Essential reading for anyone new to Swedish work culture, Working in Sweden: The A-Z Guide is a practical, light and fun read. The guide covers all the important information you won’t find in your company’s official personnel handbook, from consensus culture and flat hierarchies through to Swedish habits and social codes. It’s the perfect onboarding guide for professionals relocating to Sweden, guaranteed to save a lot of time and energy figuring out why Swedes do things the way they do. As this is far from obvious and usually takes quite a while to work out, the guide is also a very use read for expats who have already been in Sweden for some time and makes an ideal Christmas gift. The guide is now available in both English and Swedish.
[Read more…] about The perfect onboarding book for Swedish work culture
The Essential Guide to Midsummer Celebrations in Stockholm
New in Stockholm and wondering where you can experience traditional midsummer celebrations? Look no further. We’ve put together a guide to over 40 different Midsummer events, as well as essential dishes and all the background information you need.
Fun for all the family
Most of the listed events include dressing and raising a maypole (aka Midsummer pole), followed by traditional dancing and singing. Many also offer games and performances by local folk dance groups. It’s great fun for all the family and joining in this Classic Swedish experience is warmly recommended. Once the singing, dancing and games are over, people usually make their way home to continue their own celebrations with friends and family.
Good to bring
- Picnic & blanket
- Wild flowers to dress the maypole or to make your own Midsummer wreath
- A little cash (there’s usually a raffle and or food/drink stands in support of local organisations)
- Comfortable shoes for dancing / joining in organised games.
Venues in Stockholm with classic midsummer celebrations
ÖSTERMALM
Where: Skansen
Time: From 10.00. Maypole raised at 14.00
SÖDERMALM
Where: Mosebacketerrassen, Mosebacke Torg
Time: From 12.00. Musical entertainment from 15.00
VASASTAN
Where: Vasaparken
Time: Day before midsummer on 23 June
FJÄDERHOLMARNA
Where: Fjäderholmarna (islands in archipelago)
Time: From 13.00, Maypole dance from 14.00
NACKA
Where: Nyckelviken
Time: From 12.00-15.00
Free bus from Nacka stadshus to Nyckelviken from 11.00 -16.00
VÄRMDÖ
Where: Värmdö bygdegård i Hemmesta
Time: From 11.00 -16.00. Maypole raised 13.00
TYRESÖ
Where: Solsäter
Time: From 12.00–16.00
Where: Tyresö slottspark.
Time: From 12.00–16.30. Maypole decorated from 12.30 and raised at 13.00
TÄBY
Where: Rönninge by, Skavlötsvägen 29, Täby
Time: From 12.30
DANDERYD
Where: Enebybergs gård
Time: Maypole decorated from 09.30. Dance from 13.00
Where: Kvarnparken
Time: From 13.00. Note: Maypole decorated at 18.00 on 22/6.
Where: Djursholms slottspark
Time: 16.45. Note: Maypole decorated from 18.00 on 23/6.
HÄSSELBY
Where: Tempeludden, Riddersvik
Time: From 12.00 -16.30
BROMMA
Where: Bromma kyrka (church), in the meadow below the church school
Time: Maypole decorated from 10.30. Meetup at Bistro Bromma at 14.30, Spångavägen 138, to walk together to the meadow where the maypole will be raised.
Where: Björklunds hage, Norra Ängby.
Time: Maypole decorated from 10.00. Fesitivities continue to 15.00
JÄRFÄLLA
Where: Brukets backe, Jakobsberg
Time: Maypole decorated from 13.00
Where: Stäkets hembygdsgård, Wilhelm Boys väg 21
Time: Maypole decorated from 09.00
UPPLANDS VÄSBY
Where: The meadow in Smedby beside Gunnes gård.
Time: 12.30-16.00
Where: Fresta församlingsgård.
Time: From 10.00-12.00
KUNGSÄNGEN
Where: Kungsängens hembygdsgård and Bro IP (sports centre)
Time: From 11.30 at Kungsängens church. Continues at hembygdsgården. From 11.00 at Bro IP.
SIGTUNA
Where: Trekanten park beside Lilla torget
Time: 14:00
MÄRSTA
Where: Sätunaparken
Time: 11:30
ROSERSBERG
Where: Rosersberg IP (Sports centre) beside the club house
Time: Maypole decorated from 14:15
LUNDA
Where: Lunda church
Time: Church service from 12.00. Flower picking from 13:00. Maypole decorated 14.00. Maypole raised 15.00
AKALLA
Where: Akalla by
Time: From 10.00
TENSTA
Where: Spånga prästgård, Tensta
Time: Maypole decorated from 13.30 and raised from 14.00
VALLENTUNA
Where: Kvarnstuga, Brottby.
Time: Maypole decorated on 23 June from 18.00–21.00.
On 24 June from 11.00. Maypole raised at 12.00
Where: Orkesta-Lindholmen
Time: From 12.00 on 24 June. Note: maypole decorated on 23 June from 18.00
Where: Frösunda, Björkvallen.
Time: Maypole decorated 11.00 and raised at 12.00
Where: Vallentuna church
Time: From 14.00 –16.00 in the meadow towards Vallentuna. Note: Maypole decorated on 23 June from 18.00
SOLLENTUNA
Where: Hersby Hembygdsgård, Lillhersbyvägen
Time: From 12.00–16.30
Where: Rotsunda ängar (Skinnaråsvägen/Annerovägen) down towards Norrviken lake
Time: From 13.00 – 16.00
MÄLARÖARNA
Where: Adelsö festplats (partly place), Adelsö
Time: From 12.00-15.00
Where: Ekebyhovs slott (castle), Ekerö
Time: From 13.00 -16.00
Where: Färingsö hembygdsgård, Färentuna
Time: From 12.00- 15.00
Where: Rörby gård, Lovön
Time: From 11.00 – 16.00
HÄGERSTEN – ÄLVSJÖ
Where: Vintervikens trädgård
Time: From 11.00 -18.00. Maypole decorated from 13.00. Dance at 14.00 and 15.00
Note: 100 kr entry fee for adults
Where: Café Uddvillan, Hägersten.
Time: From 15.00
Where: Herrängens gård i Älvsjö
Time: From 13.00 – 16.00
Where: Brännkyrka church
Time: From 12.00 – 17.00. Maypole decorated from 13.30 and dance from 14.15.
SKARPNÄCK
Where: Skarpnäcks koloniområde (allotment area), Vinthundsvägen 2, Sköndal
Time: From 12.30-15.30
Where: Listuddens koloniträdgårdar (allotment gardens) , Kioskvägen, Skarpnäck.
Time: From 14.00
FARSTA
Where: Farsta gård, Farstaängsvägen 22.
Time: 12.00-15.00
HUDDINGE
Where: Magasinet, Juringe Gård, Mäster Lorentz väg 3, Segeltorp
Time: 13.00-15.30
HANINGE
Where: Häringe slott, Västerhaninge
Time: 11.30-23.00
How to celebrate Midsummer
This classic video “Midsummer for Dummies” never grows old and is well worth a watch.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=midsummer+for+dummies
Essential dishes for Midsummer
This handy article by The Local newspaper provides background information and delicious recipe suggestions to help you celebrate.
https://www.thelocal.se/20220621/the-essential-dishes-for-swedish-midsummer/#top
Wishing you a very HAPPY Midsummer 🙂
Photo credit: Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se
Venue information source: Mitt i Stockholm
Relocate to Sweden provides customised assistance for all your staff’s relocation and on-going support needs, including fast track help with work permits and extensions, accommodation, local registration, schools and intercultural training. Read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice. You can also Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 for more information.
Essential Guide to Easter in Sweden
Photo: Jenny Drakenlind/Johnér/imagebank.sweden.se
First time in Sweden for Easter and unsure of how it’s celebrated? Or maybe you’ve colleagues or friends who have recently moved here? This guide provides useful tips on celebrating Easter Swedish style, including what to do, where to go and how to get the Easter look. Attractions open this Easter, online alternatives and even rookie mistakes to avoid are all covered to help you make the most of your Easter holiday.
How to do Swedish Easter
Find out what you should do, make and serve to celebrate Easter Swedish style. From Easter witches (Påskkärringar) to Easter food, you will find all the details you need at the following link.
https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/culture-history-and-art/swedish-traditions/more-traditions/easter-sweden/
Background to Swedish Easter Traditions
Discover the origins of Easter traditions as well as recipes for Classic Swedish dishes such as Gravlax with potato salad and Jansson’s temptation.
https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/easter/
Restaurants
Some restaurants are offering special Easter holiday meal kits and take-away dinners. Restaurants are currently closed after 20.30 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and bars are only allowed to serve seated guests. See the following link for some restaurant recommendations in Stockholm.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/easter-in-stockholm/
Museums and attractions
Some museums are opening up again after being closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in a limited capacity. Please note that visits have to be booked in advance and they allow only a limited number of simultaneous visitors. A list of indoor and outdoor museums and attractions in Stockholm that are open this Easter is available at the following link. From Skansen to sculpture, there’s something for everyone. You can visit their individual websites for more information about booking.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/easter-in-stockholm/
Celebrate Easter online from the comfort of your own home
Check out this handy guide on how to explore Stockholm’s museums online as well as online shows & concerts.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/museums-online/
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/online-concerts/
Get the Easter look
Seen pictures of Påskkärringar (Easter witches) and wondering how to create the look? Watch this video tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdjJkOz8A8
Easter card inspiration
Surprise family and friends with a Swedish style Easter card. This video provides some inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IlX6W7Z0oQ
3 rookie mistakes to avoid
Watch out for the following common mistakes:
- Which day to celebrate
Easter is celebrated on Holy Saturday i.e., the day before Easter Sunday, as Swedes celebrate most major events on the eve of the event. Note the same applies for Christmas and Midsummer. - Holiday planning
There are geographical differences in the scheduling of school Easter holidays. For example, Stockholm and Gothenburg have Easter holidays the week after Easter this year whilst Malmö and Örebro have holidays the week before Easter. - Supplies
Get stocked up with sweets on Maundy Thursday (1st April) to prepare for any Easter witches påskkärringar who may happen to ring your doorbell.
Happy Easter everyone /Glad påsk allihopa!
Would you like orientation or relocation assistance for your international recruits?
Relocate to Sweden provides customised assistance for all your staff’s relocation and on-going support needs, including fast track help with work permits and extensions, accommodation, local registration, schools and intercultural training. Read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice. You can also Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 for more information.
