2012 in Sweden

We've said goodbye to 2011, and while it is nice to get a little sentimental regarding the old year, it's also exciting to look forward to the year ahead.  

  • Juste Debout Scandinavia 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden. In the ring: Niki. Creative Commons / Ainali
  • Looking forward to 2012
    We've said good-bye to 2011, and while it is nice to get a little sentimental regarding the old year, it's also exciting to look forward to the year ahead. It’s a blank slate, a new beginning.
    Few have had such an impact in the world as the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. His work to save lives in the late stages of the Second World War epitomizes what we sometimes forget, that "one man can make a difference." The Swedish hero of WWII was born 100 years ago and the coming year will entail a large amount of activities both in Stockholm, other parts of Sweden and the world. For a list of official events, see the Swedish Foreign Ministry's calendar: Raoul Wallenberg 1912-2012
    In Stockholm there are several events to look forward to, metro.se lined up some of them. First of all, there’s the royal baby (said to be due in March), then Stockholm stadion (Stockholm Olympic Stadium, built for the 1912 Olympic Games) celebrates its 100th birthday, and the celebrations will continue throughout 2012, culminating next summer with a big party and a regatta in Nynäshamn. “[2012] will be a great sports year, focusing on getting young people into sports,” says Roland Berndt, Director of Communications at Idrottsförvaltningen (Stockholm City’s Sports Authority).

  • Stockholm Culture Festival. Stage at Gustav Adolfs Torg. Photo: Thomas Karlsson
  • But it’s not all about sports.
    The great playwright August Strindberg died 100 years ago, and there will be celebrations all over Stockholm to honor his legacy. Nordiska Museet, for instance, will show several of Strindberg’s art works as well as the original manuscript to “Fröken Julie” (“Miss Julie”) and “Ockulta dagboken” (Occult diary). More info, see Nordiska Museet

  • The world's longest book table at the Stockholm Culture Festival. Photo: Karin Nilsson
  • There’s a Streetstar festival, and one of the biggest street dance competitions in the world, Juste Debout, will come to Solnahallen January 27-28. Streetstar Sweden

  • The official Raoul Wallenberg exhibition, "To me there's no other choice—Raoul Wallenberg 1912-2012," organized by the Swedish Institute and supported by the Swedish government, opened in Budapest in 2012 and is now showing in Portland, Oregon.
  • Musician Joakim Thåström is going on tour, and on February 26-28 he will be performing at Cirkus. www.thastrom.se

  • The Ice Hockey World Cup shared between Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm will be the 2012 main sports event in the Nordic region.
  • Ice Hockey World Cup takes place at Globen May 4-15. www.globearenas.se Shared between Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm this is the sport event of the year in Scandinavia 2012 ICHF World Championship

  • The musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” starring Ola Salo (from the group “The Ark”) at Göta Lejon April 8 – 13. www.gotalejon.se

  • Dans Dakar, a festival focusing on electronic music, will take place May 25 and 26 with artists like Busy P, Rustie, Cassius, Bella Boo and Studio Barnhus.
    www.dansdakar.se

  • If jazz is more your cup of tea, then – for the 29th time - there’s the Stockholm Jazz Festival, in June. www.stockholmjazz.com/en

  • Kulturfestivalen – theater, music and many other events. August 14-19.
    Kulturfestivalen.stockholm.se

  • The Stockholm Marathon will take off on the first Saturday of June and will finish in the aforementioned stadium built for the 1912 Olympic Games. If you’re a woman and you like running, then mark your calendar and lace up your running shoes for September 1: That’s when it’s time for the annual Tjejmilen – a 10K race. www.tjejmilen.se