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The Old Country Newsletter – Valborgsmässoafton
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden
Philip Gustavsson
May 03, 2024
Good morning!
It’s Friday, May 3rd. Welcome to this, the third edition of the Old Country. During the past week, Swedes all over the world have celebrated both Valborgsmässoafton and May 1st. Perhaps the smoke from our large bonfires could be seen from the U.S…?
Beyond the celebrations of the past week, today’s newsletter features a text about the Eurovision Song Contest, which is hosted in Sweden this year. You’ll also learn who won the Swedish Cup (in football), and that one of the most iconic glass bottles in the world was invented by a Swedish American.
Thank you once again for subscribing! And please, if you have a story of someone who emigrated from Sweden to America that you feel is worth telling, please contact us via the button at the bottom of this letter.
Have a great weekend!
Philip
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Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
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
When asked Which forms of payment have you used in the last 30 days? in 2023, only 49 % of Swedes answered that they had payed using cash. 84 % had payed something using a debit or credit card and 82 % answered that they had used the mobile application Swish – a service similar to Venmo in the U.S.
The use of cash in Sweden has been on a steady decline since 2012, when 93 % answered that they had used it to pay for something at least ones in the last 30 days. However, in 2022, only 34 % had used cash. In other words, hard cash has made some solid gains during the past year.
Valborgsmässoafton and May 1st
During the past week, some Swedes gathered to watch large bonfires to celebrate Valborg, Walpurgis, and some went out to demonstrate during the day of the labor movement, May 1st.
Thousands of Valborg celebrants gathered in Lund's city park on Tuesday, with early birds arriving as early as 5 a.m. Students in Uppsala were also up bright and early, with some arriving at Ekonomikumparken as early as 6:30 a.m. Valborg enthusiasts in Lund, Oliver, Josephine, and Clara, shared some survival tips: stay hydrated, bring a hat and a friend.
Valborgsmässoafton, Valborg, or Walpurgis, dates back to the 15th century, where celebrations were held in memory of the German saint Saint Walpurga. Named after her, the festivities became associated with pre-Christian Germanic spring festivals. The cult of Walpurgis, which emerged after her death in 779, largely revolved around protection against witches and evil spirits. To dispel the evil, people shouted and blew in horns – as well as lit fires.
May 1st, the day after Walpurgis, marks the international labor movement's day, with roots dating back to 1890. This day has become synonymous with political demonstrations. On Wednesday, opposition leader, and the party leader of the Social Democrats, Magdalena Andersson, delivered a speech in Gothenburg among various other events. Since 1938, May 1st has been recognized as a national holiday in Sweden.
In other news
Malmö FF clinches the 2024 Swedish cup title after a penalty shootout against Djurgården, with coach Henrik Rydström praising his players' composure. Despite Djurgården's spirited performance, Malmö now celebrate their 16th cup triumph in front of a jubilant crowd, with Lasse Berg Johnsen scoring the decisive goal.
Entrepreneur Paul Lederhausen, who brought McDonald's to Sweden in 1971 and served as CEO until 1993, has passed away. Lederhausen, known for founding Ronald McDonald House in Sweden, a charity supporting sick children and their families, was 87 years old.
A new book alleges that Swedbank, one of Sweden’s largest banks, may have been targeted by Russian espionage, potentially posing a security risk for Sweden. The authors of "The Honey Trap," journalists Axel Gordh Humlesjö and Lars Berge, claim that the Russian intelligence service FSB has gathered information on the bank's executives and employees, with connections to Kremlin and Russian oligarchs in Swedbank's Estonian operations.
Eurovision Song Contest comes to Sweden
The Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Malmö from May 7th to May 11th, after Loreen's victory in 2023 prompted the event's return to Sweden.
Despite the heightened terror threat level since last fall, Säpo continues to monitor and assess security risks, influenced by global conflicts like Russia's war in Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas. With increasing focus on Islamist propaganda targeting major events, Säpo highlights Eurovision among other high-profile gatherings, necessitating proactive security measures.
Swedish police, aided by Nordic cooperation with police arriving from Norway and Denmark, anticipate deploying additional resources, especially in Malmö, where demonstrations, including protests against Israel's participation, are expected.
Amidst preparations for Eurovision and other upcoming events like Taylor Swift's concerts in Stockholm, ensuring public safety remains a top priority for law enforcement. Heightened vigilance and control measures are implemented wherever they are deemed to be needed to manage potential risks effectively.
Word of the week
TÄVLING
Alexander Samuelson and the Coca-Cola bottle
Today, we're taking a journey back in time to celebrate the life and ingenuity of Alexander Samuelson, a Swedish-American glass engineer whose legacy echoes in the very contours of a global icon – the Coca-Cola bottle.
Born on January 4, 1862, in Kareby socken, Sweden, Samuelson's tale is one of migration and innovation. In 1883, he embarked on a transformative journey to the United States, leaving behind the glassworks of Surte for the promise of opportunity across the Atlantic.
Settling in Indiana, Samuelson's career soared as he honed his craft in the glass industry. His brilliance caught the eye of Chapman Root Bottling Company, where he ascended to a high-ranking position. It was here that the seeds of innovation took root.
In 1915, Samuelson, alongside his colleagues, lent his expertise to a competition that would change the course of beverage history. Tasked with crafting a vessel worthy of the beloved Coca-Cola, Samuelson's design prowess shone through. Inspired by the cocoa bean's organic curves, his creation boasted a distinctive silhouette that could be recognized even in the darkest of nights.
Though debate lingers over the exact hands behind the design, Samuelson's imprint on the Coca-Cola bottle remains indelible. Despite not reaping vast fortunes from his creation, his legacy lives on in every grip of that iconic, contour-shaped vessel.
Join us in raising a glass (of Coca-Cola or something else, it’s Friday after all) to Alexander Samuelson, a visionary whose innovation transcends borders and generations.
Do you have a story from the past that is worth sharing? I bet you do! Or would you like to see something else in the newsletter and have suggestions for topics? Please reach out!