Everything Swedish
Swedish Events and Traditions
Are snow and ice the first things that come to mind when you think of Sweden in January? Most likely, but there are so many wonderful reasons to visit Sweden during the winter months. We would like to share just a few with you.
Christmas Eve
12/24/2007
Unlike many countries, the highpoint of the Swedish Christmas is the 24th rather than the 25th of December. On Christmas Eve, children open the presents that Father Christmas and helpers have brought them, and the family enjoys Christmas dinner together - a smörgåsbord of rich, Swedish delicacies. The day usually begins with a visit to church for "Julottan", the early morning church service. This is usually followed by a lavish meal with family and
Are snow and ice the first things that come to mind when you think of Sweden in January? Most likely, but there are so many wonderful reasons to visit Sweden during the winter months. We would like to share just a few with you.
Christmas Eve
12/24/2007
Unlike many countries, the highpoint of the Swedish Christmas is the 24th rather than the 25th of December. On Christmas Eve, children open the presents that Father Christmas and helpers have brought them, and the family enjoys Christmas dinner together - a smörgåsbord of rich, Swedish delicacies. The day usually begins with a visit to church for "Julottan", the early morning church service. This is usually followed by a lavish meal with family and
friends consisting of traditional foods such as pickled herring, liver pate, smoked sausages, cabbage, meatballs and a dish known as lutfisk (dried fish soaked in lye) - a traditional delicacy eaten at this time of the year. As with Christmas celebrations around the world, it is a time of great revelry throughout the country.
Gothenburg Film Festival
1/01/2008 - 2/29/2008
This annual event presents a great selection of non mainstream films from around the world, attracting a mix of directors, filmmakers, critics, producers and film fanatics. The week long festival also includes seminars and workshops as well as the popular opening- and closing-night parties. The first Gothenburg Film Festival was held in 1979 and screened just 17 films to some 3,000 visitors. The event has now grown to become the biggest public film festival in Scandinavia, each year screening over 400 films and attracting more than 110,000 visitors.
Kiruna Snow Festival
1/01/2008 - 1/31/2008
Each year at the end of January, the Kiruna Snow Festival entertains visitors with its program of winter events and entertainment. One of the highlights is the International Snow-Sculpting Championships in which artists sculpt wonderful creations out of huge blocks of compacted ice and snow. Other events include dog-sledding, reindeer races and a fun outdoor party with live music and dancing. Located north of the Arctic Circle, Kiruna has a magical atmosphere and is a great place to learn more about the indigenous Sami people The highlight of the snow-sculpting competition is the Swedish Open Championships which include participation from international teams. The festival also features "yoik" (Lappish song), delicious food and lots of local handicraft.
Jokkmokk Winter Market
1/01/2008 - 2/29/2008
More than just a market, this annual event is a great introduction to traditional Sami culture and treats visitors to a wide range of entertainment, from live music to theater and storytelling. For the more adventurous, wishing to better experience this winter wonderland, there are regular dog-sledding trips across the snowy plains. The origins of the event date back to the 1600s, but each year the festival introduces new events and attractions so that visitors never know what to expect from one year to the next. There are also all the usual market attractions such as arts and crafts and traditional food and drink.
These are just a few of the things you can experience in Sweden this winter when you purchase a new Volvo through our Overseas Delivery program. For more information, please contact our Customer Care Center at 1(800) 631-1667, go to www.volvocars.us/mybagsarepacked, or visit your local Volvo retailer.
Gothenburg Film Festival
1/01/2008 - 2/29/2008
This annual event presents a great selection of non mainstream films from around the world, attracting a mix of directors, filmmakers, critics, producers and film fanatics. The week long festival also includes seminars and workshops as well as the popular opening- and closing-night parties. The first Gothenburg Film Festival was held in 1979 and screened just 17 films to some 3,000 visitors. The event has now grown to become the biggest public film festival in Scandinavia, each year screening over 400 films and attracting more than 110,000 visitors.
Kiruna Snow Festival
1/01/2008 - 1/31/2008
Each year at the end of January, the Kiruna Snow Festival entertains visitors with its program of winter events and entertainment. One of the highlights is the International Snow-Sculpting Championships in which artists sculpt wonderful creations out of huge blocks of compacted ice and snow. Other events include dog-sledding, reindeer races and a fun outdoor party with live music and dancing. Located north of the Arctic Circle, Kiruna has a magical atmosphere and is a great place to learn more about the indigenous Sami people The highlight of the snow-sculpting competition is the Swedish Open Championships which include participation from international teams. The festival also features "yoik" (Lappish song), delicious food and lots of local handicraft.
Jokkmokk Winter Market
1/01/2008 - 2/29/2008
More than just a market, this annual event is a great introduction to traditional Sami culture and treats visitors to a wide range of entertainment, from live music to theater and storytelling. For the more adventurous, wishing to better experience this winter wonderland, there are regular dog-sledding trips across the snowy plains. The origins of the event date back to the 1600s, but each year the festival introduces new events and attractions so that visitors never know what to expect from one year to the next. There are also all the usual market attractions such as arts and crafts and traditional food and drink.
These are just a few of the things you can experience in Sweden this winter when you purchase a new Volvo through our Overseas Delivery program. For more information, please contact our Customer Care Center at 1(800) 631-1667, go to www.volvocars.us/mybagsarepacked, or visit your local Volvo retailer.
