Kaleidoscope of European Carols, this Sunday, 11 December at 7pm

Christmas is getting closer and to help you get into the spirit of Christmas the European Forum is organising the 20th (!!) Kaleidoscope of European Carols this Sunday, 11 December at 7pm at the Botanic Gardens Sound Shell.


The Sweden-New Zealand Association will, as always, get up on stage and sing a few well known Swedish Christmas Carols - come and join in! If you don't want to enter the stage with us, please come and cheer us on!

There is no entry fee to this event, however, as always, the European Forum will be raising money for the New Zealand Red Cross by selling European Christmas baking, cold drinks, coffee, tea and candles.

If you can contribute any Christmas baking that would be much appreciated! Please make sure to wrap any baking in individual packages suitable for selling and labelled with the ingredients. Please bring the baking with you on the night and give it to one of the volunteers standing behind the baking stall at the entrance to the Sound Shell by 6.45pm. The European Forum is happy to reimburse your expenses, this will be arranged on the night.

The European Forum still need volunteers to help behind the cake stall and put up flags before the event. They also need to borrow a Christmas tree for the stage on the night, with lights and tinsel if possible. Let us know if you or someone you know can help with any of this.

If the weather is good then it will be a special evening, candlelit and filled with the Christmas spirit. If, on the other hand, the weather is wet or dubious, please listen to the Cancellations after the 8am news on Radio 2ZB.

Bring Glögg, coffee or tea, Bring a blanket to sit on, Bring a jersey (it can get chilly when the sun goes down), Bring family and friends, Bring your Christmas Spirit - See you there!

Did you know you can watch the Swedish TV Advent Calendar online from New Zealand?
Check: http://svtplay.se/t/169547/tjuvarnas_jul
1st episode today.

Christmas Party - THIS Saturday - Register TODAY!!!

We still have some tickets available for our annual Christmas party, this coming Saturday 3rd December. Be in quick to grab a seat !


Traditional Swedish Christmas Dinner with all that it entails! Schnaps, Allsång, långdans!!

You need to bring a plate for the Smorgasbord!. But make sure you call or email Cherie(cherie@sweden.org.nz, 04-4756180). She will guide you as to what to bring, this way we won't get too many meatballs or Jansson and it will all balance.

It is vitally important that you pre-register as this totally Popular annual event has NO DOOR SALES!

Registration form in our latest newsletter. Did you know you can also register online? -  visit http://www.swenztaste.co.nz/SENZ-Xmasparty.html to register and pay online.

Member and Non-members welcome! See you there.

1st of Advent today - 27 November

On the 1st of Advent, in Sweden people light the first candle in the Advent candlestick. This is always a special event, eagerly awaited. Each Sunday until Christmas, a new candle is lit (and blown out after a while), until all four candles are alight. The children’s expectations grow with every candle. On TV, there is a special Christmas calendar show for the young with 24 episodes. It, too, serves as a countdown to the big day.

Advent means arrival, or coming, and since the 5th century AD has heralded the Christmas season and the birth of Christ. Since the 1890s, the custom in Sweden has been to light a candle every Sunday during Advent. The Moravian custom of hanging a star made from paper, straw or chipwood in windows also found its way to Sweden in the 1930s, recalling the star that guided the Three Wise Men. The advent calendar dates from around this time as well. Children open a window in the calendar for each passing day until Christmas Eve.

(source: Sweden.se)

Christmas Party, 3rd December !!!

It’s Christmas Party Time!

Held on the 3rd of December!
At Connolly Hall (Guildford Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington)
Time: 7 pm!

Traditional Swedish Christmas Dinner with all that it entails!
Schnaps, Allsång, långdans!!

You need to bring a plate for the Smorgasbord!

Make sure you call or email Cherie (cherie@sweden.org.nz, 04-4756180). She will guide you as to what to bring (this way we won't get too many meatballs or Jansson and it will all balance). Please only typical Swedish food for the Swedish Christmas dinner (ie no sausage rolls)!!

And as always, please don’t forget to put your name on your serving plate - it is easy to forget to take it with you as you leave.

If you have your favourite dance music on an IPOD – bring it - as the IPOD can be connected to the music equipment we are renting.

It is vitally important that you pre-register as this totally popular annual event has NO DOORSALES!!

Please use registration form attached at the end of the newsletter, alternatively you may register and pay online at:
http://www.swenztaste.co.nz/SENZ-Xmasparty.html

Anne Sofie Von Otter - Pre Concert Drinks - This coming Friday 18 Nov

Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter is coming to Wellington Town Hall, to give a concert on Friday the 18 Nov 2011 7:30p.m.

 Pre-Concert Drinks

The Sweden-New Zealand Association is organising pre-concert drinks. Pre-Concert drinks will be around 5-ish, (leaving at 6.15 to make sure we can attend the free pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance). The venue for pre-concert drinks is Felix Café - 128 Wakefield Street (corner Wakefield Street/Cuba Street, opposite Michel Fowler Center)

Please contact Tinni - Phone: (04) 4999895 or email tinni@sweden.org.nz for more information.

Swedish Mondays @ Espresso rescue

We often get requests for a book/dvd exchange forum and now it is here. One of our members has started up Swedish Mondays @ Espresso rescue.
While serving nice ecological, Fair Trade Coffee Johanna will also have her car parked outside the little red Coffee Van, containing Swedish books, magazines and Dvd's for you to borrow.
To use this service you will need to register and there is a small membership fee of $10 per 6months.
There will be a list where you write down which books you are borrowing - we don't want to lose any books - and when you return the books you need to sign the list as returned. There will be a fee for any lost/ruined items (each book/dvd will be marked with it's own "lost fee" as this needs to be decided by the owner of the book/dvd).
Do you have books that you are willing to lend out? Please bring them, marked with your Name/Phone Number and a "lost fee". Johanna will then add them to the list of books available for lending.

Swedish Mondays @ Espresso rescue is starting this coming Monday (6.30 - 12.00) by the Red Coffee Van , 399 Hutt road, (outside laser strike bowling) in Petone.

Any questions? Contact Johanna on books@sweden.org.nz or 0226924883

Happy Fathersday to all Dads in Sweden !!

Sweden Celebrates Father's day (Fars Dag) on the 2nd Sunday of November. If your Dad is living in Sweden - Don't forget to call him this evening as it's Fathers Day in Sweden today!

Facebook pages of interest

For those of you who are on Facebook, we have some great news:
One of our members has just started a Facebook page for Swedes in Wellington – Great initiative – please join [Nu har vi en liten samlingsplats dar vi kan prata, rekommendera, organisera fika traffar, utbyta tankar och roliga anekdoter! Gammal som ung ar valkommen att delta! Hoppas pa manga trevliga inlagg!]:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Swedes-in-Wellington/277539625618615


Did you also know there is a Facebook page for Swedes in New Zealand? Please join:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/5712607202/

10 Nov - St Martin's Day (or "Martin Goose")

10 Nov - St Martin's Day (or "Martin Goose"):St Martin of Tours originally took the goose as his personal symbol, because when trying to avoid being ordained bishop he had hidden in a goose pen, where he was betrayed by the cackling of the geese. He celebrates his nameday in November, when the geese are ready for killing. St Martin’s Day was an important medieval autumn feast, and the custom of eating goose spread to Sweden from France. Black soup is served with entrails of various kinds, as well as goose-liver sausage, stewed prunes and potatoes. The goose is stuffed with apples and prunes and roasted slowly while being constantly basted in its own fat. The carcass is then boiled in water, which is thickened into sauce. The custom is particularly popular in Skåne in southern Sweden, where goose farming has long been practised, but it has gradually spread northwards. (source: Sweden.se)

6 Nov - Gustav Adolfsdagen (Gustavus Adolphus Day):

6 Nov - Gustav Adolfsdagen (Gustavus Adolphus Day):

A general flag day in Sweden, celebrated on November 6 in memory of king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (Swedish: Gustav II Adolf), who was killed on this day in 1632 at the Battle of Lützen. This is the day to have a Gustavus Adolphus tart, yum!

All saints day - 5 November 2011

All saints day - November 5, 2011

Not to be mixed up with Halloween. This holiday represents historic traditions in honor of all the saints. The typical custom on All Saints' Day is to visit the graves of loved family members and friends, bringing decorations and candles in remembrance.

Famous actress Sickan Carlsson passed away

One of the most popular Swedish actresses during the last century, Sickan Carlsson, has passed away. Carlsson was born in Stockholm in 1915. She was involved in several Swedish movies; around 50 films altogether. She was also famous for her radio programs.
Received a Honorary Guldbagge, Sweden's equivalent to an Honorary Oscar, at the Guldbaggegala 2005.

Group booking - Anne Sofie von Otter - Fri 18 Nov 2011

As previous mentioned Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter is coming to Wellington Town Hall, to give a concert on Friday the 18 Nov 2011 7:30p.m.

The Sweden-New Zealand Association is looking to arrange a group booking. Please contact Tinni - Phone: (04) 4999895 or email tinni@sweden.org.nz by this Friday if you are keen to join us.

If you already have your tickets booked, but would be keen to meet up prior to the concert, please contact Tinni, as we are hoping to meet up for pre-concert drinks. Pre-Concert drinks will be around 5-ish to make sure we can attend the free pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance. The venue for pre-concert drinks is not yet decided, please feel free to make suggestions.

Scandinavian Christmas Market in Auckland

If you are planning a trip to Auckland next weekend. Don't miss the Scandinavian Christmas Market on Sunday the 6 Nov, 10-4 at the Danish House, 6 Rockridge Ave, Penrose. Sounds like a great event!

And the Winner is....

Congratulations to Carol Wideberg for winning the 2011 Meatball competition!

A big Thank You to the judges who had to work very hard to find the winning meatballs :-)
A big Thank You to all the competitors, well done!


I hope everyone who came along to the evening enjoyed the Meatballs and the Movie - I sure did!

M&M – Meatballs and Movie - this Thursday 20 Oct

Please, don't forget our popular M&M Evening - Thursday this week! We will start the evening with a Meatball competition – expert or amateur – everyone can enter!!

We encourage everyone to enter the competition but if you for some reason rather not enter - you are still very welcome to come along as we will share the meatballs after they have been judged - before the movie. (Mmmm… & Mmmm….)

About the movie:

Old Boys, a Danish Comedy: A Nordic road movie taking in a whole series of comic, serious and, above all, well-written scenarios.

In Danish with English Subtitles

For more information in regards to meatball competition rules, the movie etc, please see our latest newsletter: http://www.sweden.org.nz/SweNZ/Welcome_files/newsletter.pdf

When: Thursday 20 October 2011

Time: 6.30 pm

Where: The New Zealand – Netherlands Society Wellington Inc Club House.

Situated: Avalon House, 61Taita Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt

Cost: $15 for non-competitors

FREE for competitors in the meatball competition. (1 free person per entry)

Please Note: BYO Wine or Beer.

We will provide: Non- alcoholic drinks and a light supper to compliment the meatballs.

RSVP: Tinni on 04-499 9895 or email tinni@sweden.org.nz

With this new venues there is no seat limit but RSVP still required to help us gauge numbers for supper.

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2011 - Tomas Tranströmer

Nobel prize for literature goes to Swedish Poet Tomas Tranströmer.
Prize motivation: "because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality"

Tranströmer is well known internationally, translated into over 50 languages and "one of the world's now living poet that has been translated the most."
The last Swede to win the literature Nobel was in 1974, when the Swedish authors Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinson took the prize jointly.

For more info see: http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/swedish-poet-wins-nobel-literature-prize-4454092

Kanelbullens dag - Cinnamon Bun day - TODAY!

Get baking - today is the day of the Cinnamon Bun - Kanelbullens dag - in Sweden.


As it is mentioned in Wikipedia that this day is celebrated amongst Swedes in New Zealand - we better live up to the reputation and start baking :-) [See http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanelbullens_dag]

Cinnamon buns are an almost daily feature of Swedish life, but today, 4th October, is their special day. The tradition of celebrating Kanelbullens dag is however only eight years old – though it fits in perfectly with Swedish culture and tradition.
Cinnamon Bun Day was established in 1999 when staff at Sweden's Hembakningsrådet ('Home Baking Council') were looking for a way to celebrate their fortieth anniversary.

The idea behind the creation of the day was to celebrate Sweden's home baking tradition by highlighting a traditional and much-loved pastry. The autumn harvest is high season for baking in Swedish homes, so it was an ideal time of the year for a festive day with a baking theme.
(Source: http://www.su.se/english/about/news-and-events/cinnamon-bun-day-kanelbullens-dag-1.5166)

For the classic recipe see our food blog page:
http://senzfood.blogspot.com/2011/10/kanelbulle-swedish-cinnamon-roll.html

Janssons Day

Today - On the last Friday of September Sweden celebrates Jansson Dagen. (Janssons Day) – The day for eating Janssons Frestelse!

Janssons frestelse ("Jansson's temptation") is a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onion, pickled sprats, bread crumbs  and cream. It is commonly included in a Swedish julbord, but can be eaten on other occasions as well.

It has often been claimed that the name originated with the opera singer Pelle Janzon (1844-1889), remembered as a gourmand. However, another claim for the origin of the name has been made by Gunnar Stigmark in an article – "Så var det med Janssons frestelse" – which appeared in the periodical Gastronomisk kalender. According to Stigmark, the name was borrowed from the film Janssons frestelse (1928) featuring the popular actor Edvin Adolphson; as a name for this dish it was coined by Stigmark's mother and her hired cooking lady for the particular occasion of a society dinner, whence it spread to other households and eventually into cookbooks.

Source: Wikipedia

To make a Janssons Temptation, please follow our easy recpie at: http://senzfood.blogspot.com/2011/03/janssons-frestelse-temptation.html

Anne Sofie von Otter - coming to Welington - Fri 18 Nov 2011

Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is considered one of the finest singers of her generation. A regular at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, her equally busy concert career makes her a frequent soloist in the major halls of Europe and North America, partnered with some of the world’s pre-eminent conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, Marc Minkowski, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Michael Tilson-Thomas.

Free pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance.

Venue: Wellington Town Hall, Wellington
Date: Fri 18 Nov 2011 7:30p.m.

Presented by: Vector Wellington Orchestra

Marc Taddei – conductor
Anne Sofie von Otter – mezzo-soprano
Bengt Forsberg – piano

For more information see: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1011/S00214/nz-debut-for-mezzo-soprano-anne-sofie-von-otter.htm

For tickets: http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/Show.aspx?sh=VWOANNE11

Roxette to New Zealand

I've just heard news that the Swedish pop duo Roxette is coming to New Zealand for the first time to play one concert only at Auckland’s Vector Arena on Saturday 11 February 2012.

Formed in the late '80s and with 33 chart-busting singles, record sales exceeding 75 million, more Number 1 and Top 10 hits in America than ABBA and their very own Swedish postage stamp, Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle’s pop duo Roxette earned a place in history as one of the most successful bands to come out of Sweden.

For more info about the concert see: http://www.vectorarena.co.nz/index.cfm/PageID/2/EventID/196/Event/Roxette/

Ticket Sales to General Public starts 5 September 2011.

More Swedish films...

More Swedish Film info:

Swedish film currently showing at Paramount Cinema: Beyond (Svinalängorna). Director: Pernilla August, Starring: Noomi Rapace, Ola Rapace
A drama set in 1970s Sweden and centered on a young woman's experiences growing up in a home riddled with abuse and alcoholism.

We have also been told there is yet another film at the NZ Film festival, missing on the information sheet we received from the NZFF, which has Swedish actors in it:Melancholia, directed by Lars Von Trier, Starring: Kirsten Dunst and 2x Skarsgård

NZ Film Festival - Swedish Films Showing

The Sweden-New Zealand Association received an email from New Zealand International Film Festival today with information on the Swedish Films showing 2011. I have put the information on our website: http://www.sweden.org.nz/SweNZ/Welcome_files/SWEDEN-nzff.pdf
Wellington session times will be announced tomorrow: www.nzff.co.nz. We can get a discounted price if we can get a group of 20+ people together. Please let us know if you are interested in this and if so which movie you would like us to see. We need to know by Monday as that is our next (and only) committee meeting prior to the film festival.
Please email eva@sweden.org.nz

Glad Midsommar - Midsummer greetings!

Glad Midsommar! Our family and friends in Sweden are getting ready to celebrate midsummer this coming weekend. Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer's Day (Midsommarafton and Midsommardagen) were formerly celebrated on 23 June and 24 June, but since 1953 the celebration has been moved to the Friday and Saturday between 19 June and 26 June.

As Sweden bursts into life again after the winter and the landscape is transformed into a colorful palate, Swedes kick back and enjoy Midsummer. Follow these five simple steps to create your own, very Swedish Midsummer party:


1.Get the pole in place

Swedes need something to dance around: in winter it’s the Christmas tree, in summer the Maypole (midsommarstång) takes over.

2.Dress for success

Another important activity in preparation for the feast is to tread light-footedly through the surrounding nature in search for wild flowers. Swedes use these flowers to stylishly bind into garlands to adorn their heads.

3.Get your culinary classics

With everything set up, it’s more than likely time for lunch, which should be enjoyed outside — set up a table with a decorative cloth and serve. The Midsummer feast traditionally consists of new potatoes with dill, sour cream and pickled herring, with the season’s first strawberries and whipped cream to follow.

As for the adults, the food is often washed down with alcohol. Use beer, wine or any non-alcoholic alternative to quench your thirst, and nubbe (shot of alcohol) for courage, long life, love, vitality, the local soccer team or any other reason for a toast. The nubbe or brännvin is usually distilled from grain or potato and can be flavored, but is never sweet. It is always accompanied by drinking songs which range from raucous to rude to just plain silly.

4.Sing and dance like a Swede

Now the dancing can begin. Regardless of how many people are at your Midsummer party, you should form a circle round the pole. To the layman, the dancing needn't be too complicated. Usually, it’s just a question of maintaining movement in one direction, then changing direction at intervals. One of the favourite is Små grodorna (The little frogs), which involves hopping round as little frogs.

5.Dream of love

The party often goes on late into the night. Some continue drinking and some take the innuendo of the dance to its natural conclusion. In the past, innocent girls picked seven flowers as they wandered home; placing the flowers under their pillow was supposed to inspire them to dream of their future husband.

(Source: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Reading/Midsummer/)
 
Note: The Sweden-New Zealand Association in Wellington have our annual midsummer celebration in February.

Lucia 2011, this coming Saturday. Pre-register today!

LUCIA 2011
Register now to make sure you don't miss our Annual Lucia Celebration this Saturday. This is by far our most popular event. Glögg, Saffron buns, ginger snaps, biscuits, hotdogs and much more...

When: Saturday 11th June 2011
Where: Johnsonville Community Hall, 3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnssonville
Time:   5 pm (Please don't be fashionable late for this event - you will miss out!)
Cost:    
$5 for children
$10 for members (prepaid only)
$15 for non members

Your payment must reach us no later than Thursday the 9th of June to be regarded as pre-paid. Please use the registration form in our latest newsletter, which you can download from here: http://www.sweden.org.nz/SweNZ/Welcome_files/newsletter.pdf
You can also register online at: http://www.swenztaste.co.nz/Lucia-2011.html
Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day (not guaranteed, as numbers are limited) at the cost of: $15 per adult and $5 per child. (Please note that door sale $15 will apply to members as well)

Sweden's National day and NZ Queens Birthday on Monday

We all have a good reason to celebrate this weekend: Sweden's National day and NZ Queens Birthday this Monday!


The National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday observed in Sweden on June 6 every year. The day was made into a national day by Riksdagen, the Swedish parliament, in 1983. Previously it was commemorated as svenska flaggans dag, Swedish flag day. (for more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Sweden)

On Monday the 6th, New Zealand celebrates Queens Birthday. In New Zealand, the holiday is the first Monday in June every year: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen's_Official_Birthday

Have a nice weekend !

Final Lucia practise, this Sunday 5th June at 2pm.

Thank you to the girls who turned up for Lucia practise last Sunday.
We have our last practise coming up this Sunday the 5th June at 2.00 pm at Kandallah Community Centre, 2 Ganges Road. (Please note the change of time, from previuos Sundays)

Please contact Joanna on joanna@sweden.org.nz , 04-905 7440 or Renate 04-586 1545 if you and/or your child want to join in this year's Lucia.

For younger children who want to join, but are not yet able to learn the songs, please contact Joanna as we do want you to come for the dress rehearsal early on the day - Saturday the 11 June.

And don't forget we do need help from our members to make this event the success it is - As always, need your help with baking - so please contact Pia Clarke on piarogan@mac.com or 234 85 10 as soon as possible and let her know what you can bake and bring...

And last, but not least - don't forget to pre-register, please use the form in our latest newsletter: http://www.sweden.org.nz/SweNZ/Welcome_files/newsletter.pdf
or if you prefer to register and pay online, you now have this option here:
http://www.swenztaste.co.nz/Sweden-New-Zealand-Association-online-payments.html

Online payment options, now available.

As you know the membership fees are now overdue (unless paid within the last month). The committee has on several occasions been approached about the opportunity to pay the Membership/Event Fee using online banking. It seems more and more people are no longer using cheques and there is an uncertainty involved in sending money in an envelope. We have found that we are loosing members, especially the younger ones due to our inability to accept online payments.

The committee is currently looking into how we can offer online payments without creating to much work for our Treasurer and keeping the cost down.

In the interim SweNZ Taste has offered for us to use their payment system to be able offer online payments and registration. This is of no cost to the association, SweNZ Taste will cover the costs involved as part of their support of the Sweden-New Zealand Association.

You can now pay your Membership fee and Lucia registration here (please note, this link will take you to the SweNZ Taste website): http://www.swenztaste.co.nz/Sweden-New-Zealand-Association-online-payments.html

Mothers day in Sweden, today - 29/5/2011

Sweden celebrates Mothers Day today - Sunday the 29 May!

In Sweden, Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1919, by initiative of the author Cecilia Bååth-Holmberg. It took several decades for the day to be widely recognized though. Those born in the early nineteen hundreds typically did not celebrate the day, as the common opinion was that it had been invented strictly for commercial purposes. Same thing was said about Father's day, and only since the late 1970s has the practice found common acceptance. Mother´s Day in Sweden is celebrated the last Sunday in May, this year 2011 its the 29th of May. The reason for the late date is said to be because then everybody could go outside and pick flowers. (Source: Wikipedia)

More Lucia practise and baking needed!

Thank you to the girls who turned up for Lucia practise last Sunday. If your child is keen to take part - it's not to late!!
We have another practise coming up this Sunday the 29th May at 12.00, at Kandallah Community Centre, 2 Ganges Road. (Please note the change of time, from what was said last Sunday)

Please contact Joanna on joanna@sweden.org.nz , 04-905 7440 or Renate 04-586 1545 if you and/or your child want to join in this year's Lucia.

For younger children who want to join, but are not yet able to learn the songs, please contact Joanna as we do want you to come for the dress rehearsal early on the day - Saturday the 11 June.

And don't forget we do need help from our members to make this event the success it is - As always, need your help with baking - so please contact Pia Clarke on piarogan@mac.com or 234 85 10 as soon as possible and let her know what you can bake and bring...

And last, but not least - don't forget to pre-register, please use the form in our latest newsletter: http://www.sweden.org.nz/SweNZ/Welcome_files/newsletter.pdf

“The Boy and the Adventure” - this Sunday 10am

The girl goes out in the forest in search for an adventure when she meets three huge trolls who all have their special features and who all are on their way to see the prince...


A dramatized fairy-tale based upon “The Boy and the Adventure” by the Swedish author Walter Stenström (published with famous illustrations by John Bauer). Including the introduction, the performance takes around half an hour and is suitable for children from 5 to 10 years old.

Performed by Swedish performer: Gisela de Hollanda in English


When: Sunday 22 May 2011
Time: 10-12
Where: Kandallah Community Centre, 2 Ganges Road
Cost: Gold Coin donation

It would be great if you can send an email to eva@sweden.org.nz or txt 021-0668612, so we know how many kids to cater for. (There will also be coffee for mums & dads, and/or grandparents)

And the results...

Eurovision Song Contest: Sweden came in on 3rd place, well done!


World Championship Ice Hockey: Sweden took Silver. Finland won the Gold medal, Congratulations!

Sweden vs. Finland in Sunday’s final at ice hockey world championship

This Sunday (Swedish time) Sweden meet Finland in the 2011 Ice hockey world championship - It will be an exciting game!!
Sunday’s game will be the fourth worlds final between the long-standing rivals.

If anyone knows a channel/website available in NZ to watch this game, please let us know and we will share it with our members.

Eurovision Song Contest 2011 - available in New Zealand!!

We have just received news from The Sweden Association (Svenska föreningen) in Auckland that the Eurovision Song Contest can be viewed here in New Zealand on Channel Stratos - [Freeview (Channel 21), Sky Digital (Channel 089),TelstraClear Digital TV (Channel 89), Online live on ecasttv ]

The Swedish contibution is on this Friday at 8pm (Eric Saade with the tune Popular) and the Grand Finale is on the Sunday at 8pm.

This year's edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Duesseldorf in Germany. The annual song fest is a long-running European tradition and has lost nothing of its fascination by audiences around the world.



If you (like me) missed Semi Final 1, you can view the contributions here: http://www.youtube.com/user/eurovision#g/c/BD85E817019E6B76
and if you like to preview the contributions coming up this Friday, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/eurovision#g/c/2B7EE0834CBEE94D

You can even vote via Stratos TV: You are welcome to vote for your favourite entry in the Grand Final. Email us your vote to info@stratostv.co.nz This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will let Eurovision know who New Zealand voted for.

For more informaton, see Stratos TV home page

Movie night - This Thursday, 12th May 2011 - The Sandhamn Murders

The Sandhamn Murders

It is a beautiful summer morning on the island of Sandhamn in the Swedish archipelago. In the middle of an idyllic beach scenario, a dead man's body floats up to the surface entangled in a fishing net. Crime inspector Thomas Andreasson from the Nacka police is called to the scene. He has a personal closeness to the island, but it is with a dark past, fresh in his memory, he returns to Sandhamn to solve the case... The Sandhamn Murders is based on Viveca Stens crime novel "I de lugnaste vatten".

 

In Swedish with English Subtitles.

Drama/Thriller (3x45 minutes).


When : Thursday 12 May
Time: 18.45, movie will start at 19.00 sharp
Where: Time Cinema, 191 Sutherland Road, Lyall Bay, Wellington
Cost: $15 (includes movie and a light meal)


As this is a mini series of 3x45 minutes, we will start the movie at 19.00 sharp. After the first 2 episodes we will take a break and treat you for a light meal before we continue the movie.

Please note, if you like a beer or wine with your supper - this is a BYO event.

RSVP to: tinni@sweden.org.nz or 04-499 9895. As seats are limited, be in quick – first in first served!

Lucia (practise) is coming up!

Lucia is coming up and it's time for our maids to start practising the songs.


First practise will be on Sunday the 15th May.

Please contact Joanna on joanna@sweden.org.nz , 04-905 7440 or Renate 04-586 1545 if you and/or your child want to join in this year's Lucia.

Floorball / innebandy anyone?

For all of you Swedes in Wellington, you may or may not know there is an Innebandy (Floorball) club in Wellington, who is looking for more players. Please come along. We might even be able to start a Swedish team?!

Floorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. The game is played indoors on a gym floor, making it a year-round sport at the amateur and professional levels. There are professional leagues, such as Finland's Salibandyliiga and Sweden's Svenska Superligan.
The Wellington club levels range from Junior, Social/Mixed to Competetive.

The club provides sticks, all you need is your normal gym gear. Players at all levels are welcome.

For more info check :
http://www.wellingtonfloorball.org.nz/

Happy Easter - Glad Påsk!

Happy Easter to all of you!

Attached is a picture of some of the lovely Easter Craft (Påskpyssel) made by the Associations fantastic kids.

Want to know how to celebrate Easter the Swedish way? Follow this link: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Celebrating-the-Swedish-way/Easter-in-Sweden/

Glad Påsk!

Easter Decorations, this Sunday 10th April

Calling all Easter Witches!!!

This coming Sunday, the 10th of April, we are planning to have a family fun event and make some Easter "Arts n Crafts" with the kids.

We will meet at Kandallah Community Centre and make Easter Decorations, if time allows we might bake some yummy Easter treats and maybe even have an Egg Hunt!!

When: Sunday 10 April 2011
Time: 10-12
Where: Kandallah Community Centre, 2 Ganges Road, Khandallah
Cost: Gold Coin donation, please note this event is only for members of the Sweden-New Zealand Association.

Would be great is you can send an email to eva@sweden.org.nz or txt 021-0668612, so we know how many kids to cater for. (There will also be coffee for mums & dads, and/or grandparents)

AGM 2011 - introducing the new committee

Thanks to all of you who attended the AGM yesterday. I hope you all enjoyed the Janssons temptation (if you want the recipe please check out our recipe blog).

There has been some changes to the committee this year:
First of all there has been a reshuffle at the top:

• Tinni Linden has moved from the President role into the Secretary Role,
• Joanna Piatek-Dyer has moved from the Secretary Role into the President Role.

We thank Tinni for your years in the president chair, job well done!

Re-elected Committee members:

• Kathleen Forsey (Vice President),
• Marita Appelros (Treasurer),
• Eva Sundin (web and newsletter editor),
• Carol Wideberg,
• Renate Ebner

Sadly we say good bye to a few of last years committee members:

• Charlotte Shörling, who became the mother of Lucas in January (Congratulations and thanks, we will miss you in the committee but hope to see you and your new family member on our events),
• Helen Lahtinen, who unfortunately has commitments elsewhere (Thanks for all your work, hope we can still call on you to help out on our functions),
• Katarina Ejeblad, who left to return to Sweden in November (I hope you are enjoying spring time by now)

New committee members
We are very happy to welcome our new committee members:

• Cherie Udden,
• Barbro Scott,
• Jessica Johansson,
• Uella Watson

I'm sure you can all bring some great ideas and enthusiasm to the association.

We have moved the task of newsletter editor from the Secretary role to the web editors role, so yes, you will be hearing even more from me in the future...More info about the AGM in our next newsletter!

Waffle Day, today 25 March.

Our family and friends in Sweden will all enjoy their waffles today, and so should you - as today, the 25 March, is the National Waffle Day in Sweden.

For a "healthy" egg waffle recipe please check our Food blog (http://senzfood.blogspot.com/)

Waffle Day is a tradition that is celebrated in Sweden, and to a lesser extent elsewhere, on March 25. Waffles are typically eaten on this day. The name comes from Vårfrudagen ("Our Lady's Day"), which in vernacular Swedish sounds almost like Våffeldagen (waffle day). Our Lady's Day is celebrated on March 25 (nine months before Christmas), the Christian holiday of Annunciation, and the Waffle Day is hence celebrated on the same day although it has no religious connections to Our Lady's Day. (source Wikipedia)

AGM and Janssons temptation

The current Committee welcomes all its members and interested to join us for our 46th Annual General Meeting.

Please do come along and hear what we have been up to during the year. This is your chance to meet the committee and bring any ideas you may have forward.

There will be drinks and nibbles before the meeting and after the meeting Janssons Temptation and drinks will be provided.

If you haven't received the agenda yet or have any other queries, please contact Tinni on 04 499 9895 or email tinni@sweden.org.nz

When: 28 March 2011
Time: 7 pm
Where: Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace (off Hill Street) Thorndon

See you all there!

Fettisdag - Time for a Semla!

This coming Tuesday 8 March 2011, we should all have a Semla. Our family and friends in Sweden will certainly have one. Don't know how to make them? Charlotte, who made them for last years AGM, has kindly shared her recipe with us on our Recipe blog, just click on this link: http://senzfood.blogspot.com/2010/03/charlottes-semlor.html

Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) is the Tuesday after the Quinquagesima and the last day before the Christian feast; the day between Shrove Monday, and Ash Wednesday. Because it is the last day before the Easter Feast, it has created a tradition to eat buns, so called "fastlagsbullar", "fettisdagsbullar" (Fat Tuesday Buns) or "semla". The day is also called "White Tuesday" since the buns were made out of white flour.

The day is called "Mardi Gras" in France. The day is called "fettisdag" in Sweden and Finland.

So go on, do some baking today - and enjoy on Tuesday!

Scandinavian Festival 2011

A big thank you to "Scandinavian Club of Manawatu Inc", and the "Norsewood Promotions Group" for organising such a successful Scandinavian Festival last weekend.

There were a mix of Scandinavian (and NZ) flags everywhere.

There were Folk dancers from Denmark and Musicians from Norway as well as local entertainment.

The Sweden-New Zealand Association contributed with a taste of Sweden by bringing the maypole and the game of kubb. A big thank you to Göran Persson and Stefan Hålam for showing how to play this fun game and inviting interested visitors to play with them.

Unfortunately I had to miss out on the evening events but I'm sure Joanna and/or Tinni will give us all an update in the next newsletter... for some photos please visit Peter McDermott's photos on http://www.bestill.co.nz/Events/festival/festival.htm

Scandinavian Festival 2011, 25-27 February

Now is the time to book for the next festival to be held at Norsewood and Dannevirke in the Hawkes Bay, on 25th to 27th February 2011.
Some of the Sweden-New Zealand association committee members will be there, planning to camp over night. Come along! Or maybe just come up for a day trip?

There are many fun events planned for the weekend (for more information visit: http://www.scandinavianfestival.org.nz/) including:

Cultural Market Day
Folk Music Groups
Hands on experiences!
Story Telling
Genealogy
London Bus
District Bus Tour
Johanna's World Tour
Walking Tours of Norsewood
Guided 'Troll Stroll'
PARADE

Register today! Registration form can be found at: http://www.scandinavianfestival.org.nz/

See you there!