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The Old Country Newsletter – Melodifestivalen & DNA Genealogy
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden!
Philip Hannes
February 28, 2025
Good morning!
It’s Friday, February 28.
Tomorrow, Saturday March 1, marks the final heat of Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s most-watched musical showdown. Six acts have already secured their spots in the grand final, and by Saturday night, four more will join them. Then, on Saturday March 8, Sweden will decide which song gets the honor of battling it out at Eurovision in May.
Want to impress your friends with random Melodifestivalen trivia? Check out Statistics you didn’t ask for!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip & Hannes
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Your Weekly Swede-ish
The poster of 'Pulp Fiction.' Miramax Films/ Courtesy: Everett Collection
Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman (born 1970) is an American actress known for her versatile roles in films ranging from action to drama and comedy. She rose to international fame with her performance in Pulp Fiction (1994), which earned her an Academy Award nomination, and cemented her status as a Hollywood icon with Kill Bill (2003–2004). Thurman has worked with renowned directors like Quentin Tarantino and has starred in movies such as Gattaca, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, and Batman & Robin.
Her grandmother, Birgit Holmquist, was Swedish, and an interesting piece of family history connects Thurman to Sweden: In the harbor of Smygehuk, at the southern tip of the country, there’s a statue of a naked woman sculpted by Axel Ebbe, for which Holmquist served as the model.
In the 1940s, Birgit married German anti-Nazi activist Friedrich von Schlebrügge. Using her Swedish citizenship, she secured his release from prison, and the couple fled to Mexico. Their daughter, Nena von Schlebrügge, became a celebrated fashion model in the 1960s and later gave birth to Uma Thurman, linking generations of resilience, artistry, and international influence.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
Melodifestivalen is Sweden’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest and one of the country’s most-watched TV events. Since its debut in 1958, it has produced numerous international hits and launched the careers of major Swedish artists. The competition features multiple semifinals and a grand final, with millions tuning in each year.
Sweden has won Eurovision seven times, tying with Ireland for the most victories. Iconic winners include ABBA’s Waterloo (1974), Loreen’s Euphoria (2012) and Tattoo (2023). The show is also known for its public voting system, which has evolved over the years to include an international jury.
Each year, around 28 songs compete in Melodifestivalen, and the final draws an audience of over 3 million viewers—impressive in a country of just over 10 million people. The contest’s popularity has made Sweden a powerhouse in Eurovision, consistently ranking among the top contenders.
European Leaders Mark Ukraine War Anniversary with New Aid Packages
Attribution: AP News
Three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European leaders gathered in Kyiv on Monday to show their support. Among them: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The show of solidarity comes as Ukraine continues to fend off Russian aggression, while international pressure mounts on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate peace terms.
Marking the occasion, Zelenskyy took to social media to honor Ukraine’s resilience: “Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism from Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine!”
The visit also brought fresh aid commitments. Sweden announced a 1.2 billion SEK ($115 million) package focused on bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses. Denmark is pitching in with 405 million DKK ($58 million), and Norway is sending 12.5 billion NOK ($1.2 billion) for humanitarian aid and energy security. Meanwhile, the EU unveiled a hefty 38 billion SEK ($3.6 billion) support package.
Since the war began, 6.3 million Ukrainians have fled to Europe—50,000 of them to Sweden. As the war enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s allies are making clear that their support isn’t wavering anytime soon.
In other news
📺 Norwegian media company Schibsted is acquiring Swedish TV4 and Finnish MTV from Telia in a deal valued at 6.55 billion SEK, marking Telia’s exit from the media sector to refocus on its core telecommunications business. Schibsted sees the acquisition as a step toward strengthening independent Nordic media, while TV4’s CEO notes that while viewers won’t see immediate changes, the deal could lead to new collaborations within Schibsted over time.
📵 The encrypted messaging app Signal has warned that it will leave Sweden if the government passes a proposed data retention law requiring companies to store messages and provide backdoor access to authorities. While the government argues the law is essential for law enforcement, critics—including Signal and the Swedish Armed Forces—warn that it would undermine encryption, create security vulnerabilities, and expose users to surveillance risks.
🍝 Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden is ready to participate in Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Rome Process, a migration initiative aimed at combating human smuggling and addressing the root causes of irregular migration. While both leaders emphasized the need for stronger EU action on migration and deportations, the initiative has faced criticism, with concerns that it could outsource migration control to countries with poor human rights records.
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 Get Green Light for DNA-Based Genealogy in Serious Crimes
Picture from the scene of the crime in Linköping in 2004. Attribution: Dagens Nyheter
Swedish law enforcement just got a new tool in its crime-solving arsenal. A recent legal change now allows police to use DNA-based genealogy to track down suspects in murder and serious rape cases—a move that could help crack long-unsolved crimes and bring closure to victims’ families.
Under the new regulations, police can search genealogy databases for potential matches, but only when specific conditions are met. A viable DNA sample must be available, the crime must be classified as murder or serious rape, and all other investigative avenues must have been exhausted. According to Bo Lundqvist, head of the cold case unit in Sweden’s southern police region, this could lead to convictions that would otherwise be out of reach.
The approach isn’t entirely new—Swedish police successfully solved the infamous 2004 Linköping double murder using DNA-based genealogy in a pilot project in 2020. While authorities won’t disclose exactly how many cases could be solved using the new method, Lundqvist suggests there are at least a handful with strong potential. However, officials remain cautious, citing investigative secrecy and the importance of managing victims’ families' expectations. Despite these challenges, police believe the new tool could be a game-changer for solving Sweden’s most perplexing cases.
Word of the week
UPPFINNING [OOP-finning]
Legacy Lanterns – shedding light on the stories of the past
ABBA (in the order above: BAAB) Attribution: AVRO, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, via Wikimedia Commons
Swedish Music’s Billboard Legacy
For decades, Swedish artists have made waves on the Billboard charts, shaping global pop culture and filling dance floors worldwide. From the infectious hooks of ABBA to the pulsating beats of Swedish House Mafia, Swedish music has proven its universal appeal. In this week’s newsletter we give you the Swedish hits that conquered the Billboard Hot 100, with a special shoutout to the artists who paved the way!
As you continue reading, follow this link to start a playlist featuring all the songs — of course, on the world-leading, Swedish-made music service, Spotify. The perfect soundtrack to kick off your weekend!
1960s: The Trailblazers
Ann-Margret — "I Just Don't Understand" (1961, #17) The first-ever Swedish artist on Billboard, Ann-Margret’s smoky vocals introduced Sweden to the American charts.
Siw Malmkvist & Umberto Marcato — "Sole Sole Sole" (1964, #58) This cross-European collaboration gave a taste of Swedish-Italian flair to the U.S.
Ola and the Janglers — "Let’s Dance" (1967, #92) A Swedish spin on Chris Montez’s hit brought garage rock energy to the charts.
1970s: Global Breakthrough
Blue Swede (Björn Skifs) — "Hooked on a Feeling" (1974, #1) The first Swedish song to hit #1, this infectious cover with its iconic "ooga-chaka" intro became a pop culture staple.
Blue Swede — "Never My Love" (1974, #7) A heartfelt ballad that showcased Björn Skifs' versatility.
ABBA — "Dancing Queen" (1977, #1) ABBA’s timeless hit became a global anthem, securing their place in pop royalty.
ABBA — "Take a Chance on Me" (1978, #3) A playful, upbeat track that became another instant classic.
ABBA — "Waterloo" (1974, #6) The Eurovision-winning hit that introduced ABBA to the world.
ABBA — "The Winner Takes It All" (1980, #8) A powerful ballad capturing heartbreak with soaring vocals and cinematic drama.
1980s–90s: The Pop Powerhouse
Roxette — "The Look" (1989, #1) Their breakout hit, blending rock and pop with an unforgettable hook.
Roxette — "Listen to Your Heart" (1989, #1) A sweeping ballad that topped the charts and movie soundtracks alike.
Roxette — "It Must Have Been Love" (1990, #1) Featured in Pretty Woman, this song became a defining 90s ballad.
Roxette — "Joyride" (1991, #1) A bubbly, carefree track that kept their chart dominance alive.
Roxette — "Dangerous" (1990, #2) A sultry hit that solidified their global fame.
Roxette — "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" (1991, #2) A bittersweet anthem with powerful vocals.
Ace of Base — "The Sign" (1994, #1) A defining hit of the 90s, blending reggae-inspired beats with catchy pop melodies.
Ace of Base — "All That She Wants" (1993, #2) A laid-back hit that dominated airwaves.
Ace of Base — "Don’t Turn Around" (1994, #4) A cover-turned-hit that showcased their knack for addictive melodies.
Ace of Base — "Cruel Summer" (1998, #10) Their spin on Bananarama’s hit added a Nordic twist.
Eagle-Eye Cherry — "Save Tonight" (1998, #5) A heartfelt, acoustic-driven song that became a late-90s staple.
2000s–2010s: The Dance Revolution
Robin S. ft. StoneBridge — "Show Me Love" (1993, #5) A house anthem that shaped the dance music scene.
Swedish House Mafia — "Don’t You Worry Child" (2012, #6) A festival anthem that brought Swedish EDM to the world stage.
Avicii — "Wake Me Up!" (2013, #4) A genre-blending masterpiece that became a global sensation.
Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX — "I Love It" (2013, #7) A rebellious electro-pop hit that ruled the charts.
Tove Lo — "Habits (Stay High)" (2014, #3) A raw, emotional hit that solidified Tove Lo as a pop innovator.
Hidden Gems
Madleen Kane — "You Can" (#77)
Emilia Rydberg — "Big Big World" (#92)
Ghost — "Mary On A Cross" (#90)
From 60s pioneers to today’s chart-topping superstars, Swedish artists have created a rich musical legacy that resonates across generations. Whether it’s the nostalgic charm of ABBA or the cutting-edge beats of Avicii, Swedish music continues to captivate listeners around the globe!