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!

Midsummer tomorrow, Sunday

Looks like there might be a slight drizzle tomorrow, but don't worry we will still have our midsummer celebration. If it gets too wet we will just move the maypole and celebration inside. We have done it before and it's been a success!

If you are bringing children, it's not too late to let us know, please contact eva@sweden.org.nz or 021-0668612, so we can cater for them at the fiskedamm.

For more information, see previous blogpost.

See you all tomorrow!

Midsummer - Sunday 13th of February 2011

Please join the Sweden-New Zealand Association for our annual Midsummer Celebration on Sunday the 13th Feb. We will decorate the maypole, dance around it, play outdoor games, have a picnic and for the children - Fiskedamm.

If you are bringing children: Please call or txt Eva on 021-0668 612 or email: eva@sweden.org.nz and let her know how many children you will bring (for the Fishpond gifts).

• Bring greenery and flowers to decorate the maypole
• Bring a blanket and picnic for you and your family
• Bring friends and family (no need to be a member of the association)
• Bring outdoor games if you have some - kubb is always popular

Please note: Come rain, come shine - We will celebrate regardless of the weather. If it pours with rain, we will use the fabulous girl guide indoor facilities which are there for us to use...

• Date: Sunday 13th of February
• Place: Huntleigh Girl Guide Hall Park in Crofton Downs – 48 Silverstream Road
• Time: 11 am (we normally stay until 2-ish)

See you there!