Sweden is best! Swedes don’t smoke much. No wedding for Princess Lillian.
Sweden is best!
As if we needed to tell you! But sometimes you need to hear what’s obvious, right? And since we just celebrated Sweden’s National Day (June 6), it’s OK to brag a little. “I’m not saying we’re perfect,” says Bo Ekman at Tällberg Foundation. “But the results are interesting.” Ekman is referring to the list of lists, brought together by Tällberg Foundation, and culled from sixteen different indexes made by the UN as well as various universities and organizations and foundations in order to show different countries and their position when it comes to a variety of aspects. Taken into account is human rights, environment, democracy, corruption, freedom of press, equality, the peace and happiness of the people, and competitiveness. And Sweden tops that list. “I believe it’s the result of a very long development that has to do with allemansrätten (the right of public access), women’s rights, our legislation, and the fact that we’re on friendly footing with other countries. The Swedish soul is pragmatic and firm and that creates a society which has a good balance when it comes to environment and economy,” Ekman continues. The one point where Sweden is not on top is environment for enterprise. The countries are given numbers, the smaller the number the better the placement. Sweden’s number is 4.44, followed by Norway (6.44), Denmark (7.44), Finland (10.56), Iceland (10.56) and Switzerland (13.50). Germany’s number is 14.81 and the US 25.06.
Swedes don’t smoke much
Not only is Sweden best in the world, Swedes don’t smoke much either. Of all nations in Europe, Sweden smoke least of all, followed by the Finns. In Sweden, the number of smokers is 16%, in Finland it is 21%. In Greece, as much as 40% smoke, and there are almost as many smokers in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey. Among those in Sweden who have quit smoking, one out of four have used snus (oral moist snuff) to help quitting. Health, family, and friends are what most motivate Swedes who want to quit smoking.
No wedding for Princess Lillian
Born in Swansea, Wales in 1915, Princess Lilian is the widow of Prince Bertil, an uncle of King Carl XVI Gustaf. The 95-year old former fashion model will not attend Victoria and Daniel’s wedding, the marshal of the court Elisabeth Palmstierna reveals. Princess Lilian is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and this is the reason she is not going to be there.
According to an earlier list, Sweden is the best place to be. The list takes into account factors like human rights, environment, democracy, corruption, freedom of press, equality, the peace and happiness of the people, and competitiveness. Above is the Swedish flag. According to mythology, the 12th century Swedish King Eric the Holy saw a golden cross in the sky as he landed in Finland during the First Swedish Crusade in 1157. Seeing this as a sign from God, he adopted the golden cross against a blue background as his banner. (The cross then became yellow, to make it easier and cheaper to make).
Swedes smoke the least of all nations in Europe. Only 16% of Swedes smoke, compared with Greece, where 40% are smokers. In the United States, an estimated 23% men and 18% women are smokers.
Princess Lilian, who is 95, won't be attending Crown Princess Victoria's wedding. Princess Lilian is suffering from Alzheimer's and will be staying home. Here she is seen with Princesses Madeleine and Victoria.
Zorn's painting "Sommarnöje" (Summer Delight or Summer Pleasure) was recently sold for 26 million SEK ($3,220,001.94) at an auction—the highest price ever paid for a Swedish painting, and the highest price ever paid for a work of art at a Swedish auction.
Pastor Carl-Sixten Block decided it was time to say “no thanks” to skolavslutningen at Knäredsskolan, when the headmaster told him he wasn't allowed to mention God's name in his speech. Block was also to refrain from a prayer, a blessing and leading the school children in singing four summer psalms. The reason? According to Skolverket, the National Agency of Education, religious elements are prohibited during regular school hours.
