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Vasa Bryggeriet stops the production of their popular soda Trocadero

By
Lova Olsson
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By the end of 2018, Vasa Brewery in Njurunda will stop the production of their big seller Trocadero, also called “Norrland’s national drink” by some. Trocadero is the top seller of Vasa Brewery and they produce about 1.2 million liters of it per year.

Niclas Nilsson, CEO at Vasa Brewery said ” Of course, it is emotional to lose Trocadero. We have worked with that drink for so long that it is heartbreaking not to be producing it anymore. But we cannot do anything about it, so now we are focusing on the future,” to Sundsvall’s Magazine.




The news has upset many people in Sweden and one very distraught person even wrote “The world is now about to go under” on the Facebook page of the beverage. The good news is that the drink will not completely disappear, in 2017 Spendrups bought the trademark and they will continue to produce the beverage. They even have plans to refine Trocadero.

The PR-manager of Spendrups, Rose-Marie Hertzman told the magazine Land what their plan is to refine the popular brand “First, we will launch a new light version of Trocadero, a zero version without sugar. In addition to that the design will be refreshed.”



In addition to the old Trocadero and the new light version, we might also see a new beverage in the near future.

“We will not do any plagiarism of Trocadero, it’s out of the question. But finding a replacement is a must,” Niclas Nilsson CEO of Vasa Brewery told Sundsvall Magazine.

We are sure that Vasa Brewery will come up with something great, and we can’t wait to try it.

Lars Åkerlund: Fika entrepreneur in New York

By
Natalie Söderberg
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Lars Åkerlund is the entrepreneur behind the massive success FIKA NYC. This go-to coffee shop for Scandinavians in New York has also managed to grab the attention of Americans who now can immerse in Swedish culture by having a chokladboll, or even a semla paired with fine Swedish coffee.



For our very first Swedes we love -interview, we spoke to Lars Åkerlund. What were his first thoughts on New York? How did it all start? It wasn’t an easy journey for Lars, but with his Fika empire expanding, it seems to have been all worth it.

Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published on the 20th of February, 2017. Slight updates have been made. 

How do you think Americans view our fika tradition? Is it appreciated or are Americans just too busy to take time out of their day?

I’ve always believed that the Swedish tradition of fika is one that has the potential to be embraced worldwide, and I think in a hectic city like New York – allowing yourself a break and prioritizing quality is especially important.



Lately, we have been seeing in Swedish media how the Princess semla has risen in popularity in Sweden. Did FIKA serve this? What were your thoughts on it?

We love watching the craze and the new trends that pop up in Sweden every year. It makes perfect sense to push the boundaries and play with traditions, and I think that’s a great thing. For us, however, what is “traditionally Swedish” is already quite exotic in America. For that reason, we like to stick to the classics.

 

Did FIKA serve semlor for Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday)?

Absolutely! Every year we bake fresh semlor and send to all our locations daily. People usually start calling and emailing us in December asking when the semla season will start.




Whats your next move in expanding the FIKA empire? Will people outsite of NYC be able to delight in some FIKA fika soon?

We’ll certainly be expanding FIKA to other cities in the U.S when the time is right and ultimately – create a global brand. Our nearest developments, however, will be opening up a new location in JFK airport as well as in the new Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s store in downtown New York. Our wholesale line of handcrafted chocolates and spreads is also growing rapidly, so that will be another area of focus for us this year.

Your favorite pastry?

I can never resist a semla.



 

Tell us about how you came about to move to the US?

I visited my cousin here in 2001 and knew I had found my future home. I noticed that there, at the time, was a real lack of quality coffee, homemade pastries, chocolates, breads and beautiful cafes – all the things we take for granted in Sweden. I knew combining those things and introducing them to this city could be a hit, so I returned to Sweden and started saving up money to realize my dream.

What were your first thoughts on NYC?

It was everything I imagined and so much more. I fell in love with the energy and diversity of the city immediately. I also love the architecture here. While we certainly have many more old buildings in Stockholm, there is a bold mix of styles and architecture here on every block that really appeals to me.

What was the hardest part about getting settled in the States?

All of it was hard, but I wasn’t expecting anything less. Opening a business with its many rules, regulations, and permits – it’s all very different from Sweden. Getting my visa, finding a landlord who believed in my vision for FIKA and building the first location – nothing was smooth or easy, but it was certainly all worth it.

What are your tips to any Swede who wants to start a company here?

Do it! Not enough entrepreneurs take that step and I wish they would. New Yorkers are very receptive to great ideas and products, so you have a real opportunity to make your dream work. Just make sure you come prepared for some uphill battles and never lose sight of your goals.

Have there been any advantages or disadvantages of being Swedish when moving here/or working here?

I’ve only noticed advantages. I think Sweden is fortunate to have a “quality stamp” in the eyes of many other countries. I’ve found that people tend to associate Sweden with many great things which has been helpful for me. I also think Swedish people have a very high work ethic which serves you well wherever you are.

Your Swedish smultronställe?

Stockholm’s archipelago. It is my heaven on earth.



Biggest cultural differences between Americans and Scandinavians?

Hierarchy and titles are much more important to the average American than the average Swede – corporate cultures tend to differ quite vastly. Swedish people are also a bit more reserved initially, and rarely share many conversations or personal information unless among familiar faces. I find Americans to be more open quicker off the bat and more conversational. 

Favourite NYC spots?

I enjoy running along Hudson River. I have a childlike obsession with Times Square at night. It reminds me of all the reasons why I initially fell so hard in love with New York.

H&M’s New Studio Collection with Japanese influences

By
Lova Olsson
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With inspiration from Japan, H&M’s Studio SS18 delivers a minimalist and relaxed collection with a mix of fabrics, silhouettes and prints. In the collection there are many must-have pieces for spring!

The Swedish clothing giant’s Spring Studio collection is much inspired by the company’s design team’s journey to Japan. With inspiration from the simplicity and minimalism in Kyoto and the urbanity and uniqueness in Tokyo, the brand has created a collection filled with clean silhouettes and relaxed styles. Flowing, floor-length dresses and tunics that are worn over pants in a mix of materials, strong prints and colors are the key factors in this collection.

The same relaxed styles is also seen in the men’s wear studio collection, from workwear to baggy trousers and oversized jumpers – also in bold colors and patterns.

“It takes time to change menswear silhouettes,” said Andreas Löwenstam to GQ UK, head of menswear design at H&M. “It took us more than seven seasons to get the guy to feel comfortable with skinny trousers. Now that super skinny has become an established fit, it will take as long to change direction towards something relaxed, or even baggy.”

Pernilla Wohlfahrt, head of design and creative Director for H&M says: “This collection celebrates the vivacity of women. From the primary colors to the easy-going movement of the fabrics and silhouettes to the strong prints, there’s definitely an affinity for urban settings with a hint of glam. And yet, there’s also a longing for nature, an unpretentious way of life. We can have both, of course — that’s the beauty of modern life.”

H&M will be showing the complete studio collection during Paris Fashion Week at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs on Rue de Rivoli February 28th. For the second time, the brand will use the format see now, buy now, meaning the complete collection will be available immediately after the show, on the brand’s website. As for most of H&M’s special collections, the prices run a bit higher than their average prices.

At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, also in Paris, H&M sponsors an exhibition that explores Japan’s influence on Western culture to celebrate 150 years of cultural exchange between France and Japan.

Scandinavia stays on top while democracy declines globally

By
Elina Sundqvist
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Global democracy is at its worst decline in years, reports The latest edition of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index.



Norway, which managed to score a perfect 10 last year, is the most democratic country in the world in 2018 with the rest of Scandinavia at their heels.

According to the report, not a single region recorded an improvement in its average score since 2016 as many countries face increased divided electorates. Suffering the most is freedom of expression, which is facing new  from both state and non-state actors, and is a special focus of this year’s report.




“In the 2017 Democracy Index the average global score fell from 5.52 in 2016 to 5.48 (on a scale of 0 to 10). Some 89 countries experienced a decline in their total score compared with 2016, more than three times as many as the countries that recorded an improvement (27), the worst performance since 2010- 11 in the aftermath of the global economic and nancial crisis. The other 51 countries stagnated, as their scores remained unchanged compared with 2016,” reports The Economist Intelligence Unit, in their yearly Democracy Index.

While many countries suffer worse numbers than ever before, Scandinavia still comes out on top. Norway’s the most democratic country once again, with Iceland and Sweden taking second and third place. Neighbors Denmark and Finland doesn’t fall too far behind, ending up in fifth and ninth place. The Scandinavian countries numbers are all and have been for the last 5 years, in the high 8s or 9s (with the highest score being 10), whereas the situation with the United States has taken a turn for the worse, with the country’s score falling from a 9.17 to a 7.98.



The report explains this, by stating that “Donald Trump won the presidential election in November 2016 in part because of his ability to tap into the discontent expressed by many voters with the political and economic state of affairs in the country. His presidency may be an opportunity for the country’s political class to focus on the disempowerment felt by these voters…” and that his attempts to adress concerned voters “have resulted in a further polarisation of US politics, resulting in a decline in the score for social cohesion in the 2017 Democracy Index.”




The democracy in the U.S. faces further risks
One of the reasons for the US bad scores this year, is that they performed comparatively poorly in the functioning of government category. The report shows that Trump being elected as present has caused riffs both between the democrats and the republicans, but within the parties as well.

Watch the Nordic lights from the new floating hotel in Sweden

By
Lova Olsson
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Have you always wanted to see the Nordic lights? Soon you will have the opportunity to watch them from a floating hotel in Northern Sweden.




In 2018, Arctic Bath, a sister retreat to the Swedish TreeHouse Hotel will open its doors. In the making of the Arctic Bath, architect Bertil Harström – the creative force behind ‘The UFO’ and ‘The Bird’s Nest’ hotel rooms at the famous Treehotel, teamed up with Designer Johan Kauppi. Kauppi is an interior architect whose work is a mix of interiors, product, furniture, and industrial design.

At the six-room floating hotel located in the Luleå River, you will find four different saunas, a spa treatment room, a shop, bar, and restaurant.

In the winter, the hotel and spa freeze into the ice of the river and floats freely on top of the water in the summer. The main, floating bath, which resembles a bird’s nest, remains accessible all year round – even when the river freezes.




Each hotel room, designed with Scandinavian minimalism, is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace and a skylight – which makes it the perfect place to watch the mesmerizing Northern Lights.




In the hotel’s design, you can see the inspiration from the Swedish forest and its history – the hotel is meant to resemble a jam of timber sent down the river. This is a reminder of the traditional logging practices in North of Sweden, where trees were felled and floated down the river. The two designers also considered how to minimize the impact the hotel would have on the environment and thanks to the area’s great source of wood, they were able to use local materials to build it.




Since the hotel hasn’t officially open yet, they are still accepting reservations. So if you want to be one of the first guests, keep you eyes on their website!

Sweden wins first Olympic gold medal in Pyeongchang

By
Elina Sundqvist
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Photo credit: Patrick Semansky/AP

Swedish cross-country skier Charlotte Kalla won the first gold in the first medal event of the Winter Olympics on Saturday.


Kalla won the women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon with almost eight seconds. With about 1.9 miles left, Kalla got a burst of energy that no one else even had the change of catching up to.

– I’ve looked forward to this for a long time and I’ve prepared for this for many many years. I really managed to give it my all today. I’m incredibly proud and satisfied, she said to Sportbladet.

The medal win was Kalla’s sixth Olympic medal, equalling Anja Pärson’s record for the most Winter Olympic medals among Swedish women.

The Norwegian skier, Marit Björgen, came in second place several moments after the speedy Kalla. “It feels very good to be ahead of Marit,” she said to The Detroit News. “She’s a fantastic skier.”



Kalla is one of Sweden’s most decorated athletes, with more championship medals (18) than the Swedish “ski king” Gunde Svan.
– It’s hard to believe. It’s crazy to even be mentioned in the same sentence as them. It’s hard to believe that I have as many medals as I do, the Olympic star told Sportbladet.




Her win also made her the first Swedish woman to win three Winter Olympic gold, as well as tying he with the Swedish canoer Agneta Andersson for the female Swede with most Olympic gold medals overall.

Sweden On The Path To Getting Their Own Cryptocurrency

By
Luda Berdnyk
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1

Sweden is the most cashless society on the planet, with less than one percent of payments being made with cash.



Phasing out the use of bills is something that’s been happening in Sweden for several years and many places such as restaurants, cafes and small shops don’t accept cash. In Stockholm and many other cities, buses and trains are completely cashless. For foreigners this can be frustrating, not being aware of just how little Swedes actually use cash.

Photo credit: Riksbank

For places where cash is not accepted, the most common payment method is either credit or debit cards, but using Swish, Sweden’s version of Venmo, is increasingly popular.

What’s next?
Riksbanken revealed at the end of 2016 that it was looking into the possibility of creating its own digital currency, the “e-krona”, and with the popularity surge in cryptocurrency, James Pomeroy, HSBC global economist, tells the Local.se that he believes Sweden will be the first country to launch their own digital currency. Sooner, rather than later.

Still, not all Swedes are onboard with the cryptocurrency trend: Only 1 in 10 people supported the idea of the e-krona. This could be due to the fact that less than 5% of the total population of Sweden has used any kind of cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, etc).




If Riksbanken wants the e-Krona to succeed, they will need to educate citizens about the benefits of digital currency. “The [eKrona] initiative can help to accelerate the development of new digital services… which is positive,” Charlotta Wark, digital payment solutions director at Tieto, notes. Other benefits include quick transactions (waiting minutes instead of days), lower fees, less fraud (an especially powerful benefit for banks), and easy access for everyone.




Overall, the cryptocurrency trend continues to rise exponentially every day as more and more people create digital wallets and send their first transactions. We can’t wait to see the launch of the e-krona and where it’ll take the next level of national cryptocurrency.

What are your thoughts? Comment below and let us know!

 

Alexander Skarsgård plays the lead in new Netflix film called Mute

By
Elina Sundqvist
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Alexander Skarsgård is everywhere this year. After winning both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his impeccable performance as Perry Wright in Big Little Lies, the Swedish actor is racking up further interesting roles. Judging by his IMDb-page, Alexander Skarsgård has several films coming out during 2018, such as Hold the Dark, The Kill Team, and the Aftermath.



Skarsgård’s latest project is a Netflix original film called Mute, where he stars along Paul Rudd and Justin Theroux.

“Welcome to Berlin 2052 – where dreams come true and man comes undone.” Mute takes place in a future Berlin, in 2052 to be exact, where Leo (Alexander Skarsgård) works as a bartender in a dark and brutal city. Skarsgård’s character is mute because of an accident that happened when he was a child, but that is not the only darkness he carries inside of him.  When Leo’s girlfriend mysteriously disappears, he goes on a mission to find her. During his search, he finds two army surgeons, Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd) and Duck (Justin Theroux).




 

Mute is directed by David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, who’s directed film such as Moon in 2009 and Warcraft in 2016. How he fares of on this one is yet to be known – Mute premiers only on Netflix on February 23.

 

 

Scandinavian Brewers Are Among The Best In The World

By
Elina Sundqvist
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7 Scandinavian Brewers have been voted among the 100 best in the world, according to the world-renowned site Ratebeer. Swedish brewers Omnipollo made it into the Top 10 together with the Danish brew Mikkeller, as the only Scandinavians at the very top.




Other Scandinavian brands that made onto the list are Dugges from Landvetter, Stigbergets bryggeri, Amager Bryghus, To Øl and Warpigs Brewpub from Copenhagen.

“We’re humbled, honored and happy. Upwards and onwards!”, Dugges write on their Instagram account.

 




The Top 10 Brewers in the world (according to Ratebeer)

  1. Hill Farmstead Brewery
  2. Cloudwater Brew Co
  3. Trillium Brewing Company
  4. AleSmith Brewing Company
  5. Cycle Brewing
  6. Omnipollo (Swedish)
  7. Other Half Brewing
  8. Cigar City Brewing
  9. Mikkeller (Danish)
  10. Evil Twin Brewing

 

Find the complete list here.

 

 

Screening and Live Reading at 20th Century Fox

By
Lara McCarthy
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Join us for Slate One Production’s screening of the short comedic thriller, THE INVESTORS, (by Swedish director, Lara Wickman McCarthy,) as well as a live reading of excerpts from the upcoming screenplay: GRANNY AND THE OTHER DEVIANTS WHO RAISED ME.
WHEN:     Monday, February 12, 2018, from 4:30PM – 6:00PM
WHERE:  Zanuck Theater, 20th Century Fox Lot (Avenue Of The Stars, Century City)
COST:     Free
RSVP:    SlateOneEvent@gmail.com by Februray 8, 2018
For access to the Fox Lot, Fox Security REQUIRES that:
  • you e-mail us exact name(s) of each person attending by Thursday February 8, 2018,
  • names must match the ID that you and your guests present on the day of the event
Join us afterwards for Happy Hour nearby.  (RSVP for parking instructions and Happy Hour location.)

THE INVESTORS (16 minutes)

Genre: Thriller, Comedy

Synopsis: The ugly side of Hollywood is flaunted as producers challenge their prospects to turn a blind-eye in exchange for a career bump in this character driven dark comedy-thriller. The ensemble cast includes Swedish cult horror icon Yan Birch (THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS) and Joe Hackett (SOUTHLAND).

GRANNY AND THE OTHER DEVIANTS WHO RAISED ME (live reading of 3 scenes – 15 minutes)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Synopsis: A glamorous woman’s well-organized life is turned upside-down when her pregnant adult daughter moves back home, bringing along her new female lover and unannounced nighttime visits from her jilted husband.

Read by: Amy Rapp, Britt Lind, Emile Trudeau, Larry Toffler, Mike Tumbles, Scott Ibarra and Sydney Miller 

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Swedes in the States is a community created by Swedes living in the States for Swedes living in the States, and everyone else who is interested in Scandinavian culture, businesses and projects. All our editors and contributors are strongly connected to Scandinavia while living their dream in the United States. The parallels between our countries are astonishing and exciting, and you are invited to read all about it is politics, fashion, design or food. Välkommen!
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