The Kingdom of Sweden is one of the most popular Scandinavian destinations, a modern country with many traditions and an exciting culture in many ways. International fame brought the country not only one of the world's leading furniture dealers, numerous children's and youth stories by Astrid Lindgren as well as literature and their film adaptations by Henning Mankell, Stieg Larsson – and last but not least the Swedish royal family with its head Carl XVI Gustaf or the Nobel Prize initiated by Alfred Nobel.
Sweden is much more distinguishing. An insight into Sweden's culture is given below. After all, there must be reasons why the country is still one of the happiest nations in the world with a high life expectancy (Sweden is ranked in the Happiness Report 2019). What are the special features that distinguish Sweden and its citizens?
Sweden is regarded as a tax-financed welfare state ("Volksheim"), which is characterized, among other things, by the social security of its citizens – be it through a comprehensive range of childcare services, parental insurance, nationwide health care or old-age care.
The model, which was launched in the 1930s, reached its limits in the past, not least due to economic crises, so that social cuts were necessary. Nevertheless, the social security of the people remains an important part of Swedish politics.
In addition to good social care, the Swedish labour market impresses with
- a relatively low unemployment rate (20-64 year olds) of around 6% (as of 2017),
- Europe's highest employment rate of 83.3% (Q1 2019) and
- one of the highest employment rates of women in Europe.
Sweden is also a leader in terms of women's sexual self-determination13. The so-called "Swedish Gender EqualityAgency"14 was created specifically for gender equality. To the top In combination with the continental climate, which provides a lot of snow and warm summers in winter, Sweden is a paradise for nature lovers. The Swedish way of life: relaxed, satisfied, cozy!
The good social security is probably not the only reason for the general Swedish satisfaction, which is reflected in the culture of Sweden. The mentality and views of life of the Swedes will also have a certain share in the typical Swedish serenity. Swedish mentality: flat hierarchies and understatement
For example, you are fast by you and hierarchies are a horror to the Swede in itself. This is not only anchored in the fictitious, so-called "Law of Jante" (in Swedish "Jantelagen", guiding principles from the novel "Jante" by Aksel Sandemose), which justifies the modesty of the individual for the success of the collective. This mentality is probably one reason why the concept of financial redistribution (with high tax levies) could or can work in the first place. "Work-life balance" and family life: a valuable asset in Sweden
As important as the well-being of the collective is to the Swedes, their own family and their well-being is the center of the individual. Work and professional life are subject to a strict separation and a balance is ensured between work and leisure.
In order to ensure a good "work-life balance", people in Sweden like to make themselves comfortable at home and also like to spend time in nature. Half of the country is covered with forests (63%) and the landscape is dominated by numerous lakes and rivers. Natural paradise Sweden – In summer, life takes place outside
In combination with the continental climate, which provides a lot of snow and warm summers in winter, Sweden is a paradise for nature lovers. 30 national parks invite you to outdoor activities of all kinds and are usually within easy reach.
Finding quiet, unpopulated places is not difficult in Sweden, as as as 97% of the country is uninhabited19 and sparsely populated with just Sweden per square kilometre. The fact that the wilderness and partly private land ownership remain accessible and usable for everyone is ensured in Sweden by the so-called "Allemansrätten" (Everyman's Right). The Swedish festivals: formative for culture and way of life!
Especially the long summer days in Sweden invite you to a stay outdoors: also to celebrate! Because conviviality is an important part of the Swedish way of life and is celebrated with numerous celebrations known beyond the country's borders.
Some highlights of the mostly seasonal Swedish festivals are, for example: Day of the Swedish Flag – the national holiday on June 6th!
The Swedish independence as an autonomous state is celebrated after the dissolution of the union with Denmark and Sweden (Kalmar Union) and the coronation of Gustav I Eriksson Wasa on 6 June 1523 in Strängnäs (province of Södermanland). Midsummer (Swedish "Midsommar") – the shortest night of the year!
The midsummer solstice is held every year on Saturday between the and. June and is considered the most important festival in Sweden next to Christmas. Even if only Saturday is an official holiday, it is often celebrated on the Friday before.
No detail is left out in the planning and the defining image of the festival are burning fires, music and dance, food and drinks, maypoles with floral decorations and regional costumes. Celebrations are mainly held in rural regions. The cities and streets seem to be extinct. With the celebration of the Midsummer Festival, the seemingly endless summer days are celebrated. In the far north they are and in the south the nights last only a few hours. Christmas time in Sweden (Swedish "Julfesten") – Rebirth of light!
The Christmas season in Sweden can boast two highlights: Christmas and the Lucia Festival on December 13, which is not an official holiday. The custom of the Lucia Festival is celebrated throughout Scandinavia and is the winter counterpart to the Midsummer Festival. In addition to the tribute to Saint Lucia, the shortest day of the year (before the calendar reform) was originally celebrated.
The custom of the Lucia Festival also includes the choice of a "Lucia" – in families often the eldest daughter. She brings her family coffee and saffron rolls (the so-called "Lussekatt") in the morning and wears a white robe with a red waist band and a headdress with candles on this day. In a procession of lights she goes ahead, followed by other girls ("tärnor") and boys (stjärngossar) with candles in their hands.
Various Lucia chants can be heard in schools, churches, old people's homes and hospitals. Not to be missed is the election of the Queen of Lucia. Since the first election by the newspaper "Stockholms Dagblad" in 1927, the election of a Lucia Queen has been an integral part of the Festival of Lights. Swedish customs and traditions around food!
What should not be missing at all Swedish festivals are dishes and drinks. They are an important part of Swedish culture. In some places, the Crab Festival ("kräftskiva") is celebrated annually at the end of summer. However, there is no longer a fixed date for this. Fika – More than just a coffee break
In addition to the daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Swedish coffee breaks ("fika") are an important part of Swedish traditions. Be it at home or at work with colleagues: You like to take time for a Fika several times a day and use it for relaxation in between or a chat with colleagues. One of the most important drinks for the Swedes should not be missing: coffee! A cinnamon roll or another sweet particle makes the fika perfect. fredagsmys – CozyFridays in Swedish
So that the weekend is started after a long working week, you take time on Friday evenings for a cozy get-together in the immediate family circle with snacks and television. The so-called "fredagsmys" belong to the younger Swedish traditions and have been celebrated since the 1990s. Particularly popular are small meals that can be prepared without much effort: among other things, Mexican tacos or quesadillas. Conviviality without shoes – Swedish invitations
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