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The Old Country Newsletter – Våren är här!
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden!
Philip Hannes
May 02, 2025
Good morning!
It’s Friday, May (!) 2.
Sköna maj, välkommen
till vår bygd igen!
Sköna maj, välkommen,
våra lekars vän!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip & Hannes
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Your Weekly Swede-ish
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
Veda Ann Borg: From the Silver Screen
You’ve seen her in everything from film noir to wartime dramas—Veda Ann Borg was one of Hollywood’s go-to character actresses in the 1930s and 40s. Born in Boston in 1915, she was the daughter of Frank Borg, a Swedish immigrant, and had that unmistakable Nordic bone structure to prove it. After moving to Los Angeles, Veda was discovered by a Paramount talent scout and quickly rose to fame with her striking looks and sharp screen presence.
A car accident in the late 1930s led to facial reconstructive surgery, but Borg made a celebrated comeback, shifting from starlet to a reliable face in dozens of supporting roles. She appeared in over 100 films, including Mildred Pierce and The Fighting Sullivans, always adding a bit of edge or warmth, depending on the script’s needs. Her Swedish roots may have been a footnote in her biography, but her screen presence was anything but minor.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
Since the establishment of Sweden’s modern parliament in 1921—when women gained the right to vote—a wide range of political parties have been represented in the Riksdag. Today, eight parties hold seats in the Parliament.
The Social Democrats (Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti) have dominated Swedish politics, being the largest party in every election since 1917 and governing for much of the 20th century. On the opposite end, parties like the Communist Party (now Left Party) and more recently the Sweden Democrats have represented different ideological shifts.
New parties have occasionally surged: The Green Party entered the Riksdag in 1988, and the populist Sweden Democrats crossed the 4% threshold in 2010, rapidly growing to become the second-largest party by 2022.
Sweden’s proportional electoral system fosters a multi-party landscape, where coalition-building and compromise are essential. This diversity reflects a broad political spectrum and makes Swedish democracy both stable and dynamic.
Liberal Party Leader Johan Pehrson Steps Down Amid Internal Press
Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
Johan Pehrson is stepping down as leader of Sweden’s Liberal Party, ending a turbulent tenure marked by sagging poll numbers and rising internal frustration.
The announcement, made at a brief and tense press conference Monday, came as several regional party branches reportedly demanded his resignation over the weekend.
Pehrson, who took over as interim leader in April 2022 and was formally elected later that year, maintained that the decision to resign was his alone. “It’s time to pass the torch with plenty of runway ahead of the 2026 election,” he said, brushing off questions about internal dissent. “Read the group chat if you want drama.”
He exited the press conference swiftly, dodging further questions and slipping out through the halls of Parliament. Party secretary Simona Mohamsson declined to confirm reports of pressure from within the party, instead framing the move as Pehrson’s personal choice.
Despite low polling—just 2.4% support in the latest Demoskop survey, falling short of the 4% needed to remain in Parliament—some party officials expressed surprise at the timing. Others saw it as inevitable. Energy Minister Ebba Busch (KD) thanked Pehrson for his service and “all the laughter.”
After three decades in politics, Pehrson leaves with a final message: “Cheer for Sweden. Vote Liberal.”
In other news
🏠 A new report from ICA Banken reveals that a majority of young adults aged 19–29 who live at home do not contribute financially, with over half paying nothing toward food, rent, or household expenses. Financial experts warn this could hinder their financial independence and recommend that parents encourage their children to pay as soon as they earn income, to build healthy money habits.
⚽ Despite Djurgården’s 4–1 home loss to Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League semifinal, their fans continued singing and waving flags, creating an atmosphere praised by Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca and defender Marc Cucurella. Maresca told his players to be thankful for experiencing such passionate support, calling it a memorable night ahead of the return leg in London on May 8.
🌳 King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia planted an oak tree from Öland outside Windsor Castle together with King Charles and Queen Camilla, continuing a royal tradition that began in 1908. The visit also included Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, who joined the royals for a roundtable discussion on life sciences in London, following up on a 2022 cooperation agreement.
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.
Triple Murder in Uppsala Sparks National Outrage
The police at the press conference regarding the shooting in Uppsala.
A triple murder in Uppsala has shaken Sweden. According to reports, the killings took place inside a hair salon. Two of the victims were reportedly customers.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at a hair salon in Vaksala Square, central Uppsala, Sweden, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The attack took place in broad daylight, just before the city's Walpurgis Night festivities. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a masked assailant flee the scene, possibly on an electric scooter. Police launched a major operation, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect, who was to be released on Friday. Instead, three other individuals have been detained.
Authorities have not confirmed the identities of the victims or the motive behind the attack. However, media reports suggest that one of the deceased was involved in an investigation related to a gang leader, indicating potential gang-related motives. The incident underscores the ongoing issue of gang violence in Sweden, which has seen a rise in shootings and bombings in recent years. Uppsala Mayor Erik Pelling expressed shock and frustration over the incident, highlighting the challenges in curbing such violence.
The investigation is ongoing, with police conducting door-to-door inquiries, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing seized materials. Despite the timing, authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident and not connected to the Walpurgis Night celebrations.
Word of the week
VALBORG [VAHL-bor(g)]
Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis celebration in Lund, Sweden
Every year on April 30th, Sweden celebrates Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish), one of the country’s most cherished springtime traditions. It’s an evening filled with bonfires, choral singing, and a festive atmosphere that welcomes the arrival of spring. But behind the joyful celebrations lies a rich history and many local variations.
Origins and History
Walpurgis Night is named after Saint Walpurga, a Christian abbess from England who lived in the 8th century. She was canonized on May 1st in the year 870, and the evening before – April 30th – came to be celebrated in her honor, particularly in Germany. The tradition spread to Sweden during the Middle Ages, especially through German merchants in cities like Visby and Stockholm.
At the same time, pagan spring festivals already existed in Sweden. These celebrations marked the end of winter and the beginning of summer, with bonfires lit to scare off predators before cattle were let out to pasture. Over time, these customs merged with the Christian Walpurgis traditions, creating what is now known as Valborg.
How Is Walpurgis Celebrated?
Walpurgis is celebrated throughout Sweden, but especially vibrantly in university towns like Uppsala and Lund. In Uppsala, the festivities begin early in the day with the traditional river rafting event on the Fyris River, where students ride homemade rafts dressed in colorful costumes. By evening, people gather around large bonfires to hear spring speeches and sing together.
Choral singing is a key part of the evening, with choirs performing traditional Swedish spring songs such as:
“Vintern rasat ut…” (Winter has fled…)
“Sköna maj, välkommen” (Beautiful May, welcome)
The bonfire, or majbrasa, is the centerpiece of the celebration. It is lit at dusk and symbolizes the end of winter and the return of light. At locations like Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm, official events include speeches, flag ceremonies, and performances.
Food and Drink
Although Walpurgis Night is not tied to any specific food tradition, people often enjoy a barbecue, and share drinks like beer or cider. In university towns, it’s common to see picnic parties and all day gatherings throughout the city.
The Day After: May 1st
While Walpurgis Night is not a public holiday in Sweden, many workplaces close early. The following day, May Day (Första maj), is a national holiday and is traditionally associated with labor movement rallies and political speeches organized by unions and parties.