Around week 27 (since we often count in weeks in Sweden) there is Almedalsveckan in every year. The purpose of this get-together is to debate about political issues, mingle and have fun. Many people have recently criticized the happening because there is a lot of party and booze involved. Some say that they don´t want politicians to make future decision based on drunken moments. The event takes place every year in Visby the “capital” of Gotland that is Sweden´s largest island in the Baltic Sea. It is said that politicians are also humans (It isn´t me who is saying this…I have heard so…) so by this mean they also deserve some relaxation. The programs and debates are opened for everyone. However renting tents and offices are getting more and more expensive each year. Many people express harsh criticism against the organizers because in their opinion the prices exclude smaller and less rich organizations. They say that it is becoming a rich men´s club and many of the critical voices have drawn parallels between this event and when rich brats taking daddy´s boat and credit card to the island to have some fun. However, the programs are very interesting and you can meet the Swedish politicians face to face. The debates are often heated but people are seldom rude. Later this year we have elections in Sweden. Almedalsveckan is a great opportunity for the different parties to speak their minds on different issues. No one is afraid of using this chance and publicity as a part of their campaign. You can follow the seminars, workshops, debates on the net as well. The topics are very different. The hottest Swedish topics right now seem to be global warming, elimination of nuclear power in Sweden and new jobs. Almedalsveckan wouldn´t be Almedalsveckan without some scandals either. The bone of contention are two things: Why did Sven-Otto Littorin (former minister of labour) recently mysteriously resign and why did Gudrun Schyman head of FI (Feministisk Initiativ) burn 100 000 SEK (approx 10 000 euros). Well, this last one is easier to answer to. In her opinion there is a huge gap between the salaries of women and men in different sectors in Sweden and the problem hasn´t really been solved yet and it is time to take some actions. It is 100 000 SEK that women lose against men in every minute. (So she says in the video). She felt that she couldn´t really get any attention so she burnt this donated money. Now she has the attention. Even in abroad. The question is whether her party will be able to make it into the Swedish parliament this autumn and make a change. Many people have been accusing her of being irresponsible and tactless when burning the money. Was it worth it; what do you think? Would you burn 10000 euros to get your message through?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCs1NO96xZc