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The Old Country Newsletter – Greta, Grand Hotel and Swedish CIA
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden!
Philip Hannes
June 13, 2025
Good morning!
It’s Friday, June 13.
It's that time of year in Sweden when the classic out-of-office replies start rolling in.
For urgent matters, you’re kindly referred to a colleague — who is also out of office — and they, in turn, direct you to a third contact who… you guessed it, isn’t responding either. At that point, you may want to ask yourself if your query can wait until after the near-sacred Swedish holiday season.
That said, your editors at The Old Country are not taking time off. We’ll continue to deliver the most relevant and interesting news and insights from Sweden — even if you're reading from a sun lounger somewhere across the Atlantic.
We hope you'll stay with us — wherever your summer takes you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip & Hannes
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Your Weekly Swede-ish
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
The Emmy Winning Candice Bergen
Candice Bergen, best known for her Emmy-winning role as the sharp-tongued Murphy Brown, has more than screen presence in her blood—she also has Swedish roots. Her mother, Frances Westerman, was a New York-born model of part Swedish descent, giving Candice a Scandinavian thread in her background. Bergen grew up in Beverly Hills as the daughter of famed ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and was raised in the glow of Hollywood and showbiz dinner parties. Despite being named Homecoming Queen at UCLA, she was kicked out for poor grades—Hollywood called more loudly than textbooks. She made her film debut in the 1960s and spent decades balancing dramatic roles, comedy, and political activism, all while navigating life as both insider and critic of the entertainment world. Between Vogue covers and sitcom punchlines, Bergen made it clear she could wear pearls or deliver them—depending on the script.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
Sweden’s diverse landscapes—ranging from dense forests to Arctic tundra—are home to an impressive array of wildlife. The country hosts around 60,000 species of animals, including nearly 700 vertebrates. The most iconic animal is arguably the moose (called älg in Swedish), with an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 living in the wild. During hunting season, about 80,000 moose are culled annually to manage the population.
Sweden is also home to elusive predators like the Eurasian lynx, brown bear, wolf, and wolverine—all protected but closely monitored. The bird population includes more than 250 nesting species, with cranes, owls, and sea eagles as notable examples.
In recent decades, efforts to restore biodiversity have increased sightings of rare species like the beaver and white-tailed eagle. Wildlife corridors and national parks—covering about 10% of the country—help preserve these natural treasures. Whether it’s reindeer in the north or seals along the coast, Sweden offers a remarkable glimpse into Northern Europe’s rich fauna.
Greta Deported, Back in Sweden After Attempted Gaza Mission
Attribution: SVT Nyheter
After a whirlwind few days that involved a sailing trip toward Gaza, an arrest, and a direct order from Israel’s defense minister, Greta Thunberg is back on Swedish soil—met by applause, flashing cameras, and no shortage of political controversy.
Thunberg had joined 11 other activists aboard the sailboat Madleen aiming to deliver aid to Gaza. Before they got close, Israeli forces intercepted the vessel in international waters and detained the group. Less than 24 hours later, Thunberg was deported and landed at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport on Tuesday night. Greeted by cheering supporters waving Palestinian flags, she expressed deep concern about what she called ongoing war crimes and a lack of global response. “What I fear most is people being silent during an ongoing genocide,” she told reporters.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant personally ordered the military to stop the boat, declaring Thunberg and her crew unwelcome. Among the passengers were activists with controversial ties, including one who reportedly attended a Hezbollah leader’s funeral—connections Thunberg claimed she was unaware of.
Meanwhile, the Swedish government is doubling down on pressure. On the same day Greta touched down, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard urged the EU to impose sanctions on certain Israeli ministers, citing humanitarian concerns and frustration over aid blockages.
Thunberg says she signed a document promising to leave Israel but not admitting illegal entry. Four activists—including Thunberg—signed it; eight others remain in Israel awaiting court decisions. As she returned to Stockholm, Thunberg told reporters she’s “very worried” about those still detained.
In other news
❌ Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has expressed concern over ongoing cyberattacks targeting Sweden, stating that the country is “under attack” due to the scale and frequency of these incidents. He mentioned that the attacks affect organizations such as SVT, government agencies, banks, and various companies. While he did not name a specific culprit, he noted that the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) sees Russia, Iran, and China as systematically involved in such activities.
🗳️ Liberal leader Johan Pehrson took part in his final party leaders’ debate in the Swedish Parliament and was thanked with various humorous and thoughtful gifts from his colleagues. These included books, a tablet, a painting course, and alcohol-free beer. An emotional Pehrson expressed gratitude for the experience and announced he will also resign from his seat in Parliament when stepping down as party leader.
🕵️ Former Prime Minister Carl Bildt has proposed the creation of a new civilian intelligence agency under the Swedish government, citing a sharper and broader threat landscape. Currently, intelligence work is handled by the Security Service (Säpo) and military intelligence agency Must. The proposal is part of a broader review of Sweden’s intelligence services, the first of its kind since the 1990s, initiated in response to the deteriorating global security situation. The agency would be something similar to the American CIA.
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.
Mysterious Power Players Take Over Stockholm’s Grand Hôtel
Attribution: Arild Vågen, via Wikimedia Commons
An enigmatic hotel booking, heavy police presence, and a swirl of elite guests – welcome to Bilderberg week in Sweden.
After weeks of whispered speculation, it’s now all but confirmed: the shadowy Bilderberg Group has taken over the entire Grand Hôtel in central Stockholm for its ultra-exclusive annual meeting. What started as a curious tip on a Swedish podcast – that someone had booked the whole five-star property in June – quickly snowballed into nationwide intrigue. First, luxury brand Cartier was rumored to be behind the massive reservation. Now, all signs point to Bilderberg.
Grand Hôtel has acknowledged the full-hotel booking but remains tight-lipped about who's footing the bill. Meanwhile, the scene outside the hotel has left little to the imagination: bomb-sniffing dogs, barricades, Danish police units, and streets blocked off by riot fences. Stockholm police confirm a special operation is underway, citing the presence of “protected individuals” and the “private nature” of the gathering.
The Bilderberg Group, a yearly closed-door summit of 120–150 top figures from global politics, finance, tech, and academia, has long fueled fascination – and conspiracy theories. No press, no livestream, and definitely no transcripts. Among this year’s confirmed guests: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The event runs June 12–15.
Owned by the influential Wallenberg family (with Bilderberg steering committee member Marcus Wallenberg at the helm), Grand Hôtel may be the ideal venue for this secretive summit. According to political scientist Dino Knudsen, the meetings are meant to encourage frank, off-the-record discussions. “It’s a place where people can talk freely,” he explains – and, clearly, privately.
Word of the week
HISTORIA [hiss-TOH-ree-ah]
Legacy Lanterns – shedding light on the stories of the past
Attribution: SVT Play
How Old Is Sweden, Really? A Nation with Deep Historical Roots
Sweden is one of the oldest nations in Europe, but defining exactly when it became a country isn’t easy. The territory we now call Sweden began to unify in the 10th and 11th centuries, during a period of Christianization and consolidation of royal power. King Olof Skötkonung (c. 995–1022) is considered Sweden’s first Christian monarch, and under his reign, the country began to take on the characteristics of a unified kingdom.
By the 13th century, regional laws were being codified in writing, strengthening a sense of central authority. Sweden entered a political union with Denmark and Norway in 1397—the Kalmar Union—but reasserted its independence in 1523, when Gustav Vasa was elected king. Many historians regard that year as the founding of modern Sweden.
Sweden’s first modern constitution was adopted in 1809, introducing separation of powers and laying the groundwork for parliamentary government. The current constitution, in place since 1974, defines Sweden as a democratic monarchy.
Despite its long and sometimes turbulent past, Sweden has maintained over 500 years of sovereignty, making it one of the most stable nations in Europe. For Americans with Swedish roots, this history is not just a legacy—it’s a living connection to over 1,000 years of evolving nationhood.
Do you want to learn more about Sweden’s history? Consider watching Historien om Sverige, SVT’s epic historical portrayal from how the first people arrived during the Stone Age, to the Sweden of today. If you need a VPN to access the show, simply scroll up a bit in this newsletter.