Welcome to summer! Warmer days have finally arrived and brought with them endless possibilities. Although gatherings over 50 are still illegal, so events are mostly off, there are plenty of things to see and do in the capital this month.
Here’s what you can get up to in Stockholm thiis June, from the national day of Sweden to foraging for berries:
Saturday 6th June
Sveriges nationaldag
It’s the national day of Sweden!
A day to commemorate the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and the end of the Kalmar Union (Kalmarunionen), wherein Denmark, Norway and Sweden were brought together under a common monarch.
It’s also a day to welcome immigrants into the country and consider the fact that national identity is a living thing, made up of the people who call Sweden home.
Saturday 20th June
Midsommardagen
Happy midsummers! This year, it looks a little different, but there’s still a reason to celebrate. Hop around like a små grodorna, make some flower crowns and crack open the herring!
Ongoing in June
Exhibition “Isolation | Communication” at Färgfabriken
Sanitary Ritual 24 is a new artwork created by Florence Montmare and Charlotte Åberg exclusively for the Isolation | Communication exhibition at Färgrabiken. The piece explores one woman’s cleansing ritual, exposing both gender performance and more recent deep rooted anxieties about hygiene since the pandemic. The exhibition runs from June 2nd-14th and features works from over 100 other artists, all practicing in isolation.
Lollapalooza
Unfortunately, as is the case with most Scandinavian festivals, Lollapalooza has been canceled this year due to COVID 19. To take your mind off of it, we’ve got a selection of playlists from festivals past to remind you of happier, dirtier times.
Forage for Swedish berries
With the warmer weather, now is the perfect time to head out and forage. We’ve compiled a guide to Swedish berries to help you out!
Learn about (and maybe even try) Swedish Surströmming
The best way to make people keep their distance from you? To faintly smell of the world’s smelliest food of course! If you’ve been putting off exploring this national dish, now might just be the time to dive in.
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Above: Jaughna Nielsen-Bobbit and Freya McOmish
Remembering Inger Stevens
A talented Swedish-born actress whose tragic suicide has outshone a lifetime of achievements. Take some time to quaint yourself with her work, including one of the best Twilight Zone episodes in the series’ history.
Find These Hidden Architectural Gems of Stockholm
Put on your hiking shoes and head out on a treasure trail like no other with our guide to the lesser-known architectural gems of Stockholm, each with its own story, waiting to be appreciated.
Cultural Activities
Opera Play from The Royal Swedish Opera
The Royal Opera is one of the many establishments rising to the occasion during this unique time of unease. They have made a range of programs available online and free of charge, including ballets and concerts. Some are available for longer than others, so check the website soon to see if your favorite is there!
Search the Collection at Moderna Museet
While Moderna Museet is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, you are still able to browse the collections online. You can choose from a variety of categories, artists, or just search for a specific item. The online collection is easy to navigate and is free. A great tool to keep you engaged with culture when you may be stuck at home on your couch!
Installation view ”Arthur Jafa: A Series of Utterly Improbable, yet Extraordinary Renditions (Featuring Ming Smith, Frida Orupabo and Missylanyus)”, Moderna Museet in Stockholm, 2019 Photo: Åsa Lundén/Moderna Museet
The Lilian Look Online from the Royal Palace
This exhibit, previously on display at the Royal Palace, has been made available online for free. Go to the website and see about 30 different outfits worn by Princess Lilian. You can click on the garments to enlarge them and click on the signs to learn more.
Home Activities
Read a Book
It’s time to brush off the reading glasses and get deep into some Swedish classic and contemporary novels. Why not give these classic Swedish children’s books a try during lockdown?
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
(Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige)
(Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige)
Published in 1906, the book is a the result of a national commission to create a geography reader for schools. Author Selma Lagerlöf devoted three years to studying various folklore and narratives of the Swedish provinces to make sure she included all she could. This is a true adventure book with a deep love of Sweden and nature.
Can You Whistle Johanna? (Kan Du Vissla Johanna?)
When Berra decides he wants a grandfather like his friend Uffe, the two boys go to a retirement home to find one. This a beautiful, sad-at-times story of cross-generational friendship and the power of reaching out for the love you need. The book first came out in 1993 and it’s since been made into a classic Swedish film.
Can You Whistle Johanna? (Kan Du Vissla Johanna?)
When Berra decides he wants a grandfather like his friend Uffe, the two boys go to a retirement home to find one. This a beautiful, sad-at-times story of cross-generational friendship and the power of reaching out for the love you need. The book first came out in 1993 and it’s since been made into a classic Swedish film. This is a tough book to find in its English version, so snap up a copy if you see one!
Swedish Shows to Binge Watch
Fallet on Netflix
This Swedish show is worthy of a binge-watching session. A Swedish detective works together with a British colleague to solve a murder. The show is both in Swedish and English. You will need a Netflix account to watch.
Our Time is Now on SVT Play
A historical drama, Our Time is Now follows an affluent Stockholm family and their kitchen staff in post-war Sweden. If you feel like absorbing some culture, but you want a break from reading, watching this show can be a fun way to brush up on your Swedish history.
Swedish recipes to try
It’s Chanterelle season! If you’re a real shroom-head you can probably find some in a forest, but supermarkets will be stocked to the rafters with these unami bombs if you’re not so familiar with fungi foraging. They’re delicious in every recipe, but our method for preparing them on toast lets them shine fully.
Janssons Frestelse, a classic comfort dish made with potatoes and cured sprats.
You can also get baking with this quick and delicious recipe for Swedish Visiting Cake. The story behind it is that if you saw some visitors at the end of your drive, you could throw together this cake and have it ready to be served by the time your visitors were settled in your home.
Apartment Therapy
If staring at the same 4 walls is starting to get you down, why not check out these six Swedish interior design blogs. Plenty of escapism to be found among the minimalist decoration.
Shopping
Filippa K Soft Sport
Even if you are confined to your home, you can still find time to get your body moving! Filippa K offers an elegant sportswear line, Soft Sport, for low-intensity sports like yoga and Pilates. While these clothes are designed for activity, many pieces can be incorporated seamlessly into a greater wardrobe, like the elegant Seam Sweatshirt, that can be dressed up with boots and a necklace for a stroll through the city. If you hadn’t worked out from home prior to COVID-19, you can get all your essentials, like yoga mats, from Filippa K too!
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Hums Slippers
It’s definitely time to level up your slipper game. Find your next pair from Hums, a Swedish brand so delightful you’ll want to wear them outside. There is free shopping for European orders.
Dirty Linen
Working remotely means, for some of us, working from bed. We promise not to judge, providing your sheets are 100% linen and from Swedish bedding superstars Dirty Linen.
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TOVEMIKA
Shop online for jewelry at TOVEMIKA, based out of Stockholm. The jewelry is handmade, with playful and organic shapes in silver.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
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