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The Old Country Newsletter – Svennis, Jazz & Lightning
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden
Philip Gustavsson
August 30, 2024
Good morning!
It’s Friday, August 30th.
The summer months are coming to an end. Despite this, parts of southern Sweden experienced temperatures reaching a yearly high this week. In Lund, for example, the mercury showed 31 degrees Celsius.
Speaking of temperatures, as an objective newsletter we can conclude that Celsius is the far superior temperature scale. The more you know!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip
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Take care of your life! Take care of it! Don't waste it! Because now is your time on earth!
My personal favorite book series of all time is The Emigrants, by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg. Through the four books in the series, we get to follow the triumphs and tribulations of early Swedish immigrants in America. In the first book, "The Emigrants," we meet Karl Oskar, Kristina Nilsson, their three children, and eleven others who set out from Småland in 1850, seeking a better life away from poverty, religious persecution, and social injustice.
By clicking here, you can learn more about the books and order a copy for yourself. Beyond getting your hands on an incredible book, it is also a great way to show support for this newsletter, as a few cents of each sale will help support our work.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
Have you heard about ABBA? No, not the seafood company famous for providing sill to Swedish “midsommarfester" and “julbord.“ The ABBA. Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Björn Ulvaeus. Despite producing music for less than a decade and retiring over 40 years ago, ABBA is the ninth most streamed musical act among artists who produced music before 1980—with over 6.7 billion lifetime streams.
Legendary Swedish Coach Sven-Göran Eriksson Passes Away at 76
Swedish football icon Sven-Göran "Svennis" Eriksson, widely regarded as one of Sweden’s greatest football coaches, has passed away at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer.
"Svennis," who publicly revealed his diagnosis in January 2024, spent his final days at home surrounded by his family. His agent, Bo Gustavsson, shared the news with SVT Sport, noting how quickly the illness progressed in the end. "He kept his spirits up and never complained," Gustavsson said, adding that while Svennis had gradually become weaker, his positive attitude remained until the last moment.
Throughout his storied career, Svennis rose to prominence with IFK Göteborg, leading them to a UEFA Cup victory in 1982. From there, he found success across Europe, winning titles with clubs like Benfica, Lazio, and England's national team, where he guided them to World Cup and Euro quarterfinals.
Following his passing, tributes have poured in from across the football world, especially in England, where Svennis made a lasting impression. Known for his warmth and humor, he was more than just a coach—he was a beloved figure in the sport.
Svennis is survived by his children, who shared that he passed away peacefully at home.
Vila i frid, Svennis. 🕯
In other news
💰 The Swedish National Audit Office has launched an investigation into Stockholm's County Governor and former Moderate Party leader Anna Kinberg Batra regarding her dismissal of County Director Åsa Ryding, who received a 2.2 million kronor severance package. The inquiry will determine whether Kinberg Batra exceeded her authority, amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged misconduct and improper hiring practices, including the recruitment of personal acquaintances.
👩🚒 The rescue operation during the fire at the Oceana water park earlier this year was deemed effective, according to the Storgöteborg Fire and Rescue Service (RSG). Despite the tragic outcome, where a 51-year-old man lost his life, the investigation concluded that the response followed RSG's instructions and guidelines efficiently.
⚽ A recent report highlights significant dissatisfaction within the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), with employees raising concerns about a growing culture of silence and poor work conditions. Trust in the leadership has reached record lows, with a recent employee survey showing a drastic drop in confidence, particularly after a major organizational overhaul led by the new Secretary General, Andrea Möllerberg.
Would you like to feel closer to Sweden? A perfect way to do that would be to have a look at Swedish broadcasts, either current or past. SVT Play is an online streaming service provided by Sveriges Television (SVT), the Swedish national public television broadcaster.
To watch it, one has to be in Sweden – or have access to a VPN provider that can connect to a remote server located in Sweden. Like NordVPN, which sponsors this segment of the newsletter.
By using NordVPN, you can access what SVT Play has to offer – including current news, documentaries about emigrants, live broadcasts from nature events, and much more – by simply connecting to a server in Sweden. Follow the link here to get 74 % off for your first two years and three months (!) of usage. By doing so, you also help support the distribution of this newsletter.
Eight People Struck by Lightning During Soccer Practice
A routine soccer practice on Lidingö turned into a nightmare when a sudden thunderstorm struck Thursday evening. Lightning hit a tree where the team had sought shelter, leaving eight people hospitalized, three of them seriously injured.
SVT spoke with the father of one of the injured teens, who described his family's shock. "We’re all in complete disbelief," he said. His son, who was rushed to the hospital, initially lost feeling in his legs, but his condition has since improved, with sensation slowly returning. "The doctors say he’s incredibly lucky to be alive, and we hope he can come home today."
The incident, which involved several teenagers, occurred near a soccer field in Högsätra, just outside Stockholm. Lidingö's emergency response leader, Barry Levis, expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, "In all my years, I’ve never seen anything like this."
As of now, the conditions of the other injured teens remain uncertain. The incident has deeply impacted the community, with Lidingö's safety chief Michael Åkerholm noting the widespread effect it has had on those involved.
Word of the week
OTUR [OO-toor]
Your Weekly Swede-ish
Peggy Lee: The Jazz Queen with Scandinavian Ties
Born Norma Deloris Egstrom in 1920 in Jamestown, North Dakota, Peggy Lee’s last name might hint at her ancestral ties. The beloved American singer, songwriter, and actress’ father was of Swedish descent, and her mother had Norwegian-American heritage. Growing up in a small town, Lee faced challenges early in life, but her passion for music and her unmistakable voice propelled her toward a remarkable career.
Lee’s rise to fame began in the 1940s when she was discovered by bandleader Benny Goodman, who recognized her incredible talent. She went on to become one of the most iconic voices of the jazz and pop world, delivering unforgettable hits like "Fever" and "Is That All There Is?" with her trademark sultry style.
Peggy Lee’s Scandinavian roots may not have been front and center in her career. Interestingly, while Swedish jazz developed its own distinctive blend of jazz and pop, there's no direct link between that movement and Peggy Lee’s music—despite her own mastery of combining those same elements in her songs. Her heritage didn’t play a prominent role in shaping her career, but her ability to harmonize jazz and pop into a unique style made her an icon all the same.