Archive for 'Culture'
Vecka 2 Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 6, 2009
If you are a new arrival to Sweden, there is something that you will notice almost immediately. Even sooner than immediately (if that’s at all possible) if you have school-age kids. Or maybe you’ve already noticed it when dealing on-line with various Swedish establishments. I’m talking about the charming, but vaguely inconvenient to the uninitiated…
The Days Between Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 28, 2008
Between what? Christmas and New Year’s, naturally! I don’t know about you, but I am positively glad that Christmas is finally over. No more coming up with excuses to avoid eating lutefisk (lutfisk in Swedish, but “lutefisk” in English, OK?). Yay! And no more julskinka (Christmas ham). Yay! (The one we were treated to this…
Julafton!!! Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 24, 2008
It’s julafton (Christmas eve) and in Sweden it means many things, but the most important of them all will start at 3PM on SVT1. Kalle Anka!!! The sacred Swedish Christmas tradition! How did Donald Duck become a staple of Swedish Christmas cheer, I am not really sure. Nobody is. But the fact is, it’s not…
Julbocken and Other News Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 21, 2008
I received several emails from the readers asking me what I thought about the riots in Malmö. So, what did I think about the riots? Absolutely nothing. It barely registered on our radars here in Norrland. Much more exciting news is that Lindex is going to open a store in Lycksele next year – at…
Julmarknad and “skriva ihop” Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 16, 2008
This year, because I was away, I missed our local julmarknad. No big deal, really, because it’s tiny and not all that interesting (went last year, and the year before, and the year before-before, and so on) and held only during one weekend at our local skansen-type attraction – Gammlia. Yet, the official city hall…
Sankta Lucia! Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 12, 2008
Tomorrow’s the celebration of St. Lucia (no, I am NOT talking about that happy island in the Caribbean) but unfortunately, I am not in Sweden and will have to miss it this year. Bummer. So what’s the big deal with Saint Lucy’s celebration? You know the stuff you hear about Swedes parading with candles (lit…
It’s Banquet Time! Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 10, 2008
When you read it I will be in Stockholm. Many other people will be in Stockholm, too. In fact, Stockholm will be pretty crowded on December 10th. Why? It’s the Nobel Prize official Award ceremony. Sadly, I won’t be attending. Instead, I will be on my way to Skavsta Airport. Oh well, that two hour…