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HOLIDAYS & TRADITIONS
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January
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1st
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Nyårsdagen [New Years day].
New years day is usually spent at home recovering from the partying of the night before.
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6th
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Trettondedag jul [Thirteen days after Christmas - Epiphany].
This is a religious holiday, the epiphany. Most Swedes do not do anything special, apart from enjoy the day off work.
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13th
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Tjugondedag Knut [Twenty days after Christmas - Knut Day].
Knut day is the day that the Christmas tree is thrown out. Traditionally the children of the family dance around the tree singing songs such as "Nu är det jul igen" [Now it is Christmas again], before eating the sweets that have been used for decoration and then throwing it out.
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February
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14th
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Alla hjärtans day [All hearts day - St Valentines day].
It is becoming more and more common for Swedes to celebrate St Valentines day by exchanging flowers and gifts. As with many countries that celebrate, the red roses become very very expensive at this time of year.
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March
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7th
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Fettisdagen [Shrove Tuesday]
Shrove Tuesday is the day before the Christian fast period begins. Traditionally a rich meal is eaten to prepare for the fasting period. That meal was Semlor, a bread bun that is filled with almond paste and whipped cream (sometimes eaten with hot milk). These days the bakers will sell Semlor from January through to after Easter, so it has become a common accompaniment to coffee. Many companies will provide Semlor for coffee break on Fettisdagen. Try one.
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8th
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Askonsdagen [Ash Wednesday]
Ash Wednesday is when the Christian fasting period begins. Most Swedes do not follow the fasting ritual.
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8th
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Internationella Kvinnodagen [International Womens day].
In Gothenburg there are a number of activities and lectures, for women, by women and about women take place. Keep your eyes open for activities advertised around town and in GöteborgPosten (GP).
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20th
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Vårdagjämningen [Spring Equinox]
On this day the day and night are equally as long. The days will start to get noticeably lighter from here on in. Apparently this is the one of the best times of year to see the Northern lights. To stand a chance of seeing the spooky dancing lights you really need a very clear night, no light pollution, and alot of luck. In Gothenburg center I should imagine that Slottsskogsparken is the best option for the best view. Check out XXXXX for predictions of good days to look heavenwards.
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Paskris [Easter twigs] start to appear.
The twigs of birch trees are decorated with coloured feathers, painted Easter eggs and little ornaments. These are brought inside and placed in water so that the small leaves come out in time for Easter. You'll find flower shops all over Gothenburg sell birch twigs with the feathers. Watch out for your cat thinking that this is a new toy!
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Spring flowers start to flower.
There is nothing that means spring to me, than seeing the Crocus's and snow drops coming up with the first few days of warm weather. I love to take a thermos full of hot chocolate and a plastic bag to one of the parks. I find a bench that is in the sun, where I can see the blanket of purple flowers, to drink my hot chocolate....... spring is here. There are a couple places where there are alot of crocus's for you to enjoy. 1) Kungsparken, around the junction of R Wallenberggatan and Nya Allén. 2) Vasa Parken, behind the University building. 3) Trägårdsföreningen.
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25th
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Våffeldagen [Waffle day- Annunciation Day]
Swedes celebrate Annunciation Day, the day that Virgin Mary was supposed to have found out that she was to give birth to Jesus, by eating Waffles. And why not! Waffles are particularly nice with Hjortronsylt [Cloudberry jam].
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26th
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Sommartid börjar [summer time starts].
Sweden changes it clocks to Summer time to make the most of the daylight hours. Do not forget to set your clocks 1 hour forward at 2am to 3am.
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April
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1st
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Första April [April Fools Day].
April Fools Day is a day for practical jokes. So watch out for the newspapers and your boss trying to play tricks on you. If they spin you a story and you believe them they are supposed to chant "April, April, din dumma sill Jag kan lura vart jag vill" [April Fool, you silly fish, I can fool you as I wish]. In my first year hear I was caught out with being told that I had pen on my face, I went off to the bathroom to wash it off, I was that silly fish. Since I have never believed anything my boss says to me on this day.
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20th
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Skärtorsdag [Maundy Thursday]
Maundy Thursday is the start of the Easter holiday. Some companies allow their employees to finish work early. Traditionally the children dress up as rosy-cheeked Easter Witches and go knocking on doors in the neighborhood. If you live in an area when there are lots of children, then this is a good time to have some sweets at home. The children will give you a hand painted postcard saying Glad Påsk [Happy Easter] and will expect some sweets or small coins in exchange.
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21st
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Långfredag [Long Friday - Good Friday]
Good Friday is the Christian holiday commemorating the day that Jesus died on the cross. Again this is a religious holiday where most Swedes do not do anything special, although some will go to church. If the Easter Witches have not visited yet, then they may do today. This is a public holiday so most of the shops will be closed today.
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22nd
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Påskafton [Easter eve - Easter Saturday]
As with most of the Swedish traditions, Swedes exchange their gifts the evening before the holiday. So children will be given paper egg shaped boxes filled with sweets inside by the påskhare [Easter bunny]. Many families will eat meals that contain loads of eggs. Eggs is considered to be the symbol of life and the power of growth.
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23rd
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Påskdagen [Easter day]
There are no real traditions for Easter day in Sweden, though many will go to church. I have seen some people driving out to streams with grass decorated with a red ribbon, where they give the grass water from the stream. This is obviously not originally a Swedish tradition, and I would love to know what it symbolizes. But it serves an a reminder that it is important to keep alittle of our own heritage and also celebrate Easter in our own countries traditional way.
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24th
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Annandag påsk [Day after Easter - Whit Monday]
Whit Monday is a red day, so everyone is off work. A time to get out and enjoy the spring weather.
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Majblomman [First May flower] start to be sold.
The Majblomman tradition started in 1907. Small coloured plastic flowers are sold each year for the benefit
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May
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1st
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Första maj [First May - May Day].
Första maj is the workers Labour Day, a holiday in Sweden since 1938. It is the only röd dag [Red day - Public holiday] of the 12 that is not for a religious reason. Most people are off work and enjoy the day off by getting out into the parks, or out into the woods and enjoying the beginning of spring. Some join in the Labour rallies mainly protesting about international human rights issues.
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Goteborgsvarvat [Gothenburg lap].
If you enjoy running then perhaps you would like to join the other crazy people running around town for fun.
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17th
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Norways National Day.
Norwegians are very patriotic, you'll see and hear them celebrating in town.
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28th
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Mors dag [Mothers day]
Mothers day falls on a Sunday, usually around the end of May. Children will make cards and sweets at school to give to their mums on this day. It is common for older children to give Påsklillor [Daffodils]. My mum would never forgive me if I forgot mothers day, fortunately my sister reminds me when the English Mothers day is, which is different from the Swedish one. Don't forget to wish your mum and Swedish svärmor [mother-in-laws] a pleasant day.
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June
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1st
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Kristi himmelsfärds dag [Christ flys to heaven day - Ascesion Day].
According to the Christian religion Christ is supposed to have ascended to heaven 40 days after Easter. This is remembered in Sweden with a public holiday. Most do not do anything particular, although I'm sure that some will go to church.
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6th
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Sveriges nationaldag [Swedish National Day].
Swedens national day seems to go rather un-noticed by most Swedes. The national day was only started in 1983 plus the day is not a public holiday, (although that has been some suggestion that it should be), which is why I think it is not celebrated so much. There are some activities in Gothenburg, last year we went to see the parade, I think we were the only ones there. Check GP to see if there is anything happening. Alternatively you can watch the royal family participate in celebrations in Stockholm. Plus there is a variety show in the evening.
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10th
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Pingstafton [Whit Saturday].
The Whitsun weekend celebrates the first baptism in the Christian church.
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11th
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Pingstdagen [Whit Sunday].
This religious holiday gives Swedes time off work, which seems to be mainly enjoyed by spending time in the outdoors, either in parks or at summer houses.
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12th
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Annandag pingst [Whit Monday].
A public holiday celebrating the first baptism
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Vätternrundan.
Some where around the middle of June around 15 - 20,000 crazy Swedes take to their bikes to complete a 300km cycle tour around part or all of Sweden's second largest lake, Vättern. The main tour is 300km or the Tjej-Vättern [womens tour] 90km, if you fancy having ago contact XXXXX.
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Student Graduation.
June is a good time to be finishing high school. The students have sat their last exams some weeks ago and now it is time to get their final grades, and to graduate. You will see groups of very excited students; the girls dressed all in white and the boys in suits, with their studentmössa [white graduation hats], heading towards school. They will receive their final grades, and then come out of school to sing "Sjung om students lyckliga da'r....." in front their family and friends clutching flowers and placards with their students picture on. The tradition is for the family to take their child home, via the Avenyn, in some unusual transport. You'll see students being driven around in open top cars, on the back of lorries, on Harely Davidsons, tandem bikes, even in children's prams and wheelchairs.
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21st
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Sommarsolståndet [Summer Solstice].
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, which is commemorated in the Midsommarafton celebrations. The midsommarafton is a movable holiday and is moved so that Midsommarafton falls on a Saturday.
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24th
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Midsommarafton [Mid summers eve].
Mid summer is probably the most celebrated Swedish holiday. Most companies give their workers the day off, so many people leave the city for their sommarstuga [Summer house]. During the day villages or groups of family and friends will construct a midsommarstång [Mid summer pole] and decorate it with flowers and leaves. People often dress for the occasion, the ladies and girls will wear summer dresses or folkdräkt [traditional costume] and make rings of flowers to place on their heads. The pole is then raised, music is played and you dance around the pole singing some songs such as "Små grodorna" [Small frogs] and "Mors lilla Olle" [Mothers little Olle]. After fertilizing mother earth with your midsommarstång it is common to head home to eat. The table will be laid with fresh potatis [potatoes], sill [Herring], grädfill [sour cream] and salard, with Snaps from various areas of Sweden. For desert it has to be Swedish jordgubbar [strawberries] and grädde [cream]. Traditionally if girls picked 7 wild flowers in silence in the evening, then slept with them under their pillow it is said that they will dream of who they would marry. Its a fun tradition to try, but it is hard to keep quiet.
It is worth asking your Swedish friends what they will be doing for mid summer, hopefully they will give you some good tips as to where to go, if you are very very lucky they might invite you to join them. Otherwise there are several places you can go in Gothenburg. Slottskogen has a folk band playing the music for you to dance to. It is a bit of an effort to get out there on the bus (don't bother driving even if you have a car, parking is a nightmare), it is lovely setting and a great band that really get people up and dancing.
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24th
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Midsommardagen [Mid summer day].
Mid summer day is a public holiday spent relaxing, perhaps recovering from the celebrations from the night before.
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July
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Holiday time.
July is the big Swedish holiday month. Many company's close down for the summer so that their workers can take some or all of their five weeks annual holiday. There is really only one thing to do, do as the Swedes do, take your holiday at the same time. Depending on the weather the end of the month is a really good time to go for a swim in some of Sweden's many lakes or in the sea.
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Summer Fruits.
Depending on the weather you will find that summer fruits such at smultron [Wild strawberries], blåbar [Blue berries], and hallon [Raspberries] are ripe for picking. You don't have to go too far out of the city to find most of these berries.
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August
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Party Time.
August is the time for Göteborgskalaset [Gothenburg Party], its a week long mixture of good food, drinks, music and dancing. The main party areas are Kungstorget, Kungsparken, Bältespännarparken, Feskekôrkan and Packhuskajen. If you like fyrverkerier [fireworks] there is usually displays on the Fridays and Saturdays from the harbour at 11pm. Most of the events are free, but some of the shows by 'big names' have to be paid for. You can't fail to miss what is happening, but check GP for details.
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Kräftskiva [Crayfish parties].
August is a popular month for crayfish parties. Traditionally a day in August was the first time that you could fish Kräft, hence the parties at this time of year, even though Kräft can now be bought all year round. Parties include crayfish and bread, lots of snaps and drinking songs. There is quite a skill to getting all of the meat out, ask someone to show you how to do it.
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17th
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Surströmmingspremiar [Fermented herring premier].
Today is the first day that you are allowed to eat surströmming. If you take a fancy to eating rotten fish, then go for it. The smell alone puts me off. Though I'm told that if you hold your nose it taste better. Good luck.
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September
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Harvest time.
There are no special holidays in September. However you'll find lots of people enjoy what nature has to offer. Many people will pick go out into the woods to pick svamp [Mushrooms] and lingon [Lingon berries] . This is something that I would recommend that you try, its a fun reason to be out in the woods and can yield some very tasty food for dinner. There are some delicious mushrooms out there, but there are also some very poisonous ones. So it is best to go with someone that a) knows where to find mushrooms, and b) knows what is good to eat, or at least be able read a guide book. Check out Things to do in Gothenburg for more tips.
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22nd
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Höstdagjämningen [Autumn Equinox].
The autumn equinox is marked in Swedish calendars. The day and night is equally as long.
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October
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2nd
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Internationella barndagen [International Childrens Day].
International children's day is remember here with activities for children, check GP for details.
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29th
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Sommartid slutar [Summer time ends].
Early this morning the clocks go back one hour. At 3am, the clocks go back to 2am. Bliss, an whole extra hour in bed.
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November
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3rd
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Alla helgons dag afton [Day before All Saints Day].
Traditionally All Saints day is a time to remember departed family and friends. Some work places allow their workers to leave early to go pay their respects. Many people, the older generation in particular, go to the graves of families to lay wreaths and to light a candle. In the evening the graveyards in town and across the county are beautifully illuminated with twinkling candles. These days more and more people are celebrating All Saints eve in similar ways to the Americans celebrating Halloween, which is essentially the same holiday. There are fancy dress parties and "Trick or treating". But the fact that Halloween is always the 31st of October and All Saints Eve is the first Saturday in November causes some confusion. I like to combine both traditions, a Halloween party on the 31st and then on the Swedish All Saints Day pay respect to my departed relatives.
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4th
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Alla helgons dag [All Saints Day].
All saints day is always a Saturday and is a public holiday. Many of the shops are closed, so most seem to stay home.
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6th
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Gustav Adolfsdagen. [Gustav Adolfs day].
The day celebrates Gustav II Adolf who was the Swedish King between 1611 and 1632. In 1628 he founded Gothenburg. Hence it is very common for Gothenburgers to eat Gustav Adolf-bakelse [Gustav Adolf tart] to commemorate him and the city. The tart is easy to spot, there is usually a chocolate profile of the king on top, go ahead try one.
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10th
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Mårtenafton [St Martin's Day]
Martenafton celebrates the memory of a Bishop who
gave all his money to the poor and then hid in a
goosehouse. The geese gave him away with their noise
so he decided that they should be slaughtered annually
on his name day. This day is mainly celebrated in
the southern counties of Sweden, but some people
in Gothenburg eat the traditional meal. The meal
consists of Svartsoppa [black soup] made from goose
blood and roasted Goose.
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12th
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Fars dag [Fathers day].
Children take their Dads breakfast in bed and give them small gifts they made at school. Don't forget to wish your father or svärfar [father in law] a good day.
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December
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1st
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Preparation for Christmas.
All across Sweden, adventsljusstake [Advent candle holder] start to appear in the windows of homes and offices at the beginning of December. The most common window lights are a set of 7 electric candles, they actually became popular in the 1960's, but I have not heard an explanation of why there are 7 candles. Most Swedes that I have asked assume that there is a religious reason for 7 candles, but no-one knows, if you ever find out, do let us know. It is common to have a light in every window of the house or apartment that faces the road, welcoming you and your guest home on the dark winters night. Gothenburg certainly looks warm and cozy with the lights shining in almost every window. Children open the first door on their julkalendrar [Christmas calendar] to reveal a picture, they will continue open a new door every day until Christmas eve. There are special radio and TV julkalendrar that you can buy, which have little pictures from the stories that are shown in Julkalendern [Christmas calendar] the TV or radio show.
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3rd
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Första advent [First Advent].
Advent is a Christian tradition that counts down the Sundays until Christmas. Many families will have adventljusstarka [Advent candle holders] in which four candles can be placed. Today the first candle will be lit when the family come together for meals. There is also another type of Advent candle holder that you will see, the heat from the candle will make the windmill arrangement spin causing little bells to tinkle.
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Julmarknader [Christmas Markets].
As well as seeing the Christmas decorations going up and Christmas carol services being held all over town. You will see lots of Julmarknader [Christmas markets] around town. Christmas markets are a good place to be able to by Christmas decorations, Swedish crafts and warm Gulag. You can check GP for info
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10th
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Nobeldagen [Nobel Day - Nobel Prize Giving Ceremony].
Alfred Nobel, perhaps most known for his invention of dynamite, when he died on December 10th 1896 he left a large sum of money to set up a fund. This fund awards prizes to people who have achieved great things in the fields of literature, peace, economics, medicine, physics and chemistry. The award ceremony and dinner is held in Stockholm's stadshus [city hall], which is broadcast on TV. Many people have their own Nobel dinner at home with family and friends. You can get books with the recipes of previous years dinners, and if you visit Björnen och Lejonet you can buy the Nobel ice cream.
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13th
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Luciadagen [Lucia Day].
There is a big lead up to Luciadagen. You can vote for Gothenburgs Lucia in GP. On the morning girls of the family dress as Lucia in white with a red sash around their middle and candles in their hair, and the boys dress as stjärngossar [star boys] in red clothes with a pointy hat. Together they wake parents with warm glögg and Lussekatter [Lucia cats - Saffron buns] singing Sankta Lucia and other songs. If you get up early enough, you can watch the Luciatorg [Lucia train] in Stockholm on TV. Or if you are lucky there will be a Luciatorg at work. Lucia was a Scilian Saint that was executed by the non Catholic Romans on the 13th of December. One story about her is that she was to be married, but she had given away her wedding dowry to the poor, so her husband informed the Romans of this. First they tried to drown her, then the tried to burn her, hence the flames in her hair, that didn't work so the Romans cut her in half with a sword, hence the blood red sash. Quite why Lucia came to be remembered by Swedes is uncertain. But Luciadagen has become a Swedish festival of light.
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15th
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Last posting day.
Swedish people send close friends and family small cards with pictures of Jultomtar [Santa] and snow scenes etc. The tradition is for the card to be received as close to Christmas as possible. The posten [post office] usually promises that any card posted before the 17th for a Swedish home will arrive in time. Since the 17th is the Sunday this year, you should try to post any cards to Swedish friends by the 15th. If you have cards for relatives back home, well you should have posted them before now. Don't forget to ask for the cheaper Julfrimarken [Christmas stamps].
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21st
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Vintersolståndet [Winter Solstice]
The longest day of the year.
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23rd
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Julgran [Christmas tree] comes in to the house.
All over town you will find Jultrad [Christmas trees] being sold on street corners. If they have not done so already Gothenburgers will buy their tree and bring it into the home today. It is common to have a real Christmas tree, the problem of having dropped pines all over the floor is out weighed by the lovely pine smell that can transport you from your city apartment to a little wooden cottage in the forest. The tree would be decorated with twinkly lights, tinsel, hand made decorations and Swedish flags, with a large star on the top. Decorations around the rest of the house are rather understated. The curtains may be change to Christmas ones and small ornaments of Jultomtor, Father Christmas and religious scenes will be placed around the house.
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24th
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Julafton [Christmas eve].
The children have opened the last door on their Julkalander so it can only mean on thing, Kalle Anka [Donald Duck], Tomten [Santa] with Julklapp [Christmas presents] and dinner from a Julbord [Christmas dinner table]. As usual Swedes celebrate the holiday the evening before, so although Julafton is not a red day most businesses will give their employees the day off. Having said that you will find food shops and some larger stores open for at least part of the day. The Christmas celebrations usually starts with the Christmas meal, the Julbord [Christmas table]. The Julbord is filled with goodies, you would start with Sil in different sauces, cold cuts of meat. Then you would move on to warm dishes of meatballs fishballs potatoe and fish dish bacon and brown beans and Lutfisk [xx fish]. Finally desert is ostkaka [Swedish cheese cake] with [raspberry jam]. The whole family, adults and kids alike, will then sit down at three o'clock to watch Kalle Anka and his Disney pals for a Julafton show. After the show then Tomten visits with presents for the children. Tomten is often a relative or a neighbour dressed up as Santas in a red jacket, gray trousers and pointy hat. The family would then sit down to open their presents. One of the children would distribute all of the presents, then the oldest member of the family would open their presents first. Then the next oldest would open theirs.
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