We take the rough with the smooth, the ups with the downs ..
The first issues of our 149th year of consecutive publishing of Nordstjernan, have been published. READ MORE »
Readers, partners, friends:
During 2020, together, we have found ourselves slowly adapting to a new way of living, with still many unknown challenges ahead. We’ll continue to make it together.
All the very best for the year 2021!
Your friends at NORDSTJERNAN READ MORE »
God Jul
Merry Christmas and 'happy continuation' of the days between Christmas and the New Year, God Fortsättning! READ MORE »
Tomasdagen, Tomas Day, Dec. 21.
Christmas stalks, market day and beer: In the old days Tomas Day, December 21, was an important way station. READ MORE »
Swedish Lucia, the Queen of Light
The Lucia celebration is something that Swedes themselves, and also the rest of the world consider as the most typical Swedish tradition. READ MORE »
Glad Första Advent - Happy First of Advent!
Second only to Sankta Lucia, after Christmas itself, is the time spent in preparation for this important holiday season - during what's known as Advent. READ MORE »
The quick and easy Glogg Party
Any of the four Sundays of Advent is a perfect excuse for putting together your own party. READ MORE »
Advent
The first Sunday of Advent is just as important as Lucia in Sweden. Advent - the four weeks leading up to Christmas. READ MORE »
Hunting: Sweden's living heritage
Swedes gear up for hunting season. As the summer comes to an end, fall inevitably draws nearer, and with fall comes the hunting season.
The moose hunt is usually front-page news in Sweden when it begins in different parts of the country from early October. Almost 300,000 camouflaged Swedes – including the Swedish king! – migrate to the forests.
READ MORE »Premium
The gun, the dog and the thermos
Culture and hunting in Sweden and the United States READ MORE »Premium
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Swedish traditions: 'Kraftskivan' - your own crayfish party
Crayfish, crawfish, in Swedish simply kraftor [kr'ef:tor] Checklist, how to create your own. READ MORE »
Countdown to crayfish
Sweden is known for its various seafood specialties, especially in the late summer when certain crustaceans are mature and fresh. READ MORE »
Happy Independence Day to one and all!
... a celebration everyone can appreciate. READ MORE »
A Swedish Midsummer!
'Svensk Midsommar' - the traditions, the table and a selection of the most popular recipes. READ MORE »
Virtual Midsummer activities
Midsummer 2020 is shaping up to be like none other, and a number of organizations are trying to help make it memorable with opportunities for virtual celebrations! You needn't travel across states or "hålla tummorna" for the perfect weather this year ... there are events you can enjoy in your own backyard: READ MORE »
Små grodorna - The little frogs
No Swedish Midsummer can be celebrated without them ... young and old, in the north and south, everyone dances 'Små Grodorna' but where did the song really come from? READ MORE »
Midsummer 101
A Swedish midsummer is "endless" summer with sun, fun, great food, flowers, dancing and joy ... a piece of Swedish culture to be proud of. READ MORE »
6:e Juni, Nationaldagen
Sweden's National Day is June 6. Only since the early 20th century has it been considered the Day of the Swedish Flag, becoming a national holiday as late as 2004. READ MORE »
Taking the waters
What happened to 'taking the waters' in Sweden? Did it ever cure anything or was it just a way for the rich to mingle? READ MORE »
Today is Ascension Day - Kristi Himmelsfärds Dag
Many days off, usually followed by in-between-days when most people are off work and school, signify springtime in Sweden. READ MORE »
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Vasa Park in Illinois needs your support
Countless visitors through the years can attest to the charm and welcoming spirit of this hidden gem just outside South Elgin, Ill. READ MORE »
The choral song in honor of spring canceled
The 80-member men's choir can not perform on 'Valborg' since crowds of more than 50 people are banned. READ MORE »
'Happy Walpurgis!' Valborg and May First:
Two occasions when nearly every choral singer in the country lets it rip READ MORE »
Easter mango mousse cake
For a lighter gluten-free dessert after the Easter lunch or dinner, try this mango or raspberry mousse cake. READ MORE »
Easter in Sweden
1,500 tons herring, 2,000 tons of eggs and SEK 1.5 billion spent on flowers ... Easter is a serious holiday in Sweden for sure. READ MORE »
Chocolate Easter Squares
We used Anton Berg’s Large Bird Eggs with marzipan and nougat as decoration with these yummy Easter treats. READ MORE »
Easter or Påsk, a Swedish tradition of traditions
Wherever you are and on FaceTime, Zoom, Skype or phone, wishing you and yours a safe and healthy, happy Easter. READ MORE »
Sugar eggs for Easter
Make your own Easter candy and make yourself popular among both big and small. READ MORE »
Waffles for Our Lady
Not to forget our important traditions, today is Waffle Day in Sweden. End of March brings out the urge for waffles in Swedes, a sweet tradition created through, well, a mispronunciation. READ MORE »
Celebrating Strong Swedish Women
In observance of the International Women's Day: Swedish history seen from a woman's perspective READ MORE »
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Trettondedag Jul, Tjugondedag Knut?
Thirteenth day of Christmas, Epiphany - what used to be similar to today's Halloween in the 19th century.. READ MORE »
Wishing readers, clients, friends,
with a world of thanks for our time together in 2019 - Happy New Year and all the best for 2020! READ MORE »
The Swedish Christmas table
You may think the foods on the Christmas dinner table have been unchanged since ancient times, but most of them made their entry as late as the 20th century. Every new generation sets its mark on the food for Christmas and redefines the traditions. READ MORE »Premium
Swedish Christmas Treats
Pepparkakor - regular ginger snaps. White gingersnaps. Ice chocolate. Knäck. Not without my wiener nougat! Saffron pears. READ MORE »
Lesser known about Lucia celebrations
In western Sweden it was also customary that the autumn work should be finished the night before Lucia. READ MORE »
Christmas in Sweden: Holiday like no other
It's a festivity when we do everything in our power to spend time with family and friends. READ MORE »
A tale of Christmas
One of our readers shares his memories from a Christmas with friends in Sweden - imagine a scene from Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander. READ MORE »Premium
A thousand years of the julbord
With the month of December we face a collection of important annual rituals and remarkable meals. Common to all of them, from glögg mingles to corporate holiday parties, is they contribute to a loaded Christmas atmosphere that can only be redeemed in the perhaps most unusual meal that Swedish food culture can boast: Julbord, the traditional Christmas table. READ MORE »Premium
Happy 'Scandinavian' Thanksgiving in America!
The fourth Thursday of each November is a time of migration all over the United States. READ MORE »
Christmas in Swedish America 2019
Christmas events are already in full swing - or at the very least you can get them on your calendar now so you don't miss a thing. READ MORE »
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