Swedishness Episode #1 Parental Leave

Swedishness Podcast Parental Leave in Sweden (episode 1)

Sweden knows its awesomeness, and is ready to share it with the world!  Has been for awhile, with great sites like Sweden.se.  This year the Swedish Institute has launched a new podcast called Swedishness.

Here is a little information about the podcast:

Together with co-host Philip O’Connor, an Irish journalist who has lived in Sweden for 18 years, Kattis Ahlström interviews Swedish and non-Swedish experts. The podcast is in English and will be released in seven episodes about everything from parental leave and digital technology to Swedish tradition, Swedes and happiness.

In this first episode, Philip and Kattis tackle parental leave in Sweden.

In Sweden, parents of a newborn are given 480 days of leave to split between them to look after their child. Most of the days are paid up to 80 per cent of the parent’s salary and can be taken until the child turns eight. Paid by the state, the system encourages both parents to take time off to spend time with their child. What is it like to have all that time with your child, and what is it like to get back to work after so many months away? Soundcloud

What do you think, Swedish Freaks, about this episode and the new podcast in general?

Swedish Dads

Swedish Dads

One of my favorite things about Sweden is that maternity leave is referred to paternity leave, because it is for both parents, not just mothers.

One of Sweden’s photographers, Johan Bävman, is showing off the Swedish stay-at-home dads with his photo book “Swedish Dads”, which portrays 25 fathers who stay home with their children for 6 months.

Check out the video above, and read more about Johan’s work at his website.

Face Tomorrow Like a Swede

Start to Work Like a Swede

Swedes are so awesome, they are willing to share their awesomeness with the rest of the world.

The Swedish Part Model is a labor union model where workers and employers work together in order to optimize the labor force. I will let the website, LikeASwede.se, founded by a group of Swedish unions, explain the model itself.

The Swedish Part Model

 

 

 

In order to promote the Swedish part model, the TCO Sverige has created a video (above) to show what the future might be like if we are all using the Swedish part model… except for AI.

Poor AI are back in the ancient times where they have to fight for the rights to work.

What do you think about The Swedish Part Model? Do you want to work like a Swede?

Swedish Music

A Quick History of Swedish Music

While stalking Sweden online (it is what I’m doing for a living, woot!), I came across the amazing American Swedish Institute.  It is actually a museum, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a museum I managed to completely miss when I was visiting family in Minneapolis!

If you are in Minneapolis, do not miss out on the American Swedish Institute. Throughout the year they offer various events and exhibitions.

In 2015, the Gothenburg Combo partnered with the American Swedish Institute to help make this great video to show you a quick overview of Swedish music. Enjoy!

lucia morning in sweden

Lucia Morning in Sweden

In our monthly newsletter, I usually feature a product of the month.  I thought I would go into a little bit more detail this month and create a blog post out of it! This month we are looking at the children’s book “Lucia Morning in Sweden“. It tells the story of 3 children living in … Read more

Bergman Sjostrom

Found Bergman Script to be a Swedish Film

Note to self. Do a post on Igmar Bergman, the “world-famous filmmaker, legendary theatre director and exceptional writer” from Sweden, who produced numerous amounts of films during the 50s, 60s and 70s. There is a whole foundation that talks about his work and life, but we won’t get into that now.

A script found in 2002 of Bergman’s is going to be adapted for film, reports Yahoo. “Sixty-four minutes with Rebecka” touches on sexual and social topics of the 1960s and was a project Bergman was planning on producing with two other directing giants.  Unfortunately the project fell threw and was never realized.  Bergman’s rough draft of the manuscript was found among items he donated to an institute in his name.

The story has recently been adapted for radio by Suzanne Osten, who knew and had a conflicting relationship with Bergman. Radio Sverige released the radio version on November 6th, where you can download or listen to for free in Swedish.

Or, if you want Swedish subtitles, check out the YouTube video above. The film is in pre-production and is set to release sometime in 2018.

fika the social bit

Fika: to Have Coffee; The Social Bit (Episode 2/6)

This second episode of the documentary Fika: to Have Coffee looks at the social aspect of the Swedish coffee break.

Is it really about the coffee and treats?  Or is it more about the people and a place to hang out? Perhaps it is more about taking time for a break to reflect on life whether it is with friends or by yourself.

Find out in this episode.