Swedish News

 

  • Crown Princess in search of wedding gown.
    Wanted: A Swedish wedding gown. If you find something suitable, please let Crown Princess Victoria know. “That day (the wedding day) you want something special of course, but also something you feel good in. There’s still some time to think about it, though,” Crown Princess said to Expressen. She added that she wanted something Swedish for this occasion. Otherwise, Victoria prefers to walk in clogs and worn jeans rather than high heels, even though she is now just as fashionable as her younger sister Madeleine.

  • What’s royally hot and what’s not.
    Svensk Damtidning has its lists.… On top of the list of who’s hot this week is Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, closely followed by Princess Marie of Denmark. So far so good. But take a look at the other list, who’s decidedly not hot this week: Emma Pernald, Prince Carl Philip’s girlfriend since 1999. She was photographed smoking in the street wearing sweatpants. That’s no royal way to behave, Fröken Pernald!

  • Husmanskost in Stockholm.
    You know where to eat sushi and you know where to eat Greek, but what if you happen to be in the mood for Swedish husmanskost? You know, pölsa, isterband, and kroppkakor? Where do you go for that? Turns out few restaurants – if any – serve pölsa on a regular basis. But Leijontornet has been known to serve it on occasion. And isterband can be found on Riche or at Zum Franziscaner. Kroppkakor? A place for that delicacy has yet to be found. Leijontornet, Lilla Nygatan 5, Phone: 08-506 400 80, www.leijontornet.se. Restaurant Riche, Birger Jarlsgatan 4, Phone: 08-545 035 60, www.riche.se. Zum Franziscaner, Skeppsbron 44, Phone: 08-4118330 (int., drop the 0 and add +46)

  • Help! I’m wearing my ball gown!
    Where in Stockholm can you go when you’re in your ball gown? Let’s say you’ve been to a ball, and now you’re supposed to just go home? Of course not! Let the party continue, there are spots in Stockholm where you and your ball gown are more than welcome. One such spot is the Cadierbar at Grand Hotel, another place is Operabaren. Cadierbaren, Grand Hotel, S. Blasieholmshamnen 8, Phone: 08-679 35 85, www.grandhotel.se. Operakällaren, Operahuset, Karl XII:s torg, Phone: 08-676 58 00, operakallaren.se.

  • What’s up Peter Englund?
    Peter Englund, author, historian, member of the Swedish Academy since 2002 and now the permanent secretary of said Academy. Dagens Nyheter took the pulse on Englund. “Do the members of the Swedish Academy really meet every Thursday for pea soup and pancakes at Gyldene Freden?” “Since I became a member, it has happened only twice, so that’s more of a myth actually.” “What’s your favorite Stockholm walk?” “From Lilla Essingen all the way to Gamla Stan, a late but warm summer evening.” “Favorite café?” “They are all in Uppsala, I think it’s difficult to find a decent cinnamon bun in Stockholm.” “A place where you seem to always end up?” “That would be Hedengrens bokhandel.” “Favorite street?” “The one where I run into a good friend.”

  • Going to Malmö.
    If you’re heading south to Malmö, what ‘s there to do and see? Well, there are a few things you simply mustn’t miss. 1. Öresundsbron, the impressive bridge that connects Sweden and Denmark and gives you two countries and two cities for the price of one. It’s also one of the biggest constructions in Europe. 2. The Man and Pegasus. Malmö’s pride, the sculpture “Människan och Pegasus” by Carl Milles stands at Linnéplatsen, Slottsparken, a symbol of freedom of thought and the courage of visions. Carl Milles himself called it his masterpiece. 3. Malmöhus Slott. Malmö Museum is the oldest kept renaissance castle in Scandinavia. It was built during the 1400’s and was used as a fortress and a prison before it became a museum. This is where the Danish kings lived during their visits to Malmö, and Earl of Bothwell, Mary Stuart’s third husband, was imprisoned here for five years. There are exhibitions all year around. 4. The Turning Torso. Santiago Calatrava is one of our time’s most exciting architects and when HSB Malmö gave him the challenge to turn the sculpture Twisting Torso into an apartment building he created Turning Torso. With 147 apartments, Turning Torso is a spectacular building situated at Västra Hamnen. 5. Rundan, the little canal boat that takes you through Malmö’s parks (and there are many), out into the harbor, and passes Malmöhus Slott on the way. The guide is very professional so you do not want to miss this. For more info: Rundan, Kanalfart AB Enbärsgatan 16, Malmö, Phone: 040-611 74 88. For places that serve Swedish food, check out Pim’s Krog on Scaniaplatsen 2a, Phone: 040-12 50 35, pimskrog.se. Or Två Krögare (also known as Bullen), on Storgatan 35, Phone: 040-12 12 41.

  • God Bless Sweden?
    We’re used to hearing God bless America, but God bless Sweden – who says that? Nobody. Yet. Member of the Swedish Riksdag Else-Marie Lindgren (Christian Democrat) wants to change that: She suggests Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt uses the slogan "God Bless Sweden. I think it would be a rather nice finish to his speeches to the nation,” she says. “In the U.S it seems people have a more relaxed attitude to religion. In spite of the fact that it’s a country with many nationalities and cultures, the President is able to ask God to bless the nation. Why can’t we do the same here? Our country is built on Christian values, why should we not acknowledge that?” When asked about the fact that Sweden has freedom of religion and not everybody’s a Christian, Lindgren says: “I stand for the Christian values that our country is founded on, and which I share. I hope people with other faiths can still feel like they belong here.” Lindgren further says that she has not yet talked personally to the Swedish Prime Minister about her idea. What do you think?