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The Old Country Newsletter – Bastubad & Spy Scandals
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden!
Philip Hannes
May 16, 2025
Good morning!
It’s Friday, May 16.
On this day in 1951, every Swedish worker became legally entitled to three weeks of paid vacation. That was a big step forward – until then, they'd only had two weeks since 1938. In 1963, the law changed again to allow four weeks, and by 1978, five weeks became the new norm.
That’s still the minimum today, though many employers offer even more. Not bad, right?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip & Hannes
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Your Weekly Swede-ish
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
Tippi Hedren: The Dynasty Starter
Most remember Tippi Hedren as the poised blonde heroine of Hitchcock’s The Birds, but did you know she’s also of Swedish descent? Born Nathalie Kay Hedren in Minnesota in 1930, she was the daughter of Bernard Hedren, a store owner whose Swedish parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s. Tippi started out as a model before being discovered by Alfred Hitchcock, who cast her in The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964), launching her film career. Off-screen, Hedren became a passionate animal rights activist and founded the Shambala Preserve for big cats in California. She also raised a Hollywood dynasty—her daughter is actress Melanie Griffith, and granddaughter Dakota Johnson carried the acting torch into a new generation.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
As Sweden's sauna-themed entry "Bara bada bastu" by KAJ gains popularity ahead of the Eurovision 2025 final on Saturday, it's an opportune moment to reflect on Sweden's impressive Eurovision history.
Sweden has clinched the Eurovision title seven times, tying with Ireland for the most victories in the contest's history. These wins span from ABBA's iconic "Waterloo" in 1974 to Loreen's "Tattoo" in 2023.
Beyond victories, Sweden boasts a consistent track record, achieving 27 top-five finishes, the highest among participating countries. This success is often attributed to the national selection competition, Melodifestivalen, which has been instrumental in producing strong Eurovision contenders.
If KAJ secures a win this year, Sweden would surpass Ireland, becoming the sole leader with eight Eurovision victories. For all Eurovision fans, scroll down for a look back at every Swedish victory in the world’s biggest music competition!
Spy Games and Selfies: Sweden’s Top Security Pick Tied to Espionage Probe
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
Sweden’s political drama just got a Cold War twist. According to SVT, the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) is investigating a possible link between the resignation of newly appointed national security adviser Tobias Thyberg and a recently arrested diplomat suspected of espionage.
Thyberg bowed out of the role just hours after his appointment, following the arrival of an anonymous email to the government containing intimate photos from an old dating profile. He wasn’t accused of a crime, but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticized Thyberg for not disclosing the potential vulnerability during the vetting process. “It’s not about the pictures,” said Kristersson’s deputy press secretary. “It’s about withholding relevant information.”
Now, Säpo suspects that the anonymous email might not have been so random. Just three days after Thyberg’s exit, authorities raided a Stockholm apartment and detained a high-level diplomat with global postings on suspicion of espionage. The timing has raised alarms, with SVT reporting that the leak of Thyberg’s images could be connected to the alleged spy.
The diplomat denies wrongdoing — and has filed a misconduct complaint against the police — but if the dots connect, Sweden may be dealing with a modern espionage thriller unfolding in real time.
Developing: On Friday, at approximately 1 pm. the news story has taken an even darker turn. The previously detained diplomat has been found dead, Sweden’s Foreign Ministry confirmed today. While officials have not provided details, his lawyer described the news as “utterly tragic.” Säpo declined to comment on any connection between the death and the ongoing investigation.
In other news
✈️ Saab CEO Micael Johansson dismisses claims that the U.S. would block the sale of the Swedish Gripen fighter jet due to its American-made engine, calling them "fake news." He states that all necessary licenses are in place, there are no restrictions, and the U.S. also relies on products from Saab.
👷 According to Eurostat, the average workweek in the EU has decreased by one hour since 2014, now standing at 36 hours. However, Sweden has seen only a slight reduction of twelve minutes, while countries like Belgium and Luxembourg have cut work hours by up to 2.5 hours.
⚽ A violent incident during the match between IFK Göteborg and Östers IF, where a supporter attacked an opposing player, has sparked strong reactions. GP columnist Robert Laul called it "one of the biggest scandals we've had" and criticized the decision to continue the match, highlighting deeper security and cultural issues within Swedish football.
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.
Swedish Police Close Campus Shooting Case After Months-Long Investigation
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
Swedish authorities have concluded the investigation into February’s deadly shooting at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, confirming that the gunman, Rickard Andersson, acted entirely alone. The 35-year-old, who took his own life after killing several people, had planned the attack for months.
According to the final police report, Andersson hid in a school bathroom shortly before opening fire, leaving behind traces of amphetamine, caffeine, and an old math textbook. The book has drawn investigators' attention—it was linked to a course Andersson repeatedly enrolled in but never completed. An autopsy confirmed he was under the influence of amphetamines during the attack.
Police ruled out political or ideological motives. Instead, they pointed to Andersson’s unstable life situation, marked by rejected welfare claims and long-term unemployment, as key factors behind his escalating despair. Investigators believe the shooting was a suicide mission fueled by frustration and hopelessness.
Roughly 500 people were on campus during the attack, which saw 73 shots fired. Despite a thorough investigation involving more than 1,000 interviews and extensive video footage, missing digital devices—like Andersson’s phone and hard drives—leave some questions unanswered.
With the perpetrator deceased, the case will now be officially closed without trial.
Word of the week
TRAUMA [TROWM-ah]
Sweden Tipped to Win Eurovision Final Once Again?
Odds Eurovision Song Contest 2025
This Saturday marks the culmination of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, with Sweden emerging as the frontrunner according to leading betting sites. Sweden's strong track record in the competition has positioned them as favorites once again, igniting excitement among fans and pundits alike.
Sweden has a rich history in Eurovision, having clinched victory a total of six times. Their first triumph dates back to 1974, when ABBA, one of the world's most iconic pop groups, stormed to victory with their legendary hit "Waterloo". This victory not only catapulted ABBA to global stardom but also set a high standard for Sweden's future participation in Eurovision.
In subsequent years, Sweden continued to excel in the competition, achieving notable victories with memorable performances.
1984 – Herreys, "Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley"
Herreys charmed audiences with Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley, combining catchy melodies and whimsical staging. The performance secured Sweden’s second win and became a Eurovision classic.
1991 – Carola, "Fångad av en stormvind"
Carola’s Fångad av en stormvind won in a dramatic tie-break against France. The powerful vocal performance highlighted Sweden’s growing strength in delivering emotionally charged entries.
1999 – Charlotte Nilsson, "Take Me to Your Heaven"
With Take Me to Your Heaven, Charlotte Nilsson claimed Sweden’s fourth win. It was the first time Sweden won with a song performed entirely in English, taking advantage of newly relaxed language rules.
2012 & 2023 – Loreen, "Euphoria" and "Tattoo"
Loreen made history by winning twice—first in 2012 with the electrifying Euphoria, and again in 2023 with Tattoo. She became the first woman, and only the second artist ever, to win Eurovision twice.
2015 – Måns Zelmerlöw, "Heroes"
Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw blended innovative animation with modern pop sensibilities. The performance captivated audiences and brought Sweden its sixth Eurovision crown.
As the Eurovision Song Contest final approaches, all eyes are on Sweden as they strive to add another victory to their impressive tally. With a history of delivering standout performances and a reputation for musical excellence, Sweden remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of Eurovision. Fans worldwide eagerly await the final showdown to see if Sweden can once again triumph on the Eurovision stage.