 9:30-12. 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 mer om vår skola på www.swedishschool.com BC Organizations Scandinavian Business Club Monthly meetings feature business speakers. Guests and new members welcome. Call SBC: 604-484-8238. Visit us at www.sbc-bc.ca Scandinavian Community Centre Beautiful setting for weddings, parties, birthdays, meetings and seminars. 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC info@scandinaviancentre.org 604-294-2777 www.scandinaviancentre.org Svenska Kulturföreningen Ordförande Ellen Petersson 604-970-8708. Kassör är Linda
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Swedish Club 1920 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109; Tel: 206-283-1090. Open Wednesday evenings for supper and games, Friday for lunch and dinner. Pancake breakfasts on first Sundays of the month. Rental venue for meeting, parties, etc. www.swedishclubnw.org Classified Free Swedish Language Books I have several boxes of Swedish language books free for the taking. Most are by Scandinavian authors but you would need to come to Richmond, BC to pick up one or all of them on a first come first serve basis – eeva, contact: eeva. isaksson@sap.com Advertising Sales Reps wanted Swedish Press is looking for full or part-time advertising sales representatives. E-mail info@swedishpress.com for more information. Swedish Press Classified Ad Rate is as low as 50 cents per word (minimum $10). Send your ad to advertise@swedishpress.com
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Swedish Press | October 2018 30
t the age of one hundred years, Walter Jansson shared memories from Lac du Bonnet, a town rich in Swedish immigrants. Walter’s father, Eric Johan Jansson, emigrated to Canada in 1909 where he cut railroad crossties in Dalman’s camp. His wife, Emelia Maria (Olsson), left Västernorrland, Sweden in 1912 to join him, bringing son Eric Sexton and daughter Gata. Eric acquired a tamarack-filled homestead near Great Falls. In 1917, the family, with newborn Bertil, moved to the small log cabin where Walter was born. In 1918 they moved into a squared timber home built by Eric, and Evert was born. Eric cleared 10 acres, obtained title to the ¼ section and tilled land with an ox team, in clouds of mosquitoes, believing that every tree stump meant progress. In 1926, the family began farming on the Winnipeg River. With friends, Walter fished, played ball or swam in the Winnipeg River using floating logs – smaller logs as the swimmers got better! The Janssons always had a garden with blueberries and lingonberries. Walter hunted partridges and prairie chickens with his sling shot and trapped squirrels, weasels, mink and coyotes… eleven pelts equalling one horse in the 1930’s. Walter completed Grade 8 at Broadlands School, where religion was taught by a visiting teacher or the Shantyman Christian Association. In 1932 Walter and his brothers cut railroad crossties with their father, using a broad axe. Seventeen cords of tamarack, hauled by horse wagon and loaded into rail cars, netted fifty-one dollars.
Gunvor Larsson, Stuart, Walter and Wesley Jansson celebrating Swedes at Lac du Bonnet.
From 1936 to 1942 Walter worked in the Pine Falls Paper Company bush camps. He volunteered for the Armed Forces and, after basic training, was stationed on the Aleutian Islands. After 6 months his regiment was transferred back to England where he became an instructor on field cannons. He attained the rank of Corporal, completed his military service and returned home in 1946. On June 6, 1942, Walter married Gladys Carlson in Winnipeg at the Logan and Ellen church. He remembers Hallonquist’s Store on Logan Avenue, Winnipeg. They bought cod for lutefisk from a store with a green door! After WW2 Walter farmed in the Broadlands School District and worked as a pulpwood scaler during winter. In 1960 he worked for Manitoba Hydro, Great Falls, retiring at 65. Walter and Gladys were very active in the local community, taking care of the hall and bartending. They had two sons, Stuart and Wesley. Gladys passed away February 2016, four months short of their 74th anniversary. Walter is very proud of being a Swede who contributed to the building of Canada’s railway lines. “There were good people of many nationalities in the community. Swedes survived. Work, work, work, that was all we knew.” Interviewed and recorded by Sonja Lundstrom and Delsie Cousineau
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