Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden Discussion Topic @ AdlandPro Community

Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:42:50 GMT

Bogdan John Pauline Peter Georgios

KALEIDOSCOPE
An AdLandPro Feature
© AdlandPro PHILOXENIA

SWEDEN - SVERIGE

KALEIDOSCOPE A BFA AWARDED FORUM © BFA June 2008

Small and Great National Emblem - Swedish flag

Conventional longform:
Konungariket Sverige

Area, total: 449 964 sq km
Coastline: 3 218 km
Population: 9 083 000
Population/sq km: 20
Capital/Population:
Stockholm / 786 000

Lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
Highest point: Kebnekaise 2 111 m
Largest rivers: Muonio-Torneälv, Dalälven, Klarälven-Götaälv
Largest lakes: Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren
Natural resources: Zink, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium

Pop. growth rate: 0.16 %
Infant mortility rate: 3
(deaths / 1 000 live births)
Life expectancy at birth (years):
Male / Female 78 / 83

Ethnic groups: Swedes 83 %, Finns 2, Iranian 0.5 %, Others 14.5 %
Religions: Evangelic lutheran 87 %, Others 13 %
Languages: Swedish
Literacy; % of pop. over 15 years:
Male / Female
99.9 / 99.9Independence: June 6, 1523
National holiday:
June 6, Day of Swedish flag

GNP/capita: USD 41 945
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)

Mobile telephones: 9 087 000
Internetusers: 6 981 000
Railways: 11 528 km
Highways: 424 947 km

Source: CIA World Factbook 2008/03

Being a former citizen of Sweden I feel nostalgia to go back. I am proud for having my forums awarded in March and June. March is month of Greece and June is the month of Sweden. I lived in Sweden 1965-1983. I left Sweden to work in Greece making use of my experience in adult and labour education I got from Sweden. I visited Sweden only once after that in 2001.

National Day of Sweden
June 6th

Swedish flag- Queen Sylvia and King Carl XVI Gustav
National Anthem - Du gamla Du fria

Celebration with the Royal Family

Every year, the King and Queen take part in a ceremony at Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum, where the yellow and- blue Swedish flag is run up the mast, and children in traditional peasant costume present the royal couple with bouquets of summer flowers.

Since 1916, June 6 has been celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day, but it was not until 1983 that it officially became the National Day. For a long time Sweden was probably one of very few countries in the world with no national day. Since 1916, June 6 has been celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day, but it was not until 1983 that it officially became the National Day. Nowadays, the custom of celebrating the national day has grown stronger and today almost every town has its own festivities with speeches, music and distribution of Swedish flags to private persons and associations. The biggest celebration takes place at Skansen, an open-air museum in Stockholm, where some 15000 people gather together with the Royal family.

To be updated - small articles

History
The Vikings
Gustaf Waasa- Birth of Swedish National State
Sweden – Great Power Period
Sweden – 18^th – 20^th century
Government
Parliamentary System – Decentralization
Monarchy
Education
School forms
Adult-Labour education

Sweden: The Land of the Midnight Sun

This picture reminds me much of Sweden

In Sweden, many customs are closely associated with the changing seasons
Photo: Anders Johansson/Ölands Turist
Click för a ride over Sweden 20 ninutes.

The Swedish Summer Solstic
Midsommar-,Majstång- och ungmöfester
Midsummer, May Pole and Maiden Party

At Midsummer, Swedes want to be outdoors, regardless of the weather.
Photo: Peter Westrup/Image Bank Sweden
Click above for midsummer traditional Swedish songs and dances

A traditional crayfish party

Due to the risk of over-fishing, restrictions on river crayfishing were introduced back in the early 20th century. The season was limited to a couple of months from August. Crayfish thus became an exclusive and much sought-after delicacy. The crayfish population has also been decimated on a number of occasions by a dreaded parasitic mould.

The crayfish is accompanied by cheese, bread, beer and of course: Schnapps.,br. Photo: Erika Lidén/Image Bank Sweden
Click above for participate the party

The Swedish Winter Solstic
Sankta Lucia

A nice Swedish Lucia celebration from Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
Click above

STOCKHOLM
Gamla Stan - Old Town

Click to watch a nice parade: Changing of the Swedish Guard filmed in Stockholm Sweden sorry about the jumps in the filming the guard was
getting angry as the crowd was swelling forwards.

SPORTS
The Real Enemies In Hockey
Heja Sverige, friskt humör ...
Det är det som susen gör ...
SWEDEN - FINLAND
THE ETERNAL HOCKEY ENEMIES

Finland feels like being World Champion if they win over Sweden
Sweden does of course everything not to lose.

Click Above- Hockey match Sweden-Finland

The giant in Jönköping
(Jätten I Jönköping)

Once upon a time when giants lived and ruled in Sweden, there was a giant called Vist who lived with his wife on the east side of Lake Vättern. One day they went to a family gathering on the other side of the lake. It was a jolly and exhilarating party with a lot of delicious food. When the giant Vist and his wife finally headed home Mrs Vist had gained so much weight that she doubted that she would be able to get across the lake in a single bound. Therefore, her considerate husband threw a turf of grass out into the lake so she could make it home without getting wet. And it's still there, the little flattened turf: Visingsö.

© Anne Lönnqvists

MUSIC
pop stars and fans

At the nice middle 60-ies there were two big Swedish Bands, HepStars and Tages.
Most of my friends were Tages.

Is so I want to remember them
Click above - CADILAC by HepStars

I came to Sweden August 1965. Soon I was HEPSTARS fan. After listening to CADILAC, this beautyful song, by HepStars, which was great succee. I decided to by my first electric guitar, I pressed my mother very much and she got crazy on me. A Gibson guitar costed a monthly salary at that time, but she baught it to me. There were two things I loved at that time, playing football and play and listen to music. Learn about HepStars (official site)

click above

ABBA

The ABBA story began in June 1966 when Björn Ulvaeus (born 1945) met Benny Andersson (born 1946) for the first time. Björn was a member of the Hootenanny Singers, a very popular folk music group, while Benny played keyboards in Sweden’s biggest pop group of the 1960s, The Hep Stars.

n Philoxenia Ning Community

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:43:28 GMT

CONGRATULATIONS SWEDEN

FLAG AND NATIONAL DAY
JUNE 6th

The Royal Palace
click above - A tour over the Palace

GÖTAR, SVEAR OCH SAMER (LAPPAR)
Goths, Swedes and Lapponians

Make a journey over Samiland (Lappland, Lapponia)
click above - Lappland photos

SUMMER WINE
Lee Hazelwood - Siw Malmquist
Siw is another famous Swedish artist

Click above

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:13:34 GMT

Hello Georgios,

Thank you for this new interesting theme. As tomorrow is the National Day for Sweden it is a good opportunity for us to know some more about this wonderful land. And you are the right person to give us details as you lived there for a period of your life.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Swedish friends here for their National Day.

Best regards,

Dimitra

Created By: 323854

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:18:50 GMT

Hello Dimitra!

Thank you for the visit to our Happy Sweden Flag and National Day! If you ever get a chanse visit Sweden. Best time is June. Northern Sweden is an excellent place for vacation.

Click above

Here is a beautiful song, "Gula Gula", by Norway's greatest Saami singer, Mari Boine. Mari Boine Persen is known for having added jazz and rock to the yoiks (traditional singing style) of her native people. Boine (born in 1956) grew up amidst discrimination against her people. She was asked to perform at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, but refused because she perceived the invitation as an attempt to bring a token minority to the ceremonies. "Gula Gula" (1989) was her breakthrough release (her album was discovered by Peter Gabriel), and she continued to record popular albums throughout the 1990's. She is gifted with a magnificent voice, highly delicate and able to reach an absolutely phenomenal guttural power.

Enjoy this little tribute to the great and beautiful Saami culture!

Georgios
Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:46:32 GMT

Hello, Georgios, great forum!

Happy Sweden Flag and National Day!

Worldcitizen - Artist - Sculptor Laila!

Swedish speaking, Finnish, Danish, English!

Konst för Trädgård - New Art for Gardens

If somebody is not friend of Laila yet, invite her!

From Russia with love, Lydia

Created By: 261150

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:50:05 GMT

Hello Lydia!

Ten thousand red roses for you! Thank you for giving us Laila Falck. I lived close to her at the good time I was in Sweden.

Tio Tusen Röda Rosor
© Thore Skogman

Click above

Happy Week ENd
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:46:05 GMT

Dear Georgios!

Thank you for a wonderful and interest

history from my neighbour country-

Sweden.I knew that it was Flagday to day.

I have just had my Swedish penfriend and her's husbond on visit in a week and it was

very lovelly and fantastic.We have been penfriends in 53 years !!

I will take a copy and send to my penfriend all date you have written,because she has no computer,you know.

I wishes you a great and nice weekend!

(We have had +30 and sunshine to day)

Warm Regards

Sissel E.

http://www.sisselle.ws

www.MyWebToo.com/sissel

Created By: 305522

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:55:26 GMT

Hello Sissel!

THank you my good friend for the visit and your support! I missed "Sjuttende Maj". I promise to bring in Norway somehow!

For now lets give our friends a view of Scandinavia

Have a "trevlig Veckoslut"
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:47:55 GMT

Hello Georgios,

I'm working on this post for a few days by now and I hope this time I'll get through it till the <post> button!!! Uh!!!

Thank you for all the wonderful job you're doing with all your Forums and with this one yet again. Thank you for the great infos; some I knew but many I didn't.

I was swinging amongst a few possible replies as your poppies field lead my my mind to one of our beautiful folk song about The Poppy?!... but as soon as this is about Sweden, than let me share something you might not know yet and didn't hear:

click! :-)

Happy Holidays for Sweden (National and Flag Day)

BIONDO is a Swedish group which was in contest for EUROVISION in Romania; unfortunately they were only second even if many of us would have loved them to win. They lost for 1 or 2 points?!

Did I say THANK YOU for all your efforts?! :-)

Have a wonderful weekend.
With lots of friendship,
Anamaria

PS: Seams Blue is your color no matter what!? :-)

Created By: anamaria

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:25:29 GMT

Hello AnaMaria!

Thank you for support your comment and for coming in to the Kaleiodscope # Sweden party. It seems that our Swedish friends aren't active in AdLandPro anymore or they are too busy to make money and forget other duties.

Thank you for sharing the Romanian song from the Eurovosion contest.

Now about the Scandianavian Goths. Though there are theories saying that the Scandianavians are native Scandia people, I believe they are parts of the Thracian and Dacian people orginated from South and Europe, from the south-east Carpathian regions and Black Sea. Their origin goes back to Troy.

Click above to learn more abotu the Barbarian Goths

Happy Week End
Georgios
Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:25:28 GMT

Georgios,

Sara

Created By: itsmesgb

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:37:02 GMT

Hello Sara!

Thank you for the bunch of flowers! I return your smile and support to Kaleidoscope with an American and a Swedish artist from 1968 in Sweden. I saw the Amerecan cowboy artist and super star at that time. I was young but I believe he was in love with the Swedish artist.

SUMMER WINE
Lee Hazelwood - Siw Malmquist
Siw is another famous Swedish artist

Click above

Keep Smiling
June is a oggod month

Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:12:47 GMT

Hi Georgios,

Great forum and interesting info on Sweden.

Happy National Day. Bring on the additional info.

Shalom,

Peter

Created By: 281772

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:34:24 GMT

Interesting! I guess I'll have to add Sweden to my travel plans.

Corrisa :-)

Created By: 295729

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:53:40 GMT

Hello Corissa!

Welcome to Kaleidoscope. Thank you for your comments and your Support!

Yes Sweden is a beautiful country and and worthy to visit if you can. The people are very good and very kind. I have only good to say about them. I lived there for 18 years.

Hole in your Soul (extended)

Happy Week End
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:35:33 GMT

Hello Peter!

Thank you for the support and you comment. Step by step I update with more Sweden.

Here is one of the Sagas of South Sweden. I have seen this high giant (troll, jätte). It is followed by a nice balade.

The giant in Jönköping
(Jätten I Jönköping)

Click above

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:55:22 GMT

Hello Georgios,

Thank you for this awesome forum. Sweden is a beautiful country. I love all the videos thank you for sharing.

HAPPY FLAG DAY SWEDEN!

God Bless
Gaby

Created By: 321095

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:56:30 GMT

Hello Gabrielle!

Here are some facts on me and my life in Sweden. Kaleidoscope will keep you informed on everything.

MUSIC
pop stars and fans

At the nice middle 60-ies there were two big Swedish Bands, HepStars and Tages.
Most of my friends were Tages.

Is so I want to remember them

Click above - CADILLAC by HepStars

I came to Sweden August 1965. Soon I was HEPSTARS fan. After listening to CADILLAC, this beautyful song, by HepStars, which was great succee. I decided to by my first electric guitar, I pressed my mother very much and she got crazy on me. A Gibson guitar costed a monthly salary at that time, but she baught it to me. There were two things I loved at that time, playing football and play and listen to music. Learn about HepStars (official site)

The Hep Stars song "Cadillac" performed by Tommy Körberg - aug.7th 2007 Ållsang På Skansen. Tommy Körberg is another great Swedish artist.

click above - a superb performance

LYRICS FOR CADILLAC, HEPSTARS

My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
but she ain't never, ever coming back

Baby, baby, baby please
Can't you see I'm on my bended knees
Your heart's so cold it's gonna freeze

My baby drove up in a brand new, brand new Cadillac
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
but she ain't never, ever coming back

yea...Cadillac, woah...Cadillac,
yea...Cadillac, ooh...Cadillac,
yea...Cadilac, ooh...CADILLAC

Happy Week End
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:49:11 GMT

Hi Georgios,

Thank you for a wonderful forum on Sweden. So very informative, I just love it.

Myrna

Created By: ernamay

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:06:00 GMT

Hello Myrna!

Thank you for joining Kaleidoscope Sweden!
I love this country. I use to say I love my parents because they gave my life but I love my teachers because they teached me how to live and my teachers were Swedish.

HAPPY MID SUMMER
GEORGIOS

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:10:54 GMT

Hi, Georgios
You have collected a lot of information from Sweden. I moved to Sweden from Finland in 1955, started as teacher for immigrants in the 60s. Lived in Stockholm 1975-1981. So we might have met some time...

Now I live near the Arctic Circle, and I can see Finland from my window. Torne valley is a place where people speak both Swedish and Finnish.
During this time of the year this place is really beautiful. You can see our light nights if you go to http://www.overtornea.se/ and click at the web cameras on the right.

I hope you get a chance to visit this place some time.

Kind Regards
Marja

Created By: 186906

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:13:57 GMT

Hello Marja!

Thank you for your visit and your comments. I lived in Sweden 1965-1983. At my best years I was in Sweden. Today is a special day for you up there in POLAR NORDIC CAP.
SUMMER MIDNIGHT - POLAR DAY- POLAR NIGHT.

Here is a nice song from Scandianavia
I presume in your mother tonque

HAPPY POLAR DAY
Georgios

Created By: Genesis

Re: Kaleidoscope #8: Sweden

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:01:21 GMT

Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and many wear traditional folk costumes. The year's first potatoes, pickled herring, sour cream, and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Drinking songs are also important at this feast, and many drink heavily.

Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse. In the past it was believed that herbs picked at Midsummer were highly potent, and water from springs could bring good health. Greenery placed over houses and barns were supposed to bring good fortune and health to people and livestock; this old tradition of decorating with greens continues, even though most don't take it seriously. To decorate with greens was called att maja (to "may") and may be the origin of the word majstång, maja coming originally from the month May. Other researchers say the term came from German merchants who raised the maypole in June because the Swedish climate made it impossible to find the necessary greens and flowers in May, and continued to call it a maypole.

Click above

Today, however, it is most commonly called a midsommarstång. In earlier times, small spires wrapped in greens were erected; this probably predates the maypole tradition, which is believed by many to have come from the continent in the Middle Ages. Others argue that some form of Midsummer pole occurred in Sweden during the pre-Christian times, and was a phallic fertility symbol, meant to impregnate the earth, but as there were no records from those times it cannot be proven, and this idea might just be a modern interpretation of the poles form. The earliest historical mention of the maypole in Sweden is from the Middle Ages. Midsummer was however linked to an ancient fertility festival which was adapted into St. Johans day by the church, even though it retained many pagan traditions, as the Swedes were slow to give up the old heathen customs. The connection to fertility is naturally linked to the time of year. Many young people became passionate at Midsummer, and this was accepted, probably because it resulted in more childbirths in March which was a good time for children to be born.

Georgos

Created By: Genesis