I love Sweden. You really can’t get any better than this. Sweden has released a special phone number (+46 771 793 336) where anybody in the world can call, and they will speak to a random Swede! Swedes sign up for the ability to have a random stranger call them by turning on an app on … Read more
I’ve always tried to keep Swedish Freak in the positive. It isn’t hard because Sweden is pretty awesome! However, with the recent attacks in Brussels, I’m realizing that not being a part of the conversation is adding to the problem. I’m the first to admit, I avoid a lot of this negative stuff. I don’t … Read more
I have had the privilege to attend a Swedish wedding when my good friends Anna and Jörgen got married in 2012. With the royal wedding that just happened, and with my own wedding planning starting for 2016, I have weddings on the brain! I knew some Swedish wedding traditions from my own experiences, and I decided … Read more
Allt för Sverige finished its 4th season last year. Practice your Swedish, learn about Swedish culture and heritage, and watch Americans in Sweden finding out about their past.
You can now watch the whole season for free on YouTube! Enjoy this Allt för Sverige Season 4 playlist 🙂
Ok, one more thing to add to the “Sweden is Amazing” list. Now in Sweden, when you give blood, you will get a text when your blood is used to help someone. Sweden started this initiative in Stockholm 3 years ago, and it has had such good success, they are rolling it out country wide. About … Read more
When I lived in Sweden 3 years ago (I can’t believe it has been that long already!), I remember a “betala med kort” campaign that we got in the mail in Skellefteå. The campaign read that it is better to NOT have cash on you. With cash, you are more vulnerable to theft. Pay with your … Read more
Norrland! Gotta love it. This video went viral on Tuesday when two teens caught a giant pike fish while fishing in Norrland. This fish weighed in at over 30lbs and 4 feet long.
While it is a huge fish, pike is not usually eaten in Sweden (though it is a delicacy in France). Still, a fun catch!
Warning, they do scream. This is a perfect time to practice listening to Swedish (or at least Norrlandska). Here are some words they repeat.
Filma på fisken! – Film the fish!
Jävla – Damn
Han inte slut. – he isn’t done.
SE DU, VILKEN MONSTER! – Do you see, what a monster!
större – bigger
Ok, so I only gave some phrases to the first part of the video as it is 9 minutes long. But what fun!
Why not practice your Swedish and tell me what you hear them say in the comments below!
If you have ever lived in Sweden, you will know what the true national dish is. Pizza. What they do with pizza is genius. My favorite was when they took a whole pizza, added some ranch, and rolled it up into a large burrito like sandwich. Yum! Well, something new has come on the market … Read more
Midsommer is one of the best holidays to be in Sweden for. If you don’t know what Midsummer is or haven’t experienced it, watch the video above. In 4 minutes you will get exactly what Midsummer is for Swedes.
I miss Midsummer immensely, so here are 10 things you can do to bring Midsummer to your home this year.
Nobody hangs out in the city during midsummer. This is the time for you to go out into nature, enjoy the warmth and light, and be with friends.
I don’t know what cities are like during midsummer because I was never in a city during midsummer. But I hear it is rather boring. So find some grass and create a midsummer party for your friends and loved ones!
Yes, midsummer is a big celebration in Sweden. Play horse shoe, sing songs, and get drunk like a Swede.
Drink beer. Ideally you want cheap beer so you can drink a lot of it and save your money. If you aren’t a beer drinker, why not make a Swedish cocktail? I recommend getting some lingon juice from IKEA and adding some Swedish Vodka. Volia, you have an American-Swedish cocktail.
There is nothing like a Swedish party without a BBQ. We would grill meat (moose meat if you have it), veggies like zucchini, mushrooms and onions. We also grilled some cheese which was delicious.
Not living in Sweden, don’t worry about it! Throw what you can and enjoy yourself. It’s midsummer!
Garlands are normal wear for Midsummer. Why not make your own either out of real flowers or, if you live in the desert like me, get some fake flowers that you can use for your garland 🙂
Strawberry cakes are a stable for Midsummer. I will be experimenting with a Swedish recipe (which will go in the Swedish recipe section of my site!) on Sunday, but for now why not try these recipes recommended from our Swedish Freaks on Facebook.
Kubbspel is the game to play in Norrland for midsummer, or actually any summer night where drinking is involved.
You can purchase an official set on Amazon.com, however it is quite expensive. I’m sure you can find some wood lying around.
Check out the official Swedish rules here (in Swedish), or you can see how to play on Wikipedia. Luckily for us, this game has taken off in the U.S. What a great time to show it to your friends if they haven’t played it yet!
There is nothing like Midsummer than listening to some Swedish Music! I’ve created a mishmash of different Swedish music, some classical, some folk music, some classics (like ABBA) and oldies.
While there are some commercials (thank you YouTube!), it is a great playlist to listen to! Enjoy 🙂
If you are a single maiden and you want to know who your future husband is going to be, now is your chance! Pick 7 flowers on your way home from a midsummer party and put them under your pillow. That night you will dream about your husband to be!
During Midsummer, Swedes dance around the maypole. Maypoles aren’t the easiest thing to do last minute. If you don’t have a maypole to dance around, why not just dance? You have the Swedish music above!
Midsummer is the longest day of the year, and the sun barely sets in Sweden. So usually, people end up staying up all night and party until the early morning (which is why it is celebrated all day Friday and Saturday)
I’m excited to be celebrating Midsummer this year! We are doing a Father’s Day BBQ, and I’m going to combine it with a Swedish Midsummer celebration as well. Stay tuned for updates 🙂
What will you do this weekend to celebrate Midsummer?