Archive by Author
Why I Study Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Sep 24, 2010
My mother is American, my father Swedish. For as long as I can remember, mamma speaks English with me, pappa speaks Swedish with me. It’s just the way of the world. That world was turned upside down one day when I was about four. Being the oldest child, I also doubled as a guinea pig…
Swedish Election Results Posted by Marcus Cederström on Sep 20, 2010
I don’t pretend to be a political scientist. There are so many things about politics I can’t begin to understand. Both Swedish and American. It doesn’t stop me from being interested in the political workings of both countries, or from having an opinion though. It’s why I stayed up until five in the morning watching…
Rune Stones in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Sep 13, 2010
The Swede as a Viking is a stereotype that is alive and well. It’s a stereotype that even the Swedes themselves play up. Just watch the stands next time Sweden is playing in any international sporting event. You’ll see Swedes wearing the ubiquitous blue and yellow horned Viking helmet. Of course, we all know that…
Swedish Mysteries Across the Pond Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 25, 2010
A quick look at the New York Times Bestseller List (really any of the fiction lists) shows just how dominant the Stieg Larsson mysteries are right now. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nets is number one on the hardcover list. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire are…
Swedish Pirates Spring a Leak Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 18, 2010
With the Swedish elections coming up, the Pirate Party is making news. International news. The Pirate Party was founded in Sweden in 2006. Since then, it has made news by working to overhaul copyright laws while also calling for government transparency. The party has come so far as to have two representative elected to the…
Kalles Kaviar Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 11, 2010
Swedes love condiments in tubes. They might not admit to it, but just trust me. A trip to any Swedish grocery store will confirm this. Entire sections are filled with tubed condiments. Ketchup. Mustard. Mayonnaise. Ham flavored spreadable cheese. They’ve got it all. But one tubed condiment stands above the rest. Kalles Kaviar. Kalles Kaviar…
Swedish Innovation Through the Ages Posted by Marcus Cederström on Aug 4, 2010
Sweden is well known for innovation on several different fronts. Skype, Pirate Bay, Spotify. All are relatively new and all are well respected technological innovations. But the innovation didn’t start in the 2000s. And it wasn’t always technology. Some Swedish inventions and innovations are well known. There was the method of measuring temperature in Celsius…