Running Stockholm marathon that is.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday Recipe: Vegetarian Lasagne
Inspired by Petra's praise of "my" Greek lasagne I wanted to share another delicious lasagne I make sometimes (though it was a long time ago now...) with you. The recipe actually comes from British Sainsbury's but I can't find it online anymore (though I found a video of a similar recipe). Lucky for you I remember the recipe!
Vegetarian lasagne - 4 servings
1-2 yellow onions
2 peppers (yellow, red or orange)
6-8 mushrooms
Zucchini and/or aubergine (or other vegetables of your choice)
500 gr fresh baby spinach
350 gr ricotta cheese
1-2 garlic cloves
1 can chopped tomatoes
1-2 tbsp tomato puré (according to taste)
1½ tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
other spices such as basil, thyme, oregano - your choice
olive oil for frying
c. 14 lasagne plates
Turn the oven to 200'C. Fry chopped onion, vegetables and pressed garlic in the oil (or margarin) in a big frying pan. Add tomatoes, tomato puré, salt and spices. Stir and let it simmer for a few minutes. Mix ricotta cheese and spinach leaves. Layer vegetable mix, lasagne plates and ricotta/spinach in a ovenproof pan. Finish with ricotta/spinach on the last layer of lasagne plates. Bake in the lower part of the oven for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Vegetarian lasagne - 4 servings
1-2 yellow onions
2 peppers (yellow, red or orange)
6-8 mushrooms
Zucchini and/or aubergine (or other vegetables of your choice)
500 gr fresh baby spinach
350 gr ricotta cheese
1-2 garlic cloves
1 can chopped tomatoes
1-2 tbsp tomato puré (according to taste)
1½ tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
other spices such as basil, thyme, oregano - your choice
olive oil for frying
c. 14 lasagne plates
Turn the oven to 200'C. Fry chopped onion, vegetables and pressed garlic in the oil (or margarin) in a big frying pan. Add tomatoes, tomato puré, salt and spices. Stir and let it simmer for a few minutes. Mix ricotta cheese and spinach leaves. Layer vegetable mix, lasagne plates and ricotta/spinach in a ovenproof pan. Finish with ricotta/spinach on the last layer of lasagne plates. Bake in the lower part of the oven for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Show & Tell: First Names
When you read this on Friday (I'm writing this Wednesday evening but scheduling publication for Friday morning à la Annika) I'm hanging out with friends in Norway, waiting for my friend Karl to get married to his Anlaug the following day (Saturday).
Musikanta's fourth and last-but-one theme is first names, with the motivation that first names are one of those things that people have quite a lot of (opinionated) views on. I don't want to tell you my baby names (for my future children) here in case you steal them (!) but I thought I'd muse about some of the names in my circle of family and friends, and in particular those I'm spending the weekend with.
So Anlaug must be a rather uncommon name? [A Google session later...] I have found out that it means dedicated to the home, or 'eagle promises', i.e protection against eagles, and that there are actually quite a lot of people with that name. It can also be a surname apparently.
This weekend I'm meeting little Maïwenn for the first time, my Franco-Spanish friends' little daughter. I had never heard this name either before - and as I write this I'm still not sure how to pronounce it, as I haven't seen or talked to Céline and Diego in person since Maïwenn arrived; when I try it sounds more Chinese. But through the oracle that is Google I find out that there is a famous French actress called Maïwenn and that it is a Celtic name derived from two names: Mary and Gwen. Céline told me it was a Breton (as from the French region) name though? But isn't Bretagne, i.e. Brittany, called that because the Britannic, the Brits, were there? So maybe there is a link after all. I also find out that the pronunciation is, in English at least, "My-wenn". Wonder what it is in French or Spanish. I will report back after the weekend!
Have a nice weekend!
Musikanta's fourth and last-but-one theme is first names, with the motivation that first names are one of those things that people have quite a lot of (opinionated) views on. I don't want to tell you my baby names (for my future children) here in case you steal them (!) but I thought I'd muse about some of the names in my circle of family and friends, and in particular those I'm spending the weekend with.
So Anlaug must be a rather uncommon name? [A Google session later...] I have found out that it means dedicated to the home, or 'eagle promises', i.e protection against eagles, and that there are actually quite a lot of people with that name. It can also be a surname apparently.
This weekend I'm meeting little Maïwenn for the first time, my Franco-Spanish friends' little daughter. I had never heard this name either before - and as I write this I'm still not sure how to pronounce it, as I haven't seen or talked to Céline and Diego in person since Maïwenn arrived; when I try it sounds more Chinese. But through the oracle that is Google I find out that there is a famous French actress called Maïwenn and that it is a Celtic name derived from two names: Mary and Gwen. Céline told me it was a Breton (as from the French region) name though? But isn't Bretagne, i.e. Brittany, called that because the Britannic, the Brits, were there? So maybe there is a link after all. I also find out that the pronunciation is, in English at least, "My-wenn". Wonder what it is in French or Spanish. I will report back after the weekend!
Have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday Recipe & Culinary Sweden
Haven't done a Wednesday recipe for a few weeks so it's about time! But first, wanted to share some Swedish government policy with you. Apparently Sweden wants to become (or thinks it is?) "the new culinary nation".
"Long, light spring and summer evenings, diversity of produce and manufacturing methods, unique nature and good chefs - that is why Sweden will become the new culinary nation."
But there is also a hard, economic rationale for this.
"The food industry is Sweden's fourth largest employer. Along with growing tourism, it is of major importance to rural areas...[sic] Statistics from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth show that the turnover in the tourist industry in Sweden amounted to more than SEK 236 billion in 2007, with meals accounting for around one third of this tourist spending... [sic] [A] survey showed that more than 80 per cent [...] consider food and culinary experiences an important part of a holiday. Three in four people think that a culinary experience in the countryside can be a reason in itself to visit a certain destination."
Yet, most of the reasons are "soft" or "emotional":
"Long, light spring and summer evenings, diversity of produce and manufacturing methods, unique nature and good chefs - that is why Sweden will become the new culinary nation."
But there is also a hard, economic rationale for this.
"The food industry is Sweden's fourth largest employer. Along with growing tourism, it is of major importance to rural areas...[sic] Statistics from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth show that the turnover in the tourist industry in Sweden amounted to more than SEK 236 billion in 2007, with meals accounting for around one third of this tourist spending... [sic] [A] survey showed that more than 80 per cent [...] consider food and culinary experiences an important part of a holiday. Three in four people think that a culinary experience in the countryside can be a reason in itself to visit a certain destination."
Yet, most of the reasons are "soft" or "emotional":
- - The long, light spring and summer evenings ensure a special climate where fruit and berries grow slowly and gain in flavour.
- - Unique nature that supplies unique produce - The combination of nature and produce also offers an exclusive culinary experience. The sea gives the west coast its shellfish, which are world famous for their flavour; there are mussels and farmed oysters, and of course fresh fish caught every day. The great forests and wildernesses offer not just peace and quiet, but also game: an ingredient that holds a special place in Swedish cuisine.
- - Sweden has a diversity of produce and manufacturing methods, blending Swedish culinary traditions with inspiration from other countries. chefs are renowned the world over for their ability to make the best of this blend of tradition and innovation.
- - A growing food industry that is of major importance to entrepreneurial spirit and ventures are a strong contributing factor to a living countryside. This creates a regional food culture and a local identity.
- - Animal health and welfare are always a primary focus, along with organic cultivation, environmental approaches and sustainable food production in both cultivated and wild landscapes and in the sea. Sweden is also salmonella-free, which promotes consumer security.
The site also has examples of Swedish culinary classics (also in German) and - and this part I'm taking seriously - information on the conference on Climate Smart Food, held under the Swedish Presidency of the EU this autumn.
Last but not the least, my recipe (no picture today):
Pasta with peppers, mushrooms and shrimps - 4 servings*
1 onion
1 red pepper (paprika)
6-8 mushrooms (depending on size)
200 gr shrimp
2 jars of créme fraiche with paprika and chili (or regular crème fraiche with spices added)
2-3 cloves of garlic
salt & pepper
pasta
1. Chop up the onion and the pepper and slice the mushrooms
2. Fry the onions and peppers for a few minutes before throwing in the mushrooms
3. Add the crème fraiche, garlic and seasoning and bring to a boil. Let simmer for a few minutes
4. Start boiling the pasta (start the water earlier)
5. Add the shrimp and let simmer for a minute or so but don't keep them in there too long or they'll go hard/chewy
Serve with a nice salad and maybe some freshly-made bread!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Eurovision Revision
Found this on someone's blog. Missed ESC myself so needed a proper account of the show.
Tonight, I am drinking: Cider
20.02: What the shit is this? Guys in grey clothes and corpse paint prancing around the stage. Cirque de Soleil. Weren’t they in an episode of CSI? Oooh, look, a unicycle. Where are the songs? Wooh, some Samoan twirling fire. WHERE ARE THE FUCKING SONGS?
20:05: Graham Norton: “This is genius, I just love this.” Yeah? Well, Terry would have been taking the piss. I miss Terry. Tonight’s going to suck.
20:10: Finally, some music. Last year’s winner from Russia. Don’t remember it from last year, but it sounds like the kind of shit the winner from American Idol would churn out as their victory single.
20:12: Here come the hosts. Please don’t do the usual flirty thing – she’s way hotter than him and it would just look ridiculous. Y’know, just like it does every year.
20:13: 25 songs? Sheeeeit.
20:14: Lithuania. Kid’s been watching American Idol and picked the look of the kid who got hoofed off a couple of weeks ago. What’s with the hat? And those fucking sideburns.
20:16: Jesus, that’s one skinny little shit. I could spit at him and snap bones. Nice enough song though. A little tedious, maybe.
20:18: Israel. An Israeli Jew and an Israeli Arab in a plea for understanding and unity and shit. Ironically, it’s making me want to go out and kill.
20:22: France. Fuck ‘em. She's either about to cry or she’s doped up on some shit ‘cos her eyes look like pissholes in the snow. Also, James just woke up and cried while this song was playing and if you can get that kinda reaction from an 18 month old then you deserve to lose.
20:26: Sweden. It’s like Ulrika Johnson put on a few pounds and started singing Opera over a Kylie b-side.
20:29: Croatia. Sounding oddly Spanish.
20:33: Portugal. Starts off sounding a bit Green Day-ish (Good Riddance, Time of your Life) then in comes the accordion and ruins everything. Chorus sounds familiar and now I’m going to spend the rest of the night trying to figure out what it reminds me of until I either remember in a moment of inspiration or get drunk enough to forget about caring.
20:38: Iceland. Fuck me, she’s wearing a dress that looks like it’s been stolen from a Disney princess. Pleasant enough song. I won’t be rushing out to buy it, though. Mind you, I won’t be rushing to illegally download the MP3 for free, either. In conclusion: fuck Iceland.
20:42: Greece. This guy seems to have learnt how to dance from repeatedly watching Hugh Grant in Music & Lyrics. Also, the gayest song of the night so far.
20:54: Went for a cigarette and to get the alcohol (Booze! Yay!) so only caught 30 seconds of Armenia (don’t think I missed much) and completely missed some bird from Russia wearing a pair of curtains. Got back to catch half of Azerbaijan. Tribal drums, repetitive chorus, usual Euro blah blah blah.
20:57: Bosnia & Herzegovna. There’s a guitarist playing but I can’t actually hear any guitar. How odd. Also, they look like they’ve tried to style themselves on a white version of My Chemical Romance’s outfits from the Black Parade video. Also, these guys have supported The Rolling Stones? WHY?! Is there that few bands in B&H that actually rock?
21:01: Moldova. I love these countries that send their singers out in traditional costumes. Next year, we should send some Morris Dancers, some Pearly Kings and Queens and a couple of Geordies with their shirts off. Weirdly, I quite like this one. It helps that it sounds like the girl is singing “I’m a whore-a from Moldova.” Nice.
21:05: Graham Norton is beginning to get on my tits. Bring back Terry. NOW.
21.06: Malta. Oh, Graham, you’re such a funny fucker. She’s a larger lass and you’ve made a joke about her never having met a Malteser she didn’t like it. Geddit? Malteser, ‘cos she’s Maltese and Maltesers are chocolates? Ha fucking ha. Kindly FOAD. Oh, the song? Sucks balls. Oh, another unfunny fat joke. I want to stab Graham in the eye with a rusty spoon.
21:09: Estonia. They’ve hired Bond, taught one of them how to sing, then put them in co-ordinated outfits. Seriously, it’s like one of those modern classic videos you’d catch on the O Channel. Except I wouldn’t, because I mainly watch Scuzz.
21:13: Denmark. Apparently, this song was written by Ronan Keating from Boyzone and it’s being performed by a guy who could probably make a decent living as a Ronan Keating tribute act. Ironically, Ireland failed to make it through to the finals this year, for the second year on the bounce. Note to Ireland: next year, get Ronan to write and sing for you. You might get somewhere.
21:17: Germany. Imagine Ricky Martin covering Mambo No. 5 while accompanied by a couple of birds dressed as the blonde from ‘Allo ‘Allo. But they have Dita Von Teese with them so, y’know, I’ll forgive them.
21:21: Turkey. I didn’t know Shakira was Turkish.
21:25: Albania. WTF?
21:28: Norway. Ok, so that line about wanting to slap the singer was quite amusing but I still want Terry back, dammit. Holy shit, this is the favourite? This sucks donkey dick. Is this kid even old enough to shave? Oh, and his eyebrows have me convinced that he’s a werewolf. I hope its not a full moon in Moscow tonight, otherwise people are going to have to keep off the moors.
21:32: Ukraine. OK, now beating Greece for gayest song of the night. The singer looks like a trap and he/she’s been accompanied by three guys in cast-off Gladiator outfits.
21:37: Romania, and me and the wife are getting into conspiracy theories about the mysterious girl in blue at the back with the mic. My theory? She’s a backing singer.
21:40: United Kingdom. And we’re singing another winner’s song from American Idol. Sadly, a shit one. We deserve nul points after this. In conclusion, fuck Lloyd Webber.
21:46: Finland. I want this to win. This rocks. Srsly. FINLAND FTW.
21:48: Shut up, Norton, I liked that. Again, Finland FTW.
21:49: Spain. With a song written by some Swedes. Being sung by the chick from Transporter 2, apparently. She should have brought some guns along with her, it would have made it more entertaining than this sub-par Holly Vallance effort. Or just had Jason Statham come on stage and kicked the living shit out of a bunch of d00ds for 5 minutes. I’d have voted for that. Srsly, Finland FTW.
P.S.:So, Norway have won by a record number of points with a song that isn't, like, good while the UK came 5th with a song which, frankly, reeked of shit. Finland, on the other hand, came stone cold last. The lesson to be learnt from this is, I guess, that next year we have to send the shittiest act we can find. Bombalarina for the win!
Tonight, I am drinking: Cider
20.02: What the shit is this? Guys in grey clothes and corpse paint prancing around the stage. Cirque de Soleil. Weren’t they in an episode of CSI? Oooh, look, a unicycle. Where are the songs? Wooh, some Samoan twirling fire. WHERE ARE THE FUCKING SONGS?
20:05: Graham Norton: “This is genius, I just love this.” Yeah? Well, Terry would have been taking the piss. I miss Terry. Tonight’s going to suck.
20:10: Finally, some music. Last year’s winner from Russia. Don’t remember it from last year, but it sounds like the kind of shit the winner from American Idol would churn out as their victory single.
20:12: Here come the hosts. Please don’t do the usual flirty thing – she’s way hotter than him and it would just look ridiculous. Y’know, just like it does every year.
20:13: 25 songs? Sheeeeit.
20:14: Lithuania. Kid’s been watching American Idol and picked the look of the kid who got hoofed off a couple of weeks ago. What’s with the hat? And those fucking sideburns.
20:16: Jesus, that’s one skinny little shit. I could spit at him and snap bones. Nice enough song though. A little tedious, maybe.
20:18: Israel. An Israeli Jew and an Israeli Arab in a plea for understanding and unity and shit. Ironically, it’s making me want to go out and kill.
20:22: France. Fuck ‘em. She's either about to cry or she’s doped up on some shit ‘cos her eyes look like pissholes in the snow. Also, James just woke up and cried while this song was playing and if you can get that kinda reaction from an 18 month old then you deserve to lose.
20:26: Sweden. It’s like Ulrika Johnson put on a few pounds and started singing Opera over a Kylie b-side.
20:29: Croatia. Sounding oddly Spanish.
20:33: Portugal. Starts off sounding a bit Green Day-ish (Good Riddance, Time of your Life) then in comes the accordion and ruins everything. Chorus sounds familiar and now I’m going to spend the rest of the night trying to figure out what it reminds me of until I either remember in a moment of inspiration or get drunk enough to forget about caring.
20:38: Iceland. Fuck me, she’s wearing a dress that looks like it’s been stolen from a Disney princess. Pleasant enough song. I won’t be rushing out to buy it, though. Mind you, I won’t be rushing to illegally download the MP3 for free, either. In conclusion: fuck Iceland.
20:42: Greece. This guy seems to have learnt how to dance from repeatedly watching Hugh Grant in Music & Lyrics. Also, the gayest song of the night so far.
20:54: Went for a cigarette and to get the alcohol (Booze! Yay!) so only caught 30 seconds of Armenia (don’t think I missed much) and completely missed some bird from Russia wearing a pair of curtains. Got back to catch half of Azerbaijan. Tribal drums, repetitive chorus, usual Euro blah blah blah.
20:57: Bosnia & Herzegovna. There’s a guitarist playing but I can’t actually hear any guitar. How odd. Also, they look like they’ve tried to style themselves on a white version of My Chemical Romance’s outfits from the Black Parade video. Also, these guys have supported The Rolling Stones? WHY?! Is there that few bands in B&H that actually rock?
21:01: Moldova. I love these countries that send their singers out in traditional costumes. Next year, we should send some Morris Dancers, some Pearly Kings and Queens and a couple of Geordies with their shirts off. Weirdly, I quite like this one. It helps that it sounds like the girl is singing “I’m a whore-a from Moldova.” Nice.
21:05: Graham Norton is beginning to get on my tits. Bring back Terry. NOW.
21.06: Malta. Oh, Graham, you’re such a funny fucker. She’s a larger lass and you’ve made a joke about her never having met a Malteser she didn’t like it. Geddit? Malteser, ‘cos she’s Maltese and Maltesers are chocolates? Ha fucking ha. Kindly FOAD. Oh, the song? Sucks balls. Oh, another unfunny fat joke. I want to stab Graham in the eye with a rusty spoon.
21:09: Estonia. They’ve hired Bond, taught one of them how to sing, then put them in co-ordinated outfits. Seriously, it’s like one of those modern classic videos you’d catch on the O Channel. Except I wouldn’t, because I mainly watch Scuzz.
21:13: Denmark. Apparently, this song was written by Ronan Keating from Boyzone and it’s being performed by a guy who could probably make a decent living as a Ronan Keating tribute act. Ironically, Ireland failed to make it through to the finals this year, for the second year on the bounce. Note to Ireland: next year, get Ronan to write and sing for you. You might get somewhere.
21:17: Germany. Imagine Ricky Martin covering Mambo No. 5 while accompanied by a couple of birds dressed as the blonde from ‘Allo ‘Allo. But they have Dita Von Teese with them so, y’know, I’ll forgive them.
21:21: Turkey. I didn’t know Shakira was Turkish.
21:25: Albania. WTF?
21:28: Norway. Ok, so that line about wanting to slap the singer was quite amusing but I still want Terry back, dammit. Holy shit, this is the favourite? This sucks donkey dick. Is this kid even old enough to shave? Oh, and his eyebrows have me convinced that he’s a werewolf. I hope its not a full moon in Moscow tonight, otherwise people are going to have to keep off the moors.
21:32: Ukraine. OK, now beating Greece for gayest song of the night. The singer looks like a trap and he/she’s been accompanied by three guys in cast-off Gladiator outfits.
21:37: Romania, and me and the wife are getting into conspiracy theories about the mysterious girl in blue at the back with the mic. My theory? She’s a backing singer.
21:40: United Kingdom. And we’re singing another winner’s song from American Idol. Sadly, a shit one. We deserve nul points after this. In conclusion, fuck Lloyd Webber.
21:46: Finland. I want this to win. This rocks. Srsly. FINLAND FTW.
21:48: Shut up, Norton, I liked that. Again, Finland FTW.
21:49: Spain. With a song written by some Swedes. Being sung by the chick from Transporter 2, apparently. She should have brought some guns along with her, it would have made it more entertaining than this sub-par Holly Vallance effort. Or just had Jason Statham come on stage and kicked the living shit out of a bunch of d00ds for 5 minutes. I’d have voted for that. Srsly, Finland FTW.
P.S.:So, Norway have won by a record number of points with a song that isn't, like, good while the UK came 5th with a song which, frankly, reeked of shit. Finland, on the other hand, came stone cold last. The lesson to be learnt from this is, I guess, that next year we have to send the shittiest act we can find. Bombalarina for the win!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Show & Tell: Apropos Languages...
...I want to recommend Bill Bryson's book "Mother Tongue: the English Language". Bryson has written soooo many good books but this is one of my favourites among his works. "Mother Tongue" compares the history and origins of the English language - how did it get to where it is today - and the language's various oddities. It discusses everything from dialects, spelling and grammar to more perhaps political topics such as the role of English in the world. It has quite a few references to Swedish in it - since a lot of English words actually come from the Vikings and Norse, and not vice versa as one would think! So the English have borrowed more words from Swedish than Swedes have borrowed from the English!
Bryson is especially entertaining because of his skill (?) to digress - but he does it well - through interesting and fun anecdotes.
Short post from me today! Off to meet up with friends for dinner followed by a performance by my friend's singer-songwriter cousin at a local bar!
Short post from me today! Off to meet up with friends for dinner followed by a performance by my friend's singer-songwriter cousin at a local bar!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Only a Click
* Donate your old shoes - and especially those ugly Crocs
* Offset your carbon emissions online
* One click a day for breast cancer
* Offset your carbon emissions online
* One click a day for breast cancer
Monday, May 11, 2009
Show & Tell: On the Buffet Table
Musikanta's second theme is tasty and easily prepared dishes for the buffet table. I thought I'd be a little creative with the theme and show some artistic food creations that I received in a forward from my mum.
Beautiful
Suicidal?
Thirsty?
So cute!
My favourite
Like this one too
Cool
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Tallinorama
Spent 24 hours in Tallinn, this time on business. View from my hotel room on the 20 floor.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Show & Tell: Walpurgis Eve/30 April/1 May
Promised to tell (and show) you about our Valborgsmässoafton/Walpurgis Eve* party last Thursday which also doubled as Peter's birthday celebration (his birthday was on 16 April so he doesn't share a birthday with the Swedish King on 30 April). But before that, I just wanted to share a few Valborgsmässoafton as well as 1 May (May Day/Labour Day) memories with you.
- The neighbourhood I grew up in used to be my grandparents' neighbourhood - we moved there when I was 13. But because farmor and farfar lived there I spent quite a few Valborgsmässoaftnar by the neighbourhood's bonfire. But the best part was not the actual bonfire, as in the burning of the fire, but playing in the slowly growing pile of garden waste, greenery, branches and other random rubbish the weeks preceeding Valborg. We used to build a hut at the top of the pile. Sometimes people had put tyres or an old armchair (even though that's not really authorised bonfire waste) on the bonfire so we could even furnish our "house". We were actually quite sad that our special playpen would eventually disappear.
- That said, the day after the bonfire was pretty exciting too. The ashes were still hot and slightly smoking. I learnt that lesson the hard way when walking too close to fireground with my new wellingtons. The soles were never the same after that. It must have been a cheap brand or maybe all kinds of wellington would melt of that kind of heat?
- As an adult (well, young adult) I've had the opportunity to take part in the very special Valborg celebrations held in Uppsala (I spent a year there before continuing my studies abroad).
The strongest and most traditional spring festivities are also found in the old university cities, like Uppsala and Lund, where both current and graduated students gather at events that take up most of the day from early morning to late night on April 30, or "sista april" ("the last day of April") as it is called in Uppsala. Modern Valborg-celebrations, particularly in Uppsala, consist of having a light breakfast including champagne and strawberries. During the day people gather in parks, drink alcoholic beverages, grill and generally enjoy the weather, if happens to be any good. (Source: Wikipedia)
I was there in 1998, which happened to be a very good year weather-wise; it was 25 degrees! As far as I remember we didn't see a Bonfire; instead we went to a formal dinner at one of the nations.
- As far as 1 May or May Day (Första maj in Swedish), the Swedish workers' or labour day, is concerned I grew up in an active Social Democratic family and remember being pushed in my pushchair while my mum (can't remember if my dad participated?) and (paternal) grandmother walked with the other demonstrators, singing the Social Democrat hit song The Internationale. Making the placards and banderoles was also fun! I took part in the demonstrations - then with the Social Democratic youth wing - until my late teens but since then I haven't, mainly because I moved abroad and stayed abroad for a while and "got out of the habit". Sometimes I miss it, especially all the fun and the sense of community, but mostly I feel that it's not my thing. I'm still a Social Democrat but I prefer showing my political colours and working for my causes in different ways.
But now to the party photos**!!
Posing with my wonderful friend Maria who's finally feeling better and was well enough to come to the party, her first party or get-together of any kind since she fell ill in early January. It was so special to have her there.
Another great friend, Suvi!
Peter and Johan being silly, a tradition that must be upheld.
Peter sipping one of his concoctions.
Valborg + hot dogs = true
Peter sister arrived late and showed how much she loves her brother :)
Alex reaps the benefits of the only bonfire of the evening
There was some dancing...
...and chair guitar.
It looks like I had had enough at this stage....but I can re-assure you I was smiling a second later!
Choosing music takes at least two people
At this stage it was getting a late...
Leftovers...
- The neighbourhood I grew up in used to be my grandparents' neighbourhood - we moved there when I was 13. But because farmor and farfar lived there I spent quite a few Valborgsmässoaftnar by the neighbourhood's bonfire. But the best part was not the actual bonfire, as in the burning of the fire, but playing in the slowly growing pile of garden waste, greenery, branches and other random rubbish the weeks preceeding Valborg. We used to build a hut at the top of the pile. Sometimes people had put tyres or an old armchair (even though that's not really authorised bonfire waste) on the bonfire so we could even furnish our "house". We were actually quite sad that our special playpen would eventually disappear.
- That said, the day after the bonfire was pretty exciting too. The ashes were still hot and slightly smoking. I learnt that lesson the hard way when walking too close to fireground with my new wellingtons. The soles were never the same after that. It must have been a cheap brand or maybe all kinds of wellington would melt of that kind of heat?
- As an adult (well, young adult) I've had the opportunity to take part in the very special Valborg celebrations held in Uppsala (I spent a year there before continuing my studies abroad).
The strongest and most traditional spring festivities are also found in the old university cities, like Uppsala and Lund, where both current and graduated students gather at events that take up most of the day from early morning to late night on April 30, or "sista april" ("the last day of April") as it is called in Uppsala. Modern Valborg-celebrations, particularly in Uppsala, consist of having a light breakfast including champagne and strawberries. During the day people gather in parks, drink alcoholic beverages, grill and generally enjoy the weather, if happens to be any good. (Source: Wikipedia)
I was there in 1998, which happened to be a very good year weather-wise; it was 25 degrees! As far as I remember we didn't see a Bonfire; instead we went to a formal dinner at one of the nations.
- As far as 1 May or May Day (Första maj in Swedish), the Swedish workers' or labour day, is concerned I grew up in an active Social Democratic family and remember being pushed in my pushchair while my mum (can't remember if my dad participated?) and (paternal) grandmother walked with the other demonstrators, singing the Social Democrat hit song The Internationale. Making the placards and banderoles was also fun! I took part in the demonstrations - then with the Social Democratic youth wing - until my late teens but since then I haven't, mainly because I moved abroad and stayed abroad for a while and "got out of the habit". Sometimes I miss it, especially all the fun and the sense of community, but mostly I feel that it's not my thing. I'm still a Social Democrat but I prefer showing my political colours and working for my causes in different ways.
But now to the party photos**!!
Posing with my wonderful friend Maria who's finally feeling better and was well enough to come to the party, her first party or get-together of any kind since she fell ill in early January. It was so special to have her there.
Another great friend, Suvi!
Peter and Johan being silly, a tradition that must be upheld.
Peter sipping one of his concoctions.
Valborg + hot dogs = true
Peter sister arrived late and showed how much she loves her brother :)
Alex reaps the benefits of the only bonfire of the evening
There was some dancing...
...and chair guitar.
It looks like I had had enough at this stage....but I can re-assure you I was smiling a second later!
Choosing music takes at least two people
At this stage it was getting a late...
Leftovers...Oh, I almost forgot, Musikanta is in charge of the themes for May. See all five themes in the right-hand column.
* Scroll down for the part on Sweden
** More photos on Facebook. Don't want to post too many photos of friends who may not want to be "public" on my blog
Flower Flakes
The cherry trees' annual 15 minutes of fame is over and the ground is covered in pink flower snow.
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